Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1918-11-08
OVER SEA LETTER
Somewhere in Franee

10 LUe eQlLOI OF CaIIOl count,
Democrat, Huntingdon, Tenn.
Dead Editor:-I am sitting here il
my dugout with my comrades think
Of friends and loved ones back il
dear old Carroll County, and Will,
the Boche and rats are quiet / wish
to spend a few minutes conversinl
with them through the medium o.
your paper If you will grant space
for short letter.
We boys are having some won
derful experiences on this side of the
pond. Have seen some very histor
ical scenery during my travels across
England and France. One of the
places that might interest the PEG.
pie. ! visited the Winchester Cattle
dral which was begun in 1893 anC
completed in 1926. A. D. William
the Conqueror sat on his throne ir
the building during his reign.
/ have been across France in those
cattle cars you have read about in
the magazines, slept in those barns
with cattle, goats and horses, have
roasted with chickens and bunked
with rats. / also know what it is to
make twenty-five mile hike with
ninety pound pack strapped on my
back.
France is a wonderful country.
In fact / think the most wonderful
country to start home from ! ever
saw. The people are all you have
heard they were. One thing about
the people in the country ! do not
admire. Their home and COW shed
are all under one roof.
l have been on the front several
days, and we are getting acquainted
with the life in the trenches and dug
outs and it is just like a modern ho-
tel with no conveniences at all. We
have a shower of shells from John
Boche most every night.
War life is quite different to what
l had pictured it to be. 1t is about
four to one in favor of US boys
One sure learns to not mind the burst
of shells and rapid firing of the
dreaded machine guns. He also learns
to find great pleasure in tearing up
the enemy implements for him.
War is just hunting match where
millions of men are in for the medal
And man is the game looked for. 1t
is great sport, believe me.
/ must mention the great work be-
ing done by the Y. M. G. A. and Red
Cross for the Sammie. They care
for US like mothers and in fact, they
are our parents over here. They sup
ply us with American tobacco, Gig
arettes, sweaters, wristlets, stati-
onary, hot chocolate and cakes. All
these favors play prominent part in
a soldiers life. know for we got
1900 cigarettes and five boxes Of
candy yesterday from the Y. M. c..
A., but rats helped us eat the candy
last night but lucky they have never
learned to smoke.
We boys are all elated over peace
rumors published in this evenings
paper All are looking forward to
home coming day to arrive soon.
Then we can all have our troubles
over Europe over again, and end our
conversations with the fatted calf.
do not fail to think of the boys
who are going to miss the tug, but
they can listen to US tell about it. |
sure do not fail to think of my
friends and loved ones who are pray
ing day and night for peace, while
we win the war and hope to be back
with you next year
Should be glad to have line from
any of you at your leisure.
Wishing all of you the best you
can wish, am,
Yours for victory,
Sgt. ]. R. BUTLER,
Hdq. Co. 1922 Inf.
u. S. A. P. O. 791