The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-10-10
Seret. Many Writes Home.

IAppearing below is Il letter from Sergt.
Will Many. 1t was put in type last week
as a part of the Plain Dealing news report.
but was crowded out. For fear it will be
again crowded out, we are giving 1t place
on this page. which is printed before the
rush takes place. Though this letter was
address originally to the young mans
mother, Mrs. J. T. Many. of Plain Dealing.
there is every reason to believe it will be of
interest to all his old friends, as well as to
the Banners readers generally.-Editor.
LETTER FROM FRANCE.
Sergt Will Many, of the 3sth Regiment,
now in France. in a letter of date July oath,
addressed to his mother, resident of this
place. among other things, tells of high
honor accorded himself and friend:
While we were at another place l went
out walking with Il boy friend on the
French national holiday. We came upon Il
company of French soldiers enjoying their
holiday by running sack races and climbing
Sticky poles for prizes There were also
Il few young ladies present. \ French sol
der who spoke broken English came up to
us and told us that the French officers
would be delighted TO have US join them
and remain for a concert they were going
to give that night. OF course We appreci-
ated the honor. and accepted.
AS we walked down to the crowd all eyes
were turned on "Amcrikans." The French
men began to crowd around us, and, with
the aid of what little French l speak, and
of the French soldier who could speak Eng
fish, we began to answer questions. The
French major and captain came over and
introduced themselves to us. t'rhc French
people are quite polite.D They then gather
cd around the two violinists and cOrnet
player, and rendered the Marscilles," at
which we 1.-THE two .Amexics) stood at at
tention and salutcd with Il snap-the same
as We would do by our own national hymn.
The next selection was The Star Span
yled Banner Let me explain that a few
days before this French paper had print.
ed our national anthem. with both French
and English words, and they had secured Il
DOZEN or so copies for this occasion. They
sang it in French. and. of course, We sang
in our mother tongue. On top of this we
sang ''Tipperary," both French and -Ameri-
cans, and shouted Tire la France! etc.
1t was supper time by then, so the music
started out toward farm house, followed
by my friend and myself--between the two
French Officcrs-and the rest of the COM
pany including ladies and children, all fol
lowing in columns of fours. The flag bearer
was in front of all. carrying aloft the
French colors. To make it more impress
sive. we "Amcxies' marched on both sides
of the flag bearer. TO our surprise, when
We arrived at the farm house the crowd
had formed a large circle around we two
| the three musicians and the color bearer
and all clasped hands and danced around
| U.S. singing French songs while the music
continued and shouting Eire la imericd
We then ate supper with the Frenchmen
| The mess corporal had us to eat with him
| and. believe me. we had a great supper.
That night we went to the concert. Oh
| course, it was all in French, but rs it wa.
musical enjoyed it none the less. TIL,
| last number was by we two Americans, ant
consisted of several popular United State.
| songs. and THE Star Spangled Banner,
in which We were supported by the two VIC
| Inns and the cornet.
| To describe their stage. 1t was con
| strueted of ammunition boxes. stacked il
the corner Of large shed. Up against thu
wall was piled green boughs to make 1t at
/ tractive. In the center of the stage wer,
the three Gags-England's. Americas ant
| Italy's. On both sides of the stage wer
crossed rifles and swords, also a larg
| French flag. You can imagine how nice
| it was.
After finishing our songs we started t,
step down off the stage, but were met b.
the French officers. who assisted us down
and told of how much they appreciate,
1 having us, that we had put much lif
| into that day for the French people VIII
were there.
could tell you much more of this GOO
time, but this will give you an idea of tina
great French ..fete'' we spent in France.
1t has been very exciting over here TO
us the past week. but so far l have com
out fine Was up ut the front-and believ
me, did mine, but am as fine as | wa
when l went up there.
\ letter received from Sergt. Morrow
!, who was a memebr of the same regimen
land who is warm friend of the write
! of the above letter. but now ut his hon,
in South Bend, Ind, detailed as an il
structOr at Rochester, MIMI. describes no,
they went over the top" as they wer
both in the battle of the Marne and in on
fight lasting ten days and another of ST
days, all escaping any hurt. \ letter of
later date describes his appreciation of
quiet town. where he has nice Office, an
of eating rabbit cooked in white wiae Il,
identity these boys all enjoy something goo
to cat.