The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-01-24
Letter From II. B. kimbalI.
Sunday. Nov. "a. 1918,
Co r. 321st Init.
: 6 4 p n No 7o1

co. +, 32lSt init.
u. S. A. P. 0. No. 791, a. E. T.
Dear Mother: This is Dads day. l
take a great deal of pleasure in writ
ing you and tell you where have been
land what l have been doing in France.
We were in training at a little vii
lage near Flogry until we were ready
sto go to the front We went from
there to a front at Denepavie near the
city of SAINT Die where we were in the
ttranches for about one month. We
lghen went from there to Verdun front,
passing through Nancy and several
large places Walked through the city
sof ST. Mihiel. where not single build
was left that had not been practically
destroyed by fire. | also went all over
the ruined city of Verdun which l
found in the same condition. Also
visited dead mans hill, which you
have read about so much in the pa
pers, Can't describe this place to you
now but shall do so when l see you.
We were in the trenches there some
time.
Left for another front near Metz on
the 9th and the morning of the 11th
we met the Boch in open warfare and
drove them back at al points till the
last shot was fired at II a. m. Am
glad to say had the honor of being
in one of the most active battle fronts
when the war came to a close and
certainly glad to say managed to go
through it all untouched.
The Wild Cats showed the Huns
what they were made Of and they said
that they had never been up against
bunch like us during the whole war.
w boys from China Grove are all
safe. Saw Worth Miller, Upright and
Trexler after the battle. Brown is all
%. K. and we are still together. We
are now at Robert-espange about 40
miles from Pounere, and hope on our
way back to the Statese. Ha, at least
one can rest better as we are back
where the country has not been affect
Led so much by the war.
i can imagine that there was great
rejoicing in the States during the aft
ernoon and the night of the 18th. The
people over here certainly seem to be
happy since it is all over. I think 1
shall have to celebrate little myself
when I get back Tell John and Fish
ser to wait till l return as want to be
best man. Ha. sent you handker
Schief some time ago. Did you receive
1t? I also sent Thelma a souvenir.
Tell Mary to ask her to see it if she
has received it yet. am sending you
"a couple of pictures of myself taken
Just after coming out the trenches.
Shall have some better ones made
when get back home.
am feeling fine and have not been
sick single time since have been in
France and certainly hope 1 can re-
main well the rest of the time am
here.
I have been having some real nice
times since have been over here and
we have been faring exceptionally we'll
all the time we have been here. We
have been doing great deal of hiking
since we left the front but l have stay
ed right with them; have not fallen
~oui yet.
Heard from Hamp Stirwalt few
days ago. Guess he wants to come
across now as it is all over, Ha. Am
writing enough this time for all. Tell
them l have very little time to write
now as we are moving most all the
time. am real anxious to get back
again to see you ALL Think shall get
there about the time you kill hogs, Ha.
A little sausage from home would go
mighty nice, Ha. Here is hoping it
won't be much longer till shall be
with you once again. Am looking
forward to that time as the happiest
moment of my life. Trust this will
: find you all well and enjoying life to
the fullest. Tell grandma 1 shall al
most get back by Christmas, Ha Wish
you very happy Christmas.
] am as ever, your devoted son,
Fl. B. KimbaIl
Written to Mrs Bessie Kimball, his
mother, at China Grove, N. C.