The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1919-01-27
SOLDIERS LETTER
Thomas Hamill Smith Writes HIS
Father, James NJ. Smith, East New
Market, on Dads Day"
La Trecey, France,
November "a, 1918.

l.
November "a, 1918.
My dear Dad:
! Today is Dads Day" and we have
the privilege to write to our folks
telling them just what we have done
! and seen during our travels from
! home. l will endeavor to give yol
a brief story concerning the trip. be-
cause it is almost impossible to de,
scribe the many events we have ex,
perienced.
Starting on my little story:
We left Camp Meade Sunday, Jul
ly IA, 1918, for the port of embarka-
ton. We did lot know just what
port we would embark from when
we left Camp, but later found out
our port of embarkation was Phila-
delphia. The regiment reached Phil
adelphia about II o'clock July IA,
1918, and we were placed on the
British transport Messaba. q shall
never forget the old boat, even if she
did meet with hard luck in the Irish
isea) We left port at 9 p. m.,bound
for overseas duty. When we left
Washington street pier, 1 did not rea
lie 1 was leaving dear old home,
and my dear folks behind, and it did
not dawn upon me that 1 was leaving
the greatest country in the world be-
hind, but now I can see the value of
those great things we sometimes ne
glect. Dad, appreciate every second,
minute, hour, you live in those
great United States of America.
We are still sailing on; passed the
coast of New York feeling fine, hap
py in every way. On Wednesday,,
July 18th, the ship pulled into Hall
fax, Nova Scotia. They have a Won
derful harbor there, and it should be
noted for it's beautiful scenery. We
remained in Halifax for two days
and a half. Our purpose of staying
in Halifax was for waiting for other
ships to join our convoy. During our
little wait in Halifax we experienced
death of one of our comrades,
whose name was Davenport, from
the Carolinas. 1 shall never forget
when they buried him at sea. 1t
was sad for us all, and I wondered
if his people would know the truth
of the poor boys death.
We had battle in the Irish Sea
with the submarines, just before
landing, but the caasers did their
part, therefore we pulled thru the
event O. X Those sub chasers are
great.
We landed III Liverpool, England. ::
and We received royal. welcome
from, the English people. |, with ii
9ez4o. har s5saEt oTer a!Es:
kenhead, England, to take care q
the baggage. The baggage was un-
loaded, and then about II pm, July
31st, we left Berkenhead for a rec
reation camp, which was Romsey,
Eng. The old Romsey abbey still re-
mains there and has in it's walls the
prints of shell fire during Cromwell's S
time The foundation WAS laid in
$40 AD.;the church itself dates back
to 100 a. d. You realize how old It
is. During our journey thu Eng
land we passed thru Exford, Bur-
ham, Winchester, and boarded an
American transport at Southampton.
Eng, to cross the English Channel.
The name of the transport was the
Yale; she used to run on the Pacific
Coast
I realized the subs. were Dad in the
channel, but the old Yale crossed
that night while other ships TUNED
back. We were fired on, but made
the trip successfully. We reached La
Hayre, France, the next rlornli1g
just about dawn. We debarked again
and rested in La Havre for two days.
After our rest we marched to the
station to entrain. 1 am sure yol
have read about the cars :he troops
travel in while in France. Well. it
is true; we travel in box cars, aud
they have marked on them, Cheveax,
s; Horses, 8; Homes, 40; Men. 40.
We enjoyed it, and thought it was
great, but do not think you ar esleep-
ing in a feather bed, because the
floor is our bad while enroute. From
La Havre We travelled to Lathus, then
to La Courtine; La Courtine to La
Trecy, the place where we are now
stationed. This is in the firing sec
tor. near Chaumont. Chaumont is
General Pershiug's headquarters, and
a great number of people were forced
out, due to the German invasion dur
ing 1915. We leave sometime next
week for another city, l believe some
where around Metz. At present, |
am feeling great, and enjoying the
effects of a French fireplace in lit
tie room, with a dandy French bed.
A French bed has four feather beds
on it, and maybe you can't sleep.
l have tried to tell a few things,
but will tell you all when reach
home, and l believe we Will sail for
the States soon. Wishing Mamma
and all the folks a happy Christmas
and a merry New Year, I remain,
with love to all, your loving son.
HAMILL
P. S.-Our Infantry was practical
ly wiped out; that is, the 314, 313,