The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-03-21


The following letter was received
this week by Mrs. Oscar Williams.
from her brother, Wagner Raymond
e. Rhoten, in France:
Dear ister:-Just few lines to
let you know II am well and 0. X.
received your letter yesterday and of
course | was very glad to hear that
all are well. Well L guess you
thought 1 was never going to write
to you, but really Viola, that is one
awful hard thing to do over here, as
what one wanted to say he couldn't
and of course we are tired of the
life and don't care is the plainest way
to state it. | know l should have
written before Il did, but just kept
saying ''I'll do it later" I'm glad you
didn't do as / did, stop writing.
was always more than glad to have
letter from the States. 1 think
received about all the letters you
wrote to me. Sister I guess you
wonder what we are doing over here,
about the same work as we did at
Meade. L am still driving, but have
horses instead of mules. But they
are very particular about how they
are groomed and the harness clean
ed. They inspect most every day, so
you see we are not taking life so easy.
But when the shells were bursting
we never saw an inspector. persume
they were in a dugout. L guess you
would like to know where we are so
at the present time we are i'm a small
town called Conden, but the towns
over here are not like they are over
there. they are far behind time.
Plenty OF girls, but | am not interest
ed in any of them / don't care for
anyone whom I cannot talk to, 50 you
see | don't speak much French. l
don't think I would learn it i'm life
time. L have been full Of those lit
tie coolies several times, would hate
to bet that I haven't got them now.
One Of my old friends is picking the
coolies off Of himself now, but that's
an old thing with this bunch of boys.
Now don't think am kidding you for
| am not. Talk about the weather,
Y it hasn't been very cold up until the
last week. it has been right cold, but
very little snow, about an inch or
two. Today has been a real winter
day, showing and blowing. 1t looks
like real blizzard. Most of the time
it is cloudy, lots of rain and mud.
! We have about one clear day a
month. so you know / don't like it
over here. I sure am tired of this
kind of life and I'm not the only one.
all are anxious to get back in the
dear old u. S. A. You asked me if I
\ ever see any of the boys from Wood
ensburg-I did before they went To
the hospital Arthur went there sick
and Clifford was slightly wounded i'm
the last hours Of battle, 50 T haven't
seen them since. But a lot of bows
are still with Us. But believe me il
was some tough while the war was
going On, especially when the shells
were lying II never expected to see
the States lots of times 1 guess |
was lucky, that's the way / figure it
20 far have never been sick q day
or been hurt in anyway since 1 have
been over here. Let us hope III con-
tlnues that way until get back
You asked me when expected to get
back don't know any more than
you do. but Il hope the time Is draw
ing near for us to bid France good
bye. # will try hereafter to write to
some OF the family once. a week
When you write be sure to tell me all
the news. hope this letter finds YOU
all well. it leaves me In good health
Tell all the rest to write to me often,
III will close for this time. With love
to you all, goodbye.
Your loving brother.
E RAYMOND, /. !. !. /.
~ 313th TnfanfrvS sSnnrlu NJ