The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-02-20

Manchester Depot.
Manonviilc, France. Jan 3, 1919
Dear Parents:
It's evening again and | am at IN,
\ y. NJ. c. A. and as there's nothing
else ! can do, will write a few linel
again. 1t has been storming sine,
the first as usual. Was out all da,
today but beat the storm in this after
noon. Had covered trucks TO 20 ou
and return. in.
Next Monday we are TO pull of {
real battle In front Of the divisional
generals and some others. Went ou'
|. and rehearsed today. Had great
time. Was sent out in advance OF
our company on scout duty. Were u
keep the company in the rear Of tht
advance wave 500 yards. Had a busy
time. Sell holes and trenches and
barbed wire without end. The worst
place | have seen on the front. Our
show is to be put over on one Of the
real battle fields. | can tell you there
was some show pulled Off there, too
II is a sight to see. There were real
caterpillars used and the ground is
covered with buds and relics Of the
battle. There is a little mine crater
and little town shot almost level to
the ground As lonesome landscape
as could be seen anywhere. | don't
know why we, the Bird battalion Of the
| 5Gth were chosen out of all the 7th
division. They must have pretty
good opinion of us because of our
showing at the Battle of Prainy Ridge
or maybe it's because we are so bum.
Today had cannon, one trench mortar,
machine guns, automatic rifles, revolt
vers and service rifles. They were all
in use. Burned ammunition enough
for battle only for the lead coming
back.
Received that Christmas box New
Years Day and il was fine. The Ma
biscos were great, also the chocolate
and those Vermont kisses made me
long to be home. Tell Ethel her candy
was great. 1t came through fresh and
good.
Twelve Of the boys from Co. l are
going tomorrow on pass to one Of
the leave areas set aside for the A. 4.
+. sent my watch out TO get it
fixed and sent some money home, so
have not enough to go on a pass this
month. Thought if / sent it home l
could buy little with it in the States.
Think this will be all for now.
January 7, 1919.
Will try few lines again. All is
0. K. and the goose hangs high. Am
sitting on my bunk, back against one
side and feet hanging over the other,
writing on full box of cigars. Just
came from the Sales Comissary over
in Newton. Bought luxuries at about
cost. Laid in a supply for 20 francs.
Three candles, 3 boxes Velvet, five
packages ,Camels, 3 packages cookies,
box cigars, boxes matches and one
pound chocolate.
Had an entertainment Saturday
night at the "Y" by the band and
headquarters company, and Sunday
evening another with music by the
band, an orchestra of base violin and
two 'cellos and three American women.
Seemed good to hear the women speak
English. Makes fellow want to get
home. Don't know when we will be
there as all kinds Of rumors are afloat
here. We have oil adopted the policy
Of watchtul waiting and have as much
patience as we IAN. We can not all
go home at once and it seems right |
that the ones who have been here
longest are the ones to go home first |
/ was thinking today | have been in
the service eight months the last Of
this month and will soon have been in
France six months. Will then be due
to a service stripe and have not had
one minutes pass or leave since !
came in. Well / am about run down
for this time, SO will close with love
and hoping to see you soon.
January IL, 1919.
1t is Saturday afternoon and have
come to the "Y" to write again. Don't
seem TO be much to do to kill time.
No drill Saturday afternoon. Every
hing is about the same with drill as
usual. We are still waiting word TO 60
Never can tell when to
expect the order to move. Don't
seem to be much indication of moving
cow. The aero gang are putting up
new hangar and are TO put in stage
'or shows and athletic stunts.
Had our second snow storm Of the
winter this morning, but 1t melted as
asst as it came. Anything is good 70
ong as it doesn't rain.
Well the Army Is the darndest thing
l. 1