The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1919-01-16
From Arch Surles to his father, Al
len Surles.
Nov. Il. 1918.

81 AICu ouAASS ~ AAo
len Surles.
Nov. Il, 1918.
Ny Dear Father:-I am this al
ternoon taking advantage of a few
leisure moments and writing you a
few lines that you may know that
am still we'll and safe. and sure trust
that these few lines will find you
well and enjoying the best of health.
Father this afternoon / shall en-
deayor to thank you in a few feeble
words for my very existance, for TINS
strong body of mine and the perfect
physical condition that 1 have been
blessed with and has enabled me TO
do as much. for my country, Tor I'D
erty and for humanity.
thank you father for the many
good things that you have done for
me from my childhood until the pres
ent day. l thank you for the num-
erous encouragements and valuable
advice that you have given me from
time to time, and I certainly trust
that some day in the near future
shall be able to repay to some ex-
tent. the kindness and many good
deeds that you have so long, so OF
tens and so willingly bestowed upon
your devoted son.
Father, as you know the war is
iust about over now, and ! sure am
! glad to know 1t. think everyone
aust be glad after four and half
|ears OF war; why the whole world
|st be very glad.
yWFather, 1 feel that I must say just
a few words in regards to the good
work that our company has done In
bringing this cruel war to an end.
Our first real experience begun on
last August the Sth when we took
ever a section on the st. Neihel front
where we held the line until Sep
tember 18th at which time we went
ever the top just as the sun was turn
ing darkness into day, and by noon
the following day We had advanced
40 a depth Of about ten miles taking
all our objectives with time to spare,
We remained on this front until
about October 18th. We were then re-
lieved for a period Of twelve days al
ter which time we took over another
sector on the Argonne-Neuse 'front.'
with a part Of our division which is
She seth holding the line there IN
til November 1st at which time we
again went over the top. Our company
not being actually engaged untu-So-
vember 3rd, ths.nOssSss ss<of which
we relieveeSsSUft of our division and
continued the advance, teaching our
first objective about" noon of the
same day.
At this objective We remained un'
Til the sun had again almost turned
darkness into day. When we again
started Jout on rather perilous er'
rand. with the capture Of the vii
Iase of Beaufort as our first objective
which we had taken by about Sis
. m. and in the afternoon OF the
.ams day we contr ned the advance
reaching in the evening the OUT
.kirts of the village Of Scessey near
the south bank Of the river Neuse
where we remained in the front line
until the evening Of the tenth OF NO,
yember at which time we received
orders too cross the river and pro-
ceed down the northern bank aoou'
Aone kilometer and to take and hoIo
he village of Rowley, which our com
nv did alone under considerable
N fire, taking several machine
and about one hundred and ten
pers.
had just about assembled al
\. a prisoners and sent them to
&sf when the eleventh hour oi
|eyenth day Of the eleventh
of the year Of 1918 came
hat no doubt will be remember
by the population Of the entire
orld. and go down in world history
kin ages to come.
Co. 'I" remained in this village un.
III the morning Of the 18th when W.
were ordered to the rear for few
iays rest, in taking advantage oi
This opportunity we occupied the VII,
age of Tally where We were assigned
10 the Army Of Occupation and re-
4nained there until November z4th
ezwbich time we started on oul
with presume the River
Ass our destination. where We