Newport daily independent., 1919-02-05
LETTER FROM CECIL MELVILLE.

1ne IOlloWlnB leLCeT tO HIS aunt at Grubbs, is written by the son of the county judge, John A. Melville, who is another of our boys deserving great credit for his share in the great war:
 Somewhere in France,
 December 25, 1918. Mrs. Ollye Barrett,
 Grubbs, Arkansas.
 Dear Auntie:
 l will now try to answer your let ter of the 22nd, and you can never one time imagine how glad I was to hear from you. How is everybody at home now?
 I am feeling all right. Have just finished dinner and it was fine one too-much better than we expected.
 How did you enjoy this Christmas :? wo Id have been glad to be at home at this season of the year, but may be
 with you soon
 I have moved since wrote you last. We were in the advance sector, but moved back about three hundred kill ometers. I hope that the next move we make will enable us to shake hands with the statute of Liberty, but I fear we will be attached to the Oc- cupation Army. have seen large portion of France, but have never been able to see sunny France yet. It rains almost every day. Lawrence Wilson, the boy from Tu- pelo, is in the hospital, but think he will be able to get back to the com- pany in a short time.
 You spoke of the French people. { Yes, they seemed queer when l first came over here, but have gotten used to them now. have learned to speak some French. You wanted to know if I was sea sick coming across. didn't get very sick, but some of the boys had six meals a day-three go- ing down and three coming up. do not want to make but one more trip across that pond and that is one back home.e
 Have any of the boys know been mustered out of the army yet? If you know the address of any of the Jackson county boys over here I would be glad if you would tell me in your next letter.
 Have you had any severe winter yet? It hasn't been very cold over here yet. But believe me, it's doing some showing now. Looks like we might have some winter before it is over There is going to be a minstrel show at the Y. M. c. A. tonight. There are lots of negro soldiers in this camp and they are more than enjoy ing Christmas. I saw negro soldier at noon who had had a little too much wine. It was certainly funny sight to watch that negro eat. He was the happiest looking fellow ever saw. The Red Cross gave each of us package today, which contained to- bacco, cigars, cigarettes and chocolate candy, which we all appreciated very much. The Y. M. c. A. gave the lit- tie French children a Christmas tree. I never saw any one appreciate any thing as much as those poor little French children did. The expression on their faces when they received their presents was enough to pay any man back who had donated to the tree. Take it from me the Red Cross and Y. M. c. A. are doing great work over here. A soldiers life would be one of torture if it were not 1 for them.
 l I had a letter from home yesterday I was sure sorry to hear of so many of my friends and neighbors being dead. That "flu" has killed many people. Two boys from my squadron died with it.
 How is grandmother now? Well it is about supper time. Guess had better close. Give my love and best | wishes to all.
 I am your nephew, Private Cecil Melville,