Gunnison news-champion., 1919-02-07
LETTERS TELL OF GERMANY
IContinued from Fin, Pagel

@EN1Lh. Itlen LIF- Sp-AI JOIN EAhIs
and gaily lead Us into their town
Flags were everywhere Usually the
American flags were made hurrledly
and had only five stars | do not IN
derstand why only five.
! A We reached inner Belgium the
people spoke both French and Ger
man Eastern Belgium people spoke
Gcman entirely. After our hike,
which was pretty nearly every day,
We would listen 20 the stories of the
people. We being biiletsd in homes:
We slept on floors Sometimes we
had straw and often not. They all
like the Americans and are very soci-
able.
LgHcmburg is the most beautiful
country | have ever seen. The roads
are wonderful. There are beautiful
pine forests. Every hill was used
/ for gardens. The people spoke Ger
man entirely. and my little knowledge
| Of German has come in mighty handy
! The flags were fewer but our reeep-
ton was good. These people have
Jared better than the Belgians, but
/ they were cowed into submission b.
Germans. We were able 10 buy eat
ablcs sometimes, not much. but 4
change from the regular army mess
was just interrupted 10 get the
mail. Received a letter from you
written November Ilth. enclosing
hand bills. What 4 grand time you
must have had on that day. can
I imagine just how glad you all were.
We were not in a place where we
could celebrate with paradeS, but II
shouting counts, we did our share. |
think have told you about our ex-
pcrenccs that morning. We we're in
i burial party hunting for the dead
The day before We heard 4 runor 20
the effect that the Germans were try
ing TO arrange an arruistice, but We
were 50 far from civilization nothing
ended a few hours earlier, many
American soldiers would have been
spared. Early on the morning of the
llth, many were killed while crossing
the Mcus". | helped to bury some OF
them. The experiences | had on the
llth and 18th will remain with me
forever.
LATER Some OF the boys just cal
led me to do some Interpreting for
them. Tired 10 buy some waffles. A
couple Of Fraulcin were there and We
had good time. Expect 10 move to
morrow to little city.
Our treatment by the German pco-
pic 20 far has been very good. They
are happy that the war is over, and
no matter what happens they arc
happy. They sure have lost all love
Of the Kaiser. Expect they will have
Republic or a limited monarchy like
England. The war has undoubtedly
made big sacrifice necessary from
each and every one. But they are
leaving all TO President Wilson. They
Ike the Americans but not the French
or English.
The country is hilly with lots of
forests, but fine agricultural coun-
try. The sun has not shown but once
since November 2ith-that is a fact.
The topmost thought in our minds
is when will We get home"
Schweich, Germany,
December q and %.
We spent one night in Bitburg, n
gOod-sized town. Spent several days
in WaNweiler. The people are very
enthusiastic about the Americans and
are trying TO win back their friend
ship. We get many good things to
eat. Meat and soap are scarce. Have
not received any mail for several
weeks.
Our band was honored yesterday
by getting to play for General Persh-
ing at kylburg. We made long auto
trip to do so. 1t was a very militaris-
tic affair
We are living in n private home here
and having n fine time but nothing
will do but the good U. S. A. |
Dec. %. 1918.
Just think, but one more day until
Xmas. | received ten letters today.i
Tomorrow, perhaps I'll get my Xmas
box. They said tonight that there are
over two thousand men in our regi-
mcnt and only five hundred packages
have come. More may come tomor-
row. | am real anxious to see what
it contains.
am writing this letter by electric
light, on a real table and in a real
house. The family-father. mother.
sons and daughters-are very nice to
us. We can get jelly, potato salad
and coffee whenever we want the
same. We shall have Xmas tree in
our room. | understand the band will
be busy nearly all day Xmas, playing
so il will not give US a chance to get
homcsick.
Today we had Regimental Review
before Major General Hurd. 1t was
held right outside this town on the
banks of the Mosel river. This is q
beautiful spot. II looks much like
Gunnison valley and has q mountain
like Tenderfoot These affairs are be-
coming quite the style.
Some Of the boys told me they saw
the soldier | met at the hospital. This
fellow must have been Harry Will
liams as l do not recall meeting any
one else know at the hospital. They
said he inquired for me. If it was
Harry he is pretty wen located as it
was Divisional Headquarters. Receiv-
ed letter from Mary Lake, and some
pictures. She writes good letters.
! am in hopes l can come home by
June. You know, of course, l haven't
any say in this affair. / can only say
thar my one thought is "Hnme Sweet l