The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-02-27

young man enlisted early in 1918 from
South Portland, as a cornet player in
| the Heavy Artillery Band He has
frequently visited here and has many
acquaintance In this section
Wilmington. Germany,
January 49, 1919.
Dear Uncle Ora:
| was some what surprised yet
pleased to get your letter this last
week so am going to try and scribble
a few lines to you this evening |
suppose you might be interested to
know what We have been doing since
We landed in France. We landed at
St Nazarie, France, on the 18th of
last September and went into a rest
camp for IA few days Our trip
across was uneyentful and very
pleasant except for seasckness. After
leaving the rest camp we travelled by
train part way across France and af-
ter few days hiking landed at
Dombasle, near Verdun. Here we
lived in dugouts and huts and the line
companies carried on pioneer work at
the front. We We're still here when
the Armistice was signed, and were
among the troops picked to occupy
Germany
We left Dombasle on the 18th of
November and marched thru France
between the boundaries OF Belgium
and Lorraine. across Luxembourg and
into Germany as far as Coblenz on the
Rhine. Here We stayed about
week and then moved to this town
about 10 kilometers from Coblenz
down the Moselle River This has
been wonderful experience. and
have seen a great deal | never ex-
pected to see.
We are comfortably situated here
We live in private families, two men
to family. 1t hardly seems pos
sible that we are living with the same
people who, a few weeks ago. we
were at war with but here we are
The people use us fine and do all they
can to make us feel at home They
have a lot of respect for the L. s
soldier. but no use for the French and
English. The man live with is as
years old and was in the war for
three years. This is just an example
of the kind of soldiers Germany had
They were using both extremes, old
and young. Believe me they are
glad the war is over and they don't
want any more of it.
We passed Christmas here in this
town and had as pleasant a day as
could be expected over here. Most
of the fellows got their little Xmas
boxes from home. and we were all
remembered by the Red Cross on
Christmas day. and by the Y. NJ. c. A.
on New Years Day. We have what
Is called the Regimental Union here,
1t is a large room where the fellows
can spend their spare time. We have
piano, victrola. a chance to read
and write. We have some sort of an
entertainment Every night. The band
plays one night and the orchestra the
next We have shows. boxing, etcS;
and one night week an entertain
ment by Y. NJ. c. A. troop. This
Union is great thing because it takes
up a fellows mind and keeps him out
Of mischief.
The question that interests us most
now is when we are going home. We
are all very anxious to go but of
course don't know when our turn will
come. am doubly anxious to get
home because mamma is so poorly and
they need me at home.
| am sending you couple of pic
lures. one of our Band and one of my
self They we're not very good but
as good as possible | suppose con-
sidering the subject.
have made out quite letter for
me so must close as 1t Is most time
to go play at the Union. Remember
me to all the folks | know and write
whenever you can.
| | am as ever your nephew.
CLARENCE.