Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-17
OUR VS.
OUR COUN1RY'S SERVICE

Mrs. John Dow, 81 State street, Au-
gusta. has recently received the fol-
lowing letters from her son, Private
Everett Dow, 116th Engineers, now in
France:
On Active Service with the
American Expeditionary Force
Dec. 6, 1918.
Dear Mother:
Just a line today to let YOU know
that l am enjoying the very best of
health and hope that this letter will
find you all we'll at home. I have
J. here at this casual camp for a
week expecting every day to get word
to start for home, but my service
record has gone astray somewhere,
and l will not be able to leave UNI
til they get it here. And l sure do
hope it will get here soon, because
they can't get me to the States quick
enough. l did have hopes at one time
of getting home by Christmas. but L
don't think l will be able to make it
by that time, but cheer up. l will
drop in on you one of these days. l
haven't run into any of the. Maine
gang yet, but when 1 was at scissors
in July 18th part Of their division
were on the other side of us, and I
don't know whether they were at
Sedan, near Metz, or not but anyhow
that 26th Division has done good
work over here, and any place there
has been any real fighting going on.
they were there. l was with the 9th
Division awhile, and then with the
10th and then they sent me back.
We sure did have great time over
here when the armistice was signed,
and the celebrations were tremendous,
and I sure was glad that it was over.
and all that l am waiting for now is
the chance to get home.
Warren Garside of Augusta is in
this casual camp. He is about the
only one from Maine. He was in the
line around Verdun from February to
Sept. 1st when he got used up and he
has been here ever since. He looks
we'll now. and he told me this morn
ing he never felt better in his life.
There are lot Of fellows here from
Massachusetts.
Well there isn't much more to
write this time. and there isn't any
need Of YOU writing me because will
be home before YOU get this perhaps.
Have plenty to eat because l will be
rs hungry as bear. Have plenty of
those good old fashioned mince pies
on hand. The last pie l ate was back
of the lines in September when a
S. lvation Army lassie gave me two
doughnuts and Il small apple pie, and
believe me it sure did taste GOOD.
And all the nicklcs | get in civilian
life will go into the first tambOurine
l come to, to pay for that pie.
| sure do hope that YOU are all en-
joying the very best Of health and
keep well because YOU know you have
got to be in good health to enjoy our
reunion, and besides l may want you
to go out west with me for trip
when l get home. So keep well, we
will have to see America, and then If
you want to we will come over here.
l have had nice time over here, seen
many. many interesting things and
have been all over France. sometimes
in passenger cars. and sometimes
Uncle" would send us in freight
cars. 1t has been awful hard at
times, because it was H Heaven or
Hoboken by Christmas, and we had
to stand some hardships, but it is over
SO "hurrah" and will seen you soon.
Best regards to all, and l am feeling
fine. So long,
! EVERETT DOW,
116th Engineers. \. +. f..
A. T. @. No. 1888