The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-01-17
FROM BOYS .
IN THE ARMY CAMPS

Mr.. and Mrs. Martin Wiltgen re-
ceived the following letter from Cor
poral Albert Gruenfelder.
Parigne L'Eveque, France. Deem
Der IS, 191S-Dear Mr.. and Mrs.
Wiltgen: Have been wanting to
write you for some time, but never
could get around to it. Have been
around more or less since the first
of November. Conditions prevented
us from writing very much. dropped
you card some few weeks ago, and
hope you have received it by now.
Since the armistice was signed the
censor let up considerable so we can
write more than before. First of all
few lines regarding our trip over
and travels on this side. We left
Camp Grant on August 20,bound for
Camp Upton, arriving there on the
22nd. After about two weeks stay we
left for New York on the early morn
ing of September 8. Boarded ship that
morning and left harbor at - noon,
September 9, for overseas. Had a
long trip. We arrived in Liverpool,
England, September q. We disem
barked there and We're taken to a
camp for four days. Our novt move
was by rail from Liverpool 10 South
ampton. There we boarded the trans
port for France. Arrived in LeHarve
the next morning. We entrained
there in boXcars and started south.
After two days and nights we We're at
st. Andre de CubZac, a city near Bor-
deauX Our division was located all
around that vicinity in the French
villages. We (our company were bill
leted in st. Romain, later in Lugon
until about November Z. While we
were down there the four regiments
of infantry of the division were
drained Of most men and sent TO the
front for replacement troops. Twenty
five mer, all nor commissioned Off
GERS Of each company We're held back,
later to be organized in to regiment.
The duties were to train men and
forward them to the front. We are
known as "The Third Provisional
Training Regiment" On November Z
we got orders to move to LeMans
(from there to the 'front.'. However,
owing to the inability TO furnish
transportation for us, we were held
up until November 9. Two days late
on leaving. We had very encouraging
news the last few days while down
there. All along the way the people
cheered like wild, and yelled La
Guerre finish" meaning the war is
over. We had no official news so did
a., u N.An fno
arrived in LeMans on November II
and as the armistice had been signed,
we were held there for future orders,
The general belief among officers and
men was that if we could have had
transportation or the seventh two
days earlier, we would have been in it
for the finish. Forty eight hours was
the delay. That's as near to being in
it as | got. Well, we were all glad it
was over After a few days in Le
Mans we came over to LaROche and
then to the camp near Parigne l.
Eveque where We are now located
The place is quite a good seized
town, about ter miles from LeManS.
We are in barracks and it seems
good. What do you hear from Franc
is ard F.. Ryan? hope they are well
and feeling fine. Last Sunday two
pals ard l visited LeMars. We went
down after dinner on Saturday and
returned Sunday night. We al had a
very fine time Visited the st. Rose
cathedral, built in the years II to IA
hundred. Believe it was completed in
the thirteenth century. 1t surely is a
most wonderful place. The building
is an enormous structure. Also visit
ed many places of interest too num-
erous to mention. Don't know how
soon We'll be home, but expect it
won't be very long. Rumors are that
the S3 division is booked to leave
soon. We are now part Of this divi-
sion. One Of these fine days I'll be
over to see you. Maybe sooner than
we all expect it. Wishing you the
seasons compliments and best of
wishes. AS ever, Albert.
Mr.. and Mrs. l.. L. Fillman re-
ceived the following letter from their
son, Corporal LOrenZ Fillman.
France. December 7, 191S.-Dear
Parents: 1t is one year today since
III oI oiShCu my oPpiiSo'loii III Sh
listment ard here am over in France
with hobnail shoes and a pair Of
overalls. The regiment shoemaker
came again and l had to be reshod
again too. l haven't heard from Au-
gust lately. guess it takes all of
his time to write home and to Car
rie. We were lucky for we didn't
get bomDarded by the Fritzes be-
cause We camoufaged all our hang
ers after he was over and got some
pictures of our location, ard when he
came at right he couldn't find us be-
cause he couldn't see us. Some
times he was right over us but didn't
know it. The French sergeants' bar
racks burned down the other day. 1t
burned so fast that We just got our
fire engine around in time to save the
other buildings. That was the biggest