The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-01-14
LETTER FROM FRANCE
American Expeditioaary Forces,
Nov oath. 1918.

day SET apart Tor all members OF Inc
A. e. F. to write to father, / am go
ing to write you. / am sure it will
be surprise, as it has been some ut
tie time since have written you be-
fore. / suppose you will get some
what tired before you get through
reading this, for we are now permit
ted to write anything we wish. The
rigid rules Of censorship have been
restored TO normal.
To begin with, will say that we left
New York harbor on August 9Th, and
sailed on the fastest ship that sails
the H. NJ. S. Aquitania. We were
approximately sever days on the At
lantic before we landed at Liverpool,
England. We stayed at a rest camp
for several days, and then made a
journey by rail to South Hampton,
England, which is on the English
Channel. The trip was SO extensive
that we saw quite a lot Of country,
and must say it is one of the most
beautiful countries that / have ever
seen. After few days stay at the
rest camp at South Hampton, we sail
ed the English Channel, on the ship
Queen Alexander. We landed in
Cheroburg, France, early the morn
ing Of August the 18th. We again
went into rest camp before we made
our impending journey across the
entire Nation to Valdehon, France,
which is near the Switzerland from
tier, and in the foot-hill of the Alps.
You will probably find this place on
the map Of France only by reference
with other points Of larger size. 1t
is only about 18 miles from the city
Of Besancon. We were at this sta
ton until we made our last move,
which was only a few weeks prior to
this time. 1t was at this station that
we received our final and extensive
training before going on the line.
While we we're at the large artillery
camp at Valdehon, we were billeted
in a small village called Epenoy.
Most Of the boys slept in the barns,
using hay as mattress and their
clothing as pillows.
All the trips we have made while
we have been in France were in box
cars, previously used for shipping
horses and cattle. have journeyed
for forty-eight hours in accommoda-
tons of this nature. We were some
dirty and sleepy when we would come
to our destination; but few hours
Of rest and recreation would invigo-
rate us again.
We have been in several air raids,
also for long time we have been in
the advanced zone. We are now en-
canped at st. Bin, which is directly
north Of the place Besancon, which /
Just mentioned.
The future movements Of our or
ganization are held clandestined by
all, and / doubt very much if they
are known by any one. The place
we are now stationed is very near
the city of Metz, of which ! am sure
you have read much about, for it
has been place of much activity.
And / suppose if the war had not
ended when it did, we would have
moved and taken up our position in
that famous sector, for it was the
heavy artillery they were wanting so
badly at that place. Our infantry did
some very gallant work in the Yer
dun sector, which is only little ways
North of here, and where we were at
that time.
We have a crack regiment Of ar
tillery, and it is very noticeable
throughout the A. E. F. Several
Of the organization are going into
Germany to occupy some sectors up
there until the thing is completely
settled. | do not know il we will
take part in this or not, but the
probabilities are soon will know and
can let you know.
! am liking the place over here
fine; the people are very nice to us,
and that has done a great deal to
make our stay over here a pleasant
one. They have rendered us all the
privileges in their power, and they
have demonstrated that there is
mutual love existing between the two
nations that will never die as long as
the two nations exist. think shall
60 to Domremmy Thanksgiving, it
being the home and birthplace of the
famous Joan de Are, who did so much
during the hundred years war to help
the cause of her beloved country Of
France. If / am permitted to go it
viii be day never to be forgotten.
] haven't the slightest idea when
we will sail for the States, for the
close of this war was as sudden as
the onset, and for that reason every
thing pertaining to the demobilizing
FARMERS