The Delta independent., 1919-03-21
WAYNE ENSIGN WRITES
TO HIS FOLKS FROM FRANCE
Bordeau, France, Jan. %.

My dear sister and family: Was
sure glad to get your letter today, II
seems strange you hadn't received any
Of my letters yet, as had written you
two or three. have been doing M. P
military police) duty for q couple OF
months, but was relieved yesterday, SO
now 1 am in charge OF Quaters, that
means to see that our barracks are
kept clean, etc. I heard tonight that
we were going on police duty again
tomorrow, but don't know.
| The other men are taking care OF
supplies, and caring for horses. We
ship horses to Germany from Here and
the men have to go with them on the
car. I made one trip in November,
since have been on special duty and
couldn't get away.
The boys brought back some inter
esting souvenirs of the war. 1 got a
German bayonet, quite wicked look
ing weapon. We have oodles of Ger
man helmets, gas masks, canteens,
automatic revolvers, ETC., all picked
up on the battle fields. Well it is
ten o'clock and must check beds and
see if all the men are in. if not, 1 re-
port those absent to the guard house
and the guards look out for men COM
ing in after hours.
! It sounds rather comical here to-
night The boys came in with plenty
of this French drink and feel pretty
lively, one hears some comical re-
marks. They are all sure anxious to
go home. Good night, will finish to-
morrow.
January 20.
1t hardly seems possible 1t can be
the last Of January. l hope the next
six months 60 as quickly as the
think l surely will be home by that
time or at least on my way.
We left New York on the 9th of
October and landed at Liverpool, Eng
land, November Sth- rode all thru
England to South Hampton on the
train and camped in England two days
so we got to see England pretty well.
1t is very beautiful place as is also
France, although this country is rath-
er run down on account of the war.
This city ESQ they say here) is one
of the largest in France, second to
Paris. The factories that have been
closed for some time are all running
again full blast.
The other day when / was out on
waving so decided to walk over and
talk awhile, they saw me coming and
made their exit rather hastily, but
were just inside the door of a shoe
factory, so I went in and was shown
how to make a shoe from start to
finish. These people wear wooden
hear a cople coming altogethereooner
hear a couple coming along the street
it sounds like bunch of rough shod
horses on pavement / certainly en-
joyed the clippings you sent. I see
boys often that know people do, but
have seen only one from Montrose
had letter from Wendell Bechtel
a few days ago. he is at Engers on
the east of the Rhine. Ora Frederick
is there some place too.
The weather here is beautiful for
January. We have only had little
ice two nights. but considerable rain.
Flowers are in bloom and the grass
is always green. Cabbage, turnips. etc
grow here all winter. of course you
know this is southern France, But l
consider we are lucky to have such
good place to spend the winter.
Yes we have plenty to eat, but not
very much of a variety. We have no
apples unless we go out and pay the
French about a franc piece for them
and then they aren't good.
| Tell Helen I wish could have sent
her another mule and goat this Christ
mas, but I couldn't.
| General Pershing was supposed to
be here last Saturday. but hasn't ar
rived yet. Do. you know where John
Duer is over here? He went to Camp
Travis on the same train did and I
saw him often there
| ! have learned to talk French quite
well and can read and write some
will try and bring home good many
souvenirs Of the war and look for me
when l get there. ] am sure won't
be home very soon. ! will close now
and do better next time.
Kiss the babies for me, with love to
all, ! am as ever
1 Your brother,
Corporal WAYNE ENSIGN.