Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1919-02-06


sure a swell ship. 1t took us just six
and one-half days to cross. But that
was long enough for me, as our ship
was all alone. l have not seen any
of the boys from home only Croal and
Lehman, and I have never seen any
thing of Martin McCarty since | left
New York. The company from home
was sent into Germany and we were
relieved of one engagement, so missed
them, but nevertheless / am with a
fine bunch of boys from Virginia, Of
the eightieth division that was trained
at Camp Lee. How's the weather
over there? We are still getting rain
and sleet most every day, but it has
turned quite cold tonight, and I think
it is going to freeze up, but they are
blowing every day SO far. We are
still in the same place. You need not
look for it on the map, as it is too
small to find. We are doing little
drilling every day, but the most we
have on our minds is when we are
going home. We are getting lots of
new equipment. l got a new uniform
since back from the front, so that
looks good to me. Mother, I had
enough to carry from the front, let
alone a German helmet, and then /
hate the sight Of them. They better
keep mum, or when we all get back
there will be a few less. But I will
bring you all souvenir. Did you get
the French silk handkerchief I sent?
Dad, did you receive the letter 7
wrote you on November "a? What do
you keep busy at these days? / had
a big letter from Arthur today. He
is in the same place. He said you
were all well and he got his Christmas
box from home. | suppose I'll get
mine about July 4. Hope you sent it
to my new address, or I will never
get it. Did you have merry Christ
mas? Wish could have been there
to help eat the turkey as turkey does
not grow in this country. How is
everyone around town? When you
write tell me where frankie Dorow is,
or is he home now? Also where is
Dennis, or was he ever called to camp?
Well, I hope you all keep well until |
return, but don't know when that will
be, as in army life you never know
what you are going to do. But | know
what l will do: / am going straight
to the farm.
| will close for now. Write often
0n5 toll mo oil
Second Letter
France, December p, 1918.
Dear Folks: Well, as today was my
wash day, and | received pass to
visit one of the large cities, but as the
transportation was SO poor l thought
| would stay in my bunk and write.
We have been pretty busy lately
building up and preparing for the boys
who came from the front. Among the
buildings was a delousing plant sew
eral hundred feet long, and all of the
boys have to pass through this before
they go on the ship.
I just received bunch Of mail, also
the clippings from the paper, and was
SO glad to know that you were all we'll.
am fine for this kind Of weather.
They call it sunny France" but we
have not seen the sun for six weeks
nothing but rain. They say it will
rain until February /, but that is moth
ing, as I am used to it now, and am
gaining; now weigh 154 lbs. l was
day as I weigh 154 pounds. l was
sorry to hear John Croal got wounded,
but we were lucky. I heard from Joe
lately; he is fine, but is 400 miles from
where l am, SO / guess there won't be
any chance of my seeing him. My Pal
Smith is still with me; otherwise
have not seen any Of the Reedsburg
boys.
Three of us boys got a pass a few
days ago and we visited the Black
Prince cave-some cave. 1t took us
two hours to go through it. We had
our supper at French cafe for thirty
one francs, which is better than six
dollars in United States money, so
you can see the way things are here.
Well, I want to thank you all for
my Christmas box. AS for the candy,
it did not last long, and the money |
changed into francs and there were
some things that came in very useful
to me. Well, it won't be long until
Christmas, but that doesn't bother us
boys, as there will be lots more of
them when we return, SO you had bet
ter wait and have the turkey and we
will all celebrate. There are troops
on their way home every day, so we
will soon be on ours and | will be
glad to get back to the United States.
Dad, don't work too hard, as | will
soon be there to help you. sent you
all souvenir and hope you got them.
l will bring some more when / come
home, which will be soon. no doubt,
so don't be surprised to get long
distance call any day. Will tell you
more when I see you. Heaps of love
to all.
From your loving brother,
PRIV. JOSEPH F. CLOSSEY.
Co. D 31Sth Inf, S0th Div.
Am. E. F. A. P. o. 756.