The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1919-01-11

" @E ~II 80 AfhA-AA@1 - as oASAAlA
Juilly, France,
Thanksgiving Day.
Ny dearest Mother:
Your letters received up to Oct.
18th; also several bundles of papers.
I am glad everybody is well. l am
also glad to write that l am enjoying
good health and hope to gain a little
flesh while we are here in this little
village as du lait (milk) is plentiful
and cheap, and l drink it a lot. Wine
is also cheap, very good and only costs
a franc a bottle, so do not drink much
water, although there is sufficient of
that here. and am able to appreciate
it yet, because I experienced thirst
from lack of it a time back. The pa
pers, of course, still read of war and
seem strange now that everything is
over. The Movie Magazine seems good
to get as | can still recall the times
when l was able to see them act and
hope to soon again.
We are now getting thoroughly
equipped, while the company is again
drilling the same as before the war;
although my duties are to look after
the collection of mail from the fell
lows, send it off and go get the incom-
ing and distribute. I have a nice lit
tie hike over the hills daily of about
6 kilos which just keeps me in shape.
l received quite a lot of mail this
week. All told | have about ten let
tiers to write and this is the first one.
Can you imagine me writing so much
at one time2 | received one letter
from Alvah and have answered it.
Now for a short itinerary of my
travels since leaving the States. We
sailed from Boston, Mass, to Halifax
and joined the fleet. We were on the
water II days, unusually long, and
had three attacks of submarines; our
convoy destroyers sunk three out of
five and our fleet all safely arrived.
We landed in England, 40 miles from
London, and stayed there for a few
days, sailing then for Calais, where we
experienced our first air raid. We
then went to a small place, Verval,
for 5 weeks, then to Termas, then to
the Arras front for a few days, but
not in the trenches. started south, 60
ing through Paris. getting a good view
of the Chateau-Thierry battle ground,
and into the st. Mihiel salient, where
we were in the lines for 10 days.
/ L htlG ~ dE HUI bll1Ii dlLlOlA h6 C. III
a few shells and some gas. From
there We went to the Argonne Forest,
near Grand Pre-, Buzzancy and Cur
mont. There is where | saw all the
wal | wanted to see and more. When
l get back l can give you more partic-
ulars as it takes too long to write all.
l have sent under separate cover a
paper which is issued weekly, and
when you get through and see Walter
Whitman, ask him if he has see one;
if not. give it to him.
l am enclosing some French money,
giving you an idea of it. Since living
with a French family, talking, it is not
so hard. and l am well satisfied here
as it is the nearest of home comforts
since leaving. Today. we are having
turkey for dinner with all the fXings.
Last Sunday had chicken and duck, so
you see. | am living high. ! am also
able TO get cigars, too. which 80 good
together with the high living.
OF course l don't know when l will
get home, but rumoTs say division
will be starting soon Some of our
boys are on pass now, but am willing
to forfeit mine if We come home.
l had Clayt's address from Roy
+ Adams, but lost it, so cannot write him
and wonder why he has never written
me. I have never heard from Howard
since he went to the hospital. so know
nothing of him.
Well. I have written considerable
this time. so will close, wishing you
all a Merry Xmas and Happy New
Year. also wishing l would be there
Xmas. will close.
With lots of love,
TOE