The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-01-25
Visiting French
Cities Released
By the Germans

Mrs. R. c. Towards brother, who
is with the goth Regiment Of Engi.
neers in France. writes of visiting
cities released by the Germans. He
has been in France nearly d year, and
from all indication expects to return
about July Of this year, and that en-
titles him to wear three gold chew
rons-18 months foreign service.
His letter follows:
A. E. F. Dec. Bird, 1918.
Dear Sister,
Your letter of October 18th re-
eeived last Wednesday morning, as
/ was leaving for a fve-days' leave
from camp to visit some towns. On
my trip / visited Munster, Mulhouse
Colmar, Strassburg and Metzall in
Alsace-Lorraine, which previously
we're occupied by the Germans since
the war Of 1870.
Munster was near the line, there.
fore was a mass Of ruins. The Others
were in ship shape. The size Of the
towns were, judge, Munster 10 M
Mulhouse, 80 M; Colmar, SO Nj
Strassburg, 200 NJ, and Metzall about
40 thousand population.
Geel but Strassburg is very fine
city, with wide concrete streets and
sidewalks, double tracks, with cars
every few minutes for all parts Of
the city. The cars were three at 2
time. We rode out to the Rhine
river few miles west of Strassburg
but could not cross. We saw the
Germans on the opposite side, also
the village of Kehl in Germany.
In Strassburg and Metz the civil.
lians, after the armistice was signed
pulled down all the German statues
These were Of Wilhelm III, Freder
lex III, and others.
In Strassburg was in the Cattle
dral, which was built in 1915 to 1923
A. D., and it looks it. There was
large old clock in it, with an astron
ical dial, dial for the signs and one
for the hours. saw it at 1890, and
a brass man or soldier five feet high
with sword moved around on the
little balcony. There were three of
these balconies. One had chariots
one soldiers, and the top one with the
twelve disciples. We met civilian
who could speak English who was an
officer Of justice in that town during
the war, and he said the clock was
a wonderful sight on New Years.
Well, ! got back to camp yester-
day evening, and have been waiting
all the morning, and am still waiting
for q truck to come and take five Of
US over to a little mill near Mire.
court. AT present | am at mill
near Gerardmer, four miles north OF
thirty miles southeast Of Epinal, tn,
capital Of the State Of vosges, in the
extreme east of France in the Vosges
mountains. About a month ago il
was fifty miles south of Besancon
near Pontalier, in the state of Jura
and while there | visited Switzerland
at little place by the name of Yer.
ries, just across the frontier in the
land of Swiss.
/ have visited the town Of Belfort
Remiremont, Vesoul and Besancon
all Of which are historical towns.
have not been able to get hold
of an iron cross yet, but If / do will
send it to you. If / get a chance ]
will take little trip over to Rome
Well, suppose Chester is sore be.
cause he did not get over across the
pond to see any Of the "Great World
War" He has certainly missed d
sight of lifetime, so to speak. The
fighting is all finished but the work
is not. hope to be at home by the |
fourth Of July.
There is only one thing short on
my trip in France, and that is the
coin. ] am nearly alwoys broke but
get there just the same.
/ was glad to receie the photos
and thank you very much for them
Chester looks fine with his double
bars and Of course you and Char.
lotte look fine. Tell Charlotte hello
for me.
am we'll and hope you are the
same.
Your loving brother,