Gunnison news-champion., 1919-01-31
CEDRlC WILLIAMS WRITING
HERE AND THERE ALONG RHINE

Writing home from Wittlieh, Ger
many, December 2eth, l9l6), where
he IL stationed with the American
Amy Of Occupation. Cedric Williams
This IL the hrst chance have had
TO- write for some time 20 will take
advantage Of II.
"When not on the march, We were
busy with Christmas programs, and
writing has been absolutely out Of the
question.
Received your letter Of Nov. 2lst,
the day before Christmas and the
package Christmas Day, right on
time. 1t came thru in fine shape, also
the contents, which are all very use
full and come in SO good Just now.
Many, many thanks. l did not expect
or look for a package at all under the
unsettled conditions and would not
have been disappointed if it had not
come, but am glad it did for it sure
helped q lot. II had to 20 some to
keep up with US.
Il believe the last place ! wrote
from was Oberpail; since leaving
there, we first went to Dudeldorf,
about IL kilometers from Oberpail,
and expected to stay there some time,
but just about got settled when we
received orders to move -again to
Speicher, about 18 kilometers further,
and a railroad town.
ave were a Speichcr for Christ
mas, or rather part of it, leaving there
in the afternoon, by auto trucks for
Dudeldorf again, to help them cele-
brate.
part Of the regiment was still
there 1.-THE first battallion) and they
did not want to be left out. We ex-
pected to stay ut Dudcldorf several
days and then go back to Speicher,
but received orders last night to 60
to Wittlich today, SO we came by auto
truck this afternoon, and here we are.
l don't know for how long SO l have
quit guessing; suppose it will be un-
til tomorrow morning, anyway.
I'VE had a very good Christmas,
under the circumstances. It was my
second Christmas in the Army, but
the first and suppose the only one
in Germany. In the morning we par
AIDED all over Speicher and woke II up
thoroiy. Then followed talks by the
Chaplain and by Colonel Davis, who
paid o great tribute to the 341st regi-
ment, as one of the best in the Ma
tional Army. After an army-s style
Christmas dinner, we loaded on auto
trucks and went TO Dudeldorf to help
them celebrate. Yes, the seth Division
is considered one Of the crack divi-
sions Of the entire U. s. army, and was
used as shock troops in the Toul and
st. Mihiel sectors. That is why It
was chosen as one Of the divisions Of
occupation Of Germany. Colonel Davis
told Us in his Christmas speech that
persistent rumors were that we would
leave for the U. s. very shortly. We
hear today that the 353rd Infantry
left today for Brest, for embarhation.
Our first real snow was ON the
ground Christmas morning to help
things along, but Is we get the full
benefit Of it, we probably failed to ap-
preciate it. The weather has not been
very cold 30 far, and has been very
favorable for US in that way. The sun
very seldom shines here; there are
weeks at time when there Il nothing
but fog, and rain and mist and mud.
The Spanish influenza has not hit us
yet, and I don't believe Il will now.
May be il IL too slow. Have kept up
/ my diary every day and will sure have
10 dandy when l get back. II II badly
worn, but all there. Must close now.
CEDRIC d. WILLIAMS,
Hdq. Co., 3l1st r. A. Band,
0Qth niviai0n A. Fl r.