The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-01-03
FROM BOYS
IN THE ARMY CAMPS


1918. Dear Folks at Home: This is
not Thanksgiving day nor mothers
but since it is just between
the two, Pm going to call this a
Thanksgiving Mothers Birthday let
ter. / am in a pretty Cramped posi-
ton for writing, but just so you can
read this is the main thing. ! only
got this far when we We're all called
out to take hike. We just got back
| will have to make this short now,
I'm afraid.
Twas sorry l didn't know about that
We were allowed to write Dads let
ter home on the 25th. l just heard
about it so now l will tell you in this
letter about the fronts | have been
on, etc.
The first thing l want to tell you is
that on our way over we went from
New York to Halifax, Canada, and
saw the disastrous effects Of the big
explosion there. We came across on
an English ship and came up the
English channel to London. We then
took train to Romsey and after q
few days went (hiked) twelve miles
TO Southampton. From here we went
across the English channel ins fast
English boat to Cherbourg. We went
to Camp Hunt from there which is
near LeTeste-not far from Bordeaux
From there we were sert to our "out-
fit By luck | got with the Send di-
vision and was assigned only after a
few days. This was at Berry, not far
north Of Scissors. / was sent up with
the firing battery and took part in the
battle at Juvigry as cannonier. From
here wewert to Wassy for ten day
rest. When We returned to the front
we came rear enough to Verdun so
that l saw hill (No. 305) where a
half million men We're killed. We were
on the front wheI the big drive start
ed and moved ahead through Malan-
court, Montfaucon. Very and way up
past Romagne where we were sent
when we started our last big barrage
which was the biggest one in history
1t was there that the Germans she'll
ed our position so heavily until our
barrage was set off. We were then
relieved and came back to Recicourt,
then to Rarecourt (Eear there) and now
I'm at Couvonges, directly west Of
Barleyduc a few miles. | will be able
to tell you thousand times more
when i get back.
This is a better day than yester-
day. We have had so much rain that
it is almost impossible to keep dry.
Yesterday my thoughts were home
and at Washington nearly all the
4
giving. My, how i hope you are all
well. l haven't heard for at least
two weeks. But | won't allow my
self to worry. / have so much to be
thankful for, that couldn't commence
to tell of it.
We had fine dinner yesterday. We
had beefstake, mashed potatoes and
gravy, canned corr, bread and jam.
doughnuts and coffee. l tell you it
was good even though l could have
eaten more. Well. it is mess time,
so / will finish this later.
1t is quite late so l must hurry.
Have been out in the woods getting
wood this afternoon after having a
headache this morning. Guess the
exercise was what I needed.
Hurrah! hear mail call. Oh. but
| hope | get some good news from
home. I'm going to quite till l see
if I've got some.
No mail for me again. There was
only little for the whole battery
ANYWAY.
Gee, I'm all rid of "cooties." I
rpvcr told you / ever had any, did /?
Well I was lucky / didn't get any
until about a month ago when my
bunk mate got them from guy at
the front. / was pretty 'lousy" for
a couple of DAYS and then made war
on them. Now Pm sure I'm through
with them.
Well. I must stop for now and will
try TO write again in a few days If
vcu don't hear from me for Il couple
OF weeks you may know I'm moving or
On my way home.
With heaps of love and. kisses for
I'll, Son. Brother and Uncle Turk
Private Percy A. Shoemaker.
Bremertor, Washington. December
90, 1918. Dear Sir: | wish to notify
The Free Press company of their
changing my address to Bremerton
The address now is Detachment
Company A, Forty fourth Infantry
BTemerton, Wash. | also wish to have
you seId me bill of the paper foi
one year, beginning from the end OF
the first years subscription and
will send money for the same. .
The First battalion of the Forty
fourth Infantry came to Fort Lawton
about week ago ard small detach
ments have beer sent out TO differ
ent parts OF Seattle, Bremert0n and
Tacoma. The other two battalion.
went to Sar Francisco, Cal. We ex-
pect to be here for some time. How
ever, | don't expect TO get home, be-
fore spring. The paper has always
been coming regularly and has beer
great help 10 me. We are having
much rair row. 1t rains more than
half of the time.
Hoping to be home soon, and wish
ing all Merry Christmas and a pros
porous New Year, / am, Yours very
truly, Frank j. Kachelmyer.
Che Had Been Helpless Invalid Fol
The Past Two Years.
y II