The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1919-02-06
Kirby Melton

ANSuiShaledu, rance
Dec. Goth, 1918
To Mrs. N. C. Jones.
My dear Sister: have been writ
ing and answering letters al day to-
day, and though have not yet heard
from you | am expecting a letter
any time. l had gone almost three
months without hearing from home,
and the day after Christmas, after
all the good things of that day, you
cannot imagine how delighted / was
to receive letter from home.
learned from the letter that nothing
bad had happened and that all were
getting along alright, SO l am pref
ty well satitied now. But you may
bet was getting pretty anxious be-
fore l received that letter. For
while we were getting terrible news
over here about the terrible ravages
of the flu in the States, and when the
boys here began to get letters from
home telling of their relatives and
others who had died, / naturally be-
came anxious.
We had good many cases at one
time and it was when hospital ia
cilitics were not at their best. VOL
unteered as nurse and helped wait
on two cases; they were friends of
mine. When they called for volunteers
we were in line for retreat and an
officer explained to US that there
were more cases than the army
nurses could take care of and asked
for volunteers to step to the front.
Almost the entire company stepped
out. 1t was good example of the
spirit of the soldiers. This same
spirit carried the boys over the top,
across No Mans Land and into the
German trenches 1t is the spirit that
turned the tide in the greatest war
Of history.
The day after Christmas l also re-
ceived three other letters and the
next day large bundle Of Adver-
tisers, States and the Constitutions
from Mamie, which l enjoyed very
much, especially The Advertisers.
got lots Of news from them and they
gave me an insight into what was
happening at home. l was awfu!ly
sorry to hear Of some of my best
friends getting killed in action over
here. | was especially sorry to
learn of the death Of Fred Gaskin,
but he gave his life honorably for the
great cause. He did not die in vain
His life reflected only greater honor
on the already famous 30th Division,
which did so much good work over
here.
We had a fine Christmas, every
thing that was possible to make it
seem like home to the boys. We had
plenty OF good things to eat, and
| then a Christmas tree with a real
Santa Claus and everything. The
Americans made large contribution
of Christmas presents to the
French war orphans. This seemed to
please the French very much and I
am sure they will not soon forget
this act of kindness.
We have had some fine entertain
ments by the Y. NJ. C. A. On two
occasions we had the honor and the
pleasure of hearing Miss Margaret
Wilson, the daughter of our Presi-
dent, sing for US.
The night after Christmas Chad
a big surprise. 1t was about two
o'clock and l was enjoying a good
sleep. was awakened by voices and
someone pounding on my back and
whispering, "Kiddo, kiddo, get up
quick if you want to get into this
feast of cake and ice cream" l said
80, go on. Where do you think you
are? In the States? You know you
haven't seen any ice ream since
you left there. Let fellow sleep
will you?" l thought he was having
a nightmare, but when l raised ur
a little there it was right before me
In the light of fashlight we sal
there in the middle of the night ant
Ihad feast Of cake (real cake) ant
Ice cream. They had made O raid OF