The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-04-24
MARSHFIELD
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Morse Get Letters
from Marshfield Boys Overseas.

The first is from Musician Clarence G.
Pitkin, who is with the 2lst f. A. band
at Dudelange, Luxemberg. Germany. The
letter was written Feb. 25. 1t SAYS:
WAS very glad to get your letter and
will sit right down and answer it. Yes
| have moved quite bit since arriving
in France Jan. 0. Have averaged about
two weeks in place before that. III
write down few of the places where
have been since landing. If it gets
tiresome just skip.
LANDED in Brest, France, and after
staying three days we were loaded on
freight cars and, going through Yer
sailles, near Paris, went to Foulain, a
small town near Chaumont, so you see
the first trip was nearly across France
We stayed there two weeks, then back
across France to LIE Mans two weeks
there. Then went to Neuchateau, town
north of Chaumont. 1t was there that
| saw Lee Dwinell was there Thanks
giving. The next move came Dec. L.
when we went by motor truck to Bar
sur Aube, and after staying three days
had another long truck ride to Gondre-
court, where the mucicians were exam
med.
According to French ideas, only six
cornetists were allowed to each band
that went from this place and as our
band had eight cornetists, another cor
netist and ] were left and two weeks
later came orders for lis to 60 TO the
2lst +. A. band where | am now. We
came here by train through Metz, but
could not see much, as we came in the
night.
"The band here is the second best in
the division. We have a minstrel show
and nearly every night 90 somewhere
and put it on. Every morning we have
3 rehearsal of two hours Then if we 90
away we start after dinner. We travel
in style. Have three big white cars
with truck chassis, room enough SO all
can sit down and ride in comfort. Here
are some of the songs we sing in the
show. Do you know them? "The Uncle
Sammy Girl" Pm Going TO Fight My
Way Right Back to Carolina" Joan OF
Are Somebody Stole My Gal Dixie
Military Ball" when Aunt Hannah 5
Daughter Anna Bangs on that Piana. >
Frequently we play at an enlisted mems
dance, so we keep fairly busy. Enough to
keep up lip.
FLAP Pike stayed with the 57th band
that | came over with and they are now
in Fingers, Germany.
How do you ike the name of the
place / live in now2 1t is pretty here.
Two other fellows and ! have room in
a private family. Nice room, best of a
featherbed. The people treat us fine. Act
as though they couldn't do enough for us.
MANY thanks for the picture. It
seems mighty nice to see home folks and
even American houses look good. All
houses here are made of stone.
"You are right in saying that baby
Gertrude will be big girl when | get
home, for now don't expect to be home
before fall, but you never can tell. 1t
depends upon when peace is signed.
"Please remember me TO Ralph and
Amy. You might say I'm still making
faces at music.
do you have any orchestra work
now.
Best wishes to all from fellow
trouper."
The second letter was written Jan. 81
from Bourges, France, where Corp. Ed
ward r. Ward is located with the per-
sonnet section of the central records Of
flee, and reads as follows:
"Your letter came to-day and, as you
see, | am giving it a quick answer, as
the time seems TO be a little more free
Just now than il is apt TO be later on
and YOU know my motto is Never put
off until tomorrow what you can do to-
day, so here goes.
II don't think that ] had better tell
YOU lust how pleased | was with the
letter from you, as it is the first that
have had from YOU with the exception of
the card that you sent me, and | had
made a solemn promise that would
never answer card from anyone. What
like is good long letter and all the
news. This one that you wrote will do
very nicely. | also got a letter from
Merit the other day and that was the
first letter that have ever received from
] him. ! think that ! will answer that
soon. tell you that letters from any
one over here from the folks at home
look pretty good to the fellows and that
is about the only real pleasure that we
do have.
by the way, the pictures were very
good but do YOU know that / can't pic
ture you and Fred as having a. baby all
your own. II seems TO me as though
| was far behind the times and will think
so a great deal more when / get home
and everyone that ] used to go around
with will bring forth their children and
| | know that | can't help acting bit
awkward. 1t must be real nice after all
to have one, if il doesn't cry all the
time. never like to be where they are
all the time crying, though | always
prided myself as being baby charmer.
You know how | used to quiet Roger
when he would cry | suppose if | tried
to do that now he would tell me to mind
my own business. Ha, ha. ! think by
the looks that you have nice one.
| NO, there is not another fellow here
from Marshfield, with the exception OF
myself, and think that Marshtield is
pretty we'll represented. Don't you
think? / wish that some more of them
were here and | am sure that we would
have some fine times together, but
have not ever seen them but once since
coming to France and that was last June.
| Do you know that it has been about
year and half that | have been over
here? 1t sure seems that long TO me
and guess that it will be while longer
before we get home.
"What is there for excitement at
homer should think that it was some
what dull at the time of year, as it
usually is after holidays and most of
the year for that matter, though | would
| like to be back there and assure you
( that would have good time neverthe-
less We are having series of dances