Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1919-01-08
Wednesday, January 8.
Sergs. S. 5. Mays Writes His
Father Col. S. 3. Mays
frcr, France.
Noyor,bar 2l 1913
November "a, 1918.

My Father:
In addition to my thoughts that are
always with you, they are especially
so on this day that has been set aside
for all soldiers to write to their fath-
ers.
Now that the fighting is over, there
is much speculation among the men
as to when they will b. sent home.
They and among them are 81 wild
for their time to come as quickly as
possible.
From the girls letters gather
that all of you have the impression
that l am in Belgium fighting on the
Flanders front. When we first came
over. the 55th Field Artillery Bri-
gade. of which the 105th Ammunl-
ton Train is part, was sent into
France proper, while the Infantry
Brigades of the 30th Division were
all sent up into Belgium. We thought
then that we would, Of course soon
ioin our own Division but we have
never had the chance.
We were first sent up into the
Toul sector and got our first real ac-
tion on September y, when the 32th
F. R. Brigade opened the st. Mlhlel
divide. l am glad to say that we did
our part well. Our Brigade since then
has been used as shock Brigade. we
have fought with six divisions and
four army corps, each time after
oneniIip the action and working un-
til the objective is obtained and then
we move on to some other place and
other troops move in to hold the line.
That of course, makes it rather hard,
but in that way we had the chance to
take good many fights in the re-
\ gions at St. Mihiel, the Meuse RIVER
!Argonne Forest etc.
! have ever been sorry that we did
not reioin the 30th Division, as
know that with their good fighting we
could have done fine together. We
have heard every now and then that
we would join them, and only to-day
that we would join them somewhere
next week and be shipped home. Here
is hoDing that it is true,
Tel! Sister that am not in Maj.
Gen. Lewis Wild Cat Division. It is
rather funny TO see how bad the re-
portcrs got things mixed. The clip
ping she sent me SPOKE Of North and
South Carolina men in the Wild Cat
Division fighting at Cambrai. Well,
the men are from North and South
Carolina but they are the Cid Hicis-
ory Division (30th> from Camp Sc
vier, National Guards instead OF the
drafted men from North and South
Carolina in the wild Cat (Slst) Di-
vision from Camp Jackson that
fought at Cambrai.
b. chance I heard that Arthur
Collet5, who, by the way IS IN the
Wild Cat Division, was near here, SO
rode over to see him. spent the al
ternoon with him and believe he was
very clad to see me, am sure was
cIad to see him. We had q good many
things to talk about.
Since hostilities lave ceased, the
fellows here have been sending up
fire works in great quantities and
lately have taken up hand grenadlng
for fish. A hand grenade proves to be
even better than dynamite and as the
Meuse River seems to be literally full
of fish, the results are very crafty
ing. The best hit l know Of is II tish
ranging from inches to a foot and
q half in length from one hand gren-
ade. This is true fish story at that.
No doubt Calhoun has, by this time
potten out of the army. We are all
hoping that we will be among the
first troops to be sent home, in that
we have seen such continued action,
am hopipg that we will be fortunate
in thar way. We have heard all kinds
of run2ors about going home but l
hardly know when to count on beng
there as a soldier never knows just
what he is going to do and is always
kept guessing.
/ on.y wish it was possible for me
to be home Christmas and be with
you. At any rate my thoughts will all
be with you all the time.
Give my love to all and the very
best wishes for a Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year.
From
Sam.