Evening journal., 1919-01-06

First Lieutenant Louis j. Otteni, Com
pany A. First u. S. Engineers, with the
First Division. American Expeditlonary
Forces, now In Germany writes inter-
estingly OF his experiences during the
past few months. His brother, Ernest
J. Otteni, received two letters yesterday,
one dated November 2S and the other
December a.
In the Thanksgiving letter Sergeant
Ottenl says
Dear Brother: It's just a year ago,
Thanksgiving Day. that the First Engi-
neers went into action and up until now
II was just one drive after another until
the boys from Gods country over the
seas made the once powerful nation of
Germany fall and cry for peace.
after all the ha' dships I've been
through II is remarkable how | pulled
through without the loss Of drop OF
blood This is wonderful and some
thing TO talk about and be thankful for
because the First Engineers were COM
Blatant engineers, their work always
being at the front lines.
To-day the war Is over the bells are
ringing in the church towers and
everybody is singing and happy. But IL
brought tears to my eyes when the roll
was called in old Company A the other
day. There were just ten Of us left TO
tell the story out Of the original outilt
that arrived In France sixteen months
ago. They're all hallowed in one small
plot Of Frances soil but the old scouts
did their part There never were
braver. stronger hearted men and the
best FIGHTERS that ever wore the O-D.
flannel shirt. They did all a man could
do and may their souls rest in peace.
Yes. I know il will go hard with their
mothers. Her boy was all she had to
give SO that liberty might live, but I'm
sure she'll be glad she had son TO give
for such a cause. SO today ! am thank
ful that my dog tags" are still hang
ing around my neck and not lacked on
wooden cross Somewhere in France "
Its raining TO beat the band and we
are still marching towards the Rhine. +
No turkey 10 eat, nothing but corn I
bill" and hard tack. and no coffee
Tramp. tramp. tramp, the boys are
marching and up to now we've COW
cred it0 miles. Sherman's march to the
sea didn't have a thing on this march
TO Germany, but still smile and am
happy because | know III be home in
three months time Oh, We got II all
figured out Ham and eggs, pie and
cake. and If you'll excuse me, a glass
Of good old American beer.
II will send you a telegram a week
ahead of the time Of my expected ar
rival. so hire a cook and a baker and
keep the home fires burning. Once II
get my feet under the table, it'll take a
6-inch shell 10 move me.
IN the meantime, YOU look around
for two buglers. one about feet 6
inches tsll and the other about feet
q inches tall. III tell you what | want
with them While am sleeping peace |
fully I want the little fellow to blow
first call about $50 o'clock, right under
my window and il is then that ] want
the white Hope TO spring on him,
choke him and jump with both feet on
the bugle.
To-day I am in Luxembourg and say,
the Luxemburgers are all right. They
treat us to fine beer and apples
"There goes the mess call. so bye-bye.
am well and happy and hope to see
you soon"
The second letter tells OF his arrival
at Moselle. He writes;
~Still marching towards the Rhine
following along the Moselle river. and
must say this country is very beauti-
full Fifty more miles Of marching will
bring us to Coblenz, which is right on
the Rhine The Moselle empties into the
Rhine at Coblez. Just think, in two
days more well have the watch on the
Rhine set TO American time sure wish
you were here. II sure is fine busi-
ness tourine Germany with a big brass
band leading you. and believe me, the
Germans open ranks for the 'Yanks -
Il was surprised at the way they
treated US. Nothing is too good for us.
The other day German invited me and
all the men In my platoon TO dinner
with him and it was fine-plenty OF
food. beer and wine. but we made sure
he ate with us Think Of fifty men to
feed and he wouldn't accept a cent. He
told us he had lost three sons in the |
war but had he known what he now
knows, they would still be living. He
says if he ever met the Kaiser he would
kill him. And ! believe he wasn't kid !
ding q bit the way he said 1t.
Food over here seems plentiful but
II is very high | am sending you few
photo cards to show you how pretty /
Germany really is. Well, so long and
don't forget 1t won't be long before
Will be home. SO get busy on those pies
and cakes. With love to all. Your
brother,
LOUIS J. OTTENI,
Sergeant, First Glass, First u. s. Engi- |