Headquarters Troop, 32nd Div., Somewhere in
France, April 21, 1918.
"Well, as I sit here and write this letter, the rain
is falling softly on what we call 'Home sweet Home.' We are very
comfortable in our billets and live just as good as I ever
have in the United States. Yes, in fact I weight about twenty
pounds more than ever before in my life; and with the exception
of being minus a tooth, look better all around. But you will
very likely think there is lots of chance for improvement.
"The weather here has been very damp and cold, and I
have a little touch of rheumatism, which I obtained while duck
hunting in the good old U.S.A. But it sure seems good to
look at the nice green grass and think of the nights I used to
spend with the young ladies, when I used to be young. But all
those times are gone, and only the expectations of the future
comes into our minds at this time.
"In a very few days we will be going in the trenches,
in fact, I think that when you receive this letter, I will be
at the front,
and I only hope that I can get at least one shot at one of
the Boche, and, if I do, thanks to my early days, I think I can
make life miserable for him. I am now driving a car and see quite
a good share of France, which surely is a beautiful country,
and has the best roads in the world. So my job at present is
not bad. But, when one drives one hundred miles a day, every
day in the month, it gets very tiresome, you can imagine.
"The other day I was with Marvin Thompson, who is now
First Lieutenant, and also with Art Olson of Eau Claire, the
basket-ball game player. He is just as good at the war game.
He has been in the first line trenches for three months and is
looking fine. He told me that when I got there, my nerves would
be at as high a pitch as when we battled against each other in
the tournaments; and I would be as anxious to get in action as
I was to get in a game. So you can see this is a great old game
of give the most you can and take as little as possible.
"Well folks, I hope you are well and happy and enjoying
the delights of our old home. Give every one my best regards."
Headquarters Troop, 32nd Division, Base Hospital,
Somewhere in France, Nov. 16, 1918.
"Will drop you folks a few lines, so you may know that
I am still alive, after this old war is over. But I came so near
to
getting mine on November 4th, that it was just like six and
four are ten or five and five are ten - either way. But for once
the Lord was with me, and I came out as the lucky guy.
"It was during the first days of the last drive that
I got caught in a heavy barrage while coming back from battalion
headquarters on my horse. I saw it coming and tried to keep
in front of it, but a '155' hit about ten feet from me and knocked
the horse and me about seven feet and when I came to, the horse
was dead lying upon my leg and no one was near, so I had to lie
there during that barrage before anyone came to give me a lift.
But I am now in a hospital and feeling fine, with fine care.
But those two hours I lay there, sure made a difference in my
life. I thought about everything I ever did.
"Well, it is all over now. We sure gave them hell. I
hope to see you before long. Give my love to all."
Base Hospital, Somewhere in France, November
19, 1918.
"This you may call a victory letter, or in other words,
an official announcement that we knocked the h--l out of the
kaiser
and have him right where we want him. I hope this letter
finds you having a wonderful Christmas dinner with everything
which goes with it. It will, no doubt, be a little better than
I am eating at this time. But don't feel sorry for me because
there is a time coming when I will get home and eat you out of
house and home. And then you'll wish the war had lasted a few
years longer. I don't know when we will reach the United States,
but hope that it will be before a great while. Then the big question
comes up, 'What am I going to do when I get out of the army?'
I guess we will have to start farming. What do you say?
"I am getting along fine and dandy now, so will be able
to be up in a short while. I will be back with the troop for
Christmas dinner, which we will very likely eat on the Rhine.
"Well, folks, here goes for a Merry Xmas and a Happy
New Year."