July 24, 1918
Dear Mother -
I haven’t received those papers you sent me yet. We are having a day of rest, so I am trying to make use of it as much as possible. This last time we were in the line, we gave Fritzie considerable trouble and our company is the most talked of company in the division. Also, our battalion was the first National Army battalion to get in the lines. Germany is complaining about the barbarous methods the U. S. troops fight them, but we are only giving them some of their own medicine. If they keep going they will have the time of their life trying to keep out of the hospital. (some text erased). We don’t know whether he lost his way or was taken prisoner. We had an entertainment the other night, which consisted of a young lady singing and another young accompanied her on the piano in the Y.M.C.A. Also, a fellow reciting also taking the part. He had his makeup right on the stage and did it while reciting comical short stories. We expect another entertainment tomorrow night if we are still here. Most of the boys in our company went up to the Salvation Army barracks last night and we had a sort of a minstrel show. We have some very good talent when they all get together. The Salvation Army is run about the same as the Y.M.C.A. I’m sending you a clipping of the Ansonia Sentinel that Dana Martinez sent to me. The most important thing in it is about James Kelly. It is a letter that he sent to one of his friends in Ansonia. Did you get the picture of Gus Hermanson I sent you from the Sunday paper? I just got back from memorial services in a small French church delivered by Father Walsh for some of the boys that are missing in our company. Tell Rev. Coburn I am sorry I have not answered the letter he sent me. I wouldn’t know hardly what to write. It would probably take me a whole day trying to write a two page letter. By the way, that New Testament that the reverend sent me, I lost my coat and that was in it, but found it a day later. It will have a hard job getting away from me again. Well, I guess this will be all for now. Hoping you and Father are well.
Your son
