Letter to Mary (E. Hawley) Fairchild (Document)

Letter to Mary (E. Hawley) Fairchild

Hawley, George B., 1895-1918

2 pgs. 6" x 8"

He writes that the mail must be delayed since he has not received any letters and of the great distances he has traveled since joining the army. While France is nice, he still prefers the U.S.A., Only in the major cities are there trolley cars and the trains run once a week. Most of the land he has seen is cultivated for agriculture, He did not get to contact his uncle in France, and he complains of the constant rain and a possible cold but is happy to note that the Y.M.C.A. provides them with entertainment and church, while the Red Cross provides tobacco and coffee. He also states that though he may not be able to write often he hopes that his family will.

1918-05-05

World War I--United States--Personal Narratives.

United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces. Infantry Regiment, 307th

France.

Somewhere in France
May 5, 1918
Dear Sister –
Haven’t received a letter from you in quite some time. The mail is probably held up somewhere but expect to receive some in a few days. Well, I have certainly traveled some since I have been in the army. Will never be able to stop when I get back. France is quite a country, but give me the good old USA to live in. The trolley cars only run in the principal cities and the trains run once a week or so, but the scenery is certainly wonderful. Most of the land is cultivated and very few forests as far as I’ve seen. The chief occupation seems to be agriculture. Tell Grandma I didn’t get a chance to call on Uncle Jim when I was there but will try and call on him on my return or if I get a furlough, I’ll try and spend a few days with them.

My address: Private George B. Hawley
Co. B, 307th Infantry
American Expeditionary Force
Via New York % B. E. F.

It has rained nearly every day since I have been here, which makes it rather muddy. I also contracted a slight cold but will get over that alright. The Y. M. C. A. furnishes us with quite a bit of entertainment, such as music shows, lectures and a place to hang out. The Red Cross gives us tobacco and when we travel they are generally at the stations we stop at with coffee. We have church services in the Y. M.C. A. and I went the last two Sundays, getting good all of a sudden.
We don’t get much time to write and conditions are so when we do get time the places are always filled up, and when we do get a chance it is nearly time to go to bed, so if you don’t here from me, keep on writing because there isn’t anything we would rather get than a letter from home. This is all I have to say for this time, so give my regards to everybody. By the way, I sent Mother a letter about three or four days ago. Has she caught any trout yet?

George