William McComb in
Coblenz Hospital
Mr. Ellis H. McComb today received a letter from his son,
Private William W. McComb, 17th field artillery, second division,
announcing that he was in a hospital in Coblenz, Germany, recovering from
injuries sustained in September when a big shell exploded. Private McComb will
continue in the game and it was not until the American army reached Coblenz
that he consulted a surgeon and was sent to a hospital. He said it would be about
six months until he would be a civilian again. The letter today was the first
his father had heard from him since October 31, and he was greatly relieved.
The young man’s many friends will be interested in the news from him.
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Pvt. E.L. Bumgarner Relates His Experiences
Mr. R.M. Blumgarner has received a letter from his son,
Private Elvin L. Bumgarner, Co. A, 323 Infantry, 81st Division,
under date of Dec. 28. Mrs. R.M. Bumgarner received one under date of December
29. The following is Mr. Bumgarner’s letter.
Grancey, France
Dec. 28, 1918
Dear Father:
Will now write you a few lines. I am now in the central part
of France. Grancey S. Source is the name of the village. It is about 12 miles
from Chation and about 30 kils from Chaumont. WLe hiked from Verdun here, about
275 kilos.
I left New York on the steam ship Empress of Asia, on the 31st
day of July. We arrived at Liverpool, England, on August 11, at 2 o’clock p.m.
From there we went by rail to Camp Doodley near South Hampton, where we took
the steamship “Yale” and crossed the English channel, arriving at Havre,
France, and were in an air rade the first night. We stayed there a few days and
then went to southern France to a village named Comissery near Tonnerre. We
stayed there four weeks taking hard training and from there we went to the
trenches in Alsace-Lorraine section. We were in the St. Die sector in the
Vosges mountains. This was a very quiet section. We were shelled lots and
raided by air planes. Also we had to go on lots of patrols at night. We stayed
there for about 29 days. We did not have much to eat and our work was hard as
we were on guard three hours and off three. We didn’t get much sleep at that
place.
I saw several German towns and helped capture about 250
German prisoners. From my post I could often hear the Germans talking. It was
impossible to make an advance. This is the section where the French lost
100,000 men in the first part of the war and it was said that the streams ran
with blood. From this section we hiked back to a rest camp near Rambervillers.
We stayed there for two weeks taking hard training. This was the first town
that I had been to in France. It was about the size of Salisbury. From there we
went to the Verdun front. For 72 hours we had no sleep and were under heavy
fire. We were on the section when the war ended.
I have been well and God has
blessed me with good health. Have had to take hikes lots. Will tell you about France
when I come home. I expect to be home in February. Hope you are all well.
With love and best
wishes, your son,
Elvin
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Hickory Man Saw Last
Day’s Fight in France
The following letter received by Mrs. C.R. Hawn of Drexel
from her husband, Private Charles Robert Hawn, who is a member of Company C,
306th engineers, 81st Division, will be read with
interest.
Nod, France
December 15, 1918
My dear wife:
Today is a rest day for us so I will endeavor to write you a
letter. Today is Sunday. We don’t do anything on Sunday. The war is over. I
guess you are glad to know the fighting has stopped, but not any gladder than I
am.
We were on the front when the fighting stopped. We were on
the front near two weeks. We made our first trip out on the battle field the morning
of the 11th and the firing stopped at 11 o’clock that day.
Believe me, it was a warm time out there, while it lasted.
Will tell you about it when I get back home.
We came from the front to this place called Nod. We were on
the road 15 days. I made it fine, only my feet got rather sore. We have been
here for two weeks, drilling back to squads right and left again. We only drill
five hours a day. Saturday afternoon and Sunday off.
I don’t know how long we will have to stay over here yet. I
am hoping it will not be long, as I am anxious to get back home now. I think I
will be home by February. It seems like it has been several years since I saw
you. Guess how much I weigh? I weighed this morning—152 pounds, and I haven’t
been sick a day since I came over.
We are billeted in a French village. The people are very
nice to us. I have never learned their language, though I get my sweet milk
every day. You know I am so found of that. Getting along fine here. But I am
anxious to get back to the good old U.S.A.
I received my Christmas package several days ago; it was
real nice and in good condition. The chocolate was fine; that was the first
real American chocolate I have eaten since I came over. We can get it at the
Y.M.C.A., but not that kind. I also received the package of razor blades yesterday.
I have not seen Marshall or Ben for several weeks. They are
in a different village.
The Germans failed to get me. I guess they had a grand
celebration the 11th over there? I would like to have been in the
midst.
I was very sorry to hear of Mrs. P.A. Miller’s death. That
was too sad. I thought so much of her. She was loved by everybody who knew her.
I see there have been quite a number of deaths over there. Be good and take
good care of yourself until I get back. Trusting this finds you in the very
best of health and enjoying life. Give the Hickory people my best regards. I
must close now as it is time for supper.
With love,
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Other News of Our
Soldiers
Lieut. Ralph H. Ballew, after spending several days with his
parents, left today for Charleston to rejoin his ship.
Mr. Vance E. Yount, a member of the 30th
division, has arrived home. He telephoned his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.G. Yount,
the good news on Friday. The young man was in the big fighting in France and
later was invalided home on account of illness.
The home guard will meet again tomorrow night after a recess
due to the flu of several months. Captain Abernethy says it will be advisable
for the men to be prepared to clean up the rifles again. The hour of meeting is
8 o’clock.
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