Says the Boys Are
Charmed With the French Scenery. . . That They Are All Well and Strong. . .
Weather Very Cool
Corporal Oscar M. Abernethy, son of Rev. and Mrs. J.E.
Abernethy, entrained for Camp Wadsworth on Aug. 8th along with about
90 other Union county boys. Most of these boys are together in the 56th
Pioneer Infantry that sailed for France just three weeks after landing in Camp.
This letter from Corp. Abernethy is among the first received from the boys of
this regiment. He writes interestingly of the French scenery.
With the Colors, A.E.F.
Southern France,
Somewhere
September 26
My Dear Homefolks:
We have again moved from St. Nazaire, our debarkation point,
which was a quaint old village where everything reminded you of olden days of
which you read. The homes are built of rock or cement and covered with cement
mixed with moss and mud. As we passed these odd little homes every window was
filled with people who wore a pleasant smile for the U.S. troops who had come
so far to aid them, and beneath these smiles there was a look of firmness and
sadness that one can never forget. Many of them are in mourning for their lost
relatives, but still they hold up their heads and waive the French and American
flags in their hands, and many of them carry the flags on their carts and
bicycles which are used to a great extent. They use two-wheel carts and drive
fine horses. They all seem to be in a great hurry but never too busy to
recognize our troops. Children on the streets are not so concerned, yet they
cheer the boys and count the steps for us. We do not get to church here like at
home, however, we can attend Catholic services quite often. I was at mass in
the church that Joan of Arc and her people attended.
I have since writing you before heard plenty of cannons. We
hear from the front daily; though you get the news by the time we do. The news
seems favorable. The fight at Metz is unusually interesting to me and we are
hoping all is true as to its downfall.
The more we travel in France the better we like this country.
Everything is arranged so well, even though the homes are so quaint and old
fashioned—some of them are hundreds of years old and they look it, to be sure.
All the same style of architecture and dull colored rock, weather beaten for
ages. The trees are scattered about out in rows or squares and well kept. Along
the roads they are planted out for miles and miles; even the bushes and trees
on the creeks and river are well trimmed. The rows in the fields are straight.
Not an acre of land except the drill fields that is not under best of
cultivation, even the space between the railroad tracks. The folks take so much
interest in such things. They plant exactly the same things we do. Fruit trees
of all kinds everywhere loaded with fruit. Very few houses that do not have
grape vines over the windows and the doors hanging with grapes and the kind
that hang there until pulled, and such luscious bunches.
The trains here are quite different from those in the U.S.
Not so nice and comfortable, but make good time. Our long ride here was not
near so pleasant as the one from Wadsworth to New York. The scenery is most
beautiful. The boys are charmed with its loveliness. Something growing
everywhere. Large green pastures filled with the finest, fattest cattle you
ever saw.
It seems funny to see the sun about four hours before you
see it there. The weather is cooler down here than in America at this time. ‘Tis
fine for sleeping. Have been wearing our heavy overcoats for some time.
If I ever go to Northern France I hope to see Maj. Eric
Abernethy, my dear friends of U.N.C. Am sorry indeed to hear of his wounds. The
Monroe boys are still together, are well and taking care of themselves. We have
not received a word from home since our arrival in France. Send addresses of
some of our friends and relatives and I will look them up. Guess by this time
you have four stars in the window. Tell the boys to come on in; the water is
fine.
Lovingly,
Corp. Oscar M.
Abernethy
Co. B. 56 Pioneer
Infantry, A.E.F.
-=-
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