American Expeditionary
Forces
Sept. 13, 1918
Dear Mother:
I have been in Belgium most of the time since we landed but
am now “Somewhere in France.” Have been having lots of rain for the last two
weeks. Well, the news today looks good. I can’t write it, but you will see of
the allies’ success in the papers.
I received my medal yesterday. Am going to send it to you.
There is not much to it, just remember I had to work hard to get it. I beat 80
officers, corporals and lieutenants, so you see it was no easy task.
Don’t worry about me, I am all right. If anything happens to
me it cannot be helped. It is our duty for the protection of our loved ones.
Sunday, 3:30. I have just come in from preaching. Had a good
sermon under the trees. I am sure glad to be out in a pretty country away from
shell fire.
Sept. 18. Well, Mama I wrote home Sunday but have had no
chance to mail it. Been on the go. Have just moved into a town occupied by the
Germans three weeks ago, still we are a good ways from the front. I belong to
the shock troops now; make an attack and come out much better than the line
troops, and we get to see all of the country. The scenery is beautiful. I have traveled
a little more than three months. We are like a horse passing the barn, we try
to turn in at every barn gate. Stables, sheds and pup tents have been our home
all the while. Have not slept in a bed since I was at home, nor a cot since I
left Camp Merritt, N.J. I have learned how to do with nothing and enjoy
everything fine. Sure wish I could tell you some of my experiences, but will
have to wait until I get back to the States to tell you of my wonderful time.
What have you done with all the canned goods? I have paid
$1.35 for one can of pie peaches or pears.
Sure glad that you had a good meeting, for anyone who goes
where we do sure knows the pleasure of having Jesus Christ with him. I am
pretty tired; have had but two hours sleep in two days, but we will all get
used to that. One division has just moved, 25 men on a truck, so you can
imagine how many trucks it took. Everything is looking better to us. I long to
see victory and a peace we can depend on.
Mama, wish you could see we boys today. We are in a dugout
under the ground, a nice place. The boys are out in the sunshine catching lice.
You sure get them in the trenches. I have just found one. I had my clothes
sterilized two days ago. Something like a boiler; steam them to death.
The country we have been in lately looks just like North
Carolina. Had a letter from Ben Boone the other day. We are not allowed to tell
each other where we are; we just watch the divisions. We are not far apart.
Claude, collect up and keep things straight until I get
there. I often wonder how dear little Melva is getting along. Has she forgotten
me?
Please have all your pictures taken and send them to me, for
sometimes we get lonely. We have to destroy mail just as soon as we have read
it, and when we are at the front we go for weeks never getting to see a paper.
I have not seen the Polk County News for one month.
Later. Well, mother I just have a chance to mail your letter
written several days ago. Moving again. I wonder what you are all doing this
pretty day. Well, it is dark and we are where we are not allowed to make a
light. We use candles while in the trenches. We are in a place where they have
shoved the Hun back for miles. It sure looks good to see the people moving back
to their old homes. They are waiting for this, and must close.
With lots of love,
Jesse
P.S. I have no chance to get to a Y.M.C.A., so will have to
wait to mail the medal. The picture I told you about was sent to the States. I
know you must have seen them.
The Polk boys are all well. Lots of love to you all.
Remember me to my friends.
We have quit bluffing and are giving the Huns the real
stuff. The Tommies say, “That is the stuff to give them, Sammy.”
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