Letter From Sgt. Thad
Sharpe
Dec. 5, 1918
Am Still in France
My dear Mother and
Elsie:
I will write you a few lines this morning. I am getting on
o.k. and I truly hope you and all my folks are well.
I feel that I have been blessed to the fullest extent.
Haven’t been sick to amount to anything since coming over. I am very thankful
to say.
And was lucky enough not to get hit by any of the shells
sent over to our line by the Jerries. Although they ploughed up the earth all
around me at times, and the shrapnel was flying near and thick. Well, mamma you
ought to of seen us beat it to the dugouts, and when the gas shells came over
you ought to of seen us put on our gas mask, or life saver I call it. For gas
will surely kill, believe me. I lost some sleep over this stuff called gas. But
never did get any of it. Several of my company did get it.
Oh! I received a roll of papers this morning and have been
reading some letters that the boys wrote home. I also read some that Capt.
Giddens wrote of Co. K. I tell you those Daily
Times you sent sure did look good to me.
Yes I know about drinking water from shell holes and making
coffee with it also. But we have a way of purifying every drop of it before
using it. No matter what kind of well or spring it comes from.
We have three big water bags that hang around the kitchen,
and I keep the “dope” in them to make the water o.k. and men are not allowed to
drink at other places. That’s the way Uncle Sam keeps a well army.
Well, Mamma, I have been trying to get a chance to write you
a long letter ever since the war stopped but have not had time. We were on the
front at the end, having gone over the top on Saturday morning before the end
on Monday. Well it took a day or two to get back to any place. And all were
busy trying to get clothes for most all had lost about everything they had. I
had about a dozen pair of new socks and you ought to of seen me divide with the
other fellows. I also gave away one of sweaters as I had two.
Then we started on our long hike, which lasted 16 days. We
would hike all day and stop over in some village for the night, and start out
next morning by light, until we reached our final destination. I think we will
stay here until we get ready to start home once again. I don’t think this
division will sail before the latter part of January, perhaps later, can’t
tell.
We are getting “all rigged out” in new clothing now, and by
the way these new clothes that will be ours when mustered out.
Well, Mamma, we have not had pay day in over two months now.
We heard yesterday that we would be paid today and you bet our ears are open
listening for the bugler sound pay call. A happy gang of Yanks we will be. The
first thing after we get our francs, about 4 or 5 of us will buy 4 or 5 chickens,
the largest we can find, and cook them up. Then get 4 or 5 of the best looking
French girls we can find and the feast is on. The girls learn us how to talk in
their tongue tied way, and we learn them how to eat chicken or poo-ley they
call it. Now don’t you bet we have a good time.
Well, Mamma, I must stop my foolishness or you will think I
am fixing to recruit in the arm.
I received a letter from Sgt. Billie Mears yesterday, also
one from Eddie Ellis. Both are o.k. They are with the 30th division
you know. Tell Alice that Bill is o.k. but says he has a plenty of the war.
Well we all have a plenty but could and would stand more if need be. But we won’t
have any more war in a long, long time.
Well, Elsie, I would like to tell you about the large cities
I have seen which are completely torn up. I just wish I could picture the city
of Verdun to you. A place four times as large as Wilson and every building has
been bombed, none of them have a top. Just the walls standing and some of the
walls are smashed. No one lives there, only soldiers. All the people that weren’t
killed at the time of the bombing have left. The big battle of Verdun was in
1916. I guess you remember seeing it in the paper. I was told that around one
million men were killed in that battle and about that many horses. This is near
what they call “Dead Man’s Hill,” just where I was when the end came. I was not
stationed at Verdun but was at Belrupt, about two miles away, and I went over
to see the ruins of the once famous city, and while there I heard a French
soldier say, “Four years ago I left this town and it was beautiful,” and
pointing to a large pile of rock which was once a magnificent stone building he
said, “There I left a dear father and mother crying and praying for my safe
return. Since that day I have not seen them and don’t know whether they are
dead or living. Today I return for the first time and find my home and town
blown to pieces.” Well, I was awfully sorry for the young soldier. This country
is full of just such cases.
I received the pictures all right, think they are fine.
Elsie kiss all of my little nieces for me and tell them to
pray for me as I know they have been doing.
I intend being home in time for the closing of tobacco
sales.
Hope Esther T. received my letter. Tell them Wm. Green is
all right.
Well, I must close. I am sending you all some Xmas cards.
Love and best wishes
to all,
Sgt. Thad P. Sharpe
Co. D, 322 Inf.,
U.S.A. P.O. 791
A.E.F.
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