November 3, 1918
Dear Brother Bill [William Wode]:
How is everybody Over There to-day, old scout. Received two
of your letters; one each, June and July; and also your picture which Sis had
sent; they sure are good. I am glad to hear that you are back on your feet
again and to hear you were home again to see the folks.
Well, bill, we were right in it the last couple of months;
two big battles; but I got through them O. K. The first one was on the
Champagne, and the second, Chatteau Thierry. Boy, she was open fire right; we
got them on the run and gave them plenty; although we were under heavy shell
fire. I never thought I had to dig my own hole, but here is one place I did, or
got into the nearest shell hole. Machine guns were just sweeping us; and
believe me, I dug with my nose sometimes; even the enemy planes would fly over
us and drop bombs or turn their machine guns at us; but we are still in the
land of the living. We got them out of a couple of towns; they left so fast, we
could see them beating it over the hills; they didn’t have time to bury their
dead. One time we had to wade a creek; a French river up to our waist and over.
They tried to hold us there, but we run them without artillery until ours
caught up to us again. We were without food for three days and little water, as
it was bad to drink. We have gone through lots of hardships, but that’s to be
expected.
Well, Bill, we are back of the lines for a rest and some
more training; we have some new men. Last week before we were on the move, I
took several good swims in the river; the water was pretty cold.
I haven’t met any of the boys as yet from home, but I hope
some day I will. George and I were in Gay Paree for two days, and believe me,
kid, we had some good time. We had two months pay coming, but it wasn’t our
luck to get it; but we had a little besides what dad had sent in some of his
letters; and the girls club at the factory (Globe Soap Company), sent seven and
a half; boy, we had some good time. We stayed in the finest hotels and ate the
best of everything.
We had an alarm one night of Sirens, blowing over the city
as the enemy planes were near and everybody running for safety; but we stood on
the Boulevard, listening; it sounded like New Year’s eve. Broadway is a mere
spec to Paree. She is lively all night long, but all lights are out except the
taxies.
Well, Brother, we are having fine hot weather. I am going to
try to have my picture taken again when I find a place, hoping you are all well
as I am O. K. Regards to all.
Your brother,
Corp. Louis H. Wode
Co. H—116th Inf.
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