1918 April 2

Military Orders

He was ordered to report to Camp Wilson in Is-sur-Tille, France (Burgundy Region north of Dijon)

Letter

(4/2/1918?) not dated Tuesday or Wed. after Easter Sunday (3/31/1918) from Camp Genicart, Bordeau

Dearest,

My word – this is a busy life – more things to do than you could ever imagine – if I every go into another army it will be as a buck private – they have nothing to worry about.

Had dinner in a little white way-side Inn last night – the proprietor’s wife was three wither 8 mo old baby whose name was Janette – she is a sweet little thing & I held her until she became frightened – it made me very lonely for you & our dear baby – bless her heart I do love her so much.

Easter Sunday was very very wet – as all Easters’ should be – the French make a big day of it - & the churches are thronged all day long – Monday is also observed & I went to town for an hour or so but it got my goat to see the young boys minus legs, arms, etc & to see the women in mourning – it is very sad – but they are brave & smile & put up a wonderful front – they are simply marvelous!!

By the way – before I forget it – tell grandma that the sweater is great & that I was seasick coming over. I know that at least half of it will please her.

No use talking dear – I will never be happy until you, baby & I tour this country. It is simply beautiful & the houses so quaint & substantial – also very old – I went to a church yesterday that is hundreds of years old & at that it is fairly new. The streets are very narrow & crooked & paved with cobble stones – the sidewalks are nearly three ( - 3-) feet wide – everyone walks in the street – women wear wooded shoes.

It is great to hear dear little kiddies of Sarah Helens age talk – it seams so queer to hear French coming out of them – it also seems queer to hear a big black man & a little china man jabbering French – they come from the Colonies.

Our Battalion splits up here & tomorrow we go our separate ways.- I will miss some of the other fellows – two of them in particular – they are splendid chaps.

Have not heard from Paul [Henderson]– but wired him yesterday – & today sent him a letter by one of our officers.

Got my pay last week & I fell like a (plute?) – we were paid in Francs & my check read 676.47 Francs & at that

[The rest of the letter is missing]