PAWASHIN-L Archives

From: "Victoria Hospodar Valentine" <>
Subject: [WASH] Letters from Doughboys
Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2002 13:57:30 -0500

This is from an unknown McDonald newspaper dated December 14, 1918. A
portion of the page was tucked in with some other loose pieces. There is a
picture of three soldiers included with the article; unfortunately the face
of one has crumbled away. The three soldiers are Lyle MERCER, face missing,
Samuel AYRES, and Marion DECOLA. Two letters from WW I doughboys.

Interesting Letters From Our Soldiers

Somewhere in France
November 11, 1918

Dear Brother and All:
I take great pleasure in droping (sic) you a few lines to let you know that
I am well and hope this finds you all the same. We had orders today to
cease firing, as the Armistice was signed, so it looks as though the war is
about over and we are all glad of it. So far I have not received a scratch,
thank God for taking care of us, for I have seen some great sights. We are
still in our dug-out, seven of us, we have it pretty comfortable as we have
two little stoves in it, but we hope we won't be here much longer.
I was certainly surprised when Mercer called me to mess, at the line-up
there was Bill BARNES, and you can bet I was glad to see some one I knew
from the good old U.S. A. We had a good supper tonight-potatoes, beans,
beef steak, good bread and coffee-so you can se we are getting along all O.
K.
I have been getting your mail all O. K.; today I received twenty-one
letters and surely was glad to get them. I would like to write to some of
my friends but I only have one envelope. I will write you again just as
soon as I get some stationary.
This leaves me in the best of health and hope it finds you all the same.
With love to all.
Sam'l Hiles AYRES,
Batt. A. 823 Field Artillery
83d Division, American E. F., France

On Active Service, France
November 16, 1918
Mr. Howard GILES,
Dear "Yellow":
Received your most welcome letter that you wrote on October 23, and
certainly was glad to see that you were well and enjoying life, as the
departure of this letter leaves me the same.
Well, Yellow, suppose you and the gang had one big time when you heard that
the Germans had signed the Armistice. We had a big time; the whistles blew
and guns were fired for two days, and oh! The Madamoiselle would throw their
arms around you neck. Boy, how I wish you were here to see the sights. I
sure will have a lot to tell you when I get back. I have an idea that we
will be in Old McDonald by May or June, so tell Bill TOWARD to have the
Jitney in good trim and for Ben FRANKLE to be ready for the blow out. I had
a letter from Bob today; he is well and only 50 miles from me. I expect to
get a furlough and go and see him. I have not heard from Hunk or any of the
other boys for a long time. But I will say that I sure will be glad to get
back home and be with the old gang once again. How is Flap, Rue, Gummy and
all the boys getting along. Give them my regards and drop me a line when
you get time. Johnny met Dal BRAWDY. I'll bet they had a wonderful time.
Your old friend,
PVT. Jas. A MALOY
Q.M.C. Camp Rocnambeau,
American E. F., France

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• [WASH] Letters from Doughboys by "Victoria Hospodar Valentine" <>