Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 190, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1917 — Samuel Duvall Writes From France. [ARTICLE]

Samuel Duvall Writes From France.

August 7, 1917. Dear Mother, Dad and Ed: By the time you receive this I expect you have received my other letters and cards mailed on board the ship and also my cablegram from Bordeaux. It was one wonderful trip across the ocean and we had several exciting experiences although none had an ending that we regretted afterwards. We only remained in Bordeaux one day. Hundreds of French, men, women and children, cheered us and enclosed you will find a flower I picked up from the pavement. Showers of all kinds rained down on us from the windows and roofs, so keep this flower as a remembrance of the first day I set foot on French soil. The trip from Bordeaux to Paris words cannot express. I really never in my life saw such beautiful scenery and villages, old castles to the most humble peasant homes. We remained in Paris three days, which was one thrill from the hour we landed. We visited the Eiffel are galleries, parks, the Tomb of art galleries, parks:, the Tomb of Napoleon, and it would take a book to tell just one part of all we saw. We were on the go every minute. Then we left for the place where I am now, in our training camp, where we will remain for About two weeks at the most, then we return to Paris for a few days, then back into the war zone is all I can tell you, but don’t worry, as we have fine quarters and are well looked after and taken care of. The best isn’t too good for us. . , A French officer told me last night that at one time not very long ago the place we are now living in was headquarters of the German army, but since that time the brave French soldiers have pushed them back nearly 30 miles from this point. Bummer is well and so am I. We just came in a while ago from a test run in our ambulance. We have a Fiat, a French car, and it sure is a dandy. Two men on a car, a first and second driver, sO Bummer and I are together all the time. We have free postage now and write any place at any time and costs us nothing. The same way on railroad trains, street cars, subways, etc. ’ I haven’t received any mail up to date since I left New York, but I hope to some time soon. I haven’t seen Alfred Thompson yet, as I learned he was at the front driving an ambulance, but hope to see him soon. I also hope to see Fred Hamilton, as I wrote a line to him yesterday and expect some kind of word soon. „ . ~ „Thefeare hundreds and hundreds of cripples in Paris and all over France, which one can’t help but feel sorry for. The women and girls run the trains, street cars, haul baggage, conductors and everything men used to do, but the crops are good- and since the Yankees have started coming to France it has put new life and “pep” in them and that is enough said, so tell the boys to come On, they won’t regret it. France is calling and they need you, and need you badly. I have made many friends and everyone says I’m the best driver and mechanic in the section, which makes me feel good, as I always help the rest out'when they are up against it. Well, I must close for this time, but will write again soon, so don’t worry as I am O. K. and satisfied. With love to, all, SAMUEL DUVALL.