Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1918 — INTERESTING LETTER FROM ONE OF OUR NAVY BOYS [ARTICLE]

INTERESTING LETTER FROM ONE OF OUR NAVY BOYS

The following letter has been received from Harvey Phillips, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Phillips, of McCoysburg, who is a member of the United States navy:— France, U. S. N. Jan. 7, 1918. Dear Mother and All: We arrived safely and were sure glad, to see land. I have taken some big trips, but this is the first time I have ever been out of sight of land for so long. I was sure some seasick the first few days out of New York, but it made me feel fine when I got Over it. We never sighted any submarines and were not sorry. We had a fine time on Xmas day, and I will send you the menu we had for dinner. It was sure some job carrying the things from the gallery. Suppose you also had a fine time, but I doubt if you had any livelier crowd than we “Jackies.” If you could have seen us you would not have though we were in any danger of being blown up. Think of sitting around Xmas or New Year’s Day without any shirt on ! You know we were in the gulf stream and it was sure fine and warm. I slep on the deck without any blanket. I would have written while at sea, but I was not sure that we would land and all my efforts would have been wasted.

I guess we have to help unload the ship. Well, this is Tuesday and I will try and finish. There is so much I could tell you, but can’t, that is what makes it so hard to write. I expect you watched to see if we were sunk. The report came out in papers that the U. S. S. Bridge was sunk, but we arrived all in piece. I can write as often as I wish, as we get free mail service while in foreign service. x No doubt you worried a lot, but there is no need to do that as we are always well protected. It rains, snows, hails and the sun shines all in 20 minutes here. - It is a fine little town and of a morning it sure looks fine to see the sun come peeping over the hills. If it were not for the water it' would look like Washington. Think of it! I met a fellow from Larimore, N. D., the other day. He knows several fellows who were on the ice crew last winter when I was in that town. Seems funny to meet him 7300 miles from where I met his pals. Try and find out the address of Fred Hamilton, Sam Duvall and Vern Davisson. They are over here near where we are going and no doubt I can find them. The hardest thing is not to be able

to understand anyone outside of the fellows I am with. I know a few words and think the rest will come easier. Tell everyone I am having a good time and will be- able to tell them a lot about this country when I get back home. I believe this is about as long as I have been away without writing. » Well, goodbye and look for another letter soon. Don’t worry as we are all O. K. * You son, HARVEY.