Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 155, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1918 — LETTER FROM CECIL R. REES. [ARTICLE]

LETTER FROM CECIL R. REES.

7th Company, ! Coast Artillery Corps, Ft. Caswell, N. C. Dear Father and Mother: Well, Man, I got your letter this morning, (July sth), and was very glad to hear from you aIL lam well and doirfg fine and hope you are the same. I like army life -fine. We have better quarters now and better eats. Don’t pay any attention to any body who says Uncle Sam’s fighting men are being starved and have cruel treatment and no clothes for it is absolutely untrue. I will venture to say that I get better treatment twofold than I expected when I enlisted. When I enlisted I expected h—l from start to finish, but as yet I cannot call it that, although I suppose if we ever get to the fighting line we will have it pretty hard, but it is for a very just cause and for the beloved ones at home. I don’t think any of us will ever have to do any fighting in France for the Germans are whipped right now if they were men enough to admit it. We are going to make them pay dear if they (Germans) don’t submit; you dan bank o nthat. If you could see some of the instruments of war that we are soon to use you could at once be assured of victory. Mam in your letter you’re worried for I can tell by the way you write. I do wish you could forget and quit that worry. Don’t think of me being gone forever for I am not and we will all be home sooner than any of you expect. Don’t worry about my welfare for I am taking case of myself and I have spending money left and in far better circumstances than some of my comrades. I have got two letters from you this week already. The mail is coming O. K. now and don’t worry about me not getting any mail for every spare moment I have I should answer a letter. I got one from Leatha and Clarence the other day and must answer it soon. I also got one from uncle Harry the other day. He wrote me an awful nice letter stating that any necessary article I needed to let him know and he would send it to me, but I don’t expect any such thing as that He thinks Harry is on his way to France now. I am serving in the coast artillery and will use principally big guns if I ever get to go to France, but we get the same training as any regular soldier gets so we can defend ourselves if the need be we can use the rifle, bayonet or revolver at close range you know and use the stand by at long range. Don’t worry about me going to France before coming home. . Earl Cox is at Camp Lee, Virginia leafing to be a baker and cook. Uncle Harry wants one of your pictures but I will not send him either of mine because they are mine and would not take anything for any you sent me. As soon as I can get mine taken I will send you some. Uncle Harry said he Would write to you soon. Send me Harry Beebe’s address and I will write to him. Do you know where Herman Knoerger is now. I would like to write to him. I must write to Ernest and Bailey soon. I have not heard from Bertha and Thelma and Edith and have not got any m'ail from 7— * but do not want to write to him you know. I got Glaydys Smith’s letter but have not found time to answer yet. How do the crops look now Pop? Say Pop, why don’t you write, I would like to hear from you too. How are you making it by this time? Is uncle Sol, Edith and Russel still with you? How are the onions and beats by this time and the gardens? Well as I must write one to Leatha and Clarence. Have not heard from Forest lately. Good bye. Write soon. Your Son, CECIL REES.