Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 207, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1918 — VERN DAVISSON WRITES FROM THE THICK OF THE FIGHT [ARTICLE]

VERN DAVISSON WRITES FROM THE THICK OF THE FIGHT

. At the Front, Aug. 6, 1918. Dear Father and Mother:— Received your letter a few days ago. Glad to hear you are all well. Tam feeling fine and in good health. I suppose you formed some idea from my other letter of where :: am. lam .in the thickest of it, any,way. It suits me fine. We can stant anything just to'see the kaiser get Ms finish. The “Bo'che” went hack so fast we almost ran the tails off of our Fords trying to keep up with the infantry. The roads and fields were strewn with wreckage, dead French and Boche, horses and airplanes and everything. Roads and bridges were blown up. We had to ford a little creek with our Fords. It was some sight to see the cars plowing through the water over the wheels. - We have to hand it to our Lizzies for getting there.

We are now wondering when we will 'be relieved to get some rest. We have had nineteen days of this without a let up; It is a hit unusual, but this summer has been a heavy one. Yes, the Y. M. C. A. is doing a great work over here, but owing to the fact that we are with the French army ft is a rare case of coming in contact with one. Yes, I found out last night that Sam Duvall is married Ito a French girl. .She is good looking, extra well educated and a “Tres gentile.” After he explained she affair to me, I remembered having seen her about a year ago at Noyon when we first landed there to go out to the front. She speaks good English, German and French. She is working in the American aviation headquarters near Paris.

I get all the newspaper, clippings you send and enjoy them very much. I also received a letter from Dr. Johnson—he is still in England, doing special surgery. He is feeling fine, but has not reached France yet, Got a letter f rom Fred Hamilton (a short time ago. We are trying te get permission at the same time and manage to get together, but don’t know Whether we can work it O. K. or not. . We get plenty to eat and all goes along fine. The weather has been very good, and the kaiser is getting his. I have had poor luck in meeting boys from home that I know. I hear compliments every day on the American fighters. The French ate crazy about the spirit the U. S. boys go to fight with and the success they have made.

We rescued a piano from an old town which was being fiercely shelled. The house had been hit three or four times and almost destroyed, but the piano was unhurt, so we loaded it into an ambulance and brought it back-to camp. There are two drivers in this section who can play very good, therefore at times we have some music. I received the Moose lodge re-!-eeipts; thanks. It has been quite some time since I wrote you last, have been too busy, but remember, “No news is good news.” I have been over here one year and four days today. It does not seem that long. My different cars have been hit five different times. One piece of shrapnel glanced off my helmet, which saved my head a little wound, therefore I consider myself a lucky bird. I just hope it will contine this way. Will close for this time, hoping to hear from you often. Your loving son,

V. C. DAVISSON.

S. S. U. 629, Convods Autos, Paris, France.