Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 211, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1918 — D. J. BABCOCK WRITES HOME FOLKS FROM THE WAR ZONE [ARTICLE]

D. J. BABCOCK WRITES HOME FOLKS FROM THE WAR ZONE

D. J. Babcock, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Babcock, who has been in France for the past several weeks, has written a very interesting letter to his parents which the Republican is permitted to publish in full: Somewhere ifi France. August 6, 1918. Dear Parente:—To say. that I was absolutely delighted to get two letters irom mother and one from dad the other day is putting it imdldly, all of them arrived the same time, and I also eagerly devoured the contents of the bunch 'of papers dad was so thoughtful to send. I was more than pleased to get the postal order and experienced' no difficulty whatever in cashing it at the local Y. M. C. A. Let me tell you, dad, there is evidently an erroneous rumor abroad in America as regards payday over here, but so far as my experience goes, payday is prompter here than in the United States, as we generally get paid off ini French coin by the eighth of the month. American money is worth- fourteen cents and a fraction more than the equivalent in French and for the $5 order I got 28 francos ($5.65) thus getting the difference in the exchange. Was also very glad to hear fronni George, 'but have not as yet had time to reply to his letter, but will do so tomorrow sure, as he is always so prompt in answering and writes such interesting letters. Tell Elmer Daniels that if he cab remain in the quartermaster’s cortps to do so, as it is one of the best branches of service in the army. He was indeed lucky to get into it. He is also very lucky to ‘be stationed at Indianapolis, as he can get home quite easily, and is very foolish if he doesn’t avail 'himself of the opportunity.

I suppose you have received my first letter to you since landing here some few weeks ago. If it got by the censor—and I see no reason tp think otherwise —you should have gotten it some time ago. I wrote as soon as possible to let yeui know we landed safely enough after a long and .tiresome voyage. I am now acting as relief driver on an English truck and am attached to the mechanical end of the division headquarters, and like the job considerably better than drilling. We do a general transports work and I have already seen considerable territory and expect to see much more. The job carries with it an increase in pay of fourteen dollars a month, so I am now supposed to get $44 per, added to which is $6.16 exchange, and 15 per cent for foreign service ($6.60), so you see it really means about $56.76 a month. Havp been doing considerable hauling for the past three weeks, and have been in several towns where “Jerry” (the British name for a German) has reduced the place to utter ruin. One place especially I rememlber because it undoubtedly had some splendid edifices in (peace times. It was said to have had a population of from twelve to fifteen thousand prior to the war, but it is now utterly deserted and many of the buildings have either been completely blown away or have great gapping rents in them caused by shells. I spent considerable time in the town and was greatly interested in an ancient church or cathedral which was built eomewhat after the fashion of the court house at home, having a huge, lofty belfry, reached by ponderous spiral stone steps. I ascended to the top and one can get a wonderful view from it of the devastation' in the surrounding territory. There is everywhere buildings with roofs or second floors sagging at a precarious pitch and which are dangerous to monkey around. This old cathedral was evidently built about the time (Noah left the ark, but it is a grand piece of ’ architecture yet, with its massive etone pillars, leaded glass windows and beautiful hand-painted mural decorations. The place has a very large auditorium with a lofty ceiling, while the floor is of an ancient artistic sort of tile. A giant pipe organ is found in the balcony, while there are several tombs, evidently of marble set in the main floor near the pulpit, the lettering on which is quite ancient and almost obscure. One .has no Idea of the destructive forfce of a shell until he sees a village reduced to a dusty pile of red brick and splintered wood and steel.

August 7, 3 p. m.:—As our truck is on an easy detail this afternoon, thought I’d try to finish my letter to you and also write a few lines to George. We brought a detail of thirty men to a supply dump to prepare some material to be taken to the front and we have to wait until they are through and take them home. Now, mother, please do not worry about my sweater, helmet and socks, as they are practically as good as new and if I should need any this winter I have plenty of time to let you know about it. Do lay off the knitting stunt awhile, as you certainly deserve a rest. If you should send me a box of that delicious fudge, please mark it the same address as your letters (my permanent address) except you aon’t need “via New York.’’ "Requested by soldier” should also be put on it, as it will not be accepted otherwise. Candy of any description is hard to get here and to say I would like to have the candy you mentioned is a mild way of saying it. I can assure you. that I will more than appreciate receiving it. Our food is good, well cooked and quite plentiful now, as we have just changed our mess and are now eating at our own headquarters. Tell dad that the American Y. M. C. A’s. cash all postal orders sent here 'unless there is an American banking institution accessible. I do not anticipate getting any cashed, however, as now have about S6O on hand and may send soonte home soon. Aeroplane raids are quite frequent in this sector which has been the scene of some of the fiercest

fighting of the war. I would not be surprised if Vern Davisson and I haven’t passed each other on the road, if he is still located on tee same sector he was in hip last letter appearing in the papers you sent me. The Boche shell the town we stay in occasionally, but so far little or no damage has resulted. He previously shelled the place for several days, but as at present did little damage. Many civilians are living here yet, so there is not eo much danger, you see. Commodltes generally are quite high priced here, but there is little or noteling to spend one’s money for, so I Intend to save a little if possible. The Y. M. C. A. man told me that the soldiers of a certain regiment sent 225,000 frances (approx. $45,000) back to the U. 8. last pay day, which is very good Indeed. I will try and write a few lipes to Ossie soon and see what he thinks of this country.

I guess the American army is kind of opening their eyes as to its fitness and general morale. I believe that (before they are through they will get their complete All of fighting. All of the prisoners taken recently are sadly discouraged and are very tired of tee ceaseless strain on "tee nerves. I believe I’ve got a pretty good thing here, as we stand no formations whatever, begin work at 7:30 a m and quit at 6 if possible, with ’ Sunday afternoon off. The work is hot overly hard, and It is better than being in one place all the time, you get to see new sights and they keep your mind off the conflict, yet there is constantly the roar of shells .to remind one of it I saw where two horses were killed -by an aeroplane bomb last evening. The destructive power of these missiles is almost unbelieveable. Well, I believe I’ve written entirely too much, so will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon and teat you are enjoying the best of health and prosperity. Give my best wishes to all Respectfully your son, D. J. B. Please write soon and have dad send the paper regularly. The following of the Dunkard faith, who live near Lafayette, came today to attend divine services in Barkley township: Mr. and Mira. E. C. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. David Long and Mt. and Mrs. Charles Long.