Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 January 1919 — LETTER FROM CECIL REESE, WHO IS IN FRANCE [ARTICLE]

LETTER FROM CECIL REESE, WHO IS IN FRANCE

Bat. C, Ist Army, 62 nd Art., C. A. C., Dec. 13, 1918. Dear Father and Mother: — - Well, I will now write a letter. I have not written in the past few days because we thought we were leaving, but it seems to have been postponed. lam well and in the best of .health, and hope you are all the same. J hope none of you were afflicted with the influenza. You must write and keep me posted on conditions at home. Well, Mamma, I suppose you are somewhat relieved to know that the war is oved, aren’t you? Don’t worry about me for I am taking care of myself and could write you a letter that would reach across the Atlantic (maybe not quite that long) about what I have already seen and learned about France. I must say that the customs in Europe so far as I 'have seen are a noddity to those of “Good Old U. S. A.” ... The French people themselves are very neighborly towards Unde Sam’s fighters. The hardest thing to become, used to is how to speak French. Gee, you ought to hear us trying to speak with the French. It is wonderful to see so many acres ■of vineyards. Wine takes the place -of water here. The water is poisonous and all we use is purified first The wells are all open and the water is drawn by a chain and pail. Everybody wears wooden shoes. The buildings are all made of stone and, of course, have a wine cellar attached to each house. Every house has an old-fashioned fireplace and it reminds me of the olden times we have read about in history. The country is very hilly and mountainous. There are many ancient buildings in our vicinity as well as numerous caves that were used by the Romans before Christ. I have visited many of these caves and buildings. One of these caves was where Napoleon once/ lived and others where great battles were fought. In the cave where Napoleon once lived I saw his old throne and sat in his old stone chair made in the wall. The chair was first used by St. Emilhen many years before Christ. I also visited Napoleon’s tomb. I visited a church built by Roman Catholics 700 years B. C. The most of it is under the

ground and the Catholics still hold mass in it. I can’t begin to tell you in this letter all I have seen of France, and yet I haven’t seen half there is to see. I would Jibe to be able to see some of the ground that this war was fought and won on. It was quite interesting for us to see the’ British Isles. Haven’t seen Paris or London yet, but hope to if we can. Well, I won’t write any more this time. You be sure to write me often. With love, your son,