Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1918 — LETTERS FROM [?]OUR SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS FROM [?]OUR SOLDIERS

— i.v». Pf From Jesse Grimm Writes the Battle w .

Mrs. R. H. Grimm of Gifford just received the so from her son, Jesse, which is ★rtttein on a sheet of paper the lame as that used by the German soldiers and which was taken fron the Germans when his company went “over the top’’ during the dosing days of the fighting. The paper is of good quality and is considerably more elaborate than that uhed by the Allies, the sheet folding in such a way as to form* the envelope when sealed. The side bearing the address has printed at the upper left hand corner, “Feld Postbrief,’’ followed by blank lines for writing in the address. The letter follows: American Ex. Forces, “Somewhere in France,” November 13, 1918. Dear Ones at Home. —It is with pleasure that I write to you today, for just a few days ago I did not know whether I would ever get a Chance to write any more or not. But I am sure thankful that I am still among the living and am well in spite of all the exposure that we have been forced to put up with. Possibly you have already guessed why I write thus. But I will explain anyhow. We went “over the top” Saturday,

November (censored) at 11:05 a. m., and to start with let mo tell you that It was a day that I will never forget. I would like to describe It all to you but, I am afraid that I would make an awful blunder. You-can imagine one’s feeing when your Lieutenant says, Co.' leaves the trenches at 11:00,” and we go over in 5 minutes after. God! T wanted the time to come, and I didn’t want it to come; but finally the word "Go!” was given and over jwe went, dodging the big German shells, cutting, breaking and dragging our way through the hellish barb-wire entanglements, and to give us a real taste of it, "Fritz” sent over some gas, so on with the gas-mask, which made it that much more difficult to get through. I know a few things about Germany’s artillery Are, too. There is only one definition tor it. Here it is, “It is hell.” I think it is over now. I was one of those that was on “no man’s land” when the bugle sounded "cease firing.” It was the nth month, 11th day, and 11th hour. I bad the privilege of putting up the white flag at the head of the section I was leading. Now don’t think that I am boasting when I tell you this, buit it is only o>nce in a lifetime that one has those privileges. Well, folks, I hope to be home soon, then we can talk it over. 1 only want to write this page full, for this is a: piece of stationery from Germany. It came from "no man’s land,” so you can have it for a relic. I am sending you my best wishes and think of you many times, so good-bye.. Love to all. From your son and 'brother, CORP. JESSE GRIMM, Co. M., 324 Inf., A. P. O. 791, Am. E. F., France.