Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 80, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1919 — LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS

D. J. Babcock Is Seeing Considerable of France. Following is the firs* letter received fromi D. J. Babcock, who is with the 30th ("Wildcat”) division in France since the signing of the armistice. This division was attached to the British forces and saw some of the fiercest fighting of the war, its casualties totaling 7,62 S which is about 25 per cent of its strength: Ballou, France, Dec. 5, 1918. Dear Mother —Was very glad to get your letter of November 5 yesterday, but was very sorry to hear of Willard’s (Zea) dehth from influenza. He was such a decent, honest sort of a kid and such a good worker that it was too *bad he should die so young. Our division has had but little trouble from the epidemic 9o far and as it is abating almost everywhere, no serious results are anticipated. I wish you could have been here to witness the French people celebrate the discontinuance of hostilities brought about by the signing of the armistice. It was certainly a spontaneous and altogether a great demonstration of feeling by people who had long ago tired of the misery and suffering caused by wai* Ats the time of the signing of the armistice with Germany our division was back on rest and I believe was preparing to leave the British front (St. Quentin-Cambrai) and if the war had continued it would have had its next try at the Germans on the American sector in Alsace-Lorraine. Since writing you last I have lost my English driver and have been doing all driving miyself. Have traveled about* 2,500 miles, including several large cities and many places noted all over the world for their (historic beauty. The Amiens cathedral was among them. Undoubtedly this is one of

the oldest and finest specimens of ancient architecture in France today. It certainly is a beautiful place. We are now located in one of the finest and oldest sections of France and here we are being treated the best we have ever been by the civilians, who generally before considered an American as a legitimate victim for the civilians 4 exploitation in a hold-up. I have 'paid as high as 9 1-2 francs ($1.80) for a dozen eggs in some sections of the country. Here we get half a dozen eggs, beef steak, potatoes, coffee, bread and butter for 4 francs (80c) and we certainly appreciate it, too. We are now on the edge of the American sector and are treated with considerable more deference than has ever been shown us before while attached to the British. I have not seen any of the home fellows yet, but as I am in the workshops at present and don’t get out much, may be able to do so later if any are near here. A peculiar incident occurred the other day while at the ration dump. This dump is in charge of

a division that has never been up to the front and one of them came up to the truck and thought he would evidently scare me by asking me how I liked being so close to the front. I smiled and told him that if I didn’t get any closer to the front than the ration dump I would consider the trip to France a picnic. He was evidently under the impression that he was close to Jerry’s guns, yet it was at least 200 miles from the dump to the front. When he learned that we belonged to the 30 th division ha' came back and 'plied me with all* sorts of questions and wanted to purchase some souvenirs, but I told him I had none, mat they were so common up front we never bothered to pick them up. While I’m telling you about the ration dump let me say that we are at last drawing honest-to-God American rations and to say that they are a decided improvement is putting it mildly. I have several times thought of getting you a souvenir pillow top and will do so now that it can be sent you. Will also send a little remembrance to dad and grandma, whom I hope are both well. As regards the Popular Mechanics and The Democrat, I receive the latter all O. K., but 1 have only got one copy of the former. If you send any more, please address them to me as 30th Div., 'M. T. Co., and I’ll be sure to get them a great deal sooner. Have just completed a letter to Ossie, having received a field post card from him.'

It is quite dark and dreary here, but is not cold, just damp and foggy most of. the time. The “Stars and Stripes” (the official organ of the A. E. <F.) recently carried a story to the effect that the 30-th and 27th divisions would be among tb e first to return to the States, but today a notice was posted, signed by our comuvanding general, denying that we would sail for home until early next spring. However, one cap judge by the check-ups, etc., taking place, and my candid opinion is that we will sobn be on our way to America —possibly before Christmas. It was rumored around that December 25 would see us swinging along Pennsylvania avenue in Washington, D. C., passing in review before war department officials preparatory to receiving discharges. In fact, rumor even went so far as to say tihat our Bister division, the 27th New York, would do the same thing in New York city on the sarnie date. But it now appears that these rumors were unfounded. Have you heard from George lately? I don’t belieye he wjll ever be sent over here, but will soon be discharged and sent home. Well, mother, I guess I’ve bored you longed enough, so, wishing all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, will close for this time. With love, your son, DEB.