Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 86, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1919 — LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS

Rainbow Division .Soldier Writes (From Germany , Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Potts of Fair Oaks received a letter a few days ago from their son, Willie A. Potts, who Is a member of the Rainbow division and was In GerInany at the time the letter was written. The letter follows: Neuenahr, Germany, December 21, 1918. Will write you a few lines. We are doing fine, .quartered in a large hotel here. This is a great summer resort. The principal things are the fine baths. We are sure going some. iHiave got a map here, will write you a few of the names of the towns , we’ve been in, or rathr fought over and won. We’ve been at the well known Jront of Compaigne, where most folks on July 15 would have thought the world was coming to an end for about ten hours, we stood It jnlraicuouely—well, Just the same as we stood the smaller tests Chateau Thierry was also lively, as were Epernay, Lizaj, Chattllo, Feer-Tarderals, Monsard, Tey, Benney, Bompienne. We’ve been all over France a dozen times, but these are a few of the places I remember. We have also crossed most of the rivers of| France, among which were the Moselle, Meuse and Marne, the principal streams of France, and are only a short distance from the Rhine now. These German towns are very pretty,’that is, those of any size. The weather is fine, 'had a few frosts but no snow at all nor Is the ground frozen. We are treated as a rule with all respect that could be expected, and I like it real well over here although it is about the same as being in a deaf and dumb land. But I guess I will learn to speak it before we leave, as we are here for an indeterminate time. Do not worrv about that Christmas slip. It’s like everything over here it’s getting well taken care of and we’re going to have a pretty good sized Christmas. So will otiose, hoping you have a good time Christmas. Your loving son, , ■ WILLIE POTTS. Edward Peregrine Is Still Very Much Alive. The following letter was received from Edward Peregrine last Wednesday morning by a friend. Ed was reported killed in action, but the following is proof that the report was false. Neuenafir, Germany, December 22, 1819. Dear Friend— „ Received your letter of November 11. Sure was glad to hear from

you. Well, you can tell the peopie that I am in Germany, living in town now. Not used to it, but guess we will get by all right in a foreign country. This division is in very close quarters now, especially the 150th Regt. I may get to see Edward Rose now. Jle is in the H. Q. Company. I have not seen him lately but guess he is alright. Howard Ames is in the hospital low. It was reported he had tt» “flu.’’ I don’t know how he is getting along, but hope alright. The war is over “over here’’ and we- are only waiting for the time for us to return. We are . very anxious for it to come. But if you Hnffhv how we fought amid the fiercest of the battles, and the strain that has been on us boys you would think that we would all be tired and worn out. But to the last moment we were eager to follow up the Intuns. We had many a hardship to go through with, but now it don’t seettni hard. We are billited in a very nice town, have everything handy as one could expect. We have our guns parked by the river and our horses are stabled in glass houses, in a park. A hot spring is in the park. We get wonderful baths, baths that people have paid lots of money to get. It is “not mineral water.” This place is a summer resort for rich people. Our kitchen is in a hotel; we have tables to sit down to though we are not used to it. It seems rather strange. See? “Neueuahr is about 30 kilometers from’Cobling, or a few hours walk from the Rhine river. We can see the Rhine from a mountain close by. We are taking care of our horses and doing close order drill every day. The chaplain - announced at‘ the Y. last nigbt that we would be on our way home not later than January 10, 1919. It is very encouraging to us. I will close for this time, hoping you all have a Many Christmas and a Happy New Y<ar. Tell everybody “hello’’ for me. I remain, Your friend, PVT. EDWARD 'PEREGRiNE. P. S. —Here are a couple of powder bags I got while leaving the front. The Germans left these in their hasty retreat. I emptied the powder cut of them. They regulate their charges by putting in or taking out these small bags of powder.