Dear Em

Taking every opportunity I can get to write to you, here is another right on the heels of one I wrote only a day or so ago. I received a letter this morning dated Sept 22 and it spoke of the change of weather from rain to sunshine. It struck me funny, for today was the first day of sunshine we’ve had for some time, and beleive me it sure did look good. It gave us a chance to dry up a little and we all feel better tonight.

It was news to me to learn that Lena has had such a cold and Im glad to know she is over it. Tonight finds me and eight more of us in a dug out that one of the boys happened to find and although we are not in the lines, a fellow likes to get out of the way of those big long range ones that come over once in a while and that are liable to drop anywhere (if not handier). Besides these dug outs are warmer and drier than out on the ground, and we can light a candle (if we have the candle) that the Boshe airoplanes can not see, which would be a good excuse for him to drop a few iron foundries. OH we try to get into the ground when it is possible. Empey wrote (over the top). There ought to be a new story out with some such title as (digging in).

Not having seen a paper for at least four days now we know little of events. We do know that it is livily enough here, and it might get more so any minute. We are getting plenty to eat which more than ofsets the lodging and weather conditions. We had doughnuts for supper, and they were good too. I don’t suppose I should go into family affairs, but there is a fellow here who is looking for those things we didnt bring with us from the States. The meanest animal that crawls. Im scratching in two places myself. On this paper and, /.

So you are not dancing much latly. Well it will soon be cool enough to enjoy this past time I guess. What do you think of the paper. It was some one of the boys here had. Well Em when I put this in an envelope we will strike up a song, blow out the candles, listen to the exchange of iron back and forth which will finally coo us to sleep.

So good night Em and the rest, hoping this finds you all well

Sam

Samuel E. Avery #69762, Hdq Co. 103^rd Inf. Am. Ex. Forces.

P.S. Keep away from that new Spanish rage won’t you? I haven’t seen any of it here yet.

© Copyright 2009 by Richard Landers, All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.

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Dear Em,

First of all please excuse the condition of this letter. If you could see me now you would wonder how in world I could write. There is no time like the present, and it pleased me so to get a letter from you yesterday dated Sept 17 that I just can’t help begging this paper and starting an answer to it. This old trusty mess pan again does its duty as a desk.

We hit this place yesterday after moving from the place I last wrote. It has been raining now for two or three days, and considering the fact that we are living in these pop tents I can honestly say that Im fairly dry and comfortable, and above all feeling great. Im writing now for one can never tell when he may get another chance for we are on the move and expect to go into action again very soon. The drive continues regardless of the rain but it will only tend to bring about the end sooner.

Yes my rest in the hospital did me the world of good and I hope I can go through the rest of this jam all right. I supose the old veterans that have returned are pretty well thought of and they deserve it let me tell you. They are pretty fortunate to enjoy a taste of civilization again expecially the home brand. I supose it is getting kind of cold over there now and let me tell you Im not welcoming the coming winter any too much. Last year we were billeted in Towns but this year it will be out under the stars in any old hole and glad to get that.

Glad to here that Pa still enjoys his night out once in a while as your letter states. I guess it was kind of tough on Tom to have to return to his ship after his furlough. Whatyou never had you never miss you know. I hear the boys all speak of receiving word from home about that new disease that is spreading around. One fellow said that they have closed up all places of public amusement to try and check it. I hope that none of you folks come in contact with it for I understand it is very disagreeable for a few days.

I received a letter from Mrs Holland some time ago which I have since answered. She wrote a very nice letter and said that of late I haden’t been writing very often. I tried to tell her, as I will tell you here that it is almost imposible at times to write much, and when I do write it is home, which is leaving it to you to tell the news.

Saw some Boston American and Posts latly and they sure do print some big headlines on the battles. We are all waiting to get a glance of a Boston Paper bearing the date of Sept. 13-14. The latest news we have is that the President is leaving it to Gen. Foch to deside the new peace offer. At the rate he is going now he will too. From here we can hear some of our peace answers to the Boshe going over now in steel and powder. They’re getting peace alright. The peace that he had all maped out for us.

Well Em I hope this finds you all well. Walter Davis is O.K. if you should happen to see Emma, and tell her he is as jolly as ever. Lufkin is in the hospital. Batty Coyne’s bunch is near here some where now and Im looking up some of the old timers all the time but can’t seem to connect. Best regards to Aunt Madge and the rest. Heard from the boss the other day and learned that three of the fellows have been wounded but out of thirteen that left the shop none are yet represented by a gold star. Blue is good enough for me. Closing the same

Sam

S. E. Avery #69762, Hdq Co. 103^rd Inf. Am. Ex. Forces.

© Copyright 2009 by Richard Landers, All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.

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