Christmas - 1918

[Mauser720]

Aulnois, France
December 25, 1918
5 miles from Commeray

Dear Sister:

This being Christmas night and having had my goose supper thought I would write you a few lines and let you know that I am well and o.k. and at the same time spending a Christmas day doing good, ha! ha!

Received two letters from home a few days ago and sorry to learn of your illness and hope that this finds you enjoying the very best of health. Quite surprised to let a few lines from brother - can't surmise what kind spirit animated him into the notion to write, but assure you never-the-less that I was very much pleased to hear from him, also glad to know that the kid is doing well. Margaret wrote me quite a letter and told me how the folks at home received the news of the signing of the armistice. Mush have been great doings, but not so with us, we noticed no difference, only that the big guns were not firing their daily issue of steel at Fritzie. The French people went wild and if you could see the terrible destruction wrought by war you would also feel might glad. At St. Michiel, about six miles from where we were at our last camp one could see anything that war brings. There are miles of trenches about the town, some of them even running directly through the center, under the buildings.

Both bridges across the Meuse river were blown up, and for a radius of five miles from the railway depot, there is not a building standing that was not hit by artillery or aeroplane bombs. Some of the prettiest building in town were a total wreck, not even two walls standing. The two small towns north were leveled to the ground. We were in reserve when this drive took place. In the Argonne Forest this division had the honor of starting Fritzie on the run backwards. It was four days of real h--- and do not want to see any more. This was the hardest part of the American sector and the Yanks never stopped till they reached Sedan and the armistice was signed. Thy fought to the last second of November 11th at eleven a.m. and wanted to push on were it not for orders.

It took six weeks of the hardest kind of fighting to get where they stopped. We started the fireworks and were relieved after four days when other divisions took our place. This was the limit of a soldiers endurance, so you can figure how many divisions it took to get where the war finished. After five weeks rest we were back in the lines again near Verdun and believe me that town is sure wrecked. Left that sector after three weeks and moved into this locality where we have been since operating a sick hospital.

By the way, forgot to tell you that I was transferred. I now belong to the Camp Infirmary Detachment of the same regiment having left the Field Hospital at Verdun. There are only twelve of us and are assigned to special work, easy pickings.

Had a grand xmas dinner today, Roast beef, roast goose, soup, olives, peas, cauliflower, potatoes, gravy, strawberry jam, dough-nuts, bread, butter, candy, nuts, cigars and cigaretts and last, but not least some real american Tom and Jerry. Look over this bill of fare and see if it could be improved upon. The peculiar feature of this banquet was that it was served in a hay loft, where men were billeted to sleep. Had a four piece string orchestra and invitations were sent out to all men who formerly belonged to this company. Roll call was made and all present answered; some answered up yonder never to return to the U.S.A. and God's country. It made one feel glad to get among the old comrades and for a while everybody forgot they were in France.

Well sis, changing the subject somewhat must say that the weather certainly is rotten. Rain mostly every day, only seen the sun out once in three weeks, also a nasty cold wind blows all day, making one keep indoors all the time. Yesterday I took off the afternoon and went down to the Commerary to buy a few souvenirs to send home and by dark it began to snow, making it appear like a typical Xmas Eve, but the snow did not stay on the ground melting as fast as it fell.

Well sis, to finish I bought a few fancy handkerchiefs, the only thing I could find as a Christmas Greetings and am enclosing you one herewith. Also am sending mother and Margaret one a piece. I hope you will like it as I am not a judge of linggere and sent it as a souvenir from France.

Hoping that this finds you well and happy with love and best wishes to all, I am ,
Your brother
Matt

P.S. - Have no idea when I will get back to the States. The rumor now is that we are to take a hitch doing duty with the army of occupation. They took the names of all who speak, read and write German and of course, mine went in with the bunch. I suppose these men are to act as interpreters for billeting officers.

My one grand desire now that the war is over is to get back into civilian clothes and life like a human again. Of course I know the army is no snap in war time and a little bit better in peace times. This makes my third straight Christmas in the army, as you probably know I served on the Mexican border one season and two this trip.

A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
from
Your Brother
XMAS 1918 FRANCE