TRANSCRIBED FROM THE CARLISLE INDEPENDENT FEBRUARY 6, 1919 P. 6
Germany
Dec. 25, 1918
Dear mother,
Just finished Xmas dinner, we had roast pork, mustard, dressing, cream potatoes, sour kraut, brown gravy, pumpkin pie, butter, bread,, coffee and apples, and this evening at 5 o'clock we are to get an issue of candy and cakes. This morning we went to the "Y" for church, but what I wanted most I didn't get, that was mail from home: it has been very near two months since I have heard from you and I am awfully anxious to hear how all of you are.
The ground has about 3 inches of snow on it and looks like we might have more, but I am well fixed for it.
The last week I spent in Coblense on detached service at a hospital. I sure did enjoy it to we had a good bath mom, steam heat, electric lights and a free laundry. I sure made use of all of them, but don't think now this was the first bath I had had since I left the states, it was the first of such convenience.
I mailed you a bunch of views, most of them are along the Rhyne, some of them I have seen and I have lots more stored away in this shaved "noggin" of mine. Save the views and we will get them all together some day I think before long. One of them had a large statue on it, this is known as the "Watch on the Rhyne" but there's another "Watch" there now and you would know who it is if you were to float up the Rhyne and see the number of khaki clad creatures there is floating about.
This leaves me about (15) kilameters from Coblinze, in a small town called Hohr. The street cars run from Coblinze here.
I still can't give you any idea when I will be back to the states.
Mama I suppose you know of some of the work this division did and what a name and record they made, of course I do not claim any of this for I did not help win it, but just the same I wear the (big red one) on my shoulder and some think those wearing them will be among the first to start home and we certainly are all very much interested in that now.
Four of us boys are billeted with a German family and they sure have two good looking girls about eighteen and twenty years of age, the older one had a husband to serve in the war four years, and died the last few days of the war. They certainly treat us grand.
We have had good issues of chocolate candy and cigarettes several times and will probably get them oftener when things are straightened up a little more. We have "Bull Durham" and I find him a fine entertainer at times.
I am still fairing fine and get plenty to eat, and have very little drilling.
Tell Lois her little wrist watch is still on the go and money can not buy it.
Your son,
Fred Burnett
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Germany
Dec. 25, 1918
Dear mother,
Just finished Xmas dinner, we had roast pork, mustard, dressing, cream potatoes, sour kraut, brown gravy, pumpkin pie, butter, bread,, coffee and apples, and this evening at 5 o'clock we are to get an issue of candy and cakes. This morning we went to the "Y" for church, but what I wanted most I didn't get, that was mail from home: it has been very near two months since I have heard from you and I am awfully anxious to hear how all of you are.
The ground has about 3 inches of snow on it and looks like we might have more, but I am well fixed for it.
The last week I spent in Coblense on detached service at a hospital. I sure did enjoy it to we had a good bath mom, steam heat, electric lights and a free laundry. I sure made use of all of them, but don't think now this was the first bath I had had since I left the states, it was the first of such convenience.
I mailed you a bunch of views, most of them are along the Rhyne, some of them I have seen and I have lots more stored away in this shaved "noggin" of mine. Save the views and we will get them all together some day I think before long. One of them had a large statue on it, this is known as the "Watch on the Rhyne" but there's another "Watch" there now and you would know who it is if you were to float up the Rhyne and see the number of khaki clad creatures there is floating about.
This leaves me about (15) kilameters from Coblinze, in a small town called Hohr. The street cars run from Coblinze here.
I still can't give you any idea when I will be back to the states.
Mama I suppose you know of some of the work this division did and what a name and record they made, of course I do not claim any of this for I did not help win it, but just the same I wear the (big red one) on my shoulder and some think those wearing them will be among the first to start home and we certainly are all very much interested in that now.
Four of us boys are billeted with a German family and they sure have two good looking girls about eighteen and twenty years of age, the older one had a husband to serve in the war four years, and died the last few days of the war. They certainly treat us grand.
We have had good issues of chocolate candy and cigarettes several times and will probably get them oftener when things are straightened up a little more. We have "Bull Durham" and I find him a fine entertainer at times.
I am still fairing fine and get plenty to eat, and have very little drilling.
Tell Lois her little wrist watch is still on the go and money can not buy it.
Your son,
Fred Burnett
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD