TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BAXTER BULLETIN JANUARY 3, 1919 P.1
Somewhere in France
Nov. 25, 1918.
Dear homefolks:
How are you all these days? I am getting along nicely. Enjoying Dutch hospitality. They are as nice to us as one could wish. The old Dutch lady who has done the most to make me comfortable had a son killed on the Western Front. We meet some who fought in the battle of Argonne, when we did. We are glad everything indicates a loving peace. Our work consists of hiking a great deal these days but we will never forget the trip. This is fine country up here. I am anxious for this over sea duty to be finished so we can return to our own country. It is raining today over here. I do not think the climate is as cold as it is there. We usually get billets at night. It is interesting to see the movements made in these days of anxiety. So nice to meet those liberated prisoners who are sent back to their loved ones. The roads are lined with them. I will be glad when the liberation is complete and all enjoy lasting peace.
Received a copy of the Bulletin today. First chance to write since we began this march.
So long until next time chance to write.
Sgt. Ernest P. Crane
Co. B. 8th M. G.
Amer. E. F. France
NOTES: Ernest Pryor Crane was born on February 6, 1891 in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He died on June 19, 1951. He is buried in the Riverview Cemetery in Brawley, California. His military headstone identifies him as a California soldier serving as a Sgt. in Co. B, 8 Machine Gun Battalion, 3 Division in WWI. He departed for France from New York, New York on June 23, 1918 onboard the Metagama. He was serving in Co. B, Camp Kearny, California June Automatic Replacement Draft. He enlisted on May 19, 1917 and was discharged on July 15, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Somewhere in France
Nov. 25, 1918.
Dear homefolks:
How are you all these days? I am getting along nicely. Enjoying Dutch hospitality. They are as nice to us as one could wish. The old Dutch lady who has done the most to make me comfortable had a son killed on the Western Front. We meet some who fought in the battle of Argonne, when we did. We are glad everything indicates a loving peace. Our work consists of hiking a great deal these days but we will never forget the trip. This is fine country up here. I am anxious for this over sea duty to be finished so we can return to our own country. It is raining today over here. I do not think the climate is as cold as it is there. We usually get billets at night. It is interesting to see the movements made in these days of anxiety. So nice to meet those liberated prisoners who are sent back to their loved ones. The roads are lined with them. I will be glad when the liberation is complete and all enjoy lasting peace.
Received a copy of the Bulletin today. First chance to write since we began this march.
So long until next time chance to write.
Sgt. Ernest P. Crane
Co. B. 8th M. G.
Amer. E. F. France
NOTES: Ernest Pryor Crane was born on February 6, 1891 in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He died on June 19, 1951. He is buried in the Riverview Cemetery in Brawley, California. His military headstone identifies him as a California soldier serving as a Sgt. in Co. B, 8 Machine Gun Battalion, 3 Division in WWI. He departed for France from New York, New York on June 23, 1918 onboard the Metagama. He was serving in Co. B, Camp Kearny, California June Automatic Replacement Draft. He enlisted on May 19, 1917 and was discharged on July 15, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD