TRANSCRIBED FROM THE GRAND PRAIRIE NEWS JANUARY 2, 1919 P. 5
November 23, 1918.
My Dear Mother:
I received your letter yesterday, and it is needless to say how glad I was to receive a letter from you. I am certainly glad to hear that you folks are all well. I am feeling fine now, but have been feeling a little bad a few days ago, have had a mighty bad cold, but haven’t been down with the Influenza yet, but, gee, there sure must be lots of sickness back in the States, with it. There were quite a few of the boys, that came over with me, died with the Influenza.
Well, mother, I am on soil now, that has been in German hands since 1871, and believe me, this country sure is wrecked up some. One can imagine the terrible sight, without seeing it. We have been living in deserted towns for the last few days. There are not any civilians here at all. They have left lots of junk behind, and now we are living in their homes, but we don’t get to stay at one place very long a a time, for we move to different places so much. The town we are in now, isn’t but about eight miles from Metz. I don’t know which way we will go the next move, but I sure hope it will be towards home, for it is getting a little too cold here for me, ha, but it isn’t as cold as I thought it would be, at this time of the year. We are having heavy frosts every night, and it stays cold all through the day, but haven’t had any snow yet. I guess it is getting pretty cold back home, by now, isn’t it?
You ask me if I have seen any of the boys I know, from back home. No, I haven’t seen any of them, but sure would like to meet some of them, but I think it is a poor chance to have such luck. Sure hope that Almond did not have to come over here, for it is pretty hard picking over here.
Well, mother, you say that you are fattening a couple of geese. I sure wish I could be there in time to help you eat them, but, may be the next ones you fatten, I may be there. Hope so anyway.
Tell papa, that I will be there before very long, to go hunting with him, for the Kaiser is finished now. Ha ha.
Well, mother, as I do not know any news, I must close. Hoping this letter finds you folks all in the best of health, as it leaves me feeling fine. Tell everybody hello for me, and give one and all, my best regards. I am as ever, your loving son,
E. H. Rabeneck.
American E. F. France. A. P. O. 795
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
November 23, 1918.
My Dear Mother:
I received your letter yesterday, and it is needless to say how glad I was to receive a letter from you. I am certainly glad to hear that you folks are all well. I am feeling fine now, but have been feeling a little bad a few days ago, have had a mighty bad cold, but haven’t been down with the Influenza yet, but, gee, there sure must be lots of sickness back in the States, with it. There were quite a few of the boys, that came over with me, died with the Influenza.
Well, mother, I am on soil now, that has been in German hands since 1871, and believe me, this country sure is wrecked up some. One can imagine the terrible sight, without seeing it. We have been living in deserted towns for the last few days. There are not any civilians here at all. They have left lots of junk behind, and now we are living in their homes, but we don’t get to stay at one place very long a a time, for we move to different places so much. The town we are in now, isn’t but about eight miles from Metz. I don’t know which way we will go the next move, but I sure hope it will be towards home, for it is getting a little too cold here for me, ha, but it isn’t as cold as I thought it would be, at this time of the year. We are having heavy frosts every night, and it stays cold all through the day, but haven’t had any snow yet. I guess it is getting pretty cold back home, by now, isn’t it?
You ask me if I have seen any of the boys I know, from back home. No, I haven’t seen any of them, but sure would like to meet some of them, but I think it is a poor chance to have such luck. Sure hope that Almond did not have to come over here, for it is pretty hard picking over here.
Well, mother, you say that you are fattening a couple of geese. I sure wish I could be there in time to help you eat them, but, may be the next ones you fatten, I may be there. Hope so anyway.
Tell papa, that I will be there before very long, to go hunting with him, for the Kaiser is finished now. Ha ha.
Well, mother, as I do not know any news, I must close. Hoping this letter finds you folks all in the best of health, as it leaves me feeling fine. Tell everybody hello for me, and give one and all, my best regards. I am as ever, your loving son,
E. H. Rabeneck.
American E. F. France. A. P. O. 795
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS