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OAI IVTPnn ftrntmn ? A SOLDlUKS VVKllCr LU FROM A Somewhere in France, Dec. 5, 1918. j Mr. Columbus B. Rawl, Bsatesburg, S. C. Dear brother and all: I Well I reckon, pou aill thought that: you were never going to hear from me again, I am taking a breathing spell roKv the first one in many days, so I wil try and tell you a few things the letters are not censored ow I un- j derstand, so I can say a few things that I want to, I am as well as com- \ mon although I thought I would die I i felt so bod from cold and grippe, this ; climate over here is so uncertain, cold and damp,, fog six das out of a week, I think this 81st Wild Oat Division has hiked all over France, I tell you we have certainly walked some, especially the Infantry, I dont know about the Artillery,. I think they have it better than we do because they ride most of the time. Well I will try and give you all a little history of my experience since I left the U. S. A. We left New York the latter part of July, dont remember the exact date,. we came across on the Empress of Asia a British vessel, it was some big ship J escorted across the oc- j VW? W V ?? -w- W ?? ean by a British cruiser and a fleet of Torpedo iboat destroyers, we went through some dangerous waters but did not see any submarines but they were pretty close for transports had been sunk in the very same waters and that was in the Irish sea, we came down between Scotland and Ireland and landed at Liverpool, - - England, .went to a camp and rested a day or too then hiked to South Hampton, boarded a boat (an American ship) and sailed across the Briglish Chan* nei, landed at Lb Havre Trance, para ded through the streets, poarded a' train (oust train too; cattle cars, you can imagine what it was like) and arrived at called Tanlay. Prance, was there A month drilled and rehearsed every day and we did have some military band too; we have it still, we hiked from. Tanlay through Langres to Neuilly L* Svegue and boarded a train, arrived at Lepange, hiked from there to Mayenmourtier on the Vosges front shell fire was pretty lively there, we stayed on that front about a month, hiked from there through Bt, Ooryona Autrey, St Helene and Chatel boarded a train there traveled through Nancy, Prance, arrived at Sampigny whee the Americans started their first big drive against the Germans defences, the town was torn to bits by shell fire I have seen hundreds of German pri oners since I have been in France in all kinds of waya at work and the fresh captured from the battlefield, but I am off of my trarfc. We hiked from Sampigny at Ifivw R?Ma. ehAll trtrn 1 WIVU^U Ok manivn m?1 mm umv ? - battlefields to & torn up Preach, town called-flozamedtomup on ther Mouse* Arogonne Front, about two miles from Verdun, you remember Verdun the place where the Crown Prince loot #00.00* men trying" to take it, I have ben in that territory I have certainly aeen my fill of No Man's Land, and it ie^richi^ekaAed too,* J was in the thick of the fighting during the lest battle of the war, our whole band was stretcher bearers and hot a one of the boys even, got scratched by shrapnel shells, and I tell you the Germans certainly know how to handle artillery as they could throw some barrage I came near getting killed many a time but come out safely. I can hear the deadly screaching of the shells yet it is the worst sound I ever heard in my life, ope I will never hear one again, I have seen some gruesome things caused by those missiles of destruction, iusrt as I said before the band was right out on the battlefield during the battle and right there up j to the day and hour of the armistice, when the firing ceased along the entire front from the Vosges to the North, sea all firing stopped at once it seemed strange about ten minutes before you could not hear yourself speak for the roar of the big guns! and the sharp spit of the machine f guns and in a few minutes it was all over we were gathering up the dead and wounded, and it certainly was a i God send to hear of the Armistice, and strange, the firing stopped the eleventh month the eleventh day and eleventh hour. There sure was some celebrating thai night over in the German trenches, rockets of all colors were sent up as far up and down the front line as your eyes could see", they were so glad it was over, they just left their artillery and made a bee line for Germany as fast as their legs could carry them, they said if the Americans kept on firing they were. going to quit anyway at eleven, I understand they have carried out the terms of the Armistice to the letter so far and the signing of peace seems near at hand, the old Kaiser had to quit and they have a socilist chncellor now, It seems they will get along all right hereater, it is not quite sunny enough to suit my taste,- it has, noth- j ing to compare with old South Caro- ; Una, and especially Batesburg, I tell, you I have went through some hard- j ships since I have been over here I j think I will be home before so very j long then I can tell you more about j what happened over here I can ex- ; plain it better you know then I al- j most forgot to tell you a little more about the battle our band the .323rd and the 323rd Hospital Corps did all J the first aid work for both the 323rd and 324th Registrants the 324th. Reg intents suffered heavily by Macmne gun fire and shrapnel shells our band won the admiration of the officers of $>oth Regiments for Tbravery under shell fire. We hiked from the front one hundred and sixty eight miles and arrived here yesterday. I believe we will move in a week or two for a seaport and start for ljome pretty soon hope so anyway. I have received nearly all the letters you all have writ ten me and was certainly glad to hear from home all th time hope to be there soon. I received'a card from Miss Addie M. tell her I was glad to ge* it and will answer some time before long. I cannt help but envy the boys that will get home for Christmas from the training camps. I would v*? %?> -1 ?T??T/? ? fifrminnn VlIMj Ltl IIiKS j CROSS THE "POND.' not object to spending- Christmas J from the training camps. I would ; not object to spending Christmas at home myself you 'bet some of the A. E. F. has aJready landed at home guess we will be there pretty soon I have bought myself a York Baritone from Harris, it is some cutting up instrument too, fine tone, splendid valve action, in case with all attachments complete, we will have some band when we all get together in Batesburg again, many of the boys in the band want me to go on a show with them wehn we eturn(, but I think I will have enough of traveling for awhile. I want to play Baritone with Mr. Wherry when I get back I think I can atisfy him alright as I have advanced frcm third class to first clas musician ince I have been in the army. We will oganize again when I get back so whet up. I have just received a letter with some pictures of you all and was certainly glad to get them I will try to get some pictures of my elf and will send you some so be patient. I have received several letters from frinds at home since I have bee over here I.certainly appreciated their lettrs give all the folks and frinds my best regaas auu wishes I wish to write more but it is getting- prettyt dark so I will have to ring: off will write you anothr letter before long. Hope Billie will get home some time I do I certainly wou Id like to ^ee him. I am sorry I cannot get in touch with him over here Write soon and tell me all the news from home Your devoted broter. Musician I<awrenceD. Raw I Headquarters Co. 32Sr& V. &. Infatry ?and i- ffSst Division A EL P. * * r A. T. O. ?S1. BKCIAND. Kov. 24, 1918. "ZXtdfs Christmas tetter." My dear father: I wilt now take the advantage of , today .father's day) and write you a few lines. We can say most anything in our letters to you. I am very* anxious to hear from you. I haev had no mail sac* way. in- September. I will tell you a bt of my experien- a ces up the line. I first went to Belgium in the Flanders or Ypres sector and from there to Kemmel, from there we came down to France and took over the line on the Somme near St. Queaitin and had a bit of hard fighting there. Then we went to the line up at Cambrai. I know you have " -*? ??? ?? ? *>! . na.Ders. seen an uiose imuucd ... ^ _ No doubt you have been, very anxious to know just' where I have been doing my fighting. You can remember those places and you will know where I was I was near St Queaatin when I was wounded. -I would lorre to tell you indite,, but I hardly knpw how to begin. I can tell you how I was hit a Tot better when I see you. I am going to say I had a very hard fight for life. I know, there is not another one here Wh- ohad snch a narrow escape There < face and noee shattering my- cheekbone, coming out just about 1-4 of an inch below my temple. So you know how near that was. I am getting on fine now and hope to be home or in the U. S. A. now in a few more weeks.I went before the board a few days ago and will be going home before long. I will have to have another operation after I get to the States, and then. I will be all right. My eye is giving me a bit of j trouble the one on the left side where I was hit. . . j How is everything in the States? I ; am anxiously waiting to be back with you all again. I know the time is short now before I con be back in the States. We sure did put up a good fight and you see it did not take us long to end the great war. I was in the fight that first crossed the Hindenburg line. I ! dont know whether you ever read any [ thing about our diivsion (30th) or not j but we were right there at all times J j when there was any fighting to be ! done. 1 will tell you all about my j trips out on "No Man's Land" at night j between our lines and his when I get I home. I had some fine fun, and, too j bad some narrow escapes. And too II will tell you. We had lost ail of , our. officers and. I was in command of a platoon the morning when I was hit and X dont know how it went on then. j I was hit out in an open field, and thought of course I would die then. But in a few minhtee I said, "No, I won't die here, I mhst go home." So I | with the aid of two German prisoners went back to the aid station about two miles and was dressed. And from there I went on about ten miles to the train in an ambulance, and j from theer about 100 mles to a base j hospital and was operated on and begun to do better and have been improving all the time since. You must write me real soon even though I am expecting to be home soon. My address is: U. S. A. Base Hospital, 204 Hursloy near "Winrhester, Bngland. I am crazy to hear from you and all the folk I have been in a lonesome hospital for two months, and not a letter from anyone. Well, 1 I will close. With a heart full of lo/e to you all, I am. Your own true son, Corpl. Claude K. Wingate OBITUARY ! IMttle daughter of Mr. and Mrs. : Bovick O. Weed, was born Jan. 4, 1916 and departed this life Dec. 17, 1918. She leaves to mourn her father and mother and other relatives. She died at her grand fathers home. Mr. S. T. Weed. Hed tender little body was | taken by a kind and gentle band and ! was laid to rest in the cemetery at ; Columbia. I Gone but not forgotten, ' lonely are our hearts today. | For the one we loved so dearly, Has forever passed away. The Golden Gates opened wide, And a gentle voice said come, i And an angel from the other side ! Welcomed our little darling home. Written by a loved one. I 1 Lifetime Furniture Had your grand father or mother not used excellent judgement in the selection of their furniture would you have those antique pieces you cherish so much ? This same kind of furniture is obtainable from us in Columbia, made by the sons and grand sons of the men who made your grand parent's furniture. Or if you have nofe a cherished piece handed down to you, what pleasure and comfort you can get out of furniture bought from us?furniture that you can pass on to future generations, knowing tttJH tKpm t.ViA same service it has friven lb Will gl TV VUV>u vuv you. Furniture like that must be good. Let us show you our complete line, so moderately priced. You will not be urged to buy. Do not hesitate to make our store your headquarters when in Columbia. VAN METRE' LIFETIME'iFURNlTURE Funeral Directors and Maimers. Complete Motor Ser 1313-19 Main St., - - 'Phone 111 ^ c n U)iumDia, o. v. V v , .. _t _ fi& BwBBB jg ^D I Are You 1 I Open-Minded? I B The average American I a open-minded. I "* " ** - - ' ^K*- -->? ? [<; -*hr? fe - . ,. ,?-r^^^|:'.i BBS H I American business is coo- g ducted by true Americans of B B vision, open-minded men who B m believe in their country and strive ||| fl to meet their country's needs. B B The men in the packing industry B ?? are no exception to the rule. B I The business of Swift & H Company has grown as the na- S tion has progressed. Its affairs Wk have been conducted honorably, ip efficiently, and economically, re- ||S ducing the margin between the K cost of live stock and the selling B price of dressed meat, untfl today iS| the profit is only a fraction of a Bg cent a pound?too small to have ||| any noticeable effect on prices. |i? The packing industry is a lag, H vital industry?one of the most Eg important in the country. Do you understand it ? || Rr P.omnnnv nrftSfiftts ffl IKJ *f uv VJL WW ? ? wm facts in the advertisements that appear in this paper. They are J addressed to every open-minded person in the country. '> The booklet of preceding chapters in this story of the packing industry, will be mailed on request to 1 Swift Company C Union Stock Yards - - Chicago, llHnoie Swift & Company I U. S. A. ^ j r * ? i T .... 3 If? ? ? ?? H Contracted Dif eases 1 ALSO TREAT STOMACH DISODRERS, NERVOUS DEBILITY, BLADDER TROUBLES, ETC. Skin D 'ease ., Kidney Troubles, Piles painlessly tres' id without operation or confinement. H's teims of treatment are that unless vmi re <? Jve satisfactory results, no charges are made. ^3m*M man or woman i8to? P?or to* receive his ^est e^ort8' none so ^a? they can procure IbetteJ services than he is qualified to give. Let him offer you the results he has given Wm^^m othdrs aud leave the payment in your own hands Testimonials on file X-RAY and Other Examinations Free onJMozi__ : - ::v; m$l? j day Wednesday and Friday Hours: 9 a, m. to 7 p. m. Sundays 10 to 2. P. J. O'NEILL, M. D. Suite No. 7 Carolina National Bank Building I Cor. Main and Washington Sts. COLUMBIA, S. C | Shoes For Everybody Guaranteed to wear easy and longest. We carry shoes for the entire family in sizes and widths to fit every one. All Styles. Our salesmen are experienced shoe men and our cash system saves you money TkeBooterie 1518 Main Street COLUMBIA, & Cj flk JBpBBfc. A OUT-OF-TOWN Patients, 1uHHrsI1?E! We have every [ convenience for your comfort when visit^iSjYTLr take impression of your mouth in the morning, and have your set ready same day, where desired. Get our estimate before having work done. We will save you money. aa vr a . Silver Fillings, ...Sli 99 2<?Ye*r Gu^nte* ^ a , - FREE EXAMINATION x?th Ojsjwi, .... ..... ft, . We Adnsutcr Hitrese Oxide Gee Fer Paidt** Extractiee 71 A! T^/teed'/al Daiuwuic l/cuioi loiiuio . 13291-2 Main St. COLUMBIA, S. C. Phone 586 Look for Large Electric Sign and Moving Dental Exkibft at Stairs. Buggies, Wagons, Harness. We Have a Splendid Line of Well Made Vehicles i ? We have every style and size in above makes * ? Come in and see them on our floor J OUR GUARANTEE MEANS SOMETHING Gregory-Conder Mule Co. 1115 Hampton St., - - - COLUMBIA, S. C. ' Money Saved is Money Made | Just What You Do When You Buy From I B. BERRY. i i rintliinor. SHnes. Hats. Cans, Gents' ! ? y 7 - * / Furnishings, Ladys Furnishings, Ready-to-wear Etc. * f Sole Agent for the famous W. L. Douglas Shoes and also other brands of shoes that wear easy and ] longest. See us for bargains BERRY, ; ! 1 Assembly Street, Columbia, S. C - I I