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HEARD FROM OUR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS

The Parkersburg News,

Sunday, December 8, 1918

Somewhere In France,

Nov. 8th, 1918

My Dear Mother:

I’ll write you while I have a chance. I haven’t heard from you yet. I’d give anything to hear from you. I haven’t heard from anybody. I just came back from the front in the hospital with mumps for about ten days. I guess I certainly was worn out. A good rest will do me lots of good. Well, I have seen most everything up at the front. Went over the top a few times and came out without a scratch. Thank God, but don’t worry, mother, I’ll come out all right. The way it looks it won’t be long before I’ll be home with you. So please don’t worry mother. I had some mush and milk and cornbread; it certainly was fine. How are you feeling these days; hope you and pop and sister Dora, are all well. Austria has given up. I don’t think it will be many days before Germany does the same. How is Frances getting along? I suppose she comes out to see you often. I suppose Harry and Howard are working and Ralph going to school? It won’t be long until Xmas, but I’ll be with you next Xmas. I wonder if Frankie is all right? When you write give me his address. I may be able to run across him. I suppose you have got your money from the government by this time? I hope so because I know you need it. Has Ralph still got his little dog yet? And I know you have got your cow yet? Was just crazy to write home. I haven’t written for two weeks or more and I can’t think of much to write. I never shaved for about two weeks up at the front; my whiskers were about a foot long and real red. I looked like an old man. I got new clothes here and a hot bath. It’s not often that we get a hot bath. Well, I will drop Frances a letter with yours. Tell sister Dora hello and pop, Harry, Ralph, Howard, Evelyn, Howdy and hello. Hoping to hear from you real soon, your loving son.

PVT. James C. Welch

Co. K, 102nd U.S. Inf.

American Exped. Forces

***

Mrs. L.P. Beabout, of 1907 Murdoch Avenue, has received the following letter from her son, Clyde Beabout, who is in France:

October 31, 1918

Dear Mother;

I will write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope you are all the same.

Well, mamma, how is the peace talk over there now? They talk over here like the war won’t last much longer. Believe me, I sure do wish it would soon end, for I would like to get back to the old U. S. again.

Well, mamma, I have had the experience of being on three fronts, and I have a few German souvenirs and am going to send home a German helmet the next chance I get.

Well, I suppose you read about the big drive we made the 12th of September. We drove them back about 15 kilometres and our division got credit for capturing about 3,300 men and there was one man in our company that captured 23 at once.

Mamma, there is a lot more that I would like to write about but you know we are not allowed to write very much.

Well, it is about dinner time and you bet I don’t want to miss that, so I will say good-bye to all and close with best wishes, From your dear loving son,

Clyde Beabout

Co. I, 168 Inf. A. E. F.

***

Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.