(Page 1) Coblence Sector, Germany. Dec. 25, 1918 My dear good Friends:- Even though I am writing to you collectively I should be glad you would each one take it as a personal and individual letter to you. This can be done so much better than writing to each separately and I desire to remember every one. This is Christmas Day and my birthday. I would be so happy to be there with you for Xmas time is the our time we want to be with our best friends. But fate has decreed differently. So I shall be content and happy to remain in Germany. Last night a heavy snow fell and today it is snowing and as far as nature is concerned we have an ideal Xmas day. Fortunately I receive several letters and Xmas cards, also papers and magazines, from you all last night. So I have been busy and very happy reading and thinking of you. The little village which I now call home is called Aber Humeriel, its a small place, and you will not likely find it on the map. But we're perhaps twenty five miles from Cablence. This is the front line, a position we have held for six months without rest except the little in going from one section to another. Our changes were always "from the frying pan to the fire." Each one was worse than (Page 2) the one we had left. I feel rather proud of our Division and particularly our Regiment. In all the fights we lost perhaps 250 men from our Regiment. Of course we got replacements and kept going. The last Sector was the [illegible text] sector. This one is very well known to you. We lost most [illegible text] Cinger, Geores, Rouagne, Boutheville and the Argonne Forest. I shall never forget those awful days when we were in the very front lines for twenty one days without any rest and in the thick of the marsh kind of fighting. But it is all over now and we are glad and happy. We were in Breheville when the armistice took effect, having crossed the Meuse River at [illegible text] some [illegible text] before. On the 13th of Nov. our march for the Rhine was launched. The first stop was [illegible text]. Here I stayed in a splendid old castle for 100 days. I naturally thought of the old days of Kings, Lords, etc. Many returned prisoners of war, soldiers and civilians came in here. They did look thin and hungry. Their clothing was poor. We were reminded again of the [illegible text] been who had held them as slave [sic]. We next camped at Calway. This village paid to [illegible text] 600000 franks to not destroy their town. Here I stayed in a very beautiful old castle or chateau. (Page 3) [illegible text] was our next stop. This is a town of 5000 inhabitants. The town was not destroyed but had been under German control who did just as they pleased. From here we went to Belgium. Keispelt was our stop here. Altlinster was next. While here I went to the city of Luxembourg and sure had one great time. The people were so wonderful to us, I have never seen anything like it. Next we went to Echternach, Luxembourg. This is on the border. We remained here a week and had a splendid visit and rest. [illegible text]. We entered Germany, stopping at Huttengen, Grosslittgen, [illegible text], Mayen, Meisenheim, Gladbock, etc. We crossed the Rhine at Urmitz on Dce. 13. It rained all day. On Dce. 15 we reached our destination. I secured the school house here and converted it into Reading and Writing room for the men. I also use it for preaching Service. Have also made efforts to secure text books and will begin some school work. Our Regiment is so scattered out that it is impossible to do all I should like to. But it is so much better now than before. It is impossible to tell how long I will be over here, until Spring I am sure but I hope to be home by June at the latest. Altho [sic] I cannot tell. We are all anxious to get back but I am willing to stay a few (Page 4) months if my services are needed. I want to thank my friends who have been so very kind to write to me, send Xmas cards and above all I appreciate the prayers that have been given for me. I have needed them and when things seemed hardest I was happy to know there were those who were praying. War is an awful thing. I have seen enough, more than I can tell you on paper. When I get home I will answer all questions and tell you everything you want to know. I would enjoy being there for the Services at the Church, Sunday School etc. I also think of the Ladies' Aid and Woman's Missionary Society often and rejoice in the good work they do. I have missed the Services of our church more than any thing else. My Services here have been so different. I'll tell you all about it when I return. Wishing each one a merry Xmas season a happy New Year with all success and good health. I shall be pleased to hear from you all frequently. Thanking you again for all kindnesses to me. I am, Yours in the Service. Lt. C.F. Acree, Chaplain 126 Inf. 32 Division Am. E.F.