(Page 1) AMERICAN Y.M.C.A. ON ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES Commercy France Dec-26-18. Mr. E.E. Swain Dear Friend:- I have not written you since going to France but tonight I am in the business of writing letters so here comes. Our Xmas was very fine considering the way things are situated over here. For Xmas dinner we had, roast goose & brown gravy, mashed potatoes, bread, butter, jam, & coffee. Last night, Col. Rieger gave the French orphans in this town a real Xmas tree and it was worth the work & expense to see the little tots open up their (Page 2) 2 eyes wide with wonderment and awe. I and Corp. Bozarth cut the tree and helped the Col. decorate it. We could not get any candles only the larges ones and so cut them and placed them in holders made from wire off of bailed hay. For decorations we had American flags & French flags. Some colored paper. Each tot received a present and a bag of real American candy. The Y.M.C.A. had each man turn in one sock and they filled it & returned it last night. It contained one El Toro cigar, one pkg. camels, two pkg. chocolate, two pkg Cigarettes. The issue of chocolate candy to each man was one pound of good American bon bons. They sure hit the spot. Our men who were wounded during the Argonne drive are (Page 3) AMERICAN Y.M.C.A. ON ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 191 3 just getting back to us yesterday and today. President Wilson was in our neighborhood yesterday but we did not get to see him. We are quartered in what was before the war, a gin mill and it has an old fashioned water wheel under it and the lull puts us to sleep every night. We eat supper at four and it is dark by four thirty and by six every body is about in bed and taking life easy. We drill in the forenoons only and use the afternoons in washing and killing cooties (Page 4) 4 Cooties are our best friends and they are not a respecter of persons either. Lt. Col. Rieger is one of the best liked men in the A.E.F. by all. He sure is the privates friend. Capt. Heiny is the same old Jack as always we dont get to see him as often as we would like to but when he does get to come & see us we sure have a good visit. Capt. Cater is in charge of the Provisional Company made of the 139th Inf two squads from from each company to parade for Big Bugs and it is called C Co too. Now what do you think of that. I know we will be getting home some of the days and I dont think any of the boys (Page 5) AMERICAN Y.M.C.A. ON ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 191 5 will want to get away very soon. Of course we are leaving some good comrades over here, but we are extremely luck that we have as many of the original company left. Now, when you hear the story of the Argonne Forest from the men direct you will wonder how any of us got out at all. Being on the right side of the fight, I guess I had some thing to do with it. I will sure be glad to get home and rest. And get back to the Old Wabash to work and have the people W.W.I.92.47 (Page 6) 6 cuss about trains being late. Ha. Ha. It has actually rained for nine straight weeks over here and it is still at it. No chance for it quitting I guess. Cook H. Kamp just brought in some home made candy. It sure looks good I would like to send you a chunk of it. Well we are all in good health & spirits and want to come home as quick as possible, but can stay willingly until every thing is all settled up, and not have to come back again. Tell Shubert to come on with a letter. Give my best to all my friends Everything all OK. Your Friend, Sgt. E.W. Howey C Co 139th Inf. A.E.F.