(Page 1) In France. Aug. 12th, 1918. My dear Mr. Swain: If it were possible for me to tell all I have seen, experienced and felt during the past few weeks I would have a story well worth your reading. But this is not possible so you will have to be content with the smattering of some of the things I have passed through, told in a rather feeble and rambling manner. After arriving in France I was assigned to the 126 Inf., the old NG from Mich., and after rambling about over France a bit I found them in Alsace. I was glad to be here for I had heard and read so much about this disputed section. It is quite a beautiful place but if that was all that keeps the war going I would say 'let the d- Dutch have it', but there is something else. I was here just long enough to become accustomed to the firing of the artillery, for that is about all we had, yet there were times that it looked like real war. About the time I got all set there we had orders to move, we did not know where we were going but we were on our way. We pulled out in the night for the rail head and as is usual in war it rained all the time. It is a wonderful sight to see a whole division moving, too big for me to tell about but it was some sight. There is something mysterious about the moves and you have a weird feeling for you do not understand. We were not far from Belfort, I was there for several hours, passing on we came through Paris and, good luck, it was in the day, the train seemed to circle the city and thousands of people cheered us, possibly they did not know they were cheering many on to their death. I should like to have spent hours there but we did not. When we reached our destination we found ourselves in the Chateau Thierry. We had a long march in the night time, camped in the woods and were soon in the front lines. Up to this point we had been going on emergency rations which consisted of corned willie and hard bread, slim eating. We could hear the continuous roar of the cannon for miles and you found yourself wondering if it were going to rain. It is not possible for me to tell in detail all the movements etc. as we took over our part of the line. But there were miles of men, cannon, wagon trains, horses and everything, The roads were crowded and jammed. The areoplanes were busy and (Page 2) we watched several fights in the air, sometimes one would come down in a blaze. By the time we got into the lines the Hun was on the run, yet offering stubborn resistence. We were in the line ten days and during those awful ten days things were happening all the time. It is all a great night mare to me. We had bad weather, it rained and rained. We had to wade mud, sleep in it and live in in all the time. When the Germans would send over a barrage we had it rather hard for that is the one thing hard to face in this war. One soon learns how to act, just "dig in" if possible and if you cant you just flop on the ground and wait and pray that you dont get yours. We were on the move most of the time and had but little rest. Our men did great fighting, as you have seen in the papers, and by the time we came out for a rest we had them pushed back to the Vesle River. I had a detail of more them [sic] twenty men for burying the dead. That is a very hard task yet I was glad to do this last deed of kindness to the poor fellows who had done their bit, and "gone west", It was days before we reached some and they were badly decomposed and many could not be identified. It was not possible for us to establish cemetaries but buried the men in shell holes and other places easiest to reach. We hope some day the bodies will all be removed and re-buried, and I think this is the plan. I also spent some time in the first aid and dressing stations and saw the men who were all shot up and it was remarkable how well and bravely the men stood it and how badly some were shot up. The country looks rather desolate and forsaken. The boche will always have my utmost contempt for his vile and wicked deeds. One who has not seen with his own eyes cant understand. The stories we have heard of the German atrocities have not been expressed fully, I dare say the half has not been told. Yesterday I had services in the woods. There I had a great crowd of rugged men who had gone through the battle and were battered and worn. I tell you this war is a very hell, it is hard, its a dogs life. I know the men who have been through the fire will be awfully glad when the day of peace comes. I do not know when that day will be but surely I hope it will not be long delayed. I am glad to be here and do my bit just as long as the war lasts or as long as I last but I will be mighty happy to be back in the dear old U.S.A. I have found many most excellent men and the officers are first class. We gat [sic] pretty hard and do many things here that perhaps we would not do in private life yet the men are men four square. It is a pleasure to work with these men who are paying the price. The slacker who stayed at home and did not do his bit will some day have many regrets. I had some mail a few days ago and it was sure appreciated for it was the first I had received since I came. You see it is more than two months since I left the states. I wish I could say I would be home for Xmas but I have no idea when I will be there. I will say that I am trying to do my bit and it is a source of great pleasure and inspiration to me to know that there are friends at home who are looking this way and doing all they can to help win this fight. I do not mind the hardships nor the sacrifices if only we can accomplish our end and aim. I have gone for days without removing my clothes and I have also gone for days without washing my face or hands, eating just what I could get and glad to get it and flopping on the ground or any place for a little rest and sleep. I do not mind this but it does help to know that there are others at home who are making sacrifices to help win the war. I have eaten things I would scarcely offer to a dog while at home and it tasted good. I have lost about all I had except what I had on my back. We moved so rapidly and men and loads were going every way so many lost all. But it is in the game and I hope to play my part well and to a finish. Many, many times I think of you all and wish I might see all my friends but we are going to try and finish this job up pretty soon and all come home. Every ounce of news from home is good to me. Try and drop me a line or let me have the Express, I have missed it very much, and keep the home fires burning for the men over here for I do believe they are doing their part mighty well, especially those who are filling the places in the front line and passing through this awful hell. With deep and sincere feelings of love and appreciation for all my friends at home, I am, yours in the service, C.F. Acree Chaplain 126 Inf.-France (Page 3) Lt. C.F. Acree, Chaplain 126 Inf. A.E.F. Officers mail. Mr. E.E. Swain, Kirksville, Missouri. U.S.A. O.O/K. Lt, C.F. Acree Chaplain 126 Inf. U.S. ARMY [illegible text] AUG 15 5 PM 1918 734 (Page 4) W.WI.40.47