World War One Letters: Watson

Still at St.Saint George
but don't expect to be here much
longer. There are indications
of a move soon. Our papers
tell us we are to sail this month
but they tell so much that
doesn't come true that I
don't trust them like I
used to. When I first came
over here I thought the papers
we got were pretty straight
but I have changed. Papers
in the States can give more
news than I can about the
doings of this outfit so I won't
try to make any forecasts of
our sailing date.
Been getting quite a few
letters lately. There were several
surprises among the bunch.

The big surprises were the let-
ter from Jim and two from
Bill. That from Jim was
the latest from home but
yesterday I got one from
Aunt Irene dated Feb.February 18 that
was really the freshest mail
I have had since oversea.
The latest I had from Bill
was dated Jan.January 9. He said he
didn't think it would be long
till he was in France but
didn't seem to think he was
going to start for home for a
while yet. I have seen nothing
in the paper about the 332.
So the old neighbor WmWilliam Bliss
has gone and I suppose the
new Boche is often seen
about the place and on the
roads. Starch'sStarches will have a
real neighbor now.
From the letters victory day
celebrations must have been
great. Orthwein tells me he
had tales of the day similar
to mine. About every time

III

I talk with Orthwein we figure
on the sailing date.
In one letter it told of Gale
weighing 142 lbs. That sounds
"pretty hefty". I weigh a few
pounds myself right now. The
other day I tipped 82 1/2 kilos or
181 lbs. So my health I don't
think, is entirely gone.
Spring is with us. You can
go out and see all kinds of
"Johnny jump ups" around here.
The frogs have been making
garden the last week and
the birds are all tuned up
and singing their best every
morning.
The last mail told me the
"flu"influenza was dying out and I
hope it is clear dead shortly.

IV

There are several cases of
"flu"influenza or something similar to
the "flu"influenza in the company. I
had a terrible sore feeling
myself for three or four
days but I feel pretty good
now. Maybe you had bet-
ter read this in the open
air and at armsarm's length to
make it safe.
Well I will say "Good Bye"
hoping that the next time
I write I will be some
where on the road home.