1918 LETTER #25:

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LETTER SUMMARY:
In this letter, Bootus reveals that his War experiences had been worse than he had written in his censored letters home:

-- "My letters to you were written with the idea of KEEPING YOU AS FAR FROM THE TRUTH OF THIS HELL as possible"

-- "FOR 14 MONTHS I HAVE SUFFERED . . . THE LIFE IS HELL."

-- "Germany . . . that HALF CIVILIZED TRIBE."

-- "If I told you what was on my mind it would be CUT OUT.."

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SOME EXCERPTS FROM THIS LETTER:


4 pages, ink

Y.M.C.A. (A.E.F.) Letterhead

Esnouveaux, France

Dec. 29, 1918

Dear Steve:

I just read a letter that you had written Mil and will have to say it is the most discouraging that I have read over here.
[...]

My letters to you were written with the idea of KEEPING YOU AS FAR FROM THE TRUTH OF THIS HELL as possible but you surely didn't think we were in paradise and want to sojourn in it.

FOR 14 MONTHS I HAVE SUFFERED and now after we have won it we can't visit places as you mention and the LIFE IS HELL. As for seeing wonderful Europe, to show you how much I think of it, I wouldn't pay ten cents carfare to see the best place in Europe.

I don't care to visit Germany for am interested in no way with that HALF CIVILIZED TRIBE or his home either. THERE IS NO REST FOR US. The biggest places that I have been are Soissons, Toul, and Verdun and we were fighting at all these places . . . Every man in this Division has seen more than he wants to of France and everyone wants to go home AT ONCE.

I spent a Xmas I will never forget for TWO reasons but you will have to wait till I get back to hear it. If I told you what was on my mind it would be cut out.

Rec'd you diary, and the Baseball Magazine.
[...]

With Love,
Bootus

[Censor's script passing letter]

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