Taylor County GaArchives News.....Letter from Walter Hill - Just Returned From France WWI March 6, 1919
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Carla Miles http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002476 September 11, 2005, 9:35 pm

The Butler Herald March 6, 1919
The Butler Herald
Thursday, March 6, 1919
Page One

Letter From Walter Hill

Just Returned From France - Was in Some of the Fiercest
Battles But Escaped Without the Slightest Wound

Feb. 16, 1919

My dear Mama:

I arrived in Hoboken, N.J. this morning at 10:30, got on the train and rode
until 7:30 then we had to hike about five miles with full packs and believe me I
am sure tired.

We left France on the S.S. Huntington on the 4th, were in a dreadful storm which
lasted 24 hours, we gave up all hopes of ever landing during the storm they had
to shut down the engines and drift around any way the wind carried us. The waves
would go clear over the ship.  The wind blew the bathhouse off the deck.

You can imagine how we felt.

Well Mama, no one knows but the boys who went “over there” what we went through.
 I will tell you lots when I see you.

Many a time we were hungry and couldn’t get one bite of bread.  We had only two
meals each day while we were aboard the ship, beef stew and beans for breakfast,
it half cooked, then we had to sit out on deck to eat it.  But believe me we
were fed good when we reached N.J. the Red Cross girls met us with coffee, buns
with jelly, chocolate, cigarettes and gum, just all we wanted, they shall never
be forgotten by us.

We were met by the “Mayors Committee of Welcome” way out in the harbor, they
pulled their barge up by the transport and the band played “Smiles” while we
were cheered, the girls threw kisses, flowers, fruit and chocolates to us.  Then
we pulled up past the Statue of Liberty the scene was so pathetic it brought
tears of happiness to my eyes.  It really seemed that we were entering Heaven.

While we boys were passing the Statue of Liberty some shouted “to Hell with a
man who wouldn’t die for you.”

I am so fatigued will have to close for this time.  I can’t say just how long I
will be at Camp Dix, two or three days or possibly two weeks, but I hope to be
home soon so if I slip in on you sometime don’t get excited. But I will
telephone you from Atlanta if I have time.

With best love and kisses for you.

Your devoted son,
Walter


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