Letter to Aunt nell -

12th Co. 3rd Bn.

Army Candidates School

A.P.O. 714 A.E.F.

France

October 27, 1918

Dear Aunt Nell: -

I received a batch of letters - 21 in all - the other day - from Anna, Mother, Grandma, Ethel W., Dorothy Culver, Berneice H., Martha Todd, My Lodge Sec'y, Margaret Rose, and Frank Yates and - not a single one from you! I wonder if you have written very regularly lately?

There's not much news - am in town again today - for luncheon & dinner. Will let you determine from the two menus below rather we fed well or not.

Luncheon -

des oeufs sur le plat

Porc cotelette

Sadade de ce'le'ri

Les pommes de terre frites

du pain blanc et du beurre

Une pomme; une tasse de cafe' au lait

Raisin

Dinner -

Un potage consomme'

Un canard rote'aus petit pois

Aspereges a' la sauce blanche

Cafe'

Fromage francais

Un gateau (and) "une bouteille de vin blanc"

So you see, along with study, writing notes and outlining some lecture topics for future instruction use, etc. it'll be a pretty profitable day.

The room we have is an ordinary sized living room - with a rug in the center, and a big round table. The floor is light oak the madame has little foot pads, to use to skate around, it is polished so highly. Over in the corner is a large writing desk - there are three double windows facing the street - with two full length mirrors between, massive upholstered chairs and a beautiful little French enameled (multi - colored) and so you see - we're decidedly well situated. We come here every week, and a Major, who has quarters in the same chateau can't get the madame, the caretaker's wife to even make coffee for him.

We  were showing her our equipment (officers) that we've purchased, and she said no more food for us when we get Sam Brown's on! Joking, of course, but - you can see how very democratic she is. 

Am enclosing some clippings from the Stars & Stripes - one mentions my old Division, as you'll notice. And - when Field Marshall Haig says that - well! I'd surely give a lot to be sent as an officer to that outfit.

Well - there's my little news. Haven't seen a paper in several days - so you're more up to date on war news than I am - so will close, as ever

With much love, Clyde

More diary entries -

October 28, 1918, Mon.

C.O. drill, attack formations & lecture of German M.G.'s in a.m. Beautiful day. In p.m. conference on terrain exercises, talk on paper work, a "sing" and wig wag [Wig Wag: The Army's "talking flags" A signal system using flags and torches was invented by a U.S. Army surgeon, Major Albert Myer, in the 1850's and adopted by the U.S. Army in 1860. Myer's system permitted messages to be sent across areas where telegraph wires were unavailable.] Study 7 - 9. Bed at taps. "bucu" rumors about longer course.

October 29, 1918, Tues.

Beautiful day. Terrain ex. this a.m. Had our photos taken this p.m. Turned in some equipment & had study in evening. Bed early.

October 30, 1918, Wed.

Beautiful day again. Gas lecture this a.m. & on equipment detail. In p.m. had physical exam - passed OK. Then went to town to get officers uniform fixed up, haircut. Supper at YMCA. Back at 9.

October 31, 1918, Thur.

Swedish exercises this a.m. & long gas lecture & drill. In p.m. - loafed all p.m. - hung around YMCA and to movies in the evening. Bed 9:00. Feel bum - ate something bad.

Next up - More diary entries and another letter.

Included with letter.