Aug 3 1918

(In corner--Received fri. Aug 23)                                    Aug 3-1918

                                                                                          Somewhere in France

                                                                                                (I don't know where)

My dear Honey,

        Well here I am at last after traveling for almost four weeks and over 6000 miles.  Did not have very much time to write since I left the ship and thought I would write when I was more settled and rested up.  This camp was a wheat field a few week ago, but a few building have sprung up and we are going to build a camp out of it soon.  This is certainly a fin country out here although we are over 150 miles from the nearest firing line.  The war has certainly affected the French peoples something awful.  Town after town which we pass thru we could see very few people and they were old at that.  The French farmer make use of every inch of ground have most of them raising wheat.  Did not see any corn nothing but wheat everywhere and lot of it.  Had a nice trip across the ocean also had quite a few hike and blister on my feet.  Otherwise I am feeling fine.  The men in the 47th Engineer are mostly southern boys but are a lot better and more friendly than the boys at Camp Humphy.  The boys that came with me from Camp Humphry usually loat to-gether when we have time.  I tried to locate Schafer but have not been successful and doubt whether I can find where the 36th Engineer is located.  Have eaten quite a few hardtacks and corned beef and like it, but we will get a change in our meal now that we are getting settled.  Lost my knife the other day and hope that you have sent my other one along with my scarf & etc.  Am going to write to Schafter soon and after I get fixed up you will here from me oftener at least once every week or 10 days.

                                                                                Aug 6 1918

Guess I will start over again and try and finish this letter, but can't mail it until I get an envelope somewhere.  General Pershing was in our camp on Sunday Aug 4-and gave the boys a short talk of about 50 words.  He is a fine built man and spoke very highly of the work the other boys have done.  I stood about 25 feets away from him and heard everythings.  This is Camp Humphrey no 2.  Stump tree and other heavy work, but not as much as over in Camp Humphry Va.  Feel kind of lonely for news from home but it take time to get them here.  We have no YMCA here, but have a canteen about three miles down the railroad but I don't patronize it until pay-day.  Allowed to write only 1 letter a week but can write 2 or 3 letters and send them in one envelope.  Have only smoked one cigar since I left Camp Upton and I smoke cigarette until I can get some tobies.  Don't smoke many only what I can bum from the other boys.  Oh how I would like to have a Nice big Dish of Ice Cream & some Candy.  Have not tasted candy since the time that Laura sent me a box and it was certainly good.  Had some good wheat bread today best I had since I landed.  Have had biscuit & hard tacks, but the biscuit were so good that they did not last no time only 3 to a person some got more if they were lucky.  Am going to fill my bed-tick with some of these some day when I get paid and then won't I sleep good at night.  Oh boy.  Will close now and write a few word to Mother.  With lot of love & kisses from Your Soldier Hubby Clarence.