Show on battle line when armistice declared belgium dec 11 mrs susanna C ballard dear mother I 1 lust received two letters from you and one from pa with two handkerchiefs enclosed I 1 can say that I 1 certainly appreciate them I 1 have but one chandker ahlet and it been washed time back in june bard ly that bad but long enough ill have to admit that I 1 written very many letters since sept because I 1 have been on the front and moving around so that it was almost an impossibility to write but anyhow I 1 am still alive and the war Is over and im feeling fine I 1 am wait my turn to return home of course we must be patient because uncle sam has a large number of men over here and they cannot all come back at once I 1 dread the trip back across the water because I 1 was eo awful sick when I 1 was coming over altho it wont be so bad on our return because we have more to look forward to than we did when we left the states to come hero and face the battle front not knowing what minute we might be sunk when on the water or when we would be shot after we off but the hard fight Is over now and I 1 am not wounded I 1 was in the argonne drive which Is said to be the worst that the americans have had to face over here after that battle we were sent here to belgium to help clear the huns out of this country which was done very successfully I 1 was on the front when the armistice was called we know how to act when the fighting ceased I 1 dont know who had their last shot and I 1 guess it dont make any difference now I 1 am baill in belgium but I 1 think I 1 will be back in prance before ions I 1 did not get to send you a coupon for a xmas present I 1 was in the hospital at that time when I 1 should have sent it and I 1 failed to get one so I 1 will not expect any thing but dont worry about that because I 1 will live through it 0 k I 1 am sorry to bear of the influenza in that country it affected us yet and we will hope that it dont you will please all take a share in this letter and take it as though I 1 had written to each one because I 1 time just now to write any more hoping you are all well and wishing you a merry xmas and happy new year your loving son D thatcher ballard co B infantry american E forces |