France
October 17, 1916

Dear Violet:

I suppose you are looking for a letter from the trenches well there isn't very much to say. Our batt spent five days in and now we are out for a rest. Some rest too marching ten miles or so about every day and building roads or doing squad drill when not marching. We are billeted in a farm now where I am writing this, in some little French town. I was certainly glad to get out of those trenches. I was very eager to see the front but remember that little piece of poetry, One step enough for me. Well one look was enough for me. Modern warfare is not hell, its worse. At night its just like a night in the grand stand at the Ex for fireworks and colored lights and plenty of noise too. I have had two parcels since coming to France and they certainly did good after coming out of the trenches. One was from mother and the other from Grace. I don't know whether Grace was trying to kid me or what but she certainly gave me some surprise. She will tell you what it was as I have just written her. I have seen Art since I came up the line here and it does me good to see some one from home. I will close now with love to all my aunts and unks. And Violet don't be bashful in sending boxes send anything good to eat.

Jay