Aldershot, Oct.10 1916

Dear Ollie:-

This is Tues. noon and there is some excitement around.  We are leaving tonight sometime.  Can’t say when.  Got back yesterday ok.  Squire is feeling better.  Passed his exam all right and when he was leaving the officer (the Col.) asked him if he wanted to go to the hospital.  Squire said no.  Then he wanted to know if he had an oil stove in his tent.  Of course we didn’t.  Well the Col. Says, “you better stay in my tent today.”  Squire told him he would sooner stay in his own tent.  Well, Phinney says, “it’s an order, see that you carry it out.”  So up goes our Mr. Squire and spends the day in the Colonel’s tent.  Then after supper when he was coming back to his own tent the Col. Wanted to know if there was anything he wanted.  Squire said, “mebby and extra blanket.”  The Col. stripped one off of his own bed and wanted him to take it but Squire wouldn’t so he made him take his oil stove down to our tent.  Tell you it was great but we only kept it until 7:30 and took it back.  I tell you I think a lot more of Col. Phinney since last night for it’s not many men would have done that much for a fellow.  I think squire will be ok.  He has bad cold in head yet but seems pretty good otherwise.  Well must close as am in a hurry.  Expect to be on board the boat tomorrow this time. 

Oh yes, we are still alive.  The 219th hasn’t buried us yet but expect they will this PM.  The boys are sure rubbing it into them yelling, “I WANT TO GO HOME TO MA.”   We even paraded up through their lines this AM. and they cheered us to beat the band.  It’s a damn shame the way our fellows hoot at them for it’s only some of the damn fools that started it. 

Must quit, will write when we reach Eng.  Tell John goodbye for me and the rest of the boys.    

Jack