Letters From the Front

Dated: June 11, 1918

The following letter was received from Sergeant James A. Bannon by his brother Edward Bannon of Dundee.

James enlisted in the US service

Tuesday, June 11, 1918.

Dear brother:

I received your letter today and was glad to hear from home, and to know all were well. I am feeling fine and have just got back from the firing line safe and sound. I have had some experience, believe me, but came out on top. You may see in the papers about us, making the drive. We certainly did great work. All our officers gave us great credit. We surely got our part in fighting the Bosches. Our company lead in the attack and we did give it to them. I just wish you could have seen us in action. We had something to face, but we faced it as soldiers ought to do. They are now afraid of the Americans, and hate us like poison. There's quite a bunch of us over here now. I haven't seen anything but soldiers since I left Syracuse. Soldiers of all nations. I have not seen any of the follows from around home. They are on another front I expect. I told you I was made corporal two months ago and I was promoted to sergeant last week after we got back from the front. So that that is not doing too badly for Huntington, eh? Well Ned, I see by your letter you are about to be married. I wish you and Minnie all kinds of luck and joy and a long and happy life, and wish I could be at home to help you all, but it is impossible just now.

How is Pa feeling? Tell him not to worry about me, because I am all right.