Letter: Jack Bentley to Cornelia Bentley, 1918

late 1918

Dearest Mother;

Nothing new today, last night the
whole under ground works here, caught fire - I was
awakened about 11.30 and [Gaum?] was calling
me I ran out and one of the dug outs was
a roaring furnace I rushed out got my platoon
out and found no water of any kind - so I
stationed two men one down in the passage way
and the other on top & they stayed up all night and
kept it under control but it was hard work!
Lots of gas used on this front now
many casualties too- The boche sends over
a mild sneezing- variety, and when he
thinks you don't fear the damned stuff,
he sends over the deadly kind-:
I have been presented with a beautiful
pipe by a Frenchman he was fine
to me. - I have some fine souvenirs
to bring home to dear old Sandy Spring -
I trust every one of the boys have
learned what I have- to appreciate
it is the lesson that the battlefield
has taught also; what the milk of
human kindness means.
This is short but better than none
I'speck - Hoping thee and all at home
are well, I remain thine lovingly Jack

OK
Jack Bentley
2nd Lt. [3 Bth?] Inf.