Charles E. H. Bates Family Correspondence, 1899-1930 - 3

Billings Sept 6th 1918.

My Dear Edward

We were overjoyed to get your card announcing your safe arrival overseas. I thought of you and prayed for you daily as of course I do still and will do.

I hope you will not have to go into active service for a good while however --- The news from "Over There" is very encouraging latterly.

May God grant that the foe may be dispensed right speedily!

Fred and Harold are bent on going into other service --- My heart sinks

at the thought but I must stand it as so many other mothers are having to stand it and trust them to God's care ---

I wonder have you seen or met your cousins Kathleen Panton or William Arthur Panton -- Kathleen is Lieutenant Panton Red Cross nurse at the Canadian Casualty Station at the front - Will or Bud is F. Battery 13th Field Artillery -- There are many other cousins over there. One has been wounded and was in the hospital when I last heard -- Not seriously the paper said -- He is Dr Joseph Eager Then there are Canon Bevan's three sons - Basil Cyril and Harold ---

There are ever so many more cousins and there is Chaplain Anshutz who went over in June. He had been our rector for between six and seven years. He is a splendid little man. We are all very proud of him. He took a five week's course at a Chaplain's training school at Camp Zachary Taylor and graduated as Lieutenant. He has been very busy at the front since early in July.

I had a card from your Aunt Eleanor yesterday or the day before. She said all was well at your home and at hers. I hope for a letter very soon. Have you recevied your home letters yet?

Did you get your Aunt Anne's letter dear at New York?

How do you like France, Edward, my dear? Many letters which I see give charming accounts of it. I hope that you will find it equally charming and come back charged with pleasant experiences. Perhaps you will stay at one of the beautiful old chateaux of France as a number of the Billings boys seem to have been billeted in them. Some of these having been built centuries ago. There is romance about such an abiding place.

Hoping that you will write soon and praying that all good may attend you.

I miss my dear Edward, your loving grandmother Susanna Panton Rixon.

Nelson, Cal., Sept. 7, 1918.

Dear Edward:

I have been unable to write for over a week for I have been so busy. Last Sunday Mr. & Mrs. L. & Martha came up and I spent the whole time with them. It was wonderful to see them all and you had better return before Christmas as if you don't you'll miss my wedding. Never mind Edward dear, under the new draft, I'll be in France by Xmas if not before.

I was exempted -- Group III -- J, as skilled agriculturist, but as all that is thrown out and I re-register, I think I shall be in the army soon. I surely will miss this place & home but we must smile at whatever presents itself. I don't know what to make of this new draft & Dr. Eaves has gone & I am to register in Chico, out of the hands of Alameda Doctors.