Sincerely, Joel C. Swisher

Painting of barracks at Is-sur-Tille by official war artist, J. Andre Smith

Dear Helen,

The weather, country, and conditions have changed somewhat since I wrote last. Then we were sleeping in barns, sheds, and empty houses; the thermometer was around zero, there was a foot of snow on the ground and judging from its looks I would not have given 10¢ for the whole of France.

Now we have very decent barracks with electric lights, and good roads thru the camp. The first part of the winter was severe, the middle part not bad, but March and April were nothing but mud and rain. Perhaps you have heard about the celebrated French mud. The rain too, is quite remarkable. It rains here on the shortest notice and with the least effort. But to be just I must say that last month the weather was perfect and now since the trees are in full leaf. I can truly say this is mighty pretty country.

Around here are numerous small towns and villages. Every one of these lies in a valley along some stream. Where these streams run by or through the towns are some of the prettiest spots I have ever seen. The towns are full of old trees but are themselves are a blame sight older than any trees. At first I did not understand why the French always build villages close to some creek, but I think now it was so that it would be convenient for the women on wash day. Washing machines of any kind are a minus quantity in this land. The only laundry method known in this country is to take the clothes to some stream and rub them in the water on a board or smooth stone. If the dirt is obdurate they hammer it with a wooden paddle quite vigorously.

One of the main features of this country is its age. Anything built since 1700 is considered very modern. The best of the churches date from the 12th and 13th centuries. I think it (the country) must have been well on in life when Julius Caesar honored it with his presence. However, during his visit he contributed liberally toward internal improvements, such as prisons, roads, bridges, etc., many of which still remain.

Cherries are ripe around here, clover is in full bloom, potatoes are beginning to blossom, and hops are about half way up the poles. There are quite a few hops grown in this neighborhood. I suppose they supply the local brewery which in turn quenches the local thirst. As may perhaps you know, France is not a prohibition state. I believe lots of them think it is unhealthy to drink water.

I certainly am not progressing very rapidly with this language. I have been here more than six months and I believe I can say two dozen words. At this rate the war will have to last a few hundred years if I am to fluently parler this lingo. I find the natives understand my English better than my French. Furthermore I am becoming apt at the sign language.

In school I used to think German was hard but now I find it many times easier to speak than Francais. In fact for the past month the little German I know has come in handy as I have had to boss a gang of 20 or 30 prisoners doing carpenter work.

Wish I could tell you of the work done in this place since we came here. Then it was nothing. Now it is one of the big depots of France. If I stay in the army long enough I may learn a trade and amount to something after all. Have been doing carpenter work for the last five months.

I believe it is a common conception in America that the minute a person lands in France he begins dodging bullets, shrapnel,and the H.E. shells, but I have been in this country nearly seven months. If I were to tell of the bullets I have dodged and the Huns I have killed and all that kind of heroic stuff, and at the same time tell the truth, I can say nothing. The fact is that altho I have been in what is known as the Advance Zone quite a bit, I have only heard the guns a few times when the wind was right and the artillery action I have seen has been antiaircraft batteries in practice. As we are supposed to be a pioneer regiment we may get a chance at the front some day when this construction work behind the lines is nearer completion. We have been in this place over five months. We may leave in a couple of days or we may be here another five months. It takes a mighty wise person to be a prophet in the army.

Thru the Y.M.C.A. we get good American movies once or twice a week and about once a week there is a good musical program by talent from U.S. of France. One singer that was here recently and made quite a hit was a young woman named Oriburg (or something like that) from Baltimore, Md.

If you happen to get to the G.S. commencement kindly let me hear how it comes off. It hardly seems possible that it is 3 yrs since I was one of the honored ones.

Don’t know whether this letter will ever reach you but will send it to Van Bibber and trust that it will be forwarded. Wishing you the best of luck,

Sincerely,
Joel C. Swisher

Joel C. Swisher
Co. B. 25th Engrs.
A.E.F.