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Letter from James P. Bostwick to Hattie Taylor in Pennsylvania, written on Red Cross stationary on November 5, 1918
"Dear friend Hattie,
Will endeavor to write a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and having a wonderful time in a hospital behind the lines. You know I came in contact with some of Fritz's gas, a little more than I could swallow. Consequently here I am. We are having a spell of nice weather for a change and a welcome one at that for all it does is to drizzle rain 'night or day.' I am getting to be real nimble on my feet dodging shells and believe me I can flatten out until about the size of a planting leaf, so it has done me some good afterall. And some of the finest nurses one ever met is here taking care of us. So I don't want to get well. "Oh no." There is a few prisoners here now. We are going to start house cleaning with a "hob nail" barrage before long. Then woe-be-unto Fritz. I am anxious to get back to the company again, as I didn't get my share of them while I were up there and I sure do want to get all that is coming to me. As I don't know where you are at I will address this home, you ought to be reprimanded for not being more prompt with your correspondence. Just wait until I get home, and then look out. How is Ella and the little girl? And Phelix too? Is she working down town now? Tell her to write once in a while, also give my regards to the rest of the family. ... my ambition has left me - so I will bring this to a close. Hoping to hear from you real soon. - As ever yours, Jim
Private James P. Bostwick, Company C, 20th Machine Gun Battalion, American E.F."
As part of the 7th Division, it is likely he encountered the gas attack in October 1918 in the Saint Mihiel woods.
"Dear friend Hattie,
Will endeavor to write a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and having a wonderful time in a hospital behind the lines. You know I came in contact with some of Fritz's gas, a little more than I could swallow. Consequently here I am. We are having a spell of nice weather for a change and a welcome one at that for all it does is to drizzle rain 'night or day.' I am getting to be real nimble on my feet dodging shells and believe me I can flatten out until about the size of a planting leaf, so it has done me some good afterall. And some of the finest nurses one ever met is here taking care of us. So I don't want to get well. "Oh no." There is a few prisoners here now. We are going to start house cleaning with a "hob nail" barrage before long. Then woe-be-unto Fritz. I am anxious to get back to the company again, as I didn't get my share of them while I were up there and I sure do want to get all that is coming to me. As I don't know where you are at I will address this home, you ought to be reprimanded for not being more prompt with your correspondence. Just wait until I get home, and then look out. How is Ella and the little girl? And Phelix too? Is she working down town now? Tell her to write once in a while, also give my regards to the rest of the family. ... my ambition has left me - so I will bring this to a close. Hoping to hear from you real soon. - As ever yours, Jim
Private James P. Bostwick, Company C, 20th Machine Gun Battalion, American E.F."
As part of the 7th Division, it is likely he encountered the gas attack in October 1918 in the Saint Mihiel woods.