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PAGE 92
Letter
Thursday- June 28, 1917 France
(NOTE: An edited version of this letter appeared in the July 27 issue of the PLAINVIEW NEWS.)
Dear Folks,
Just received orders a short time ago that Sec. 62, the one which I am in, is to leave here in the morning (that is the camp.) We go down to Dijon – Southern France – where we get our cars which will be Fiats – From Dijon we leave for the Front. The order came sooner than I really expected but that’s the way things are done here. Tuesday evening my uniform and equipment arrived here at camp. It seems to be a perfect fit and am more than satisfied with it.
Some of the men went into Paris yesterday on leave and on returning reported that a number of U. S. officers could be seen.
Well next week Wednesday will be the 4th of July. Was just thinking of how and where I spent the last 4th. It was at home. We had a celebration out at the Fair Grounds and I played ball. One year can certainly change things a great deal. Suppose you will all go out for a big time this year. The 4th to us will be just about the same as any other day here.
On the last mail a number of the Minn. Boys received newspapers from home dated the 12th and 15th of May so you see we are not far behind the news over here. Just ran into a cousin of Rebecca Wolf’s who is over here in my sec-62. Had quite a talk with him and he spoke about meeting Nettie at Hamline (NOTE: Byrl’s sister Nettie attended Hamline University.) We have a number of wealthy and well known people out here at camp at present. May have donated Packard cars to the Service but are pitching right in and doing their share. At first they are soft and get sick of the food, but then they come to it and eat with the rest.
One thing I neglected to bring with me and that is a good leather toilet article case. There are also several other things which I will have to buy in Paris before leaving for the Front. We have just seven hours there and I will have to speed around so as not to go out half-cocked.
E. Ames-McKenzie and myself were all very lucky to all get into the same section. We have worked while here and there is a great deal more ahead of us. Hope I receive at least one letter from home before leaving for the front.
Address your letters the same as before. Will write as soon as we are located "out there."
Love, Byrl.
June 29, 1917- (Second letter of Byrl published)
Arrives safely in France and Goes to Camp.
Second Letter from Young Sylvester Brings Glad Tidings of His Safe
Arrival in Old World
Paris Sights Most Beautiful
Says French People are Very Polite But Have Peculiar Ways – No Speed
Laws for Automobiles There
A second letter from Byrl Sylvester, a member of the American Ambulance Corps in France, has been received and we are permitted to publish the contents, which we know will be read with interest by all. In part he says: (NOTE: Letter dates June 6 printed.)
Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Sylvester, Edwin Jr. and Rob Roy Harden left by auto Monday afternoon for Minneapolis to attend the Convention of the Christian Church held at Mounds on Lake Minatonka.
Post card
July 4, 1917
Dear Folks:
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