Return to the Land

I have to be very careful in what I write as I might be giving some

information to the enemy.

Will close hoping to hear from you all as soon as possible. Lovingly your brother. Private David S. Miller”

D. S. Miller’s diary during World War I Member of the 81 st Division 323 rd Regiment Co. B.A.E.F.

April 6 th , 1917 proved to be the darkest days of all my life and most humbly pray that the blood stained forked hand of the Huns hell may never have another opportunity in which to be burst forth - another world slaughter or intrude the innocent poor people that exist and proves to be the Huns very nearest neighbors and that all petit troubles may avail itself of the golden opportunity to quell the little ignited spark of little Serbia and Austria which proved to be great lashing flames that scorched the most remote spots of the earth in some way or other. Just think of a time when twenty-two nations were engaged in a hand-to-hand and a cut throat trouble. Our ancient history centuries before the birth of Christ does not have recorded, even from where the people were wilds of Europe and expressing their thoughts by picture writing; and even today exists the hieroglyphics upon tablets in the halls of the gay city of Paris. And from old prehistoric times although my intellectual qualities may be comparatively small with the peasants of today. But, nevertheless I deem it sensible in placing this war at the top of the blood-stained roster of civilization. every young man from the ages of 21 to 31 to register their names upon a blood stained roster. Although at the present time many a poor mother kissed her beloved son and said ‘son, go forth and back the stars and stripes of Old Glory and do not let the flag trail in the blood and dust but carry it well to the front.’ Forward and brave for many a time has it been unsettled but the boys clad in khaki pressed. Forward brave and strong and from that date until the brave wholeheartedly with the loyalty of Flag reached the battlefields from Chateau Thierry to the Meuse Argonne Forest. And, my dear kin of the scenes could only have appeared before your eyes you could see where the dough-boys are sleeping with little wooden crosses marking their blood-stained spots where the German bullets kissed them last and no doubt his last dying words were of Mother four thousand miles away. And, my dear kin you ought to be so happy for having the opportunity to bury your dead bodies uninjured by the bursting shells and gas, but to do this for some of the boys that sleep in No Man’s Land you would have to sieve the soil of sunny France for his remains. And, dearest kin to relate to you the actual facts which occurred in France would make the weak in mind and body faint into the deep vaults of death. A lost link in life June 5, 1917 the date set by our president and endorsed by the Senate for

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