2ème Régiment Étranger,
Bon C. 1ère Cie.,
Dec. 29, 1914.
This is the third day back in the same trenches as we were in last. The line is a little more active. Last night our petit poste and a German patrol had a little scrap. They gave “Aux armes.” We stayed out for a few minutes, then started back in, when the moon came out. It made the trees in the distance look like a vast wave of men coming across the field. Two or three officers yelled “Aux armes,” with their voices full of alarm, and there was much excitement for a few minutes. We were commanded not to fire until they were close, and then the mistake was discovered. Later in the night shrapnel shells burst right over us, and the Germans turned loose their machine-guns on the whole line of trenches. The fire was high, and no one was injured.
We have plenty of clothing and food, owing to packages arriving from Paris. Passed Rapier yesterday; he yelled “Hello! and live in hopes.”
Kiffin.