Camp de Mailly,
Aube, France,
Friday, Oct. 16, 1914
Dear Mamma:
Your letter of Sept. 20 reached us the first of the week and the one of the 28th came to-day, showing that the mail service is getting a little better. We are always glad to get mail as we hear very little of what is going on outside.
Paul said he wrote you this morning, so I guess he told you of our trip from Toulouse here.
We have been here two weeks now and I have wanted to write you before, but we are always either busy or tired out and the writing conveniences are poor. We are still working very hard, as France expects a long hard war and wants her men well trained so they can stand it. I feel well and I think I can stand the hardships. Of course there is the danger of the bullets, but, as I have already written you, I am willing to take my chance and will go through everything willingly, always doing my best.
The news we have heard since being here has been bad. Eventually, the Allies will win, but I fear it will take a long time. Things are quiet here but nearly every day we hear the heavy cannonade from the front. I don’t expect we will be here much longer but that does not necessarily mean we will go to the front when we do leave.
Mr. R. L. Mock, of 36 Central Avenue, Atlanta, has the things Paul and I left there, or knows where they are.
I must get ready for drill. Please look at everything in the right way—that everything will turn out for the best.
Lots of love,
Kiffin.