Letters from the Front

Part 3 WWI

Often the soldiers did not have access to a post office and letters were slow going home. The men tried to impress upon their families that no news was good news. Miles M. Adams sent a letter to his mother and it was printed in Lawrenceville Republican April 25, 1918.

“I received all your most welcome letters and packages. Please keep on sending them. I don't have much time now and when I do, I am so tired that I go to bed. You are so afraid I am hurt or sick but I am not yet. I am all right, so don't worry about me. I have already done my share so if they do get me, I have more than squared things... P. S. Don't worry for I can take care of myself.”

The 42nd Division played a notable role in six major campaigns, including the Battle of Champagne in July 1918, in addition to fighting at Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel, Verdun and the Argonne. Casualties were high. In fact, the rainbow patch that was worn on the uniform was officially redesigned to include only one half of the arc to represent the many who did not return home.

With the armistice on November 11, 1918, the Rainbow Division was assigned German occupation duties. The Lawrenceville Republican published another letter from Miles to his mother written on December 4, 1918, from Germany.

“Believe me, it is sure some feeling to be where we started for-somewhere in Germany. I ate some black bread last night and this morning and drank some coffee made out of burnt barley. It didn't taste much like our own good coffee. All of the boys are in good health and enjoying their grub with much satisfaction. I will be home soon, at least I hope that I beat this (letter) home but don't feel downhearted if this gets home, a week or so before I do. It sure is some circus to be over here now. If you want to buy anything you have to have an interpreter or be able to "Sprechen Sic Deutsch." My little bit that I learned at school sure does help out. I can ask for a place to sleep or something to eat very easily. But, of course, they might not be able to understand me. If you are broke, maybe you can cash this Deutsch Mark. They look like tobacco tags, but of course they will buy apples and brats. The old Rainbow will not be the first home, but will get home soon enough. It is not so cold here; the ground was frozen several days ago but is not now. We all sleep in billets now and don't have to sleep on the ground anymore. I have five month’s pay coming now and will have six months with December. Would you mind sending me an order for $10? I will send all of my money home when I get it, except just what I need, which won't be much. It sure seems queer not to travel at night and pull in some dark muddy woods with High Ex. shells dropping around you or someone hollering "gas." Believe me, this is all right! So, don't worry… "Gobs" of love for everybody but most to "Mein Mudder."

The 42nd Division's WWI’s service officially came to an end in May, 1919. On May 15, 1919, the Lawrenceville Republican reported that Miles Adams, Amos Baird and Mayo Roland, all members of the Rainbow Division, arrived home, well, and looking fine. (Roland was a member of the Supply Co, 151 Field Artillery of the 42nd Division.)

The newspaper noted that these men saw more than eight months of continuous fighting. The division held the proud record of never losing a foot of ground, never retreating and always gaining its objective on time.