Transcription

IV my shoulder. Everything was done with black out lights, which can't be seen from a distance of twenty yards. As I stood on guard, I'd watch the black grotesque shadows come out of the night, take shape, blink their dark blue eyes at me and then rumble on to oblivion. Then thousands of doughboys marched by silently, except for an occasional laugh or caustic remark at my raincoat, which I had donned for protection against the cold. By twelve o'clock, the only sound I could hear was the crunch of my shoes on the sand, as I marched back and forth trying to keep warm. Perhaps I should explain that my only garments were shorts and the summer khaki shirt and pants. By one o'clock, I was thinking of taking my pack off; by two, I had suffered enough to gain courage to take it off. By three, I figured they had forgotten me, so I picked a soft spot and went to sleep. Now I know why they say that cold makes you sleepy, as I was so numb I didn't even have to put a blanket around me. Thus, the lieutenant found me about three, [illegible], sound asleep. In war time, I could be shot for that, but, seeing as our lieutenant is a pretty square shooter, nothing happened. Well, the old eyes are closing and although I intended to write more, I'll have to close now. Love, Warren