The following are two letters transcribed from copies that were almost unintelligible and could no longer be copied. They are from a cousin Benjamin Clough to my grandmother Mae Lydia Estey.


Somewhere in France

Sept. 16, 1918

Dear Cousin and Family,

While I'm writing letters I will write you a note. Perhaps you didn't get the one I sent some time ago as the mail is so uncertain. There isn't much we can say but you will know I'm alive and happy when you get this.

It will be a year the 18th since I was drafted and I haven't seen any of the front lines yet but we are near enough now so we can hear the guns and have seen a few interesting aeroplane battles.

We have been camped for a few days in a french town that the Huns shelled a few years ago. It sure is a pitiful looking place now. The church that was built many many years ago and was a wonderful piece of work in its day has all the windows shot out, part of the roof blown off and most all of the walls shattered.

All the buildings in this country is built of rock so when a village is shelled it looks like a huge stone pile.

We was camped in one village for over a month so we got quite well acquainted with the people but couldn't talk to them much. I will close at this perhaps next time I can think of more to say.
Write soon to your loving cousin,

Ben Clough

Co. C 362 Inf. American Expeditionary Force


Censored by: Johnson, 2nd Lt. Co. C. 362 Inf.



The next letter is written on American YMCA stationary stating on the top of the page: YMCA on active service with the American Expeditionary Force.

Conv. Camp, Dec. 18, 1918

Dear Cousin,

Rec'd your letter wrote Oct 27 and was sure glad to get it. I was four months without any mail but when it did come I had all the letters I could read for a half day. It was the first I had heard from you so I know I have more mail somewhere in France.

I think I wrote you since I got wounded and came to the hospital but I'm not sure so I will tell you that I was shot in the throat with shrapnel the 29th of Sept came to the hospital then and have been here ever since.

I'm feeling fine now again but I'm not in shape for a soldier as I only have use of half of my tongue so I have been put in class B. and I think I'm going to the States this week that is the roomer we have now

I don't know where they will take the Mont___ and boys to turn us loose but if we go back to Camp Lewis I will come and see you folks if possible and I think it will be.

I'm sorry but I have no souvenirs to send you that is any good. The best thing I have is a small German Bible taken from a German prisoner and you can have that if you would care for it. I had several souvenirs when I was hurt but lost them all when I came here.

Must close, from your Cousin Ben Clough

Biau Desert Conv. Camp

A.P.O. 705


Censored by


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I know that this Benjamin Clough was a cousin of my grandmother, Mae Lydia Estey. As Mae grew up in Wisconsin I suspect this Benjamin grew up there as well. If anyone is familiar with a Benjamin Clough who was in WWI and was wounded as described in the above letter, I would appreciate any information you might be able to provide.

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