transcription/facsimile letter

On Active Service

with the

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Dear Ma: -

Here I am in Coblenz again. Not my fault tho as I did not care to make this trip at all. But some one had to take it so no use to kick.

What a difference in man. The last trip up here I was with two Colonels who are fine fellows and treated me fine. They were fine men. But this one who I have up here now acts as it were a strain to speak pleasant to a person. He may be alright tho. He has not done anything but what is right by me, but those two last ones I had up here saw to it that I had a decent place to sleep and when ever they sent me to eat always asked if I had money enough. But now I am sleeping in the car. It is warmer here tho. Just like June at home and I have curtains for the old wagon and it don't make a bad place to sleep at all. I could sleep in Hq. 8, the 3rd Army chauffeurs quarters if I wanted to but there are nothing but boards there to sleep on and as I told you before, the last time I slept there I was for two weeks after picking lice off myself. So you see it is the kindness folks show each other that makes life worth while after all.

I am tired of all of this. I hope to God we soon shall be home. I see that the 33rd is to sail in May, so Art will no doubt beat me home. Well he has had a harder job than than I have had through the war and deserves going home before I do. They say that our company shall not be released until we can be spared and I suppose while these old cars hang together we can't be spared.

When I get back to Chaumont I am going to ask to have my lungs examined. You know I was sent to the Base Hospital at Camp Grant one time as a tubercular suspect. One doctor said I had it and two others said I did not. But I have not been just well since last Fall. I have not said anything tho because some days I feel good and others I don't. But the last week or so I have noticed it more than ever. It is hard for me to get my breath at times, and I have pains in my right shoulder. It may be nothing but I am going to find out. I hate to go and ask for an examination because they might think I am stalling to get home. But I don't care. Going I am.

The Y. M. C. A. gives excursions here on the Rhine, You ought to see the boat loads of soldiers and the bands playing. It is almost like back home.

Well mother dear, I must close. I hope to get back to Chaumont by Friday. Will write when I reach there. Love to all, from

(Wagoner) James B. Conners,

Hq. Co. B.G.H.Q.

A.E.F. P.O. 706

France