from W. V. Fincher to his mother, Flora Lowery Fincher:

                                                                   St. Blin, France
                                                                   Dec. 2, 1918

Dear Mother:

Just received two papers from you, dated Nov. 1st. If you don't believe I enjoyed them you should have seen me. I went right into my bunk the first one I have had to sleep on since I've been in France, lit my candle and went at it. I read them from start to finish–advertisements and all. There is a lady here tonight to make a talk to the Y.M.C.A. hut. I did not go because those papers mean more to me than anything she could have said. It makes me feel mighty good too, to know I'll soon be back to read them at home.

haven't got to the front, but a soldier don't have to go to the front to have hardships here in France. Things are better now though, living in a hut with about 40 bunks and two little heaters. We manage to get some wood at the kitchen. Wood sells for $28.00 a cord, so you might know we never waste any.

Some troops that are billeted in villages near us have been turning in their equipment, fixing to sail for home. We haven't heard anything about our division yet. I think we will get orders some day soon.

The Band leaves here in the morning at 7 o'clock, afoot to Rimecourt, about 5 miles from here, where there is a large American Hospital base. Why are we going? To take a bath, that's all. You see we can't have things the way we want them. Some of the boys think we are going home right away after that, for that is so unusual I manage to keep myself in very good shape anyway. I must have had touch of the "flu" last week. Had an awful cold and cough. I might have got worse, but just refused to let it get the best of me. Am feeling good now. We had eight men in the hospital out of the band at one time with the enfluenza (sic), but no deaths. We have only had a few deaths in the whole regiment. I have seen some mighty sad sights at the funerals I played. The one that got me the most was Valdahon, the day before we left there for this place. Valdahon is a big American training camp. We went out to the graveyard and played a farewell concert for the dead.. There were about 200 graves in all, and some of the graves of fellows I knew. We played "Nearer my God to Thee," "Rock of Ages" "Marseilleise" and "Star Spangled Banner".

Wednesday 4th– Will try and finish while I have a chance. I received your letter yesterday, dated Nov. 11 , the day of the Armistice, when you were at Lena's. You said the people in Rock Hill were having a big time. We sure had a great time too. I'll never forget where I was standing, with my watch in my hand, at the Great Eleventh hour. Just as the hand pointed to eleven about two thousand of us began cheering, and we kept it for about one hour. All church bells were ringing at the same time. I'll never forget that day. We didn't think of going home while the war was on, but now that is all we talk about.

I am dreading the winter here. It hasn't been so very bad yet, but I am looking for it. The papers came out this morning naming some divisions that are to go home this month, but ours was not in it. This is the 81st. Watch the papers. They may tell when we leave.

I sent you 4 or 5 post card views of this village last week. I hope you will get them all right. Don't stop writing for I may stay here all winter.

                                                       Musician Whiteford V. Fincher
                                                       H. O. Co. 316th F. A. Band