Mr. and Mrs. Cal Williams, of Albion, Michigan and their daughter, Nancy
Williams, of Springfield, Massachusetts, visited Hawesville on April 26th
and toured the Hancock County Museum. While looking through the historical
displays, they searched the Williams family time capsule and found a letter
written by Cal's father, Charles Williams. Mr. Williams began writing this
letter at the beginning of the Armistice (November 5, 1918), due to so many
interruptions the letter was not finished until the end of the Armistice.

The letter read as follows:
---------

Dear Ethel:

Certainly enjoyed your letters, but since coming to this camp have not had
much time to write and haven't received any mail for about six weeks. Every
time I move I miss out on mail for over a month. But I'm not a bit sorry
that I made the last one.

The camp we're in now is in a mountainous country about 15 miles from Lyon,
the second largest city in France, and a very nice one too, though there are
not nearly so many places of interest there as in Paris. It is on the Rhone
River though and has some wonderful scenery in and around it.

After I had been here about two weeks I got the Captain to let me drive a
Dodge Sedan which I've been driving ever since. I drive for the
Quartermaster and his assistants and as they do a great deal of buying in
Lyon I make a trip in nearly every day and sometimes two. Once in a while we
stay in all day and part of the night. Have gotten to know the place very
well. And when ever one gets to know the streets and buildings in a French
town it is going some. Trying to find a number on a certain street is like
trying to work a Japanese puzzle.

This camp is for the purpose of training men who have had experience on the
front for officers in the Infantry, and each course will last about three
months when another will begin. There are about seven thousand men here at
present and I think they are going to enlarge it soon.

Before we came the camp was occupied by the famous French Foreign Legion.

And they didn't leave things the cleanest in the world. But they have every
thing about cleaned up by now and are getting ready to install electric
lights and water. They didn't have any bathing facilities except a few
showers in the hospital.

Had to quit yesterday to make a trip to Lyon and when I came back into the
garage they said there was a Lieutenant who wanted to get to Lyon at once. I
went into the office to see if he would wait until I could get some supper
and found that he was the Lieut. who commanded the Office Workers Co. I was
in while at Camp Johnston. He told me about a good many of those who are
stationed close to him. Haven't seen a a one of them since we were split up
at the Classification Camp.

Had to quit again to make a trip to a town about twenty miles on the other
side of Lyon and while there went through an ammunition factory and an auto
factory. Was very interesting as it was the first I've seen of either of
them.

It certainly looks as if the war will end soon. I imagine Germany will sign
the Armistice today as they are up against it. But I suppose it will be
several months before we get home. All men in the Q.M. Corps will have to
wait until nearly all the line outfits have gone before we will be sent
home. But the main thing is to quit fighting and I'll be perfectly willing
to await my turn and let the fellows on the front go home first.

There must be great rejoicing in the States that the war is so near the end.

Nearly all the stores in Lyon sold out of flags yesterday and every one is
beginning to put them out. But the big most excitement will be when Germany
finally signs the Armistice.

Am about out of ink so must quit. Hoping to hear from you soon and that you
are all well

Love to all,
Chas
O.M.C. 773656
c/o Camp Q.M
Camp La Valbonne, Ain.
American E.F. France

Have been carrying this two or three days.

I can hardly realize that the war is over. The French are wild with joy. Was
in Lyon the night of the 11th and was kissed by every thing from little
girls up to old men. You can't imagine what joy there is throughout France.

I went on a 200 mile trip the day the Armistice was signed and I saw some
sights that I'll never forget. The Armistice was signed just six months to
the day from the day I landed in France.

Suppose we will be here about three or four months longer at least.
Want to write several letters so will close.

Love Chas