Charles Stevenson letter to Folks - October 31, 1918

              Still in France - [October 31, 1918] Dear Folks:  Altho you can see I am still in France - from all indications it seems to me as if some of use will soon be writing Somewhere in Germany.  the news of Bulgaria's surrender is about a month old and last night we got the dope that Austria-Hungary is already to capitulate - - all of which isn't half bad for us.  A bunch of the fellows seem to think Germany will give in by Christmas, but I don't - altho I must admit that things look much more agreeable than they ever did before.  I haven't a thing new to tell you except that I got about six letters yesterday - including one from Maurice which tells me he is making is about the same but he is hopeful for quick recovery - all of which is most encouraging news.  A letter also came form you - a dandy one, atoo.  The letters I get from Olathe are the best of any I get - and you can be sure I appreciate all of them very much.  This time I got one from Grandpa, too, which was mighty nice of him.  I shall answer it later." It sure is a good thing that you send my letters on to the various folks, as I never would be able to answer all of them and tell them all interesting stuff.  I hope that you got my Christmas label all right and that you received the letters following the one in which the label was telling you what I desired.  It is all right if you cannot send anything I sent for - but if there was any possibility of a choice I prefer the things I listed.  The news about the death of Mrs. McClintock was certainly startling.  I did not even know that she had been seriously ill - only the disablement which she has had for some time.  It is sure tough luck that you have to go to Excelsior Springs to take some of those baths.  There isn't a thing I can do, of course, to help you, but you certainly do know how badly I feel about it.  I only hope it gives you relief.  The game of keeping up with the advance of the Allies must be an interesting one - Mary Pugh writes me that she does the same thing.  By the time you get this you may have some big wide stretches marked up on your map.  I hope so!  If you mark up a certain big space you can just about go right on thru and mark a few lines in Germany.  Don't worry about my being sick!  And you all should be thankful that Maurice and I were in athletics so much before we came into the Army - as the development and training we got there is a big factor in the art of keeping going.  I always see one of the doctors if I feel myself badly "in" as I believe a preventative is better than a remedy.  I would send you the news of our divisional and regimental and company officers for your edification, but I do not think the censor would pass it - - he might think that I was some kind of a spy - but if I can I will do so.  In our company, we have prcaically the same officers whom were with us at [Camp Funston],. Altho our [Camp Funston] captain is now a major and our first lieutenant at [Camp Funston] is now captain." I do not recall your asking for these beofre, but if I find it possibe for me to send the list to you - I certainly will do so.