| Summary: | During World War I, Roberts served in Company B of the 167th U.S. Infantry Regiment. In the letter he discusses family members; encourages the people at home to raise as many food crops as possible; and mentions the alcohol that is available to the soldiers. He also describes the difficult living conditions the Germans have created for the French citizens: "This country would be alright if it wasn't for the hatefull [sic] old Boche. They out to be put beneath the sod the last one of them, for such cruelty. Just think of people working milch [sic] cows and milking them too. Children going to school with a gas mask hung by their side, in order that the poisoned air from the Boche may not harm them. And the whole mass of people wearing wooden shoes. Of course they all have a pair of good shoes and they have good clothes too, for special purposes." "Boche" is a derogatory term for the German troops. The letter is written on Y.M.C.A. stationery; Roberts did not sign his name, so it is possible that the letter is incomplete.
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