July 15 to Mother.

Monty is hoping to hear from home soon. “Had a letter today from my friend Harry Hartwell from New York of June 26^th so shouldn’t wonder I’d have something more from you tomorrow.”

Monty’s watching South Carolina politics develop. “Am wondering what will happen in the Senatorial race since Tillman’s death.” He has his own opinion: “Surely hope they keep ‘Cole[1]’ a private citizen again this time.”

The big news here today is that the Bosche have started another push which the consensus of opinion would indicate as their last. Last night, the wind being from that direction, the noise of the guns was perceptible. Then today “Big Bertha” opened up again after almost a month of quietude. They always loose it off at the same time as an attack. Tonight it is quite clear and the moon is about a third full so I’m expecting to hear the sirens announcing the “Gothas” almost any time. Guess they’ll be with us these clear nights with a moon and during the push, following the Huns’ usual attempt at frightfulness.

“Yesterday was quite a big day here—July 14^th—and there was a big parade which I regret didn’t see.” Seems Monty was in recovery after “a very trying week” and while the French were celebrating their liberty, he was at “the Club and golf,” hopeful of leaving behind his “struggles with French leases and claims for a day.”

He again reports the disjointed business of promotions though he seems more interested in getting enough of a break in his work “to get away for a seven day leave some time before the summer is over and visit the French family I know on the coast of Brittany.” He claims not to have had “any real leave since I landed nearly ten months ago.”

[1] Coleman “Cole” Blease (1868-1942), two-term governor of South Carolina (1911-1915) was defeated in his 1914 bid for U.S. Senate by Ellison D. Smith, the incumbent. Elected to the senate 1925-1931; unsuccessful candidate for governor in 1922, 1934, 1936. Blease was not apparently a candidate for any office in 1918, the year Monty expresses his concern.