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Note: Transcribed from recollections of Jeannete Millar Kalk: Hugh lied about his age and volunteered for World War I. (based on age, not sure he would have had to lied in the first place, was 20 in 1917) He was gassed in France and sent home to a T.B. sanitarium. As he had only a short time to live, he came home and died there. The following is are two letters written during World War I by Hugh Millar to his brother David. Additional thoughts I've added are in parentheses. The first is dated "France, May 20, 1917" and goes as follows: Dear Bro. Dave Your welcome letter dated April 29th received to day + was very glad to hear from you. I also got one from Mr. Reynolds at the church. We are having some awful warm weather here lately. The sun seems to be as hot here as it was in Mexico. (may imply Hugh had seen service with the army there as well) The bugs and insects are fierce over here. The car I drive hasn't got a windshield on it and I have to stop every five minutes to take a bug out of my eye. One good things is that there don't seem to be any mosquitoes over here. Yesterday anohter fellow + myself started out to go swimming. The distance to the town we went to is fifteen miles. We rode the distance in one hour + a quarter. The town to which we went is a popular summer resort. It sure is a beautiful place. We was swimming all afternoon + then run a two mile footrace. On the way back I thought I would drop. To day I could hardly move. I am all sun burned too. Never the less I intend to make the same trip again next Sunday. Nothing like a little exercise for the health. I suppose you will be giving your Ford plenty of exercise. Glad to hear you have had no expense with it. How is little Jean and Ruth getting along? (David's daughters) Tell Ruth I am still her fellow. Glad to hear that Marjorie Kistner's baby is doing well. It is a little redhead *illegible, possibly "oh"* Yesterday a nice little red headed girl went by us on a bicycle. As she was going by I said, "red head gingerbread". She smiled + said "Hello Boys." I nearly fainted when I heard her talk English. It isn't very often a persons meets any Frenchies that can talk it. Well Dave I will close for the present. Hope this letter finds you all well. As Ever Hugh D Millar M. A. T 405 Co. 319 Am. Ex. Forces France The second letter is on paper headed with "On Active Service with the American Expeditionary Force" and is dated France, Aug 9th, 1918. Letter is as follows Dear Brother Dave- Your letter dated July 5th received yesterday. It surely was a big shock to me to hear of Ruth's death and I know it was to you + Pearl but it couldn't have been much more than it was to me, because I loved her just as much as if she had been my own child. My being away from home makes it harder to realize the fact. Pearl will be the one to feel the loss the most as she was with her all the time. Both you and she have my deepest sympathy. I got a letter from H. Daily the other day telling me of his arrival in France. He is in the 42nd balloon company. He likes his work alright and thinks he has a good chance for a promising future. I don't know the nature of his organization but I think they operate observation ballons. Well I wish him lots of luck. I also got a letter from Ma which I will answer very soon. Glad to hear that Pa is rid of his cold and is able to perform his duties as before. We are having rather changeable weather here lately but it is nice to day. General Pershing made a speech in front of our mess hall a few nights ago. He says that later on he is coming here again and organize a volunteer fighting unit. He praised us for the good work we are doing here and knows that most of us want to get to the front and into action. Well Dave I don't know of much more to write about at present so will close. As Ever Hugh D Millar Co. B 64th B*illegible-battalion?* R.O.T. APO 713 *illegible*
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