Military History in Paulding County

By: Mark Holtsberry
A letter from France
Evacuation Hospital 13

A.P.O. 783

Amex Lances, France

Paul Cussen was born and raised in Antwerp. He was my grandmother’s first cousin. He registered for the draft June 5, 1917 in Antwerp. He served in France during World War One. He served in the 13th Medical Department Evacuation Hospital in St. Mihiel, France. Here is a letter he wrote my grandmother January 21, 1919.

Miss Florence Manson Paulding, Ohio

My dear cousin, your kind letter came to me yesterday and indeed I was much pleased. It is appreciated so much since I have had to come to this part of the country.

It is very cold here this morning and I can hardly write. Our fire refuses to burn. If my words ace jumbled together, kindly excuse me.

You mentioned in your letter about French girls. Well, they man appeal to some of the American boys. I could not answer for all but as far as I am concerned individually nothing doing.

I may tell you about one however, she was very pretty and wealthy as well. She and her mother were running a jewelry store. She could speak fluent English. I would meander down on evenings and chat to her, you see it was even a taste of sweets to talk to a girl that could understand me. As far as some others that I have seen they are anything else but decent.

Our fashions are patterned after the lowest type of women. I have seen them in Paris.

I had a nice letter from Aunt Mayme again. She is very kind to remember me so far away. I am trying to bring each one of my cousins something from France, but do not know how l’ll succeed. It makes a big call and word to carry.

I have chased all over the castle even in the Duchess’s bath tub, but of course she wasn’t there, ha ha.

Well Florence I have no news this morning, so I will close with love. I would love to hear from your mamma.

With love to all

I am your cousin, Paul”

Paul passed away in 1969 and is buried in Maumee Cemetery