(16) Letter: Jack Bentley to Cornelia Bentley, December 22, 1918.

Dec 22nd Dearest Mother Iam going to send this along for two very good reasons - the first one and, by the way I had trouble deciding which was first, is that I hear that we will probably leave Germany about six weeks later if we do that should get me home in March. The second is that today I shot a deer, and now Xmas will be Xmas & the officers are all happy as veneson steak is a rare treat. I made a good shot on this young buck and shot him at 150 yd. through a pine forest with an army rifle 30.30. Every one was trying to get one & thine truely was the boy that brought home the bacon. Naturaly every one is happy tonight. This hunt was really on the sly and the Capt. said to me, after sending the company to church, lets go out and see if we can get a shot at a deer so out we went & we hadn't gone far before we jumped two, the Captain shot at one and missed so going further I saw a heavey pine forest ahead &

went in to it. I saw way ahead the shape of a deer between numerous trees so droping on one knee I fixed at his shoulder, he jumped and ran & I said well I missed him, but I decided to go and look at his tracks. When I came to the place instead of tracks I found a stream of blood and pretty soon he was hanging in a tree with Bill Peacock our striker opening him. Oh it was a great day & he now lies cut up in the kitchen meat box for the officers mess Xmas. How was thee Mother dear. Give my love to my uncles and aunts and Grand Mother please and I will try and write to them soon. I hope to her before many more weeks, tomorrow I drill and there isn't anything else to do really. Hoping thee is well. I remaine Thine Jack O.K. John N Bentley 1st Lt. USArmy 126th infantry