The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-11-16

ON THE BATTLE FRONT
Letter from Mrs. Depew Formerly
Mrs. Trenor L. Park

On the breaking out of the war
Mrs. c. Mitchell Depew gave her
Chateau at Compiegne for a hospital
Just when it was prepared TO receive
tho wounded they were suddenly
obliged to close it and fly to England
on the occupation OF the country by
the Germans on their approach tow
ward Paris. As soon as the fighting
lines were pressed back Mr.. arc
Mrs. Depew returned-about the last
of Sept. with their surgeons, nurses.
etc
Perhaps some extracts from letters
from Mrs Depew may be OF interest
coming from so near the Avaries.
Written from Paris, Oct 26.-"All
letters are censored, but this going
by hand | can tell you that for a
month the Germans have not stirred.
They are three and half miles from
us. One night we had % wounded
brought in from just up to their lines.
There are skirmishes all the time,
but they do not break through far.
This morning before left "Annel"
the cannon were heavy. also muske-
try-the first for some days. You
will smile when | tell you that do
not wake now when the cannon start.
Every thing in habit! But the daily
scenes are a tug at the heartstrings,
though now feel myself made OF
wood.
We have the people of the village
to do most Of our work, and the house
practically cleared for action. Elec-
tricity only in the ward and operating
room; candles elsewhere. The win
dows darkened at night by heavy
hangings that no light may show
through. We fly three American
flags and as the Germans when they
came through before gave orders to
spare the farm, We hope we are safe.
No aeroplane has yet dropped us a
bomb. Our work is truly good,
thanks to splendid surgeons, and be.
ing so near the front that we can
take care OF our men shortly after
they are wounded The worst cases
are brought to us. and as soon as
they can so they are passed on TO a
base hospital, to make room for 9TH
ers-The people who have inspected
our hospital expressed themselves as
absolutely satisfied; and the small
amount 1t costs per month is really
hardly believable A hospital here OF
fifty beds has to be, and is run in an
absolutely military fashion. We have
q regular staff with a good Scotch
secretary. two surgeons. fourteen wo
men and men nurses, three orderlics.
two ambulsnces With their owners as
chauifcurs, and two other cars, one
OF which has also been given Ambu-
lances is our great need. We have
two TO carry wounded lying. and need
two more, as our work Is spreading.
| have just been promised a chassis.
and these last checks win put a body
on IT, ] find that people seem TO like
to give money 10 small institution.
and know II they ask to have It used
in a certain way. II will be We are
tho only hospital in the Zone OF the
Armies and We could do thousand
times more II we had the means.
There have been about 100 cases in
five weeks and only six deaths. On
ly one case of gangrene and none of
telanus. which makes us very proud.
want to tell you what we need. We
have had splendid contributions of
night shirts, sheets. pillow cases and
day shirts. Every soldier when he
leaves is given an extra flannel shirt
and an extra pair OF socks. AS win.
ter comes on we shall need flannel or
felt waistcoats to wear under uni.
forms, chest protectors. Abdominal
bands. gloves. underdrawers. muffiers,
blankets and any warm comforts you
can send. And cotton wool is needed
awfully. The supply is running low
here and in England