Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-26
POSTBAG FROM
BATTLE FRONT
First-hand Accounts of Land
and Sea Conflicts Told by
the Fighting Soldiers and
Sailors Themselves.

|
present European struggle are the
men IN the trenches and the men OF
the quarter deck. Professional toTft-
ers arc not permitted at the front.
All they kHoto Is Whdt they odH 0Iedn
from the tcotnded occNpdnts Of am
balances taken to the rear. The
EVenin0 Ledger tUiI print from hr1e
to time the only intimate side Of the
t1ur-the reflections Of soldiers and
sailors IN their letters home. German
letters, toheH obtdiHdble, as toeH as
those Of the Allies, toiH BE- pTInted.J
Trying Times for sharpshooters
Letter from Sergeant G. Busby, Royal
Irish Rifles.
We have had very trying time in the
trenches, but we had the satisfaction OF
being specially praised by the General
In Command for our work, and that
reconciles a soldier to a lot OF hardship.
1t is particularly trying on a rife regi-
ment, because we are mainly engaged in
sharpshoOting work. and have to lie out
on tho frosty ground trying to keep our
selves warm while we are picking off the
enemy.
What we got praised for was one morn
ing after we had several days of this aw-
full work in the trenches the Germans
and though they were at least 10 times
our strength we held our ground until
the necessary dispositions could be made
in other parts of the field to Withstand
their attack.
1t was good shooting that did 1t. When
the Germans came into view through the
raw mist we thought II was too good to be
trus. and made up for the eye strain we
hal had to find something to hit before
that. Only one party fought its way up
to our trenches and tried to drive us out
but we fixed bayonets and swept them
away before they had time to wink
We did not think there was anything
very wonderful about what we did. but
everybody went wild over 1t, and one stan
toria Crosses each.
The truth is we only did what any other
regiment wo;;id have done; but 1t Is nice
TO have your work appreciated.
100 Left Out Of 14oo
Letter from Private Harry To1nsend,
Oxford aud Bucks Regiment;
This is not like Africa. There are more
shells fired here in one day than all
through the South African War.
Since II has been raining We have been
in three inches of water in the trenches,
with mud up to our knees.
1 have got job now as stretcher-
bGaIEE III hAr AAAASr ~ 4 nave put
myself down not 10 see you again unless
/ am very lucky, as we have not got
many now who started with us-only 100
out OF 1900 so IL has been hot for us.
We had to carry. one OF our chaps back
the other night. We were In mud up to
our knees, and he was 1est. They were
Smelling us. and II was raining, thus
making It very heavy pob.
Remember me 20 all the boys, and tell
them although II Is winter. 1t is-hot
CThe casualty list issued last night con-
tanned the names OF So men OF this regi-
ment who have been killed.
Soldier Wounded Nine Times
Private 3. JohHsoR, Of the Yorkshire
Light Infantry, H0a0 IN the Duchess Of
WestmiHsfsT's hOsptt0I at La Toquet:
II nearly breaks my heart to think /
cannot send 'fttle Violet and Bessie and
Lille (his three ehlldren) something for
Christmas; but never mind, let US hope
We shall live for another Christmas
/ am not getting on too grand, but
must look on the bright side OF things,
as / know a few Germans went under
from nay rife.
am wounded in nine places, and have
such pains In my head they nearly send
me mad. Ny leg, TOO, troubles me very
mach. have three wounds IA my left
leg, two Ia my head, one in my throat,
one In my right hand and two through
the left arm,