The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1914-11-27
IN LETTER TO MOODY COUNTY
FRIENDS DESCRIBES FIERCE
FIGHT ALONG AiSNE.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
From the Capital City, the Various
State Institutions and from
Many Different Parts OF
the Sunshine State.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.


kota who is fighting with the allies
in the European war is Alphonso
Bourne, who for some time was a res
ident of Moody county. and who was
popular among residents of Egan and
other places in the county. Mr.. and
Mrs. T. ]. Rolf, we'll known residents
Of Egan, who befriended the young
man while he was a resident OF South
Dakota, have just received letter
from him which gives details Of the
thrilling experiences through which
he has passed since returning TO Eu
English army. He was wounded dur
ing one of the battles and the letter
is written from the hospital in which
he now is receiving treatment. He
landed in Belgium with the First army
corps o. the British eXpeditiOnary
force and almost Immediately had his
baptism of fire. He was in the battle
of Mons. His letter continues:
1--WE entrained to Narnus, coming IN
to action with our guns on the 7th Of
August, fighting all day; we had to
retire during the night onto Mons.
where we had another terrible battle
on the Sth and 9th days Of August
again retiring at night, where we
again fought all day on the 10th, les
ing many men; again retrcating at
night to LeCoteau; in action again all
day and retreatinP of nights and fight
ing all day. Twenty miles north Of Par
is we made a great stand for three
days, when we had lost over half OF
our men. We got reinforced then with
plenty more fresh troops and then we
began to advance again (instead of re-
treating); our first battle being at LiS
ney and next day at LeNerberie We
again advanced to Campaign, where
we had two more hard days of very
heavy firing and then on to the River
Marne, where it took us six days terri
hle fighting with heavy loss of life
TO get to the other side of the river.
I'VE advanced on to Soissons to find
that grand old city in flames and
ruins: also many other towns and VII
lagos the same. When at last we
reached the River Raine, where we
soon effected a crossing; but oh. dear
what a price! After getting to the
other side the shells and firing was
awful-from the 9th OF September
right up to the 16th-sevcn days terri
BILE fighting, which | can only describe
as being a hell upon earth. Our bat
terry was properly wiped out and ami
hilated on the 10Th. was shot through
both thighs, but thank God. | am still
alive and not only alive but am very
lucky to have both my legs left as
well. as you bet | was very grateful
when | found myself here in clean
comfortable bed four days after.
Rather a strange Coincident.
thought. to find myself with Uncle
Sans folks again here in the Ameri
can hospital in Paris. l am very
grateful to them, as they have been
very kind and are doing a grand work
here for our wounded ! am pleased
to say | am getting along splendidly
myself and can get about now with
crutches-not bad in only three weeks
DR.. Bromer OF Pittsburgh says | have
a constitution like horse. as l was
badly hit with shrapnel shell bursting.
getting my full share in both legs.
am very lucky I did not lose my legs.
I am expecting very soon to be shifted
to a convalescent camp to get my
strength back again, and as soon as !
am well enough | will rejoin a bat
terry at the firing line again. Am sorry
to see our troops are still occupying
! left them three weeks ago, and they
must have had very hard job to do
that, as the Germans are much strong
er in numbers than us.
II had three days hard fighting in
all before | fell so ! thinl; ! bear a
charmed life. do not think I was
meant to be shot, as was the last one
left standing and alive on the 10th
before I was hit. It's very heart
breaking to see all your comrades ~
ing dead and wounded all around, and
it drives you mad to see the poor WON
en- and children lying in the towns.
We shall all be glad to see the end of
this terrible war;
Bourne's number in the hospital is
30,907 and he signs the letter, 30,907
Gunner A. Bourne"
Mtchell.-South Dakota dairymen
Duttermakers will gather in Mitchell
on December and for their annual
convention, according to arrange
mepts made here by E. p. Ryger of
Bookings, secretary of the organiza-
ton, In conjunction with the meet
Ing of the dairymen, the 80 IL DaI,sQ.
ia Holstain-Friesian association, com
prising the breeders of these two va
rieties OF dairy cattle, will hold their
annual meeting on the following day,
December 4. P. r. Crothers of
Badger. secretary, arranged for the
days program while in Mitchell.