Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-02
(Bangor Commercially


Hampden Highlands, Me-, July O.
Mrs. D. A. Twitchell has received the
following letter written by her brother.
Donald r. Blue. from King George Hos
pital in London. He has been on the
firing line in France and his letter con-
stains interesting sidelights on the war.
MY dear sister, he writes, Il suppose
you think that / have forgotten you en-
tirely. Well, don't blame you If You
do. 1t will soon be a year now that l
enlisted, Aug. q. I have been in France
and Belgium. back in France. and now
here ! am in England once more.
Arrived in Boulogpe. France. stopped
there one night and day. then left for
Popperinge. Belgium. a nights ride by
train, marched to Ypres where some OF
the heaviest fighting is going on. l re-
manned there for some time. returning
again to France where we had rest
before going into the trenches. Here our
losses were quite heavy. the company
that am in alone losing about half and
our four officers were killed. Neverthe-
less we took away from the Germans
about 1000 yards Of trenches. The next
day they attacked US, regaining 200 yards
Of their trenches. The fighting was hot
and heavy for while. Seeing that they
could gain no more. things quieted down
for little time, after which we again
went at them with bullets and bayonet,
taking the 200 yards with about 800 with
it, also some prisoners. Again. they
came on, this time being repulsed with
heavy losses. They did no more attack
ing while We were in this place.
Killed Germans Himself.
I'VE came out of the trenches for an
other we'll deserved rest. Papers came
over to France from England with big
headlines and long story all about the
battle. ! know / got some of the Ger
mans myself. The first time in the
trenches was nervous. But after time
it wore off.
1T was while we were out for rest
that l reported sick to the doctor. I did
not want to give in. but got so bad
could hardly walk. He gave me some
next day. which did. He sent me to a
hospital. 10 miles away. where I stayed
| a week. l was then sent to another hos
pital in Boulogne for another week and
/ transferred here the 18th Of June.
Some wealthy people who have autos
offered to take out wounded soldiers for
afternoon rides. Every afternoon, except
Sunday. there is a line of autos waiting
! to take out those who are able to 60.
Two weeks ago the doctor, thinking IL
would do me good. told the nurse to get
me ready. / went and had a fine time
riding around the city.
1.-The queen was out that afternoon In
her carriage and four horses. 1t was a
fine turnout There were men riding on
horseback in front and behind, and peo-
pie By the thousands along the street
waving handkerchiefs at her. got
back after and ! made UP for 1t that
night. suffering gill night long with pain
Did not tell the doctor as wanted to &C
again and see if it affected me the same
way. When l went out the second time
il was the same. Then told the doctor
60 he said l could not go any more.
Tea With Lady Hamilton.
"On my second outing I had to stop al
Lady Hanilton's, Hyde Park Gardens
and have tea there. Had l been a prince
! could not have been better received
Her husband is Gen. Ian Hamilton in
command of British forces in Turkey.
When leaving she shook hands and said
she would have me again another day.
1t is handsome place and their mansion
is lust simply elegant