The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-11-08
RED CROSS LOYALTY FIRE At ROSE HILL HEAVY CLAIM LSFH GPTAMCY
ROSCOE WOODRUFF IN FRANCE
WITH v. S. TROOPS.


Dear Herald:-S many kindly in
quiries have come to me of Roscoe
and his welfare, l thought / would
answer through the Herald. Last
May he was promoted to Captain and
sent with his regiment, oath Infantry,
to Syracuse, N Y. The new 43th
was organized there and he spent the
summer in drilling new men. Then
in August when the 9th was ordered
overseas for duty in France he was
ordered back to his regiment and
given command of his old company,
recruited to full strength, $50 men.
We spent a day together before he
sailed. He was well but a little
thinner than usual. Had worked
very hard all summer but said all 9TH
er officers and men had done the
same. His experiences on voyage
were similar to Roy Kemble's, de-
scribed in recent issue of the Herald.
There were seven ships taking his
contingent over. No lights allowed
at night on decks and all portfolios
closed. -.
He spent two days in Liverpool
Was entertained by Col. and Mrs.
Swain at dinner and later at the
theater. Col. Swain is one of the
most popular men in the city and
Roscoe said they had a most delight
full visit together. Another Captain
accompanied him, and while the Eng
lish could not see the u. S. jokes,
they enjoyed them fully.
Great danger is faced in crossing
the Channel. Submarines are espe-
cially active against troop ships. He
said they all breathed easier when
on French soil. The 9th Regt. was
billeted in a small village. officers
were taken into homes and treated
as guests. It was cold and disa-
greeable. Rain and mud in abund-
ance. Didn't know how soon they
would be ordered to trenches. The
health and spirits of all were good.
l was delighted to hear of the or
ganization of Sammy's Mothers
Club. / am sure it will be the means
of bringing hops and cheer to the
hearts of our boys. Very sorry to
learn of Mrs. Byron Sewers death.
She was my friend for quarter of a
century and think every life that
came in contact with hers was made
better and richer She will be sorely
missed in the literary life of the
town, especially in the Woman's Club.
We have been having rather wintry
weather here for the past week. A
heavy fall of snow, great portion
melted but about 8 inches remained
on the ground for hours. Patriotism
is at high point here and great activ-
ity in Red Cross work. Receptions
and demonstrations similar to those
at home when men for National Army
leave for cantonments.
The cantonment at Camp Sherman,
Chillicothe, is entirely completed and
it is claimed one of the best in the
U. S. There are about $4,000 men
there now and several thousand more
will be sent as last contingent. Chill
licothe is only thirty-five miles away
and excellent roads and we go often.
Ohio National Guards arc training at
Camp Sheridan, Montgomery. Ala.
In Rainbow Division a son of my
friends here is with the old 4th Ohio,
now 166th. Then several are at
Montgomery, so | am in touch with
all sections of the army.
Capt. Richmond Hobson spoke for
prohibition at Macarthur recently. An
effort is being made to make prohibit
ton state wide at this election. This
county has had no saloons for years.
Mail addressed thus will reach the
boy: Capt. Roscoe'B. Woodruff, 9Th
Inf, American Expeditionary Army.
Nothing more is necessary. Thank
ing all our friends for their kindly
interest and good wishes, l am, yours
sincerely, Rhoda l. Woodruff.
Macarthur, Ohio, Nov. 1, 1917.