Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-12
DR. PETIT CERTAIN
SHERMAN WAS RIGHT
|0N WAR QUESTION
OTTAWA LIEUTENANT vERlFiES
CIVIL WAR GENERALS VERSION
ON CONFLICT AND WISHES
PLENTY OF IT ON THE BOCHES.

That America will profit greatly by
the experiences of her allies in the
present world war is expressed by DR.
Roswell Petit in his latest letter
home from somewhere in France,
where he is now billeted with {
French count and countess in thei
chateau.
The doctor has reached the cOnclu
sion that Sherman was right in hi
we'll known summary of wars prin
cipal peculiarity, and he is hOpefu
that the Boches are given all the.
want of it before the thing is over
He covers in his accustomary inter
esting vein. the interest shown in hin
by natives who were given their frs
glimpse of one of Uncle Sans fight
ing men. He says.
Sept. Ia, 1917.
Dear Father:
! have been in France just a
month and with all my experiences
changes and new surroundings, it
seems as If it were year. How
ever, it is all very interesting and
exciting but on the whole. even
though ] haven't seen the worst OF
il, can heartily agree with Sher-
man about war. OF course, today.
with better organization, better
equipment. and the experience Of
three years behind us, America will
be able to learn by a lot that France
aud England have had toAlssrn BY
bitter experience. But we will have
to remember always that we are
fighting merciless foe that will
stoop to anything and stop at moth
ing. But really. Germany has lost
by each dirty trick she has played
But hope we do not stop until she
has been properly punished for all
her msdeeds. Some Of The things
are too awful to tell about.
Old Sergeant Talks.
Yesterday we made a trek OF
about ten miles marched at the
head of the column with the ser
geant-major, soldier Of the old
school, He came over here with the
original expeditionary force, which
as you know was just about wiped
out. He has had some most mir
aculous escapes and for two or three
hours he told me of one thrilling
experience after another. The bes
of the lot, | think, was when, in The
confusion of the early days of the
war mistake was made in tn,
map reference and waking up on,
morning the ambulance company
found themselves encamped in the
middle of No Mans Land. The,
struck their tents, lashed the sicl
and wounded to the tops OF The
wagons, and beat 1t out across
aelds, ditches and everything
Luckily they got out without a cas-
ualty
Aviation improved.
Several days ago had an op
portunity to visit a large aerdome
1t was a wonderful sight to see ST,
or seven machines leave the grounl
at once. How different these ma
chimes are from the original Wright
machine saw in Washington few
months ago The development II
aeronautics has been simply won
derful and personally believe tn,
war will be in the air. And almos
everybody here thinks the same.
can't hardly wait until the Ameri
cans get over here with their ma
chimes.
received your letter Of Angus
23d a few days ago and the pape
of August 7th to 9th yesterday AM
was very glad to get them. | wis
you would number your letters an
then | can tell whether ] get ther
all am surprised you did not ge
my cable. sent you cable fror
Liverpool August 18th. Love TO a
and especially the kiddies.
Yours son. ROSWELL.
23rd Field Ambulance, British +,
peditionary Forces, France,
Changes Quarters.
Sept l6. 1917.
Dear Father:
Since writing you last | hav
moved again We are in beaut
ful country near fairly large tow
and am delightfully."- quartered |
the chateau of the countess of som'
thing or other, and the old lady !
tortoise shell trimmed spectacle
and a brown wig She has hu
band who hides behind a muss
blonde beard and does as he Is tol,