Bisbee daily review., 1917-11-18
RECEIVES LETTER FROM BROTHER IN FRANCE
 WITH U. 5. ARMY
Robert Rae, of Douglas, Re ceives Letter From His Brother Who Is With U. s. Army Surgeons

ment or the fnelpS DouSc NOinpdHy at Douglas has received the following let ter from his brother, Dr. John B. Rae,
 who is a surgeon with the expedition ary forces somewhere in France"
 After a somewhat eventful start, of which you have doubtless heard, we finally got away and landed Some where in France, after quite an excit- ing finish.
 Our unit was immediately sent to the building (of course we cannot men, tion names). which we are to occupy finally as a thousand-bed hospital. You can guess the kind of work we have been up against; building new build ings. looking after plumbing, water supply. drainage, and a hundred and one other things that must be done before the place will be fit for it's ul- innate purpose.
 ''The situation is beautiful, and if things shape out as we intend. we pro- pose to have the best hospital in France before we get through.
 Meantime, however, I am not there. Two of us were, by the kindness of the British government, permitted to make a two weeks visit to a British front. A week ago today we got wi hin sound of the guns, and landed at g. Field ambulance.
 From this Field ambulance we made a visit to the trenches and saw the regimental aid stations right in the lines. Most of the soldiers wore kits, or talked with burr that could be cut with knife, so that you can guess there was particularly strong odor of home in the air.
 "The line We are in had formerly been in the hands of the Boche. and we had the pleasure of visiting and be- ing shown through (byi an R. E. offic- CT by the way) one of their famous dug-outs. I. was about 40 feet under ground, and could accommodate SO men and two officers. Coming out of the trenches our Colonel Conductor took us a short cut backwards, and we had our real first experience of dodg- ing shells on our way home.
 "The following day We came to an advanced dressing station. where we receive the cases as they are carried out of the lines, do what is to be done for them and pass them back. Of course we are right under fire. and sleep in the cellar. It is by no means luxurious, but we have nothing to com plain of and we are quite happy.
 ''The weather, which has been extra fine up to date, has broken badly and is now rainy, with very high wind. 1 was up the line Tit in the rain, and it is impossible to describe what a diff terence it makes. However. the men are cheery and compara lively dry in heir dug-outs, and don't complain. They all have the inalienable right t3 grouch, and individually are fed up with the war--hows could they be oth erwise. But collectively they plug along as you and I would expect them to do, and are cheery, and helpful to each other whenever the opportunity offers It has been a great time of in struction for us, and only hope that the untried American troops will give IS good account of themselves when their chance comes.
 We passed over one of the great | on the way here, and it is impossible to give you any idea of what it looks like. Villages are com pletely wiped out, and fairly large | owns are so damaged by shell fire that it is hard to find a single house hat is not damaged. Even where the shell of the house stands it is only a she'll, and the inside is completely gut ed. Where the British are in posses sion, even although still under fire, the streets tre tidied up and policed in great shape.
 We have seen lots of 'sausages'. as he stationary observation balloons are .alled; heaps of planes from both sides If the line, and a.e becoming able to between shells coming md shells going, not forgetting thei Archies' which pop shrapnell at the 3oche planes.
 We are looking forward to a busy light tonight. beginning. most prob bly, in the early hours of the morning. $ we are quite aware tha. something s brewing.
 Tomorrow We leave here and go to
 casualty clearing station. This is the ospital. situated well behind the lines, where the wounded are sent from the front and where the real op Iative work is done. We shall stay here until abou. Saturday. when we lust depart for our own station. We ,ill go through Paris on the way back, IS we did on the way up. and from here by rail south to our new home, 5 we have already learned to call our ornament station.
 We are studying French, and, al. hough the last two weeks are an ab- clue blank in that line, we expect retty soon Go be able to barley vous. { least a little.
 Everybody has been real good to us { the British front. and our host here 5 young Irishman, who is a very ice bOv indppd e