Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1917-08-15


Of foam seemed 70 begin. Presently
we saw = wave form about thou
sand yards in our rear and then q
whale-hke hulk rose above the sur
face Of the water, displaying tiny
periScope, and we realized that
submarine was chasing Us at ire
mendous speed. The gunners plug
ged shell after shell in the immediate
vicinity of the partly submerged u
boat. and suddenly she disappeared,
and we are daring TO hope, and re-
ports seem 70 confirm our oel1ef,
that she ended her career then and
therefor considerable oil and other
substances were found afterward
floating on the surface by some
scouting cruisers, which also picked
up two mines which the U-boat had
spread In our path, and which we
gag movement of the ship, which
proceeded ar top speed. An S. o. S.
call was sent out and within ten min
uteS three coastwise ships appeared
over the horizon, so that if anything
had happened we probably would
nave been picked up almost without
difficulty. The crew told us that this
was the first time in 81 trips across
the Atlantic that the "Rochambeau
had seen torpedo or submarine.
in less than an hour we were pro-
ceeding up the river, escorted by the
customs officials. who boarded our
boat at the mouth. We somehow
got stuck In the mud, owing to
very low tide, and after remaining
on board over night, were taken off
the next morning, proceeding 70
Bordeaux by tug boats. They told
~ Tho+ "a hsaH
knowledge by wireless, of the sub
marines presence in those waters,
and owing to his wonderful supervi-
sion, and the calm sea, we were too
alert for the submarine who dared
not come to the smooth surface OF the
sea until after we had passed, for
fear of our two big guns, one carried
fore and the other aft.
This letter is becoming involved,
I want to include a word about the
very cordial people, both French and
Americans, who have invited many
of the ambulance men TO their homes
for dinners, teas and dances.
Last Sunday we dined with Prof.
Baldwin and Mrs. Baldwin, from
Prineeton,-he being exchange pro-
fessor at the Sorbonne. At the din
ner were guests who had been on the
Titanic, the Sussex, the Lusitania,
and Mr.. Martin and myself on the
"Rochambeau." Wasn't that a sin
gular coincidence?
"While l was at Fecamp, helping
to bring back the automobile frames,
Mr.. Martin was fortunate enough to
be taken to tea at the Marquise de
Tallyrand's home, where he also met
and thoroughly enjoyed the Nine.
Marchand, wife of the well-known
General. We also saw President
Poincare~ leaving a hospital the other
day, and We're greatly impressed with
his splendid personal appearance.
P S.-We had such a delightful
farewell party at the dock and dur
ing the voyage we supplemented our
ships meals with all sorts of good
things, sent to US in steamer baskets
by numerous friends We are still
munching American candy and every
one begs for just one piece. Sweets
can scarcely be purchased here at
ALL"
Under date of June 2, Mr.. Brown
writes:
This is my first note since leaving
Paris, on Sunday last. We are now
comfortably located in camp and the
anticipated work is thrilling and
plentiful. We are forbidden to
state our location or to divulge any
information. We are almost ac-
eustomed by this time to war rations
and strict military discipline, to say
nothing of the sad sights we are
witnessing daily. / am now on duty
at post with my car and shall re-
main here "A hours taking care of all
calls for an ambulance In this par
ticular region. I arrived on duty at
IL o'clock yesterday morning, and
leave at IL today. l slept in my am
bulance last night, whenever the
noise from the guns afforded sufH-
cient quiet, and at 3 o'clock the mes
senger awakened me to go for a
wounded soldier 1t is the most won
derful thing IN the world to have this
rare privilege. Try never to worry.
We are very cautious about every
thing.
On June II, dated Somewhere in
France" and Mr.. Brown adds,
Wouldn't I like to tell where" he
writes:
Eve are in camp about six miles
from the lines in two large tents,
twenty men In each. Our ambulance
IS are lined up in the stable yard of
demolished town, awaiting calls for
wounded soldiers Four ambulances
go out every day, each with a driver
and an aide TO different posts near
the lines for "a hours at a time We
take our food and blankets along, and
sleep in the ambulances. Clarke and
/ never felt better Every morning
we all have exercises together, be-
fore breakfast, followed by numerous
inspections OF cars tents and per
sons, with military drill every af-
ternoon."