Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1917-11-14
ON THE BATTLE FIELD
NEIL STEVENS NOW IN THE
THICK OF 1T AT THE FRENCH
FRONT:-AN EXCITING LIFE

Some Where in France
Dear Mumsie & Dad
About two weeks ago I wrote you
a long letter explaining as best l could,
the situation as it would be over here
when the U. S. takes over the ambu
lance service as they intend doing.
This was when the very first news
reached US Of course everything was
up in the air and nearly every one
was greatly disappointed.
l also wrote you regarding our work
here. No doubt you are anXiously
waiting further word from me in re-
gard to our status in the ambulance
service, and much more what l intend
doing.
A major of the regular army paid us
a visit yesterday explaining the SER
vice when taken over by the U. S.
Gov, and as best he could the several
other branches now open to US.
Many of us hoped that there would
be established here, an officers training
camp like those in the States but our
hopes were shattered.
Some anticipate going into the avia-
ton service but that does not appeal
to me. Some are going to enlist in
other services, and a few will return
home
To return home appears to me to
be foolish for it would only be to en-
list in some form of service again and
in that way much valuable time would
be lost. Moreover the opportunities
of enlisting there are no better than
on this side.
Nor would it increase my Opportuni-
ties of promotion.
Until we are discharged and can go
to Paris there is little to do but wait
This we hope to be able to do within
the next few weeks and we are anx-
iously awaiting this time.
There we can get first hand inform
nation and / think now tlat J VIII juin
the artillery.
This appeals to me more than any
other and the chances of promotion
are said to be much better.
There is only one way 20 get any
where and that is to work up from the
bottom rung Even though l remain
a private for the period Of the war
will at least have the satisfaction that
| have done my duty.
Moore and l go out every other day
to bring back sick and wounded We
are able to get into the from line
trenches with little danger as ours is
not one Of the most active portion Of
the line.
We all envy section so which left
Sandri Court just a few days ahead Of
us as they went Immediately to one of
the most active sectors of the French
front and are therefore seeing mucn
hard service.
[ understand Frank Carlton has al !
ready received a cross for bravery un-
der fire. Our front has been showing
signs Of activity the past few days
and some of the boys report being I'M
der shell fire on portions Of the ex-
posed road.
All the towns near the front have
been occupied by the Germans and
have been partially or wholly destroy
ed.
The trenches and these villages
are interesting and notwithstanding
the disappointment at not being as
signed to one of the most active por-
tions so far it has been educational I
and worth while, and [ consider it |
equivalent to year of college work.
We were kept busy the entire time
our opportunities to observe condi-
conditions and see things would be
greatly restricted to eating, sleeping
ana working.
Everything has it's compensations
and bright side. I have the best of
companions, the best of food and the
best of health. A bath is ours for the
asking and nearby lady washes our
clothes at reasonable rate. MOI
doubt we are better off than we re
alize.
Spent yesterday in greasing up our
car. Moore and | were quite fortunate
in getting a car that has given us no
trouble whatever. 1t huns along on
all four cylinders and on all four
wheels. W-tried turning a corner
on two wheels one day and conse-
quently put his car out of commission.
Sorry to say that he and the car are
at the automobile pare for repairs.
We are in the foot hills of the Vosges
mountains and the country is very
beautiful and we are frequently per-
mitted to take long walks. A portion
OF this country here was the scene of
hard fighting during the early part of
the war and the graves of both French
and German soldiers are numerous
along the roadside.
Usually in groups but sometimes
s1ngly in the center of some field with
cross at it's head. Near a town we
visited there is a cemetery containing
$4,000 Germans dead and some not far
away containing more Thus you can
imagine the slaughter during the early
portion of the war.