Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-09-13

 ents, who reside at Tyler, Texas. It was taken from Baldwin's dead body following his untimely death and was forwarded to MT. and Mrs. Baldwin by the friend.
 The letters of Lieut.. Ashley to Mir. and Mrs. Baldwin, the parents, the letter of their son who was probably killed in his first fight, have been forwarded to Mrs. Dilley at Pine Bluff, and are printed below:
 Lieutenant Ashley's Letter.
 In the field, Aug. 2, 191S.-My Dear Dr. Baldwin: Sitting in little room in one of the large cities men, aced by the great German advance of March 21, listening to the hum of Hun planes and the terrific noise of the exploding bombs, and wondering when we should be able to find the units to which we had been assign ed, our thoughts flew back to those we love at home. We then Git was March 26) promised that in case eith- CT of us should fall the survivor would write "home' for the one who fell.
 This sad duty now devolves upon me and I am writing this within three hours of your sons death.
 can oily give you a brief account now--I shall write you again as soon as l get out of the line.
 Joe and I were medical officers. to two battalions of the same brigade and he had arranged to have his aid post with mine so we could work together. He brought his men and supplies here and then stated that he had to go to his battalion headquar- ters. I tried to get him to send a message by runner and go to bed, Mt he Had had Sittle sleep last night. This he would not do, however and started on his journey (about 8 thousand yards away.)
 The next I heard was that he had been struck by a piece of shell. No one was with him at the time, but several had seen the shell burst and ran over to hinl. His death was probably instant and painless. a#
 His body had been removed by the 54th Field Ambulance, to which we both were attached for some time, and I shall later on ascertain the exact location of his grave, and arrange tO uNNc IulS lOCotAOu cCuL IO yOu Censorship will prevent my sending it direct to you.)
 shall attend to all of this if my own opportunity for rendering the su- preme sacrifice does not come be- fore get out of the line. If you do not hear from me soon you will know that too, have met my" shell. This information will proba- bly be furnished by the adjutant of the 11th Royal Fusilieres also, but we are a long way from you and can not be too careful.
 inclose 8 letter found in Joe's pocketbook, but not as he promised, sealed and addressed. I had to read 1t to determine to whom it was written, (lt is very beautiful let ter and am glad l was forced to read it.)
 shall write again very soon.
 Please believe that my heart goes out to you and Mrs. Baldwin, I have seen lot of Joe for the last four months, and he was a very dear boy and true blue. Very truly yours,
 ROBERT w. ASHLEY.
 Lieutenant Baldwin's Last Letter.
 My Darlings: The long-awaited orders have just come through, send ing me "up the line." and tomorrow will find me in the thick of things. am writing this letter simply as a precautionary measure-having no idea of ever sending it unless I am killed outright In that event. it will be found on my person-stamped and addressed to you-and you will re- ceive it as my very last message.
 The chances are about one out of ten of your ever reading this letter. fully expect to come through un. scatched, And why not? Scores of my R. A. M. c. friends have been through four years of the same sort of thing and are still here to tell about it and lend encouragement to the unsophisticated.
 But if l am killed or even mortal ly wounded 1t will be death that should be a consolation to you for all time.
 There are few of my friends who have been fortunate enough to offer the supreme sacrifice within so short a time of initial enlistment.
 Death in itself has no terrOrs for me, US nnySlCdI aspect IS UcpcIlucul entirely upon ones moral stamina it's contiguity with the Life Hereaf- ter is simply matter of Faith and Trust--and not matter to inspire fear
 You will always have the know ledge that I met glorious fate and died with high heart and a perfect Faith.
 As for our mutual love, no mere words written on white paper need at tempt to proclaim it. know what incomparable parents you have been to me and how your wonderful. un- selfishness and self-sacrifice have been like clarion call to the best in me.
 Future life to me would mean a striving upward from the foundations that you have laid for me to the heights that your love and ambitions have pinnacled for me.
 And so go-with your dear faces beeore me, end your Love my guide and 6trength.