The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1918-08-30

vision extends beyond the borders of
eastern Oregon, therefore they can
talk OF something besides La Grande
or some other isolated little village
Oh oregon. Naturally, as we are on
one OF the most important sectors in
france, the officers are men of experi-
ence ana brains and therefore know
the game. Also the work is interest
ing ana OF course bit exciting at
times. However, l find that the few
DAYS OF my experience have made me
reel ike veteran. and l notice that
my SKIN does not take on the char
acteristics of a picked goose quite as
often"
The next letter from Earl is with
out date but is evidently some ten
days later. after having started on the
great drive that Foch launched on
the 18th day of July. Earl did not
last long, as he got peppered early in
the fray, and having his right arm
shot up he managed to scratch off
the following very interesting account
OF his experience with his left hand
1t is the spirit of the lad that atten-
ton Is called to. as it is the spirit of
every American soldier. who has the
fortitude to accept the vissicitudes of
war. laugh at punishment, express
an eager Willingness to get at it
again. and insists that those at home
should not worry. 1t is the spirit
that Is going to prove to the obsessed
Hun that the civilian soldier OF
America Is equal in pluck, endurance
and fighting qualities to the machine
that that country has spent 80 years
in building up
This writing left handed is not as
simple as one might think, but as
some shrapnel has put my right arm
out OF commission for a time | will
try and do some writing with the left.
"On July 20 we started across No
Mans Land and by noon the 21st
were at our positions In the Chauteau
Thierry woods. On the 22nd We start
ed our attack, but before all of us
got out OF the woods We were shelled
and | gathered up couple of pieces
same place, One straight through
while the other lodged In the arm
The wound is between the wrist and
elbow. AS soon as it was possible
ambulances were brought up and the
injured moved to the field hospital,
which we reached about midnight. 1t
is here that the first aid bandages are
removed and operations are made. 1t
was here that | say my first X-ray.
It gave me rather peculiar feeling
10 look through thick bandage and
all the flesh Of ones arm as though
it were a piece of glass and see
shadOwy outline that represents
bone and a black spot that means
shrapnel. About o'clock | went on
the operating table, and before they
even so much as touched bandage
was put under ether This was a
most pleasant experience, as ! sailed
around among the clouds and finally
dropped to sleep, feeling, knowing
nothing more until awakening The
awakening was bit unpleasant, as
everything was so uncertain.
THAT evening we were put on the
American Red Cross train and arrived
the next morning. | wonder if all
wounded soldiers are as we'll taken
care of as those of the United States.
cannot imagine any better or more
courteous treatment than we have re-
ceived, and it is this fine spirit that
makes our trouble vacation.
Just how long | will be here is
not certain, but probably not long.
Now there is nothing to worry about
as my arm will soon be well and l
am having a good time. AS | have
said before we get every care that
can possibly be given so there is ap-
solutely nothing to fear.
The wounded boy gives his address
as Private Earl Harkin, Co. G, lOlst
Infantry, care Base Hospital 30,
American E. F., France.
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