Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-16
HEROIC ARMY CHAPLAIN
0FFIC|ATES At FUNERAL
Star Shells of Enemy illuminate
Way for Procession on
Road to Grave.
SEVERAL BURIED IN ONE NIGHT
y. VI. G. \. Workers Voluntarily
Join Regiments at Front-Itcv.
MIR. Howclis Gassed on One Occa-
siOn-Citcd for Bravery.

.
I PARIS. July ia weird procession
wendell it's way over the rain-soakcd
earth and through the darkness OF the
night In the van was a chaplain. act
! ing now more in the capacity OF
guide, feeling the way around she'll
craters and under low-hanging trees.
Next came TWO men carrying a stretch
or upon which was the body of COM
rade. vino had made the supreme sac
ri;icc. Following were other soldiers.
acting grave d;ggers.
1t was Il funeral professional flu
neral OF a United States soldier who
had given his ALL that freedom might
not perish.
Occasionally an enemy star she'll.
shooting high above no mans land"
aided The marchers. Illuminating tho
trcachcrous WHY and casting their long
shadows across the patch Again. us
The llick,rinE light OF the star she'll
gradually hccImc cXtinguished, a warn
ing whistle OF an arrivcc would send
the party 10 seek shelter in she'll
hole for ;he moment
For tweniy-onc consecutive nights.
Rev. W. -. Howclls. formerly assis-
tant pastor OF the Woodward Avenue
Baptist Church. of Detroit. Mich. end
at one time field secretary Of the
United Society of Christian Endcavor
IN America. led such funeral process
sion behind the American lines around
CautiEny. on many OF these nights
there was more than one such funeral
sometimes there were as many az
eight at which he caiciated as chap
lain.
Assisting hin, in this work OF bury
ing the dead was pr. Murray Bartlett,
formerly president OF the University
Of Tho Philippines. at Manila.
Both had gone to the front as Y.
NJ. c. y. workers. but had been asked
by tho rcgincntal commander to acc
as honorary army chap!ains. They con-
scented immediately.
WORK rr:nTonM UNDER
DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCE
danger. and which had TO, be carried
out under The most dangerous circum-
stances Because OF the fairness OF the
country in tho sector in which they
, were assigned this work could not
pc accompanied IN me p6N Time AZ
night. although aided in some respects
~ darkness. they we're compelled 10
cross In open Wow W the enemy
. snrcrs. Rev. Howcils was rassed upon
ono occasion while officiating at
funeral, his eyes being closed and his
voice silcnced for several hours.
For his work the reeimen,al com
tnandcr cited him. This is what his
/
"llc volunteered for service in tho
! first line. lie has done work of most
exceptional courageous and efficient
character. During hombardment. and
notably during gas attacks. he assisted
/ in the evacuation OF the wounded and
the caSscd and gave religious burial
to the dead. lis work is an inspira-
ton 10 all"
Once tho funeral party COM
PEELED to wear gas masks. the Germans
having sent over n number of gas shells
just rs they were lowering the body
OF n soldier into the grave.
WIRE STENED TO BODY
FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES
"Nany times it was SO dark we could
not see the grave, he said. Then
We would have TO feel around for it,
! We buried them all in big graves
! placing them side by side. For identi-
! ication purposes we attached "A wire
TO each body, running the wire to the
surface and then placing a marker.
Also on the wire We attached a bot
tie. in which was a slip OF paper, giving
tho mans name. The hottie was buried
just a few feet below the earth's sur
face.
Thus every man buried can be iden-
tined later on IL the occasion arises"
Previous to taking up this work.
, Rev. !Iowells operated Y. NJ. G. \.
cantccn in tho front lines with 4. K.
Leonard. OF Utica. y. Y. who also was
Gasscd during the severe fighting when
tho American troops captured tho town
OF canticny and advanced their lines.
For his work there. the colonel COM
handing tho regiment said: $50 long
rs the regiment remembers tho town OF
Niilers Tournclle and the first line In
front Of Montdidier. so Tong Will i
rcmcmher DR.. Howclls's service and
his example"