Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1918-06-25
Dr.. William NeilI. L.. Reaches France


his son., Captain William Neill, Jr.
of she United States Medical Corps
who has been stationed at base hos
pital at Edinburg, Scotland, since the
entrance of the United States in the
war, and who has now been sent to
, France:
| knew that you would like a dis
cription of my trip from Scotland to
where | am at present located. left
Aberdeen on March 14th with friend
from New Orleans named Dantereive,
after most glorious send off by the
fellows. The Colonel came down to bid
us God speed and we felt quite pulled
up about it. The Scotch friendship
and native wine We're in evidence that
night. Since then we have had moth
ing but experiences and thrills. We
blew ourselves in London, remained
there six days for we knew that we
were having our last fly for many a
day to come. In London we had one
or two air raids which were quite ex-
citing. l had been in two last fall
but it was Dantereive's first exper-
fence and he was justly wrought up.
We finally left London andembarked
from a channel port, lodged the sub
marines successfully and landed in
large seaport town in France. The
American Traffic Officer, who was
from Baltimore, transferred all of
our luggage, bought tickets to Paris
and reserved seats in the railway car
riage. The first big surprise we got
was delicious dinner on the train
better and cheaper than | had ever
eaten on our diners. Along the road
everything was soldiers and supplies.
After reaching Paris we stayed for
four days, and certainly had the time
of our young lives. l was surprised
of the amount of French l could
speak. Went to a show the first nigh.
which was called off on account of an
air raid. Went again the next night,
and this show was also called on &C
count of another raid. The next day
a constant booming began and kept up
with regularity at ten minute inter
walls all day. At first no one knew
what it was, thought of course it
came from a Boche plain, for at each
explosion building was wrecked and
maybe lives lost. Finally about noon
we heard it was from the long range
gun of the Germans. That evening
while standing on the corner one
struck one half block from me and a
house went up in dust. 1t gave me
the most peculiar sensation | have
ever felt, which | can't begin to de-
scribe. 1t felt as if everything in
side of me had crammed itself into my
throat, and took all of my wind, luck
lily no one was killed. This Smelling
kept up all the time we were there,
making us glad to leave and come up
here to a safer place. Our last day
was beautiful one, we took the most
wonderful walk and l saw think the
greatest sights in the world.
Sunday afternoon Danterieve, Gal
bfeath and went through the Lowe,
then the garden of the Tuileries. The
Place de la Concerde, where there is a
most beautiful obelisk erected in mem
DRY of Philip |. There exquisite stat
uary in the garden. The most strik
ing one was lie servent de Sparticus.
From the garden in four directions one
sees the Louvre, Magdeliene Cathed-
raj Chambres de Deputies and the
wonderful Triumphant arch, this Arch
was built by the people of France in
honor of Nepolian |. We also saw
the tomb of Nepolion which is in hol-
low, so that all who visit it bow their
heads. Quite an idea.
When people speak of France lin
the newspapers) as being bled white
and all in, it really makes one smile,
at the conclusion of the war France
will be the richest country in the world
in money, ard a long way from being
done in. There are soldiers every
where. and fine looking set of men
they are. There are supplies and
transports in countless numbers.
These are wonderful people and it is
remarkable what they have done, our
men like them and they in turn are
liked by the French. Both armies
are now fighting side by side and I'm
Gle Sans dough boys are making the
Boche open their eyes. He finds we
have just a few more tricks up our
sleeves than he. Our only trouble
is not having large enough army
over here to do the trick. But | can
not write more about the army for 1t
would never reach the other side of the
sea.
The French are the most polite and
courteous people on earth. If on the
street one tries to ask a question In
very poor French and could not be
understood, in a remarkable quick
time he is surrounded by an enthu-
iastic crowd, all trying to understand
what YOU want and to help. you III
every way. In everything it is the
same. They can't do to much for the
Americans.
will never forget an experience
that had one night. l was alone ano
trying to find my hotel, but was moi
, sure where | was. | carefully thought
out q Trer sh sentence to ask someone
to direct me, and after repeating i
over and over and thinking | had i
down pat, l STEPPED up to an elderl,
ord c+aY+od INV cpaal