Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-09-19
COLORED CHAPLAIN WRITES
SISTER IN MEXICO OF
HORRORS OF HUN WAR

The following letter is from Lieut..
Chaplain Henry NJ. Collins, colored,
who is in France with the United
States troops, to his sister, the wife
Of the Rev. G. w. Wright, pastor of a
Mexico colored church. His letter de-
picts some of the horrors of war in a
most vivid style:
Chaplain's Office, A. P. o. No. TIP:
A, f. F., France, via New York, Aug,
"a, 1918.
Mrs. G. ". Wright,
Mexico, No.
My dear Sister,
am delighted that you all are well
and happy owe my work and sue
cess. | am still so very very much
pleased and wouldn't exchange for
anything in the world. This is a
place where n can so soon see the
results of his endeavors and realize
the worth Of his efforts. l can see and
many others tell me they can also see
the difference in our company or bat.
TALON since | joined them and also a
great influence upon the camp. So /
feel good.
The battles go good and are in u
favor. Aren't you pleased with the
reports in your daily newspapers?
Many are the prisoners, and so man
such young boys. One would have
sympathy but when you think of their
brutality, you are filled with veng-
eance most. | could tell you MANY
cruel stories. Here is one; at a GER
translation a few days ago, there were
many refugees from a she'll city and
among them a mother with three
daughters, ranging in age from IL to
IL, and two small boys; they were all
poorly clad, with only shawls for their
wraps and the worried, wrinkled faces
told a sad story; they seemed hungry
and tired; n of the kids chung TO his
little dog, his companion, and they
slept upon the floor Of a crowded
station. One girl was a wreck, with
almost a shattered mind; she was half
hysterieal and in hald awake moods
would seem to think she was vet at
the hands Of the cruel huns and would
weep and groan pitiably, saying some
thing like this: $50 away. 90 awav
you shan't, you shan't; would Won
treat a girl this way" etc, and them
she would seem to think some enemies
stood laughing and she would rave
the more. You can imagine the story
OF brutality. This is ONE of the aw-
full crimes. ! have been often touched
by such cases and also most emptied
my pockets for their comforts. | might
be called extravagant, but have really
money changed and gone about
helping many poor old men, women
and dear little children, how many of
them have clasped my knees and kissed
coins saying, "Mercie, MereieD
meaning Thanks" / always feel
good when | can help the poor unfor-
Inmates, for ] think Of my own dear
little baby and loved ones and what
suffering would mean to them. 1 shall
many things to tell you when I
Yes, make a great man out Of our
Clarence; | shall be in a position TO
lelp him at the time he needs me and
VII do all in my part. He has a won
Ierful future before him, and will be
ust right for a most wonderful age. l
My wish he were old enough 70 be I
ere with me. feel this is the great ]
st war the world has known, and that =
am IN the most wonderful excitement !
nd part Of the most wonderful strug- !
les yet heard Of, one that has no par. ;
llel in history. IL is most likely 20 !
,ansiorm the world and likSvise all .
! W IN It; we cannot 20 through these D
'anhformations without ourselves be.
y transformed. The world Is ali
'hool IN the trenches Of France, where 7
reJudlce is giving way and fraternity
taking the throne. Ours is a com. D
cause, a common aim.
write soon and pray for
Your brother, with the Colors,
HENRY NJ. COLLINS,
It. Chaplain. IL