East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1918-11-07

serve there for a few days. we were
finally relieved and started on long
hike back, TO where we didn't know,
but expected to be out for some time.
out, the first in any numbers we had
seen, and we were glad of it, as it was
hot afternoon, and our bottles were
empty. We entrained from there,
and went back close to where we had
come from, where we were relieved
from the line in June. We thought
hYe were in for jake time, had
tgood billets, etc, but that night we
| got orders TO be ready next morning
4 at eight in battle order. Now that
didn't sound a bit good, but there
was nothing for it. The next night
the gath. we were miles from there
and holding the front line. We got
Iorders we were going over the top the
morning of the 26th, but our colonel
talked to headquarters. and the or
der was changed, so another battalion
took our place, and we were reserve
battalion for that brigade.
We thought Amiens was some scrap
but this was the real thing, and up to
the time 1 left they had some awful
places to go through.
This was Arras, or just southeast
of it. The morning of the 2Sth
found us at all our objectives, ex-
pecting to be relieved that day. had
just received a parcel of eats from
mother and sister, a birthday dump
ling. cake, etc, when-bang,-ob-
livion.
had finally got mine. When I
came to, / was stuck as solid in the
bottom of the trench as if / had been
part of it. In due time the boys got
around and found out my plight, and
soon had me dug out.
/ suffered nothing worse than a
fractured leg, my left arm broke, and
my right wrist fractured, also a slight
wound in my eyebrow, ildn't think
my leg was so bad. end tried to walk
out, but it was the stretcher for me,
and 1 had the pleasure of being car
ried out by four F'ritzies.
l arrived at the base hospital. was
X-rayed, put up in spliats, and tag
ged for dear old Bhghty arrived at
Chatham Sept. lst and after couple
of days there came here, and haven't
been out of bed since.
got the splint off my wrist last
week and can now wiggle my fingers
pretty good tho the wrist is still stiff,
but the sister comes down every day
and messages il. Pretty nice, Glaim.
having a nice looking kid come and
hold your hand for half an hour. I
guess I'll be able to get up the end of
this week, as the doc. had a look at
the leg fracture few days ago, and
said it was getting along beautiful, |
so guess I'll be ready for the trenches !
again by the New Year, unless its over
bv that time. But I'm looking for |
ward to my twelve days leave. Be- |
Iieve me. I'm going to have some |
time. Well, 1 guess I've tired you out |
with this line of stuff, but it's really |
the only news one can write. I'm glad |
to hear aunty got my letter alright.
The last lot of papers came along
with my parcels the morning 1 got 1
hit, but 1 didn't have the pleasure of
reading them. as they were buried |
with me. guess old Happy was be-
ginning to think / had gone west,
but will drop him a few lines, if
ever get through with this one. and
there is any paper left.
(some time iater) oct. 9Th.
Afternoon mail arrived and with it
your antics letter returned from
France. so you can let her know, hut
will write her myself soon. I'm glad
to hear Tom (Tom Murphy is still
alright. also Frank. Franks division
was on their way in to relieve ours,
as I was coming out.
There is very heavy fighting going
on at present. and l sometimes wish
I was in it, but guess l ough to be
thankful l got off so easy,
How is everything in Pendleton
anyway? Guess il is pretty wen
cleaned out of young blood by now.
have almost forgot to tell you
received yours of August, Ono date).
II was also sent over from France.
Yep, it was Carrie all right l had
a letter from her wrote while she was
there, on her way TO Portland l |
rote TO Jock and Jimmy both. but so
far, have had no answer. Funny how
naopie meat isn't IT A c0rporal in