Norwich bulletin., 1918-08-23
ROBERT s. CHAPMAN IN
 CAPTURE OF VALJx

A letter received from Robert $. Chapman dated July 11th reals: I am still alive and in the best of health. have received three letters since writ ing you last, but having been at the ftAut l was unable to answer before. I received the package while in the front line trenches and believe me, sure did enjoy the cookies and can dy.
 The Germans give us some lively times. being after us all the time with their big guns. I have had q number of close calls. While standing on the top looking around. a shell -whistled past my head turning me completely around losing my balance I fell on my back just in time to hear it explode a few feet aVay. If I had not fell on my back as l did they would have had to hunt for the pieces. Another one exploded on the edge of the trench almost burying me alive. It is needless to say l made some quick moves. Having been in the game several months now am beginning to be an expert shell dodger. judging by the ing some nice weather but today it is raining. Don't worry about me, if I'm lucky I'll get through alright
 l shall write to grandma tomorrow, as we are back having a rest after be- ing on the front so long.
 Best regards to all.
 ROBERT S CHAPMAN.
 few days ago Mrs. John Rush, Sr., of West Main street. received spe- cial delivery from MT. Chapman's sis ter in Carona. L. l.. saving Robert had heen reported missing since the big drive on the Marne.
 Tho day7 1oft dated July Fist. saying. Just few lines to let you know that I am alive" am in q French hospital having received a wound in the knee My bunkie was also wounded and is here with me. Don't worry. as I am getting along fine and expect to be back be- fore long. I did not get a chance to write grandma before We started the big fight. No doubt you read in the papers what we did to the square heads. It was the second time that day i I went over the top and it was then 1 got mine. ! have two machine guns 1 to my credit that is. I captured alone. 1 Believe me it is q grand feeling when l you advance against a machine gun i and see the Germans making for the l rear, but they never get tnere We i were walking through a barraee when l got hit 1 had close cali a short time before being wounded. A piece 1 of shell struck my belt exploding what i bullets I had in it and only left a black and blue mark. If I get back
 home I shall be able to tell rou more 1 than I am able to write.
 l Best regards to all.
 BOB. Some interesting facts hecauVs a
 Norwich boy. Robert S. Chapman is
 connected with them in the war zone l have lately come to hand Vaux on 1 the Marne Zas cautured by the fight 1 ing Ninth, to which regiment be be- 1 longs. For twenty-four hours the ar | tillery pounded the village with i thousands Of shells and at six o'clock in the morning the infantry preceded . by an excellent riding barrage went 1 over the top most of them smoking cigarettes. Very soon prisoners were being rounded up, one being recogniz- 1 cd bv a lieutenant who had seen him
 in Cincinnati. At one place 8 nest of seven machine guns was making it lively for the boys, but in about five 1 minutes the guns were captured and ! the advance resumed reaching it's ob- jective and getting in touch with the F'renC... the boys commenced to dig in
 the engineer1. coming forward hauled the cowed and humble Germans from theT noleS. The entry or the troops
 was so surprising in it's speed thai few of the Germans in the ,iugouts
 were aware that the intense barragt
 had come and passed by them. By
 seven thirty the engineers and sig.
 nal corps had established telephone
 communications with the rear and hat
 collected two hundred and fifty pris
 oners, including six officers During
 the afternoon the Germans after ar
 tillery preparations launched wave of men in a counter attack, but were
 badly cup up by the infading fire O
 machine guns. Before night the pris
 oners had increased to three hun.
 dred and Seyenty-fve with mucl
 booty. Faux is quiet now because tn,
 American artillery tore it to pieces
 scattering it on the poisoned winds The battle of Vaux was the first al American victory.