The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-04-25
SEEING THINGS
NEAR THE FRONT
CAPITAL LETTERS FROM CAP
TAIN ROSCOE WOODRUFF.
NEAR VIEW OF OFFICIAL LIFE
oskaloosa Boy On Detached Service
Has Numerous Experiences
Along the Trenches of the
English Linesss

Mrs. Rhoda Woodruff, widow of the
late Captain C. Wooodruff, and for
mer Oskaloosa resident, writes in
terestingIy of her son, Roscoe, West
Point graduate, and an Oskaloosa lad.
Her approval of the Sammies' Moth
ers' Club will find echo in many
hearts.
Letters from Captain Woodruff are
particularly interesting and they give
a glimpse of the great conflict from
a new tangent.
Mrs. Woodruff's Note.
Dear Herald am frequently ask.
ed questions regarding Roscoe, many
Of which / cannot answer, and while
| try to answer all letters which
receive, ! thought it possible you
might allow me to answer some of
the questions which are usually asked
in the Herald. Questions which
seem to occur most frequently are
What does he write? How often do
hear? How long to receive an an
swer? and What do l write him?
suppose he writes as any son would
who has lived close to his mother in
thought and affection TO me his
letters are interesting. | am send
ing extracts from some recently re-
ceived. He has been on detached
duty for several weeks, working on
General Staff in Intelligence Depart.
r1nnn n of
an appointment is considered quite
an honor for a Captain, and a young
man. Early in February he was in
Paris during an air raid. Then in
February he was sent to British Elk.
pedtionary Forces in Flanders where
some Of the most severe fighting of
the war occurred. 1t is from the
British front the enclosed letters
were written. | have been fortunate
in receiving mail from him. | gen
orally get letter each week, some.
times two. Letters are usually re
ceived eighteen to twenty-four days
after. date. Mail from the States is
much longer in reaching the boys. On
Dec. 31st Roscoe received an invita-
tion from ST. James Vestry for sup
!. Der and smoker Oct 18th. Then
late in January he received a letter
from Earl Woodruff mailed in Chicago
Nov 18th. ! never wait to receive
answers to letters. / just write ev.
cry week, and the letters reach him
some time. In regard to what
write-why, | don't think can ex
plain. l suppose what any mother
would write her son in whom she is
deeply interested (and all we moth.
ers are). / do not write news he is
apt to see in newspapers. The Y. M
c. A. usually have Faris editions OF
New York Word and Chicago papers
in which general news is given. Write
to your boys the intimate home life
and news of the dear old town. AL
ways remember the medical and hos
pital corps will care for the physical
welfare Of your boys and the Y. M
c. A. and chaplains will see to their
spiritual welfare, but it is the duty
and privilege of the mothers to give
cheer and enthusiasm, in fact to keep
up the morale of The army. Several
have expressed regret that my boy
was in the Army. 4 should like to
say | am very proud of him as sol
der. have aone no more than
thousands of other mothers in giving
their boys. / recall several widows
in Oskaloosa who have given their
only child to the Army Mesdames
Asher, Bridges and Lukens come to
my mind. | am sure they are as
proud of their boys in khaki as |.
! have been particularly impressed
with activity of Sammies' Mothers
Club and | heartily endorse it, and
wish it God-speed. 1t is only what
could be expected of our mothers OF
Proud Mahaska
Sincerely Yours,
RHODA |. WOODRUFF.
Parkersburg, W. Va.
April Sth, 1918.