The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-09-16
Company D Boy,
After Participating
In Engagement,
Writes capt. Steitz
OF The Battle

vi The Battle
Capt. Mr.. Steitz sends us the fol-
towing letter for the interest it will
have for our many readers:
Somewhere in France,
August 10, 1918.
Capt VIM. Steitz,
Co. 3D." 214th Inf,
Camp Wheeler, Ga.
My Dear Captain:-A I suppose you
have been wondering how the men in
your old company have been getting
along since they have been overseas.
And furthermore l guess you have
already heard from some of them.
But as | had nothing else to do |
would write you few lines. We all
arrived safely and were together un-
til we reached classification camp
in Southern France and there we
were busted up and put into different
branches of the service and sent to
different camps for few days train
ing before being sent to the front.
Prime, Cardwell, W. E. Ferrand,
Brewer, Shearer, H. Allen, Mobiles, W.
o. Bryant and myself were sent to
one of these instruction camps and
there we were trained in the latest
warfare for about week and then
we were sent to the front for the big
offensive in which the allies so sue
cessfully made last month, and we
arrived there just in time to get into
the thick of it. And the division that
VISA attached to went over the top,
And advanced land won three miles
of ground. But we were checked by
high explosives and all kinds of gas
shells. And Shearer fell from schrap-
mel wounds and I got a good Whit OF
phosgene gas, and we were both sent
to the hospital. AS for the other
men of Co. d. | don't know as
| haven't seen any of them since the
battle. But guess they got through
all 0. X. as ] learned later after
arrived at an evacuation field hospi-
tai that the division reached its OBJ
jective and took three towns. sure
don't like gas very much. But
I'll soon be able to 60 again for an
other shot or two at the Huns.
| wish to thank you and the rest OF
the officers of Co. ID" for the fine rat
ing and recommendations that | re-
ceived while being a soldier In the
Dixie Division for was put ipto one
; of the best N. G. Divisions, there
were in France. The division that
: | am. with has won record in
France, besides II already was rated
as the best National Guard division
even in the U. s. A. 1t came tt
France early last year. My officers
are very nice men, mostly southern
ers. Give the enlisted men of Co
, I'D" my kindest regards and tell then
that | would like to hear from an.
. of them. And please warn the mel
| Of your company and tell them not t,
r miss drills and don't forget to tel
e them to be sure and learn every
thing they can about the rifle ant
t bayonet work and gas drills, as tn,
y Huns are about as we'll trained a.
. most any soldiers and 1t takes
0 quick man to get him first
The French are great fighters ant
they have taken great interest ant
pride in the Sammy lads. The citi
zens are very kind and courteous
also. But the young women mostl
4 are not very safe. And good soldie
n has to be very careful, indeed.
}. Tell Sergeant Lightburn that
!. would like to have him here as m
+ platoon leader as I'm sure W
v could go over the top in great spirit
. | have not met Corp. Grower yet
f Bat have met several boys of tn
a 151st NJ. G. from Macon, Ga.
H. B; Hill, Pipkin, Martin, Cook ar
in the Engineers.
Well as / guess you are tired try
ing to read this poorly written lette
| must close. Would like to hea
from you and the company.
With best regards to you and al
the officers and non-commissiorea of
ficers and men OF Co. d, beg to re
main as ever,
Yours very respectfully,
From one Of your old soldiers,
--s PVT. CHARLES L. RUSSELL,
] RI an" 169fh Inf r. France