The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-11-08

pital, the next one moved up, and I
went on to that one for the one clos.
est up gets the worst cases, and IL is
there that ] am most needed. My as
sistant worked the one had Just left. 4.
There are four field hospitals in our
train. so you see ] am very busy.
went on out far over what had been
the enemy's first line trenches to our
stations there. and went through the
German dugOuts and saw some of
their equipment. and fixtures. Saw
many helmets, etc, but I care nothing
for The trophies of war. 1t Is too
much like the Indian carrying the
German prisoners and saw them pass
through our hospitals. 1t strikes me
strangely to see them come In with
mild blue eyes and calmness Of
manner as IL appealing to you. They
seem to come from another world,
and look not at all like the pictures
of the kaiser would indicate them to
be. There is q childish wonder in
their faces which excites pity and
sympathy. Now. ] am not sympathiz-
ing with their cause. am just honest.
ly telling you what see and how II
impresses me, and repeat that 1t all
seems strange to me.
They tell OF plenty to eat, and show
that they have good uniforms and
equipment. Some complain of being
hungry. but our boys out there are
often hungry, too, as 1t Is difficult
many times to get food up from the
rear. Their bread, however, must not
be very good. as it is dark of color,
and lifeless. saw tanks, caterpillar
tractors. pulling big guns, infantry,
machine guns. artillery, trench NOR.
tars all in action. Saw trenches, mud,
barbed wire and rain. also coolies
Oh, saw 1t all!
While burying poor fellow on the
.parapet of a trench the enemy shells
went whistling through above us, and
gas shells lit close by Our own ar
tillery shelled right over our heads.
The enemy one night threw box
barrage around our boys and they
couldn't get out. They had to stay
right there or go forward in the face
of the machine guns, but our boys are
game and have more spirit than all
the allies cQmbiqed. Theygo too fast
even for their own good as 1t is hard
for our artilleryJto keep up with them
The Germans are not used to the
American way OF fighting.
Well, I~dont know where we shall
go into hattie next. but am ready
again for move A few days rest
is sufficient for we want to get this
thing over soon. ] have plenty of
clothes for the winter, but have made
up my mind to go to the hospital at
some base when it gets too cold to
"scrap" and he operated on for her.
mia. but don't want to miss any of it
so long as the fighting season contin.
;ues good. for it would look yellow"
winter quarters.
am glad mother looks at my being
over here from my family in the right
light, for am only one of millions of
boys away from their homes and
mothers. Were it not for my loved
ones, wife. daughters, parents and
brothers, it would be no terror for me
to die over here on the field of honor
doing my duty 1t is great expert.
ence to be with the army; fine fel.
lowship over here and it will make q
big thing when, the war is over, as did
the old G. A. r..
| had big religious service this
morning and fellow sang who has n
wonderful voice There arc all kinds
of talent In the army. held the
boys attention. too, and have had no
difficulty in this line. Couldn't ask to
be treated better than ! am In the
army, even while ! am so unmilitary;
still, adapt myself to the soldiers
life and so get along fine. Today I
was invited TO eat at a mess of some
officers and did so. We sat there and
talked and ate, and talked for two
hours after 1t was over. They smoked
and drank wine. and invited me TO do
the same. but really didn't want me
to. or course ! am not much of q
talker CD and the two hours went
quickly by. How do do it? Well,
just live right out plainly and blunt
ly what ! am, and don't ask others
to do as l do. tell them ! exact u
certain standard of myself and they
can do as they please. The boys do
not conceal their habits from me, and
am glad of it for then ! would not
get very far with them. II they get
drunk, etc, they tell me so, and tell
them that they are foolish to spoil u
good fellow with bad habits. and they
usually say That's right. chaplain"
1 q. T.