Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-08-23
REV. J. U. EVERS
IN THICK OF FIGHT
Local Man, Now Y. N. C. A.
Worker, Writes From Front.

ing ltitSI HUN HeT UuSUduu, heN.
Mr.. Evers. who took up war Y. NJ.
{. A. work in France and wrote IN
der date of July 20 right from the
hottest part of the fight, presumab-
ly along the Marine. Nj. Eve'rs Is
well known Congregationalist d.
vine. When the Cuban war occur
red he took up Y. NJ. c. A. work in
that island and upon returning to
this country had the distinction of
organizing the first Y. M. c. A. in
the United States army, at Fort
Hamilton N. Y. Rev. Mr.. Evers
landed at Liverpool, England, and
within ten days was working at
the front. In a previous letter he
told Mrs. Evers that it was his ex-
cellent physical condition and pre-
vious experience as war worker
that led to his assignment in the
danger zone.
In addition to some personal re-
marks in his emit letter, the
writer says:
~Have been aatedly in the bat
tie line with shells flying and
small shot whizzing until the brain
fairly whirled, and yet did not
fear except for you. Flying ma
chimes are So numerous that one
disregards them entirely at times.
1--we seen air battles and boche
planes dropped killing the occu-
pants. Cur fellows are very brave
and daring on land and in the ,air.
Just row l am here, 10 or more
kilometers f,ck of lines, arrang-
ing our effeti, so ias to be with
some of our ran who have been re-
lieved for the present by numerous
troops. / have been, think, through
the haze Of perdition. Have seen
dead Germans in every condition
lying where they fell in their fiend-
Is ioles to despoil ard kill. They
frcve gotten more tl,an they expect
ed in this desire and will get more
and more than they calculated up
on. is MY opinion.
..Am so anxious for a good /. j
Have had lots of sleeping to do in
clothes amid the din of battle, but
tired nature relaxes to sleep under
these conditions. Hope to get a
bath in a few days. The water lis so
hard and full of alllali that soap
hardly takes hold upon it at all.
Am drinking boiled water now
THAT have had some experience in
drinking here and there which is
bad practice with SO much dead
iy'ng about in SO many places, where
! have driven car on the lines.
AT times have charge Of the
warehouse, ann treasurer Of cash
received, drive a car, IA cameron,
with supplies; carry wounded, bury
dead, aid with badly wounded, haul
some TO hospitals sell cigarets,
cigars, tobacco, chocolate, give Gig
arets to men going into action.
Cons equently find no time to think
of anything but go ahead and duty
Now there is a lull with us here.
Just now, as / write, big plane
cropped down close to our head
quarters, near earth on an errand
of vigilance, l presume.
'sTell the boys, as have person
ally written, that German equip
ment left behind is SO Numerous
that yam tired of the sight OF it.
except for what it all indicates. May
the just God of battles bring Us
speedy victory that peace may
come and righteousness be estab-
lished in the earth.
'sThe papers are correct in refer
ence to the despicable Germans in
their inhum,an measures to despoil
in a devilish manner that which
fell into their fiendish hands. They
are paying heavy toll now and 1t
will continue, for American blood
is measuring Up to the occasion
and our fellows are admirable IN
action.
II am of course living fast and
furious with just now a cessation
which gives me pause for serious
reflection, though busy 'as can be
from early until late. Aim stealing
time now to talk to you. ! Just
paused to deliver tobacco to the
canteen where there is a great line
up of boys at dusk for tobacco, etc
We handle huge truck loads. han
died and passed out the other day
mksen over four truck loads OF
stuff. about six tons, TO thousands
of men What life. 1t is as
dream when / awake, hoping to
open my eyes beside you to find
gums banging and trucks rumbling