The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1919-06-11

HEADQUARTERS and MS own company
officers In his accustomed happy
manner, Melvin called to Mckay
"We're having a hot time, aren't we"
This was .he last Stewart saw Mel
! win.
At the time of this attack, the regi-
ment was located along the Vesle riv-
er, west of the railroad embankment
which you can see on the enclosed
map runs parallel to the river, .his
particular regiment holding It's posi-
ton according to reports, about one
mile east OF Fismes, around which /
have drawn a circle.
Rheinhard Langholz formerly of
old Company L, whose home address
is Minot, S. D., and who was private
in Company B, 18th, said that he him.
self was wounded on August 6, hat
Melvin gave him sufficient first aid, so
that he-Langholz could get back to
the dressing station. The latter did
not return to the company until Oct
ober z.
The most important information I
could learn was from Private John w.
Bernhart, same company, whose home
address in Cen.ralia, Illinois. He had
come over in June on the same boat
with Melvin and knew him fairly well.
This is his report: In the afternoon
Melvin had returned from somewhere
TO the front line with message and
had a Slight flesh wound in the leg.
TO the rear some little distance was
the dressing station. About 80 yards
however to the rear was open and ex-
posed to heavy machine gun fire, but
it was absolutely necessary to 60 over
that ground before any cover could
be reached. Melvin, able to handle him
self, waited for little lull in the fir
ing and then attempted dash over
the open ground. In proper manner
he run short distance, dropped down.
Be lay there for about minute under
heavy fire. Then he attempted anoth-
er dash. This time he had taken only
about ten steps when he fell, this time
Enthusiastically crumpled up with a ma
chine gun bullet. He fell on his face,
and for half hour that Barnhart was
able to observe him before he moved
ahead, Melvin lay in the same position
without stir.
investigated the records OF the bat
talon surgeon and found no informa-
tion there that Melvin had received
first aid. Also | looked up the regi-
mental surgeons records and found
no information. | then wrote a letter
to the Division Surgeon for informa-
tion-n1y letter and the reply being
enclosed.
Two other men who might have
some information | did not see as both
of them are back in the states. One
is Captain W. E. Hayes, 1881 Oxford
Street, Berkely, California-at that
time, last August, first Lieutenant
and in command of Melvin's company.
/ enclose a letter which received in
reply to my inquiry, which gives tie
address of one Reinhart in ST. Paul,
who | learned knew Melvin perhaps
better than any one else in the com
pany I would suggest that if you
write these parties you send along a
snap photo of Melvin if you have one
that will help to recall him to their
minds.
In regard to the letter from the hos
pital, / might explain that wounded
men are first evacuated through a
JdUCd1lO1l dIlQ 1GS 1IiAC1A1d1 III CSSllS SCG1~
ton to the division Field hospital or
through the triage which is the name
If a clearing station for men in differ
snt wounded conditions. A man
wounded on the field is carefully tag
ged when he is started through the
PRESSING station, and information on |
,hese tags is kept in permanent re-
cords. After patient IS treated at a /
field hospital and his case calls for
he transfer he is sent on to a base
hospital.
have written the Graves Regis
ration Bureau of the American Expe-
iitionary Forces but have not heard /
rom it. | shall write them again to-
lay. | also wat information from
he office of the Chief Surgeon Of the
American Army over here From the
sraves Registration Bureau. I hope to
ret the information, If Melvin has
,een killed. just where he was buried.
I have heard that report has come
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