The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1919-01-03
WILSON, VISITS
WOUNDED BOYS
Talks With 1900 at the Red
Cross Hospital.
Sees Many Affecting Cases
President Tells Private Wilson That
He ls Proud To Have A NamesaIke
Like HIin1--Pleased At Sur
roundines.

Paris. President Wilson Sunday Wis
tied the Red Cross hospital at Neuiliy
where he shook hands individually and
talked with 1900 badly wounded
Americans, for the most part survivors
of the Chateau-T hierry action. He
spent more than four hours in the hos
pital, visiting every ward and stop
ping at every bedside. Later he Wis
tied the French hospital Val de Grace.
Speaking of his experiences at the
American hospital, the President said:
Il went through the American hos
pital at Neuilly with the greatest in
terest and the greatest satisfaction.
found the men admirably taken care
OF and almost without exception in
excellent spirits.
Only very few Of them looked
really i'll, and think that their moth
ers and their friends would have been
entirely pleased by their surroundings
and by the alert look in their eyes and
the keen interest they took in every
thing about them.
Il am sure that they will go back
to their loved ones at home with a
rev feeling Of joy, alike in their re-
covery and in the fine service they
have been able to render"
Going to the American hospital with
the expectation of remaining an hour.
the President found four hours all too
short, as he felt that he could scs
leave without speaking with every
man, and he expressed regret only at
his inability to clasp the hand OF every
American soldier in France.
The President looked tired and worn
when the ordeal was finished, for NOT
withstanding the cheerfulness of the
men and the care which they were re-
ceiving there were many affecting
cases in the wards.
When he came to one very badly
wounded the President sat on the
edge Of the cot for. a moment and
asked where he was from and how
he had been wounded. He admired
his war crosses and decorations.
Noticing that many Of his WOUNDS
were in the leg, the President asked:
why have we here no men
wounded in the upper part of the
body ~
Men who are wounded above the
waist are not here Mr.. President; they
have gone on" answered the soldier
simply.
More than $500 wounded Americans
from the battles around Chateau
Thierry have passed through Neuilly
Hospital The 1000 remaining are the
most serious cases, whom miracles Of
modern surgery are rebuilding to re.
sumo their places in civil life, though
some will probably never leave the
hospital
The President abstained from at
tendance at church in order to make
the visit. He was accompanied by
Mrs. Wilson and Rear Admiral Gray
son, and was met at the entrance by
the commandant and his staff. But
he made it plain that he wished no
ceremony.
Il just want to go in and visit the
boys and have chat with Them" he
said.
Beginning with the first ward the
President went down one side of the
room and Mrs. Wilson the other, stop.
ping to chat here and there with the
wounded and grasp hand for mo.
ment or say word of cheer and en-,
enlargement. The President himself.
where it was possible, took the hand
of every man, saying:
I'VE hope to have you back soon
with u.s." or Il wish you the best Of
luck and speedy recovery