Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-11
Soldier Defends Service

To nc Editor Of he Ercntrg Public Ledger
Sir-After reading your editorial The
guilt OF Judges at coming war Investigations
I cannot refrain from offering YOU word
ot praise for your stand. which Is ~ once
both patriotic and Just.
As a member Of the Thirty-hfth Division.
which has figured quite conspcuously in the
criticisms of the American oNpeditonafF
force by certain politicians, and also haNlns
been IN action on thd Argonne front with the
18TH Infantry Of that division. where ! was
wounded, consider that have considerable
knowledge regarding tho conditions which
have been made the basis OF those criticisms
The charge that We vent into action nm
properly clothed and equipped Is absolutely
false. Any soldier who was 50 improperly
equipped or clothed had only himself TO
blame 6perhaps a very few An impartial
investigation would show that he no doubt
had thrown away any and all articles which
he considered a burden or impediment The
night before left our enCampment for the
point OF attack we had secured all surplus
property in blanket rolls and left them IN
camp under guard. The Thirty-hfth nlNt-
sion went into action with only haversaCks
containing rations sufficient for forty-eight
hours. which we're warned to cat srarins-
ly as perhaps they would have TO do US tor
seNenty-tVo hours. However, there was no
shortage as We appropriated the rations or
the casualties when they we're taken TO the
The charge that we're without
who spent FIVE minutes in that vicinity
knows how utterly impossible It would have
been to have had the kitchens within walk
ing distance Of the doughhoys those first
days II was a herculean task TO advance
the artillery and get up ammunition and cold
rations and medical supplies without rsking
the utter destruction of the rolling kitchens
Insofar any changes made by General
Headquarters IN the officers commanding the
different units am sure it was done with a
sense Of duty Conscientiousy and with the
good of the service at heart. Experienced
and tried regular army officers III some places
replaced others of doubtful unknown
ability. And for one felt more confident
after the changes.
As to the care of the wounded | can say
from my own experience that everything
humanely possible was done for their care
and comfort
I spent some DAYS at the classification
| camp at St Agnan and although conditions
were deplorable. II was largely due TO the
inclement weather, and when / left there
| every effort was being made TO improve the
conditions.
have no motive for writing this letter
| other than sense of justice and as warn
| ing to certain statesmen" that II they really
| are sincere and mean their criticisms to be
| OF constructive nature 10 become more
| acquainted with the true conditions overseas
| They will also find that the overwhe I'm In
| majority of the men who won the war are
| in perfect harmony with President Wilson's
| plan for a league OF nations to avert war.
| And it might not be out of place to remark
| that each of the 2,OOO 900 more men oyersea
| has a vote and the ma jority OF them dc
| some thinking
4 WOUNDED SOLDIER OF THE
THIRTY-FIFTH DIVISION.
| Philadelphia. March s.