Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1925-11-11

Perhaps want to forgetbut it is too earywe have
not learned anything there has been change of heart
the dream of brotherhood of man. that thought
just within grasp during the dragging days of
1918, still seems to be long way ahead of u.s.
We need to be reminded, least once year. of what
world can do when it deliberately takes plunge into
a debauch of idiotc Madness, and in time, perhaps
little improvement will show.
Here a few lines from the journal of Wisconsin
boy Ira L. Peterson who in the thick of the fighting
in France during 1885,
Sunday July 28,-There are SO many troops in Cha
teau Thierry that had to march little place out
side the city and sleep under trees About o'clock the
battalion gets on the move and march through the
war wrecked country north
Monday, July 29.-Have marched nearly all night
II miles. Every is dead tired and few have
fallen out along the way We put in opening by
forest and try to Sleep Cannons boom and aeropanes
are so busy that one can't Sleep
Thursday, Aug. About o'clock we get hurry or
ders to move; do not suspect the reason; when
reach high ground fealize the Americans are going
to it in great style. Such sight in my life
In the distance great clouds of dust smoke where
shells are lighting. Along the road and fields dead
bodies Of men and horses Ambulance after ambulance
passes to the rear filled with wounded. Groups of prs-
oners brought along by NJ P's. l saw Harry Davis
bringing back two Soon the facts on u.s. the 27th
is fighting and awful fight they are putting up met
two fellows from G Company Madison they tell me
of what is going C Company has only about 60 able
bodied left. We march to the edge the vii
age notice stretcher going by and Glen Sweno raises
his head and smiles at Matters look serious now
when see of my neghbors going by wounded. We
halt at edge of village and wait for dark 1t is very
strange evening; every quiet and rejecting on his
future. The is setting and from remarks heard
around wondering how long he has to live
The 127th wiped out the 128th to continue the BATTLE
one doesn't very funny 1t grows dark we
march up to woods the 127h took extend in line of
sklrmishers.
Friday, August 2.-Just as some of us are thinking
about sleeping toward o'clock in the morning
ordered to march to clearing and assemble Orders
areAfter barrage lasting for ten minutes starting
4 o'clock are to go the top and advance 800
yards. The words over the top have rather sinister
tone, when IN this case it means advancing Every one
is very quiet and one seems excited. We advance
about 300 yards and remain for the forenoon at o'clock
it is up and at EN- again; advance about Kilometres
have gained objective, and it is evident the Ger
are retreated as far Fismes Their shells
from that direction. l saw explode that instantly
killed Corporal Graham and wounded several men, but
it impossible to tell who hit the American
never much murmurs. | am beginning to wonder
whether am really wanted on this earth and my
lutions then and there bode good for no Hun.
Saturday, Aug. 3.-We advance about klometers.
The air is still and heavy except for the terrible
explosions. l feel like machine now advancing with
thoughts of the future have ceased to think of dan
ger. silent prayer, and then advance with the
second Great shells seem to burst everywhere.
We pass some badly wounded fellows, who get on my
nerves worse than dead ones do.
Sunday, Aug. Al can't eat. told to look at my
knees and enough mustard had formed blister
and realized internal trouble is caused from inhal
ing gas too bunch of US are taken in an ambulance
and wheeled back to Chateau Thierry.
Monday Oct. I've are in the Argonne woods Two
shells make direct hits the platoon and kill six
and wound twelve The Argonne woods seems to be
murderous place. dead Americans lying here and
there and the number Of wounded is the yet any
American sector High explosive hits in the arm and
small piece hits me the point of the jaw | am
pulled down IN hole and awful bombardment fol
lows large shell hits the path below and blows
IA men into the air though they leaves
of the Medical Corps gives first aid and tags me-
Tuesday, Oct. Sat last morning comes We are
loaded in truck and as go south hope we are
saying goodbye for good to the hills of Verdun. At the
hospital in Fleury my and jaw X-rayed. The
scene in the operating to remember always
Wounded men under ether and groan and hoer.
doctor drops an instrument my and
leaving the world.
Wednesday, Oct. 9-After listening to a man curse
the Kaiser to finish while he is coming out of ether
fall asleep,-irst good sleep in several nights
Oct. IL to Nov 16.-For about two weeks the rubber
tube is kept in the wound in and every two hours
they inject disnfectant into it.
April 4, 1919-Dscharged at Camp Grant
This is sketchy of the journal that was
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