Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 March 1918 — LOCAL YOUTHS MEET OVERTHERE [ARTICLE]

LOCAL YOUTHS MEET OVERTHERE

VERN DAVISSON MEETS SOME OF LOCAL BOYS WHO ARE IN RAINBOW DIVISION. The following letter has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Davisson from their son, Verne, who is in France, and tells of his meeting with some of the Jasper county boys in France, who are members of the Rainbow Division: ■ . February 23, 1918. Front. Dear Father and Mother: Received a letter from you today. Would have written you sooner, but we were ordered to get our cars ready for an (censored). We have been repairing our cars and receiving instructions as to, positions and manner to take in order to do the work rapidy and get the wounded taken care of in good shape, how to avoid the numerous places the Dutch were shelling, roads near batteries, etc. It was 'pulled three days ago, the big guns started in hammering about six hours before the infantry went over the top. The batteries had paved the way for them by shooting the “Boche” trenches, barbwire entanglements and abris all to pieces. Then the (censored) of all sizes put .up a terrible barrage, or curtain fire ahead of the infantry. The infantry followed just behind the barrage and the Dutch saw them coming and as many as could, fled back up the hill like ants. Those that were hemmed in by the barrage had to fight. They suffered big losses and the French brought back a good % number of prisoners. * * * ♦ ♦ Censored. Then after the attack was over we worked quietly a while longer, and got the wounded taken care of in good shape. I hauled some wounded “Boche” in my car. One of them sat in the seat beside me. I looked him over for souvenirs, but he had none—not even a hat. I was so busy hauling the wounded, load after load, that I had no time to look for souvenirs. Duvall got a number of them, overcoats, automatic pistols, etc. ♦ ♦ * Censored. The cannon fire was so heatfy and fierce we had to stuff our ears full of cotton to save our ear drums, as the big guns were all planted just at the edge of the road not twenty feet away. Some were on the wrong side of the road and we were obliged to drive right past the business end of them. Then they would shoot while we were opposite them. The shells would almost shake us off the road, the concussion was so great. The whole sector pulled through without a scratch. I’m not saying we were not excited a bit at times, but that is what we like as long as “Fritzy” shells don’t muss us up. The attack was a success and all went well. A good number of the prisoners were kept over night and the next night here close to our camp. We went down the next day and looked the “devils” over. We asked them how they liked the celebration, and they said they were glad to be prisoners and out of the war. They looked pitiful—dirty, ragged clothes and half starved. The majority of them had no hats, and their shoes were worn out. A person couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for the blood-thirsty rascals. They were anxious for the war to end. The French gave them hot coffee and a whole loaf of bread apiece and this sure made them look happy. Some of them were sure New York city had been captured by the Germans, and that their forces were marching into the interior of the United States. That is the stuff the Kaiser feeds his army on to keep their courage up. If the common soldiers knew what they were up against now they would stop fighting. Today the prisoners were taken to some other place farther behind the lines. A funny incident happened yesterday, which will'show you how closely they watch the captured “Fritzies.” We got a call to come to the place where the captives were to be takin to. Five of them were seriously wounded and we were ordered to take them to the hospital. They were still able to walk. I went with another driver to help get them, Four of them were put in our car, after which the back of the automobile was wired shut so they could not get out while on the trip. One sat on the seat accompanied by a military police. I guess that is using precaution, what? t Last night a division of the U. S. (censored) camped here in the same village our camp is in, and, as luck would have it, they were all from Indiana. Three of them were from Rensselaer, or from close by. I talked with Howard Ames, William Reed and Wesley Hurley. The Ames boy told me his brother was in “The Fatherland,” and that he likes his work fine. Reed and Hurley looked fine and were feeling good. They have not been on the front, but think they will be soon. They are with (censored). It seems great to talk to some one from home. I think there are some more of the Rensselaer boys close by, and I think I know where Willie Potts is and will try and visit him soon. We have not had it so cold here as you -have had there. Lately . the weather has been good, but it is rainy and muddy. I received the three pain of .locks,