Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 75, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1918 — LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS

Edwin Robinson Is Greeted By a French Girl. Mr. and Mrs. W. Robjhson have received a letter from France from their soai' Edwin, who was among the late arriving A. E. F., in the war zone: Hq. Co., Entrance Camp, Bordeaux Embark. Camp, Bordeaux, France, November 25, 1918. Dear Folks.—Thought I’d better write a few lines to let yaw know whales going on. Have been traveling around so much that I haven’t had time to get hold of anything to write on. Got a glimpse of the coast of Ireland and Scotland, and spent several days ini England, and have been running around In France since. Arrived in France the same day the armistice was* signed, so guess I didn’t start any too coon. Have enjoyed the trip fine, although we wefe rather up against it traveling as a casual outfit, but have been feeling fine, and don’t want to start home until spring anyway. Haven’t had a chance to see very much of the country /St, but will later on. The weather is fine here—much nicer than the southern states, and we have one of the best camps in France, baseball and football fields, and even have a tennis court. Are getting all we can eat, and have first class barracks with plenty of stoves. We are just organizing the headquarters company for this camp In a few days they should have things pretty well arranged for handling the fellows going back. There is lots of clerical work to be done, so imagine I can find a pretty good job around here some place or other. Just ran into Major Beyer here the day I got here. He was in command of the Training Battalion, 151st Infantry, Camip Shelby, where I worked for a while before they put us into the 13 7th F. A. Also saw Scott Chesnut. He is truckmaster of one of the truck companies here Major Beyer. He is the only fellow from home I’ve seen so far. Got on the track of the 38 th Division,, but lost it again. Was about three weeks behind them in England, but understand they have been broken up, so haven’t any idea where the 137th is. Well, guess it’s about time I was going to bed. Will write when I get a chance, to let you know what’s going on. Suppose it will tickle Luella to know that some French girl ran o'U't In the street and kiissed me as we were marching through Le Havre. Can’t say much for any I’ve seen yet, though. Yours, ED. Wood Spitler Writes From Northern Russia.’ Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Spitler received a letter Saturday from their son, Lieut. W. I. Spitler, who is with the A. E. F. in northern' and .with the exception of a son of C. E. Replogle is perhaps the only Jasper county boy in Russia: American Northern Russia Expeditionary Forces, October 16, 1918. Dear Mother. —The Wesstern Front situation seems to be rapidly clearing up. However, I see no opportunity for an early adjustment of affairs here. There are so many things entering into this expedition besides just fighting, that there is much to be done before we can leave. It is the Mexi-

can situation on a larger scale and more involved. That a settlement is not' imminent is evidenced by the thundering of the artillery up ahead. It is my first experience in hearing the shells burst from this angle. Heretofore I have always been between our guns and theirs, and being used to it feel safer there, where I know what is going on. I do not advise you attempting

to send me any large packages, but small articles sent as mail —not as parcel post—may be sent without any formality. Articles for warmth that you might send me would not reach me before warm weather anyway. As for cootie bands, etc., —well, this is a bad bug ridden country; every normal Russian is alive with them, and I am at least normal and not unhappy. Cockroaches are quite as numerous; are friendly, being fond of eating bedbugs and lice. We never chase cockroaches from our clothes. When we go to bed indoors the bugs begin to prey on us and the roaches on the bugs. Once you, get used to the tickling sensation it is net bad, and the chase sometimes proves quite interesting. ' Our detachment has a train of six small box cars that we live and coolp in when off duty. They are, of course, kept back out of’ shell fire and the men go back there when relieved, and the train moves up then, when we advance. Heretofore I have slept in my bunk about every other night. It is a great convenience to the men who are thus kept in out of- the wet occasionally. Have just received ordes to move up front again and take up posiitions. I do not know what it will involve nor how long we shall be out, but will continue this letter as soon as I get back.

October 18.—Our cars met us half way last night and I came back for a rest. I left early in: the afternoon of the 16th, moved up the line until dark, took up positions that night and moved on at daybreak. The infantry moved forward through the woods and we came along the railroad track consolidating positions as the infantry took them. We moved up all morning and finally drove the enemy from a large clearing where we established ourselves. The foe had destroyed the tracks so badly that it will take a couple of days to fix them so we can move up much further. When we took the clearing there were about ten houses and dugouts. In order to get out the hiding enemy, grenades were thrown into these places. In one dugout the grenade failed to explode, and we found some ten women and twenty children in there, some tnere babies, one not over a week old. They all began crying at the sight of bayonets and pistols, but a Sergenat stuck his pistol in his holster, picked up a baby and kissed it and every thing was alright. We sent them all back out of danger, including their two cows to provide milk for the kids, and fed the grown people. They were a happy lot of people last night and glad to have been captured by Americans.

The Americans are becoming excellent soldiers, and there is much rejudging of men since getting under fire. Men who were “bears” as barrack-room soldiers do not all shine now, and some men who did hot “look good’’ before have proven themselves to be wonders under fire. Our detachment has come through with a good record. We are very comfortably situated; more so than any other American troops. Few of the infantry officers know about the use of our guns and they like to hear the “soutid of them, and to have the enemy hear them for psychological effect, although our fire invariably draws artillery fire. Our main purpose is surprise fire at a massed target, and every time we fire we show our exact location, and so must ndt fire until we have our target. Our enemies fire their guns at airplanes clear out of range, and at the slightest excuse. Consequently we always know where they are

and put them out of action and capture* many of them. One of out guns repulsed an attack by four hundred of them by firing 150 rounds when they were close to us, having held fire until the right (moment. I gaive one little fat-faced girl, about Woodhull's age, a piece of milk chocolate just after she had been taken from the dug-out yesterday, and she shook hands with me with all the dignity in the world. * I am anxious to hear about my grandmother. 'Have also heard tie news of father except that he is busy with war work and meetings. I feel certain now that I will come back, and the feeling gives me courage. I have been tested under fire enough now to know that I can take my place as a man l among imen, an assurance that can be got only under fire.

November 1, 1918.—-There is little news to bo written; we are standing still so far as the campaign is concerned. Practically no shots having been exchanged for a week. The French relieve us at the front line now, and, as there has been nothing doing, I have not even been there when my own men were. It looks now as though we'might stand fast for the winter, which I hope is the case. It seems to me highly probable that the difficulties on the Western Front will be settled soon, and the change in the political situation thus brought about might clear up our troubles for us here before Spring. There is small opportunity of our getting out of here this winter, and, I suppose, the greater part of that time we will not be in communication by mail. It will be a tough time, but will come out alright in the end, I’m sure, and will be a wonderful experience to look back upon. The Y. M. C. A. have a "can” here now and the boys certainly do enjoy it. The Red Cross has got started here also and are supplying many much-needed articles for the comfort of the men, principally toilet articles, like toothbrushes and paste, clean towels, handkerchiefs and socks. They also give out knives, safety razors and blades, pencils and a world of such things until it seems like Christmas whenever "we get a shipment from them.

Among thd men working for these institutions are some mighty interesting people who have been in Russia for some time and who know' something of conditions and the people. There may be somewhat of a discussion, going on in the States as to why we are opposing the Bolsheviki' There is one here also. I have discussed the matter at length with my men (it may be unmilitary, but it pays, for my men are the -best satisfied and happiest lot in the force) and have tried to answer all their questions. The Y. M. C. a. came at me today to address the whole force—a fair poser for me. All the soldiers are agreed that Russia must be put upon her feet to withstand Germany’s efforts to control her and make her pay for the war. thus putting Prussia right back where she was, and no one w’ants to leave the job half finished. But they would like to know what the nolicy is to be after peace on. the Western Front. I imagine no one can answer that question for a certaintv. However, it is certain that very definite steps are being taken to control Russia for her own good, and that this is n-ot*an expedition of conquest, if it were, we would have been in Vologda before this time. This part of Russia is most all “Crown Land,” .that is, land belonging to the government, .to which title by an individual cannot be had. It is rich in timber and has other natural resources. Certain classes of- people, principally soldiers of the old imperial government, can live upon it or get a 9 9-year lease upon it. Consequently they are more educated than the peasant class, who were little more than serfs, and are not rabidly in favor of the Bolsheviki. An educated Russian is educated indeed, but an uneducated one knows nothing but .what he hears and is an easy target for propaganda. and the latter is certainly spread throughout the land. Every time we take a new place tve find it full of pamphlets in French and English putting forth the most simple-minded arguments, calculated to influence a Western mind as it does the Russian peasant. They seem- to believe that all laboring people are as downtrodden and unthinking as their own. They included the whole world in their dream of government; yet cannot see a difference in conditions over the world. They really believed that all the earth’s workers would join them in their revolution for universal peace and a Soviet government world, and feel aggrieved that such was not the case. Tam -told that their leaders admit that they cannot long exist but that they would die hard and attract as much attention as possible while they lasted. T hope they die a natural death this winter, for die they must as a party, and the sooner the better for all the world. Doubtless some of their doctrines will live, but they are not the people to govern Russia, let alone the whole world.

I suppose you think I’ve been killing two birds with one stone, writing you a letter and at the same time composing a Y. M. C. A. address. Next to the death of the Bolsheviki movement, I most desire the death of the proposed speech. This experience will undoubtedly be a g.reat one for me. Fifteen iponths ago my life was circumscribed by the limits of my home and office —most pleasant and happy to be sure, but rather narrowing. Since— that time I’ve done more studying and thinking about mankind in general than I would have done in a lifetime under the old

plane. The thoughts are probably worthless in their ability to help solve world problems, but it ought at least to broaden me a bit. WOOD.