Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 December 1918 — LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS

Lieut. Spitler Writes From Northern Russia. Lieut. Wood Spitler, with the A. E. F., writes his mother from Archangel, Russia, under date of (November 18 as follows: American North Russian Expeditionary Forces, Archangel, November 18, 1918. My Dear Mother —Transportation does not close here as early as we were first informed. The first word given us was that it was closed from October to June; | but here it is the middle of Nobember and the boats are still coming and going (one leaves for the States day after tomorrow), and the mall is coming fairly regularly, but slow. So please do not get the idea that it la futile to write, for they hope to keep transportation open until January (by the use of ice breakers) and by which time It may be possible to get it through from _ the south. You need not worry about warm clothing for me, for I can draw tin fact, have already done so) all I can possibly use. Then I had an inspiration last June and ■ bought some of the heaviest underwear I’ve ever seen, two suits, I and I have four putts of fairly ■heavy; also, if I need more, can ■ buy it from quartermaster. I have

about two dozen pairs of heavy wool socks. So with the fur caps, fur-lined overcoat, . leather vests and sweaters I have, I should not suffer. Also Shackleton boots. Speaking of the weather, this is the most beautiful moonlight night j you ever saw (you never saw it) 1 and it is just barely freezing outIside. “They say” that last year at this time there was ten feet of ' snow here, but I have my doubts —that is a lot of snow. Personally. I entertain hopes that the situation here may be cleared up so that we will nor have to put in the whole winter here. The conditions are very complicated, however, and the benighted people require that we force out- good Intentions down their throats with the point of the bayonet They seem to think we are all socialists; that we are victims of capitalism Who really want Bolshevlklsm to live, and that if they could but talk to us for a minute we would see the light. They are very childish in their enthusiasm (those who are enthusiastic) and can’t see why any one would oppose them in spite of their barbaric methods of collecting taxes and dispensing justice If the movement does not die out in this section soon, one more good blow will finish it. I hope for the former, for it is not fun to shoot them down, and then I entertain hopes and am planning on getting into business again. I have beefi on duty with the French lately (in fact," we are under French command), and have enjoyed it Immensely, if for no other reason than that they have wonderful cooks at the officers messes and are very hospitable. They are also wonderful soldiers, withstanding all hardships with a song and a smile. Time goes merrily by with them, but every military precaution imaginable is first taken care of. They are hardened by their four years of war. Their eyes glitter and their expresslbns are tense when they speak of the French soldier invading —Germany.

If one argues humanity tHSHRH they laugh; but not thMBIMi laugh as when one jokedHMHB them. The front is in their hands, for they fightjßs4 they do everything else, to get most out of it. The soldier hBE| self Is the most self-reliant pew son in the world. He will entenl a new position, in five minutes safe from bullets, in half an how protected from thd weather, la two hours under cover from artillery fire and shortly thereafter perfectly comfortable, working incessantly and happily, and careying such large logs that he reminds one of an ant dragging a caterpiller, and next day has himself surrounded with barbed wire and his hand-grenades handy. It is not advisable to try to surrender to him, for he doesn’t take prisoners. The American soldier is his great friend, and they fight, work and play together with the best feeling In the world, and the American learns from him rapidly, and patterns himself thereafter in all good as well as some bad features. I think the American hi the better disciplined at that, at leartt my detachment has shown; itself to be. My men have been splendid all through, and can take care of themselves and are so reliable now that all they need me

for is to sign indents for their supplies. They think and plan far themselves, especially 1n the way of defenses, - and T seldom have to "bawl a man out,” in fact, I never do, a suggestion Is the most they ever ’need. Not one of them han refused or even hesitated at going into danger. I am tremendously nroud of them, and the name they have made for themselves. At present I am the only officer with the detachment. We work reliefs with the French machine guns, and, as they have more officers, T have to be on the actual front line only one-third of the time, then I am in charge of both French and American guns up there. It is a very pleasant arrangement, in fact, too easy a time to last. LT. W. I. SPITLER, 339th Infantry, American North Russian Expeditionary Force#.