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Love, War, and Medic ine

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Following Page i. 2. Leon Unger Just commissioned ist Lieutenant . . Nina Kle inman ................. Passchendaele, between Ypres and the forest of Houthulst, Belgium, showing destruction. From French magazine "L Illustration" ....... War Scenes along the River Somme. From British magazine "The Sphere" ............. 56. War Scenes Albert (Somme) 191~-1917 ...... Amiens, France ................ Lieutenant Leon Unger at Battle of Cambral, France, November 20, 1917 ........... 8. 9Xmas Card from Nina .............. Mementoes of Ulster Division, 1917 ...... Mementoes of Ulster Division, including Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers ............ Paris, famous scenes, January, 1918 ...... Paris, famous scenes, January, 1918 ~ .... Marshal Joffre ................ Peronne, France .........~ 2 ~ ~ " " " The big Church in the city of A (Somme region of France) ...............

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223 232 279


279

16.

As wounded British ~icer or Tommy pictures his stay in Engla~fter he returns with his mild wound (a "Bl~ty") ........... Article from The Sentinel, June 14, 1918 Western Union Cablegram "Not Captured" .... Reunion in Tours, France, June 30, 1918 .... Views of Baccarat, France ........... .

371

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vii

Love, War, and Medicine

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (Continued)


Following Page

21. A German soldler throush French eyes . .


22. Cote d Azur ................ Eze, on the high road between Nice and Monte Carlo, and Menton, the. last city in France, on the frontier toItaly ......

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The Monte Carlo Casino ...........

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27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 3~35. 36. 37.

Poem "The Medicine Man--American" ..... Captain .Leon Unger, on duty with Evacuation Hospital #2, Baccarat, France ....... Evacuation Hospital #2, on Stein Strasse in Coblenz .................. Fortress of Ehrenbreitstein across the Rhine River from Coblenz, Germany ........ Two views of Coblenz ............ Statue of Kaiser Wilhelm der Erste (#I) Kaiser Wilhelm Ring in Coblenz ....... Happy New Year Card (In German) ...... The Stadtlsche Festhalle in Coblenz .... The Rhine River from Coblenz ........ The famous Dome (Cathedral) Colosne, Germany University of Bonn, Germany ........ City of Gu~rande, Brittany (France). Bridal Couple (Breton Costume) .......... 933

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" 38. Rae and Leon Unger .............

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viii

LOVE, WAR, AND MEDICINE The Adventure s of a Phys Ic Jan World War I
in

INTRODUGT ION
My early life was not very eventful except that when

I was li~, sister Sarah (older than I) made me repeat after


hers lWhen Itm a man, a man, Ill be a doctor if I can." I D~ver forgot t~t, and never c~n8ed ~y mind; ~ goal was the

praotloe of medicine and it has remained my goal all my life.


I ~d the us~l 8radar and high school education.
This was followed by six years pre~dioa~ ~d ~dical co~ses at ~ University of Chioago and t~ ve~ renowned .Rush MedIcal ~lle~e, affiliated t~n ~d now wi~ t~ equally f~ous .Presb~erlan Hospital, also In Chioago. T~n came a wonderful interns~p at Cook County Hospital, t~n at i~s ~inest, with excellent tralni~g In medicine,s~ery, ~dlatrics, obstetrics, and t~ ot~r branc~sof ~diei~e, including psychiatry. Duri~ t~se eighteen months I re~eived ro~, board and laundry, bu~ not even a dime for expenses. I ~d to borrow $i,000 from ~ gran~ob~r, (whlck~ I lateP paid off from my a~y salary). In March, 191~,. my internship ended, and I opened office on ~ south side of Chio@~o. (General Practice) ~ ing t~ next t~ee months I managed to acc~ulabe patients, ~ost of whom were relatives. My office ~a~ o~ .~

windy corner~ and I remember the first three patients, all

with cinders in the eye; I charged the first one one dollar, but raised my fees to two dollars each for the other two. On April 6~ 1917, President Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany. I volunteered at once, as I was on fire. was afraid the war would be over quickly, and I would not be able tO ~et overseas in time. One must remember that this Great War (World War I) sta~ in early August of 1914 (Great Britain declared war on Germ.many August 4, 1914). I was commissioned ist Lieutenant in the Medical Re~ serve Oo~ps, United States Army, on Nay ~, 1917, and was calle~ into active service on June 6, 19~7. I served until May 7,~ 1919~ with most of my service with both the British and American Expeditionary Forces in Europe. Mixed in with my military and med~cal~experience, s came romance. It began by meeting an attractive young lady, a di_srant cousin, named Nina K~leinman, in New York City, on my way overseas. This New Yor~ episode only lasted two days,, but ou~ frlends.hlp grew and grew by means of letter writing to and from~New York and the battlefields in England, Belgium, and France; and more letters ~later in Germany. The friendship grad~all~ became strong love along~ with two proposals - all of which will be dealt with as this true story goes on to its c onc Ius ion . ~ This book is especially aided by Vivid memories of my war service (1917, .18 and 19), along with letters I w~otc

Love, War, and Medicine

and letters received during this experience, and also helped by my diaries. Medical care is also emphasized, with special attention to care of the wounded and of such sicknesses as m~ningitls and the severe influenza epidemics of 1918 and 1919. This book is affectionately dedicated to my p~esent wife, Rae, who has helped me a great deal in its prepara~ rich. And also to my folks and many friends (past and present), as well as to my daughter, Connie (Mrs. Harry Adelman), who did much of the typing, as well as to Birdie Reeve (~rs. Harry H. Kay) for her consultation and for typing the manuscript, o~i~ And las~, but not least, to-~ EnglishAmerican Alistair Cooke, celebrated author and television personality. During a rather recent phone conversation, Mr. Cooke encouraged me to undertake this project; he commented that he thought such a book would be very interesting to many people. And, lastly, I take this opportunity to thank and praise the famous 36th British Division of World War I, tbe Uls~ter Division from Northern Ireland which fought heroically throughout that war, and which contributed mig.htily to t~e final success of the A~llies over Germany. Each and every man of that Division with whom I had contact was a real man a~d was my friend.

Love, War, and Eedlclr~"

CHAPTER I ON MY WAY On June 6, 1917, I came home from my office about 6 p.m. As I was eating supper the ~hone rang. A teleg~am was for me: "You are ordered to active duty. Report to Army Medical School, Washington, D. C. comply." Signed Adj. Gen. McCain. My family and .I were all excited. I ate hurriedl~~ and packed books and office equipment,, and gave a number of instruments to another doctor to hold for me until my retu~n The n6xt~ day I worked like a Trojan. I was able to cancel my office lease as well as the telephone and electAi~ ity contracts. I put ~my office equipment in storage and bought a railroad ticket to Washington. That nisht I aaid good-by to many friends and relatives. There wasa big c~owd at the railroad depot and received som~ gifts, including a pipe from one of my unc~o~. I almost left it in Chicago as I was not a smoker (and am not). My train left at 10 p.m. Here is mY~ letter of June 8: Dear F. olks: Am sitting in m~ room at the Raleigh M~ in Washington. The town is crowded but I z~ana~d to a room. The trip grew tiresome though the ~ceno~y the Allegheny Mountains was beautiful. Took a through this city and saw some of the buildings, ~ the Capitol.

For breakfast on the train I had a baked apple, French toast and coffee for the modest sum of 75 Incidentally, Washington was crowded with old Confederate Veterans (some sort of gathering). My hotel room was $5 per day. Later I moved to the St. James Hotel as it was close to the Army Medical School. The next day I registered at the Walter Reed Army Medical School for inst~,uctlons, and was told I must be vaccinated and must receive typhoid and paratyphoid inJections. Then I went slght-seeing in Washi~ton. Ve~y ~,eau~If~l, e~pe~lally the Capitol and the llbra~.y. Th~e wa~ a oha~e of 25# fo~ the ~uide but since I ~As ~n uniform I went in F~.ee. I obtained a pass to see t~ United States Senate in action. I saw Vice-P~esident MaPshall presiding, and also a number of well-known senstops, including Underwood of Alabama, She~an of Illinois, LaFollette of Wisconsin, and Reed of Missouri. Only about ha!f the senatoPs were present, and only a few appeared ~O ~e paying attention to t~ speakers. . I stayed there ti.ll about l:O0 p.m., then we~t to a ~all ~ame and was pleased tha~ my favorite home team, the Chicago ~ite Sox, was able t@ defeah the Washington Senat~rs, ~% to ~. It u~as exciting, and, of course, I ~ooted f@p the White Sox. ~ That night .I took in Na~hty Marietta, a.~ine musical comedy~ at the Aborn Opera Company. The next day I was buying more equip~nt from the government. I must say t~ prices were very ~cheap and almost certainly below cost, e.g., a khaki~unifo~m for $~.38 (cotton), a ~ool uniform fo~ $6,~6, a canvas bedding ~oll fo~ $6.5~, a belt fo~ $.10, and six pairs of woolen socks fo~ $.78, also~ a have~sack and strap $~.31, this includin~ an officers ~belt with compartments, a fo~k, knife and spoon, and a combination p~late and ~rying pan. These pu~.chases left me about b~oke, bu~ shortly I will get m~ mileage expe.nses.

June 13. Letber to sister Sarah: Just a few lines before I hit the hay. Am doing ~considerable sight-seeing and today I saw theHouse of Representatives in a disorderly session. Few were p~aying attention. .Then went up Washington Monument, view from the top. Washington is full Of s.oldiers and I~,eceiv~d and ans~e~.ed ~any salutes. My love to you and all my~ relatives~. Your loving brother ~e Jux,e 13 another ~.tter to:

Love, War, and Medicine

Followin~ P~o

Leon Unger Just co~,~miasioned Ist Lieutenant

Love, War, and Medicine

Dear Folks: Not much to tell today as have had no except one letter from Nina Kleinman,- you remember distant cousin from New York City. No orders as yet. This morning went to the Capitol again and saw the Hous~ of Representatives in action. Let me tell you it was regular bedlam. Everyone was talking at once. Champ Clark kept hammering the table and calling for order.. Representatives were arguing with each other. One suggested that the House hurry up the necessary legislation,. Another then got up and said they could hurry better if this first fellow wouldnt talk so much, and so i~ w~nt. Unole Joe Cannon had q~Ite an argument with a ~,o~r~,, resentative from North Carolina. Through it all woman ~iss Rankin sat mum. She dldn~t open her mouth. Lee Another letter on June l~: No orders as yet. Went to Kelths Vaudeville Show in the evening. President and Mrs. Wilson sat in the first row balcony. I watched them pass out. Mrs. Wilson was good-looklng, when they came in everyone stood up and sang the ~Star Spangled Banner, with great enthusla~ It was a very inspiring scene. Also had a nice trip to Fort Myer in Virginia. there were about 2,500 men training to be officers, similar to thoae ~In Fort Sheridan, near Chicago. I went tb-rough the camps from beginning to end. Those I met that thelrs was the llfe. A fine bunch of men, ahno:~t all with a real southern accent. On the car going to .camp I noticed signs for whites to sit In the front of car and blacks in the back. Letter of June 20 to: Dear Folks: Am writ.ing this before packing as am .leavi~ in the morning. Secret~orders. All I can tell you is that I will write again before I sail. "Have taken ~ French lessons for $1.50 each. So I ~rying to learn a few terms, e.g. Bon-Jour,Mademoi~el-l~ Meanwhile .send no more letters till you hear from me. Love to all. P.S. .Tell brother Paul Id sure flunk his examination. Lee .. Letter of June 22 to:
Dear Folks- Am now in New Yo~.k City. The trip in, ton by our train took ~-3/~ hours. It was Inthat we stopped at Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pa., Wilmington, Del. and Newark, N. J. The pecially alon~ the Che:~peake Bay and the De]a~a~~

was beautiful. Crossed the Delaware ~mar Trenton, as .George Washington did some years ago. Have been stopping at the Kleinmans here in New They are very good to me. Today Nina K. has been taki**g me around New york. She even took me to the Polo grouz, ds where we saw Boston beat the Yankees. With be st love, Leon P.S. A note to the folks in Chicago from Nina Klelnman: Dear Everybody: It has indeed been a pleasure to us al~ to have Lee with us, and I sincerely hope that we can keep him with us for some time to come. Love to all. Nina June 25, letter fmom New York City: Dea~ Folks- Thanks for the many letters. Much sightseeing. Had a long auto ride in a new Packard Car to Coney Island, and another ride in a $7,000 Locomobile. (Belongs to Ninas boss, Mr. Fries). Some class, eh? Lee (Incidentally, the above letter was written before I sailed from New York on June 23rd. Didnt want to worry my

Nina K. mailed i~ after I reached England.)i~

Love, War, and Med~o Ine

l~ollowlng Page

Nina Kle inman whom I married after World War I

Love, War, and Medioine

CHAPTER II OFF TO ENGLAND


L~tter from Nina Kleinman to folks in Chicago: 945 St. Nicholas Ave., New York

Dear Folks : Am going to write this letter on the machine, as I oan say more in less space, and I realize fully how anxiously you are awaiting a detailed report of everything I know in connection with Lee and his departure from the

City.
I am starting this letter on Monday, the 2-5th, two days after Lee left the City, though shall not mall it until I receive his cable which I have promised to wire you, and whloh wire you will have reoelved before I am at liberty to talk. In order".t6 keep matters straight, this is what happened from beginning to t~e end of Lees stay in N. Y. Reoeived a wire that he would leave Washln~ton and arrIv9 here at 4~45 p.m. Thursday. The train was two min~te~ ahead of time. Then we took a bus up Fifth Avenue, along Riverside Drive and upper Broadway to my home. We had supper after Lee had washed up, and in the evening

the_ ~il~ met at the house. Harry, Clarence, Celia, ~Fl@nd Stella and I then started out for a walk to show
bO a little more of the,town and we took Stella home. A little after midnight we came home. .-Friday morning; at 8:30 we started downtown, and I took Lee to the Army and Navy Building, where he had to report and get his orders. He was sent over to Governor~ Island where he was given his tickets, etc., and was that he would sail the next day at noon from pier 62 North River on the S~. St. Louis. He called for me at ..the office at 12:20, told me the above (with the except!@~ of the name of the steamer) and we then left to see i@~r Broadway, . Before I continue, it is worth mentioni~ that .my employer tried very hard to readh his chaufifOttF So that we could have his car for the day, but coul~ no$ locate him, so we had to cover as much ground as Slbl~ without it. After seeing Wall Street, Treasury> otl~b. ~arket, etc., Woolworth and Singer Buildings (also ~D~ lunch) we went uptown to the Penn. Station so

Love, War, and Medicine

Lee would check his trunk to the pier. From there we went to the ball game and saw the Yankees and Red Sox. The Polo grounds are within two blocks of the house and after Lee had written some letters and washed, we went to Gussies for supper. Her table was red-white and blue, and everything was very good and we all enjoyed it. A friend of Stellas called for us in a Packard car, and Stella, Gussie, Harry, Mortie, Lee and I went to Coney Island, where he got his first view of the Atlantic Ocean. We stopped to have somethlr~ to eat axed saw Gus Edwards Revue - arrived home at 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning: Lee got up about 8:30, bathed, etc., and my employers car took us up along the Hudson River about 25 miles, bringing us back in time to get Lee to the pier at 11:30. The boat was to sail at noon but when we saw all the freight on the dock to be loaded, Lee made inquiries and was told it would not go out until 4 p.m. so we went over to meet Clarence, who took us to lunch and we went to the McAlpin Hotel and got back to the pier at 3:30 and learned that the boat would not sail until 6 p.m. I had an appointment to meet Stella at the Swlmmln8 Pool at 3:30 so Lee went up to the Y.W.C.A. building with me and the 3 of us went. back together. Lee was the last one to board the boat (7:15 p.m.), and we waited until it was out of sight. Of course, the sun had gone down and it was quite dark when the steamer left the pier. There were ii0 passengers including 25 Doctors and 85 others, mostly old ladies and no young people, except three or four children. I went on board the boat and was inside Lees statero~m which was fine. Good locati~n, etc. There was one other doctor bunking with him. Lee travelled first class and was to get the best of everything. Only one other Jewish doctor in the party, but he had met. them all in %~ashington and found them congenial, so I am quite sure h~s trip was very enJoyable. You will probably be puzzled about the letters you ha~ been receiving. That is easily explained. He wrote them on the pier so that auntie would not worry, as he appreciated how she felt and did not want to worry her any more than absolutely necessary. I had promised him to carry out the deception until he could talk, in other words until after he had reached his destination. Until I was .on the pier even I did not kno~ the name of the steamer, so you see how strict his orders were. . Before closing, let me say that Lee is certainly credit to the family,~ and is a splendid boy. in every wa~. It is now up to the other boys to do all they can to make you, dear auntie and uncle, as happy as possible un~il such time as Lee again Joins the family circl~. I wish it were possible for me to tell you how happy a:!xlous he was to get started. He was so calm and Im

Love, War, and Medicine

sure God will hear our prayers and bring him bac1~ to safe and sound, and a very much better man for his perlence. This letter is intended for all, including Mar.le I will not have time to write the same news to eac~ Perhaps it would be Just as well to send it to Sarah, I am sure it will interest hem. If anyone in the family gets a moment to write I shall be glad to hear from you. Of course, I shall expect a letter from Marie as I should like to know how auntie uncle are, and I want to know how Eugene is fe~ling as well as Abes baby, but if any other member of the famil~F is interested In a little New York cousin, I shall be d~lighted to receive a line. With much love & af~ectionate regards from ma and myse If,
Yours as

Nina
Above is typed - below is handwritten:

July 5, 1917 He arrived in Liverpool July ~th ~esterday, accordln~: to date in cable which I shall send you in next letter a~ I am sending this from office. The cable was received at home and telephoned to me a moment ago. Gave him~abox of taffies as coming from Eugene. Stella gave him 2 lbs. candy & I a gold knife.

June 23, lQ! A big day in my life. In the morning took a two ho~ ride along the Hudson River & enjoyed the beautiful emy, especially along the Palisades. My ship, the S.So St. Louis, was scheduled to sail from N. Y. at ll a.m., but did not pull out till 7 p.m. Nina Klelnman and her friend, Stella Kraus, were at the pier and saw me off wished me Godspeed. We sailed away silently and for the night off Lands End. (Incidentally, my two were on theple~ for a long time. Everything was suppo~. to be top secret, but someone labeled my bags, S.S. St. Louis, Bound for Liverpool, England, - a great
aS you can ,see.

A letter to Nina follows:


On Board S.S. St. Louis, My dear Nina, Have had a very quiet voyage to date. Tbx~ been gloomy most of the days and it has rained but the waves have been scAall an~ .only one man

Love, War, and Medicine

been seasick and that was not I. When we pulled out from N. Y. we stayed on deck awhile - then came the bugle call for supper. About p.m. we anchored off Lands End for the night. From the deck you could see the lights of New York beautifully, especially those of Coney Island. At i0 the next mornIng we pulled up anchor and soon were out of sight of land. We have been goi.ng steadily ever since. So far we have covered about 2400 miles. As to meals, we have been fed like kings and queens. Every meal is a banquet, as good as you can get anywhere. 1~or example, tonight we had - olives, radishes, fish, roast turkey and cranberry sauce, squab, potatoes, spinaoh, beans, salad, ice cream, French pastry, pudding, fruit, nuts and coffee. Not bad, oh? And all meals equally as good. There is plenty of male company aboard, but a dirth of women. All the ladies are either old or married or both, so I have no chance for flirtations. But we have a dandy set of men aboard. Besides the twenty one doctors in whose group I am, there are a number of other men. There are three men from New Zealand going to France to do Y.M.C.A. work. I like to talk ~o them but have th~ dickens of a time understanding their English. Then ther~ are two young fellows from New York who are going to enlist in the F.re~ch Army as Chauffeurs in the American Ambulance. They will get five sous a day - (5#). Some salary. Besides these, there is a Canadian Brig. Gen., a Russian Admiral, some British citizens and a Belgian

doctor. So you see we are a cosmopolitan bunch. There is no other real news. Have sighted no U-Boat~
sO far. Our guns are ready, the gunners are at their

posts day and night, and the life boats are ready for use if necessary. We are now in the war zone, and each hour brings more dangers, but I donlt think there will b~ any
trouble as this old boat "is surely speeding along. Ne are approaching Liverpool rapidly, and should reach it this afternoon, so I hasten to write you a few

more line s.
It is a wonderful day today. The sun is shining and the ocean is glassy. We are going along at a fast pace
without any motlon or Jarring. Nina, you should have been here yesterday. I never enJo.yed a day so much before, for the twenty four hours were full of excitement and wonderful sights. In the morning through the fog we sighted a British scout cruiser. About the same time we saw a life boat with a mast on it which so resembled the tower and periscope of a U-Boat that the gunners aboard were almost ready to

Love, War, and Medicine

shoot, when they discovered its nature. The cruis~~ picked it up. About 5 P.M. we sighted a periscope a hundred yards away and let fly one shot at it, but periscope submerged too qulokly, and I doubt whether hit it. Ou~ boat kept zigzagging all over the Atlantic and we havenlt seen a U-Boat since. But las~ nigh~, at about 11 P.M. came the gvandest sight Ive ever seen. The sky was still red from the sun, which had Just set (at that time we were north of Ireland) and as we along a black object appeared about a mile away. Th~n another, and another. All of us thought they wer~ a~d so did the gunners, at first, and they almost pu~l~d the trigger when instructions came not to fire. The Jeers proved to be five British patrol boats, and made a wonderful picture a~ ~hey cruised around, flv~
black figures against the dark red background of the All the passengers were on deck and naturally there ~reat excitement. Nobody went to sleep until after 1 A.M. Well, must close now. Will write more when I reach

London.
Your s,

Lee
P.S. Will let you know my address wlien I get one.
A story from The Chicago Dail~ News, July 15, 1917,

follows:
GUN SAVES U. S. STEAMER Well Directed Shot Foils "U" Boat Attack Upon American Ship. Boatload of Sailors Used as Decoy in Effort to Trap

Liner.
BY JUNIUS B. WOOD Special Cable to the Daily News. (Copyright, 1917, by The Chicago Daily News Co.) London, England, July 3 (delayed).--A well directed shot and clever maneuvering saved an American steamship from destruction by a German submarine at dusk on Sunday. The ship arrived at an English port to-day with twentyfive unattached medical officers of the American expedition and a passenger list of seventy, including ten babies and older children. Aside from the fright exp~.rlenced by the passengers, no one was injured. Boatload of Seamen as Decoy. A boatload of sailors from a ship apparently sunk a few days.earlier was used to decoy the American liner. .The submarine lurked in the neighborhood of the sa~lors small boat, waitin~ for the big passenger ship to stop and rescue it. A British scout cruiser sighted ea~.ll~r

Love, War, and ~edicine

gave our steamer positive instructions to stop und~. ~io conditions. The suffering sailors waved their oa~..~ ~ vain. Almost simultaneously a submarine appeared off the starboard bow of the liner and then submerged. Th~ captain of the liner caused his ship to zigzag. Soo~ the submarine reappeared off the port side. Two feet o~* the periscope striped white and green appeared abow th~ surface of the water. Outmaneuvers the "U" Boat. The unexpeoted change in the course of the ship left the submarine broadside on, so that it could not fir~ it~ torpedo. It submerged again as the American gun crew fired from the deck, reappearing 3,000 yards astern, outdis tance d. The sea was strewn with wreckage and one dead body was sighted.

Love, War,

and Medicine

~hiverpool

ENGLAND
London

goll~tone

~
BELGIUM
Arras ~~ Cambrai Albert St.Quentin

Bon n

GERMANY
bourg

Angers

St. Nazaire

To.urs

FRANCE

SWITZERLAN[

Nice

Love, War, and Medic

CHAPTER III SERVICE IN BRITISH ROYAL HERBERT HOSPITAL,~ WOOLWICH, SUBURB OF LONDON

My first letter from London follows:

Hotel Cuzzor~ Mayfair, England July 3, MY dear folks, - 11:3.0 P.M. Arrived in London this afternoon at 3:kO a ride of 4 hours 40 minutes from Liverpool. Am for a couple days with the rest of o~ unit at the Cu~zon. I wrote you last~ ~om the. St. Louis and ~n~t probably posted this morning after passing bhrou~h censors hands as all letters from ~re must~ the St. Louis, reached Liverpool yesterday t~ tide was so low we were not permitted to about l0 this morning. Then a British Colonel mot escorted us by a tally-he t~u t~ streets of to t~ railroad station. From there I sent yo~ announcing my safe arrival, or rather I sent it and s~ relayed it to you, as I trust you did to Ou~ train left Liverpool at ll A.M. O~ group doctors was given a special 1st class compartment. engines are peculiar as are the entire trains~ tracks are good and t~ trains are very fast. was beautiful. Everything was green and lovely. ~s been wa~but~ not ~co~ortable. At 2 P.~. brought each of us.a basket in which we rotund a cold meat, one piece of bread, a little ~greens, and a bottle of what tasted like Vichy, t~ee & one, as they say ~re, - stands for threo and~ one penny or 74~ in American money. T~ is much more complicated t~n the American, ing on quickly. This ho~el is a ~ood one, though not th~ priced. It is provided for us free of charge ish government ~nder whom we are serving for We ~ve large room~, two In a room, two single

Love, War, and Me dio ine

l~

Meals are fPee to us also and they are fair, though


nearly so extravagant as on the ship. You have to ask for butter, and you are given one piece of what tastes llke whole wheat bread - very good. Tomorrow Im going to cash a draft I bought in New York for $50 - I get lOL, Os, 2d, i.e., i0 pounds, 9 shillings and twopence, or, as t~y say ~re, tuppence. T~n lm goi~ to see if I cant ~et a new Ingersoll watch for this o~, as mine keeps ti~ very poorly. Tomorrow Is the 4th of July~ and if theres any celebration, I,Ii ~ t~re with t~ rest of them. This evening three of us went to t~ Apollo The~tr~ a~ saw a fine show called Inside the Lines. The hous~ was c~owded. About 50% of the men were in un~o~ and t~ ot~ ~n were mostly old. W~n we c~e out of the t~atre, we found the lights very low and t~ streets dark. T~ searchlights were roving around constantly, and as the night was clear, woe to any Zep. We walk~d down Piccadilly, the chief street ~re, to o~ hotel, about i0 minutes away. I got a ~ircut ~d s~ve today at the Piccadilly Hotel, ~d the more I see of the Brlt~ ish hairdressers, as they call them ~re, the better llke t~ ~erican barbers. Anot~r peculiar thing in EnglaDd is t~t everyone keeps to the left, instead of to t~ right as at And you ~ve to keep your wits about you to keep from being run over" by the n~erous buses t~t are co every street in London. The conductors a~ women, t~ bellboys ~re are worn, t~ women sweep streets, and I ev~ sa~ women at t~ depots loading and trucki~ freight. Well, will close now as must ~et some sleep. Expect to leave London in a few days. Perhaps to France, per~ps to some place in England. Half of us go to France, ~lf ~maln in England about 3 months a~ then go to F~ance. It is up to.the British gover~ent to decide. I ~lll let you know w~n I find out. I close with much love to all of you. Dont send any mail till I let yoc know. ~ on And my letter to Nina reads: Hotel Curzon Curzon Street Mayfair London W Wed. July 4,

My dear Nina, Just a few lines as must be at Ambassador Paes


ception to Americans in about an hour. You see thl:~ the 4th. and the reception is an annual affair. It be a great affair and I would~,t miss it. Our entl~.~ . ~It of 21 will be ~here.

Love, War, and Medicine

I wrote you from the St. Louis and cabled ~2o~, Liverpool when we landed there yesterday, July 3rd. I hope you have received both and have telegraphed to my home. We landed in Liverpool after an exciting trip, especially the last two days. I wrote you about our enoou.nter with a U-boat and ou~ thrilling adventure with the destroyers. Afte~ that, we had no more unusual happenings and reached dock Monday night. On account of low tide, we could not land till yesterday A.M. On the dock we were met by a British Colonel who had a tallyho call for us and take us across X~ive~pool to the London & Northwestern Railroad Station. The Journey in this tallyho was interesting we had a typical English driver, and two very poor ho~ses. We seldom went faster than a slow trot and chiefly a walk. We always kept to the left as is the English custom. On reaching the station, I sent the cable to you. We left Liverpool at ii:00 A.M. and reached London at 3:~0 P.M. Distance about 200 miles. Our fares and baggage hauling are paid by the English government which also pays for our room and board at the Hotel Cuxzon where we ar~ now stationed. The Journey wa~ rather inte restin~ as the scenery along the road was all inviting. No traces of war to be seen. All green and clean looking. The trains are divided into first, second and third class compartments. They say here nobody travels first class except the nobility, fools and Americans. I dont know which of the latter classes we belong in, but we went first ~ lass. Reached London O.K., and we were met by an American major and escorted in another tallyho to the Hotel Cu~zon. This is rather a medium priced hotel, I should say, not as good as the Savoy or the Ritz or Piccadilly, but is comfortable. - Have taken several walks through the streets, especially down Piccadilly and the Strand. It is all very interesting. Crossing streets is dang=~ous to me as that rule keep to the left is hard to remember when a loaded bus comes shooting along. The city is full of soldiers and officers, with so many different uniforms and marks as to be.rather bewildering. We dont know whom to salute nor who are to salute us, and they dont know our unifor~s any better than we know theirs. There are a ~ew wounded men around the st2euts. Every time a Br~L~sho~.

Love, War, and Medicine

is wounded, he sews a vertical stripe on one Some have one or two and I saw one mar~ with t~z.~:~ sonally, I prefer none. This is a disjointed letter as I aM writing J~ hurry and must close. Am to my future, the major told US about half of us would go to France In ~hree o~~ days, t~ others would be asslg~d to various spots In England for about t~ee months, and the~ ably go to ~ance. He asked us to indicate on pape2 p~eference. We split about evenly. I chose Pr~nc~, t~ quicker I get there, the better. So ~ dont yet w~ts in store, but will let you know when ~
O~t

Please give ,~y love to t~ whole family & do~t ~~. get yo~self & Stella. Your loving cousin, ~ on P.S. Heard t~t a Zep raided London this A.~. But I slept ~ ~ust add that the July ~th reception to American~ took place at Ambassador ~ages ho~ at 6 Grosvenor in London. A~ ordinary affair. We shook ~nds with & Mrs. Page, and met some other interesting people, eluding a British doc~or and a Canadian captain just f~om France because of so-called s~ll shock.
A letter from Nina follows:

July 5th, Dear Cousin Lee Do you mind my writing on the machine? You see, I get very little time to write at home, and in this way I save time and paper. It looks very much as the this letter will be written on the installment plan. Besid~, being very bad form to write on the typewriter (the easier to read) there is the disadvantage of.being interrupted every few minutes. Your cable has just been received and I have telegraphed Chicago, as follows:- ~. Leon left New Yor~( third. Arrived England safe. Letter follo~ing., l~w~. also sent special delivery letter explaining as best I could, so that by tomorrow morning they be in possession of all t~ details. Am very anxious to receive a letter fro,~ yo~ probably ~d a very interesting ~rip. Did yo~ l~-~ ~ .... to. Polly-oo-Francay? Even if t~ro were no Nou~..~ l.~. ~ on board, Im sure the rest of the doctor.s w~r~ company . It will probably be another, to~, day~ or mor~
I receive yo~ addross, O~t i thi~-~k of you co~b~]~

t~refore cant help Joutl~Ag oown a few lln~ ~o

Love, War, and medlcine

15

will hear rom me on the .first steamer which returns from New Yo~k after hearing from you. Judging from the number of letters T will send this same mail, you~ friends think as much of you as I .do, and if you were not so lap away Id be Jea!ous. New Yo~k is ve~ hot at p~esent, and I shall be glad to get away to t~ country fo~ a few weeks. As yet I dont know w~e or when I am ~oi~. .Probably shall decide the last moment and t~n telegraph to reserve ~oom (which is an old stunt of o~s) Just as we a~e about t o start. ~av@ ~ceived your photo from ~ and tho~h la ~ ~ood I rather like the one you ~ft, perhaps It Is because you 8ave It to ~ ~rsonally.~ I am eno~@ain~ ~rewlth a snapshot t~en In Atlantic City a ~w~months a~o. Adele was at t~ house last eveni~ ~ I 8~ ho~ ~d s~ saw yo~ plct~ on my dresaer a~ asked if you were coming a~aln soon. I told tha~ It would be so, time before you would visit a~aln b~t Shat I would deliver any message f~ her. aa~ ~~lease tell Cousin Doctor ~oldler ~e that Io~ him ~d w~t to see him soon a~aln. ~ ~ms my aenti~nts, too, Cousin Doctor~. ~eeted to go out of town o~ the Forth, but me~s illness kept us all in New Yo~. H~ever, a~ Is i~rovi~ rapidly and will ~ able to sit up ~ a few h~dr~ tomorrow. ~Some n~se~ Of eo~se, no c~dlt is due the doctors at all. Have had several invitations to spend week-ends In the country with friends and shall probably start in next Sat~day. The only trouble is that~wb~n we once start this sort of thing we usually finish after ~ber Day so t~t we have Very little time to get ac~ qualnted with t~ family at ho~. So sor~ you cannot Join us at so~ ~ these parties, became a few~ of them are so~ parties ~and you would surely, enjoy t~m. You w~ probably even learn h~ to smoke mo~ t~ two cigarettes i~year as well as~become aee~ois~eur~en be~rages (shoUld say ~mo~des????) O~ course, we ~are. always p~operly chapero~d. Bands and parades still continue to ~ss up ~d down Broadway at freque~ intervals. We are now te~taining.the Russi~ ~legation. T~ recept.ion .ee~It~ee was much larger t~n any of t~ o~hers, and t~ li~ ef march very s~ctacular. So~ were ~aaed In native~ costu~, etc. From my. view point t~ae entertai~ents are quite ridlculous -it~seems te ~ a Waste of money ~d time, when both could ~se~ to better advantage if pz~operly applied, partle~larly in t~se times of need when the bare necessltiea of llfe gre l~urles for the millions of

L~ve, War, and ~edicine

1~

povsrty-strloken both here and abroad. We also l~ve" had the pleasure of entertaining the 0anadian Regiment and will shortly welcome the Bel~ians. July 17th, 1917. Several days ago I received a letter from your dad, ar~ it surely was a treat to read it. He ended the letter by asking me to correct the spelling and return it to him. Also received a lettor f~om Ed. which was very funny and am~using. Poor chap wants a ~irl. Suppose you send him a pretty French doll. Nothing very exciting has happe~d ~Ithin the past ten days, except that I went down to $~ swi~i~ pool to ~sh~ off and one~ girl there put it all over ~. S~ ~at me diving, long dist~ce swi~in~ ~d form (not w~t you mean - Just strokes - not fi~e as that would be impossible, ~S) Afte~ which I ~ ~oln~ back to take lessons, or at least will only 8o w~re there are bum swifts. Stella and I are goi~ down to Beechburst, Lo~ Island t0 s~nd the week a~ I shall~ try my luck in the Atlantic Ocean, for tb~ first ti~ this
season.

DO you ~o~mb~r ~ho chauffeur of ~he Loco? ~ell, he leaves A. Fs o~ploy ~oday and goes to for his co~iss!0n in the Avla~ion 0orps. You.may again befo~ l~n~. A.F s dau~hte~ will ~n the car unill she is called as she has offered ~r serv~co~ has ~een accepted. She loo~s splendid in uniform. His ot~ daughter~ who is down from l~h~ca, will c~rge of t~ car and ~he chauffeurs sala~ Is to for ~d 0ross f~d. July .19~h, 1917. ~s~ night I ~eceived yo~ letter and was deli~nte~ with sa~. You surely had so~ exci~e~nt, but I had read part of It in the p~ape~s and was Jus~ a worr~d until you~ cable arrived. I do hope every~hi~ wi~ r~ alo~ smoothly ~nd ~ I shal! ~ar .from you Soon again..S~ll now call up"to asce~ain your dress. Ma~d all of us a~e fine and all se~ love best wishes ~o you. ~ill write you again within a few days, as I ~ very busy ~oday ~nd ~an~ ~his !error reach ~he f~s~ steamer leaven8 the City, which will probably be on Sat~day. ~ith affectionate reg~ds, Your Cous in, Nina My letter to Nina follows: Sunda~, July 8, ~!917 My very dear Nina, I have to inform you of a bitter disappointment. Instead of being sent to France, as I desired, five othec~

Love, War, and Modieine

17

and I have been assigned for a period of 1-3 months to the med$oal service of a military hospital in "Woolwich, F~land, about ~5 minutes southeast of London. The hospital is called the Royal Herbert Hospital, a large one with about 1,200 beds; it looks vex~y nice & clean, though it is old. I asked for and have been sent to the surgical waPds and expect to get so~ exaellent tPaining ~re. Moat of the patients t~ave been convoyed h~e fPom ~se hospitals in PPance, ~d ~ve c~nic s~Ical eonditlons, chiefly fr~ battle wo~ds. ~e llve In a large building across from t~ hospital. It Is called t~ ,Officers Mess. There ~a~ about ~0 ~llsh & 8 ~rlcan doctors ~. T~ ~ooms and food a~. ~oed. I s~nt ~ daTs in~ London and enjoyed myself. ~ndon is an o~d ~t~ ~d all t~ buildings a~e old. ethers a~e so crooked younger lost 20-30 times a day. ~n I get lost, I usually ~ll a taxi or bus and ride to P!ccadilly Cinous. T~n I know w~e Im at. t~l ~ates a~ ~ry c~ap. ~o~ a dollar, you can ~ide a~nd most of t~ day. ~t ever~hi~ else is vePy ex~nslve. I didnt get to see as much of Loach as wanted to, but I did manage to see Parlia~nt, West-" minete~.Abbey, and Bucking~m Palace. T~ T~s River Is ~be.au~t~U 1. The subways a~ wonde~l~re. New Xo~e~s In ~ur group a~it their superiority to these in N.Y.., as the London subways ~ve davy service with t~nsfer points all over. They. are In t~t ~spec~ Just l~e street cars. Fa~es depend on the distance, but average a pe~y (2~ ~ric~). ~ndon ~s only a eeuple car ll~s on t~ outskirts. Elsew~re buses a~ t~ et~r means of conveyance, ~ai~s t~ subways and t~is. ell, I must close as must get ~a~ for l~c~on. I ~ive my addles be.~ow & wish you would ~lte me ~ny lo~ lettens, as ~ l~ng~g to ~aP~fr~ YOU. WPite ~ all t~ ~ws. Give ~ love to t~ f~ily & to Stella. Th~ letter ls for hap also, as I don~t l~e to re,at. P~ase accept, my mo~e than cousinly love and believe Yours devotedly, ~on P.3. ~ile paekln~ yesterday, German aeropla~s raided and b~bed ~ndon. T~ noise of the bombs and antlalroraft 8~s was terrific. I looked out of my window and saw about a dozen of t~ German pla~s. It was all vemy exoitln~ andt~illing, althou~ its a terrible and oonte~tible piece of work 6n t~ pa~ "of the Ger~na to raid an o~n town like London and kill and maim i~ooent civilians. Americans In t~ U.~. have no idea hOW t~ Enslish hate and loathe the barbarous Boche H~S, as t~y call them. Royal Herber~ Hospital Woolwich, England

L~ve, War, and Medlcine

18

England July llth, 1917


My dear Nina, What do you suppose it is that always makes me write to you when I have a few minutes to spare? I~ dont feel the same inclination toward anyone else, not even the folks at home. I suppose its because youre you and no one else. This time I have practically no news. Im st~ll at the Royal Herbert Hospital and expect to stay here for a while. Its very dull as surgery is limited because most of the wounded are now being taken care of in France. So I do practically nothin~ but eat and sleep. We have a very nice bunch of doctors here, eight Americans and about twenty English? Im rapidly becoming more or less Anglicized,- drink tea every afternoon, can say Jolly well like an Englishman, or fancy., But I cant get myself to talk theatrically, as the average Englishman does. He is so fond of accentuating and emphasizing.. The food is fairly good and we have no kick coming on that score. We ame treated very. nicely. But I do wish I c~uld~ be transferred, to France where .something is doing, ~ it s too quiet l~er~. I dont know what it is this afternoon, but although the sun is shining and the skies are blue, I feel kind of blue myself. Perhaps I,m a bit homesick. I sure would llke to see the dear old Statue of Liberty and if I ever get back to the United States, Ill probably never leave it again. But I think mainly that the trouble with me is too much inactivity. Ive always worked fairly, hard and this life of doing nothIng is irritating! So Im, golng to write for a quick transfer to France, though I dont suppose writing will do much good. I wish l.were getting letters from you as I used to. The bess I can do now is read your old ones. I close with fondest regards to all of you. Your loving cousln~ Lee

Love, War, and Medicine

19

P.S. Heard many guns all day yesterday from Belgium, i~0 miles away. And today semi-official news that England captured Ostend from the Boche. If it s true, its a great Vlotory as Ostend is an important base for German subs & aeroplanes. July Ii Nothing exciting. Not much to do. My orderly brought in my shoes, puttees and belt - all nicely shined. Tea, of course, every day at 4 P.M. Did see a fine shoe called Maid of the MountainS. My. orderly ~S very expert at getting me up in t~e morningS. He ~a all aorta of excuses for waking ~ a~ain and a~aln. I did ~ge to beat a Captain Fls~r of Canada two sets of te~ia. Ineldentally, t~ Engllsh do like puddings. Ever> D~h~ we ~ve a different pudding. So~ are ~ood, ~ fair, and so~ are awful. O~ night about 30 portions of a brown pudding were served to us~ 30 persons tasted it, and 30 persons pushed a~ay t~ir plates and ~d up their nostrils. And, as ~ards salads, every noon~ and~ni~ht me have lar~ bowls of a co~l~ration ~ up of tomatoes, radials, cucum~rs, onions, iet~uoe and s~e 8reen~ stuff which lo~s a~ tastes l~ke ~o~ Erase or weeds. T~ composition of this ~ver ~rles. T~. ~ne who gets at this salad f~st eats all t~ slices of tomat~s, leavi~ the rest for us unfort~ates. Morall Dont be late for ~als~ But ~ ap~tite remains 8cod. Every once in a while a f~It plate appears; this contains about 6 bananas, - the Colonel t~es two and t~ four cptalns each A poor lieutenant like I am gets an apple.

A letter to Nina .follows:


Sat., July 21st

,i.very dear Cousin Nina,


* Itts about, one week since I wrote you last, but there MS been no ~ews to speak of. As I write this, you ~should Just about have received my let letter from Woolwlch, ~ you should Just about ~ve be~n to send ~ t~ first of ~ny ve~ welco~ (to ~) replies. So I flg~ ~t about Aug. lOth I will ~ar fr~ you ~d you wi~l tell ~ all t~ ~ws. I. Just f~ished, reading the ~ew York paper, the S~ from J~ 28th~& 29th, I always enJ~y ~rlcan ~rs, ho ~tter how old. I also ~ve a copy of t~ ~t~day Eveni~ Post of Ju~ 30th. Belle~ me, I ~ver ~glect to read any recent ~rlcan library. I Just .saw in todays London Ti~s t~t.t~ ~awing of n~bers for U, S. conscription ~s started. It will

Love, War, and Medicine

20

wake up Americans as nothing else. The U.S.A. at larg~ hardly realizes U.S. is at war. As for myself, Im still, at the same hospital. so often I take off an afternoon and evening and go to London. Last Wednesday I took such a vacation and had a fine t~ne. I ,s.a,w P a~ril!i~ment in action. Fi~,st I went thro1~h the House of Commons. The hall is a fairl~ large one, as there are 670 members. Tt~s cabineu ~mbers have a central position and answer all questiorl~. l~inted programs are given out with the questions to asked and a~swered; the Speaker of the House, with an old-time gray wig, calls each question in turn. Then the cabinet ~mber responsible for the answer arises a~swers as ~ .Sees fit. Everybody ~ys strict in t~t ~eS~ot Very muol~ unlike o~ House of Represents tlves. T~ day I was there, ~r. Bo~ ~w and ~. d~d most of t~ ta~Ing. T~n I een~ ae~oss t~ ~ll to t~ House o~ Lo~ds. ~ asked a page If I might be a~Itted, and ~ ~ntroduced ~ to an I~Ish lo~d, the Earl of ~eath, who ve~ kindly acted as my escort for ove~ ~ hour. He was a ve~ nice old ~n, about 70, and had ~de fou~ t~ps to ~erlca ~ad of an En~llsh expedition to ex~m~ A~r~cas~ pa~k~ play~o~ds. He gave me his card ~d, luckily, ~I had o~ left to ~Ive to him. Eve~fone add~ssed h~m ~s ~y ~d, tho~h I only said sir. Well, ~ took ~ t~ H~se 6~ Lo~ds f~om beginning to e~. He showed me t~ diffe~nt co~ittee rooms, the large votir~ and some beauti~l pictures. Then ~ took ~~to tea, t~n to see t~ House of Lords in sesslon.~ T~ ch~ber Is wonderful. T~ seats are red Moroccan leat~r, with ~d soft divans for t~ Lord C~noello~, & two red t~one~ on one side fo~ t~ King a~ Queen when t~y e~. wlnd~s a~ all ~Ii of ~autlful views and plct~es. Altoget~r it s a regula~ fairyland. ~o you can see how yo~ little cousin is bee~ing vain - ass~lati~ with lords. -I wish I ~d so~ real ~ws, such as a tr~sfer to ~anoe for which I ~ hoping daily, but so far nothi~ doi~. So I c~ only say please write long letters for x,m ve~ foresee fo~ a sight of you again. .Please re,tuber ~ to t~ rest of the family and Stella, and donu forget t~t though 3000 miles away, I am still

Your lovin~ cousin Please mark all .~i! to me on ~utside P~ase forward.
Sunday, Jul~ 22nd American Dr. Griswold and I took out two British for a ride down the Thames River to ahown called Rich~-~ mond. The river was crowded with all sorts of rowboa~s~

Love, War~ and Medicine

punts & canoes. The girls were refined and very jolly. and we really enjoyed this trip (all at an expense of 28 shillin~s). Monday, July 23 Dear Folks, There is practically nothing new except to say Im getting used to life in England. I have already wrltte~ &bout my visits to the House of Commons & the House of Lords (Parliament). Both were very interesting, and I was especially pleased to note the orderliness and the attention to speakers in .Parliament, in sharp contrast to the scenes when I visited the U. S. Senate and House of Representatives in Washington~ D. C. I le~t Parliament at about ~30 P.M. & went to the ~voy Hotel for a haircut and shave. The haircut was fair, but this English barber made a mess of my face, even though b~ told me that he once took care of General Pershing. He shaved me very closely, and then went over and over the raw spots so that my face was sore for two days. After this trying experience~ I went to see Seven Days Leave at the Lyceum Theatre. .This was a rather ~ude melodrama founded on the present war. Its a ~e~ular dime novel show, with a hero, a heroine and a villain. The audience hissed the villain (German, of course), and frantically cheered the hero and heroine. I saw the Chicago Tribune of June 28th and sorry to read of the death of Uncle Abes little boy. Keep me informed of whats doing and who is bein8 conscripted. Be st to all Lee

July 30 On July 25th I wrote to the American Medical Offlo.er in charge o~ American ~.D.s in England. I asked Lt. 001, Lyster to transfer me as soon as possible to P~nee. I told him things were too dull ~ in Wool~oh. Today.o~e his answer:, Office of Liaison Offiqer, U.S. Army~ D.M. -Adastral House, London ~ 28th July, 1917.

81r,.
Your applleatlon for c~nEe of station has been forWar~ed to this ~O~Ioe thresh Official c~nnels. As t~ ~asons given in you~ appl~catlon fo~ a change of statlondo not ~seem to be of pressi~ importance, it i~ believed des~able to info~ you that it is not the eustem In elt~ t~ B~Itish or A~rican Services to ~e freq~nt c~nges of station, nor to ask for t~ S~ ~less ~der exceptional circ~stanoes. Absolut~

.DOVe, War, and Medicine

22

satisfaction with a station by every Officer in the Service is obviously impossible, and it must therefo~ be understood that ~he interests of the Service must determine in these matters. When your services ape needed elsewhere, yo,~ quest will be given consideration.
Respectfully yours, (Signed) Wm. Lyster Lt.Col. U.S. Army, Liaison Officer.. Lieut. Leon Unger, Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich. Monday, July 3Oth My very dear Nina, I suppose you think me mean not writing more often, but, really, there is nothing very exciting to write about. I could tell more if I had received any mail from you. I ought to have a reply to my first letter of July 8th in about a week. You dont know how anxious I am to hear from you; please ~wrlte me long letters. Dont be afraid of boring me, for you wont. A letter from you is the finest gift you can send me. Absence certainly makes t.he heart grow fonder, in my case, at least. ~. I suppose U.S. is all excited about conscription. Have the drawn numbers been announced yet? Has Clarence.~, number been one? Is there any chance of your coming as a nurse? The other day I got hold of a N.Y. Times of July 13th. Among other things it looks as though the N.Y. Giants would win the National title and either Chicago or Boston in the American. Of course, I hope the former. It will be Just my luck to miss a grea.t worlds series between Giants and White Sox. The work here continues slack and I have ~a good deal of ~pare time. ~ spend this in trips to London, or playing tennis, or taking long walks, or, best of all, sleeping. You dont know how nice the air is out here and how conducive to slumber. The orderly comes in at 7:~0 A.M. each day and says, Gentlemen, its 7:30. We Just turn over. In about 15 minutes, he comes baca with ou~ leggings and shoes all nicely shined and wakes us again. Then, in about 15 minutes more, he comes In with pitchers of hot and cold water and then we get up. The same program every~ morning. No excitement at all. Even the~air raids have ceased. The com~nanding officer has, refused my request for transfer to France, but you never can tell. Ill get there yet, even if I have to swim the channel. I received two letters lately from my old chum from Chicago, Dr. A1 Barnett. Hes at a base hospital ~0

Love, War, and Medicine

23

miles from the firing line in France. He likes it mensely. Theres a lot of work and some real excitemont. The firing is very plain a~ times. He says the ood is plentiful, good and reasonable. For 5 francs about a dollar) you get a banquet including wine or champagne. He lives in a tent. The hospital is made up of huts and tents and cares for about 2000 patients. He says theres plenty of tennis and dancing. As to learning French, he says, Havent learned any French as everybody speaks English except in the cafes and you can wiggle you~ hands there. So perhaps my stock of French will be sufficient when I get there. The orderly is pulling all the shades down now as the bugle Just blew i0 P.M. call, and that means all lights out or else shades drawn. In London all the llg~ts are out, and the streets at night are so dark you almost break your neck going around. Of course, all this precaution is against German air-raids. Really, these raids are a nuisance and rather inconsiderate, dontt you know, old chap: Well, I have about exhausted any news. Theres an account of our trip across the Atlantic on the ist of the Chicago Daily News of July 15th, if you can get hold of a..copy. Its by a reporter who was a fellow passenger. The description of the encounter with a U-boat is fairly accurate. Please remember me to the family and to Stella. I hope Gussies little boy is improving nicely. Do write me if there is any infantile paralysis in N.Y. as there was last summer. I close with love to you from

Your cousin

Lee

Monday, Aug ~ 6th Dear Folks. Did get a lit~tle action, l,took out a piece of shrapnel from a soldier and gave tetanus antitoxin to him and tote.n other men. Best, Lee Tuesday,Aug. 7th

MY dear Nina,

As usual, when blue, I turn to you. Somehow it sort of ~omforts me to write to you, even if to date I ~ave received no reply. Last week 4 of our 6 American~ left for France, leaving Lt. Gerson & me behind. It certainly made me feel rotten to be tied down here in England when other~

Love, War, and Mediolne

~.~

are getting some excitement. Have been busier this last week because ten medical officers left for France and because a convoy of i00 wounded men came in Friday. Most of them received injuries in the great offensive begun by the British July 31st. Most of the wounded received merely bullet wounds in a leg or arm, but there are a few more serious cases. There were thirty officers and seventy enlisted men (Tommies). Its interesting to talk to them. Theyre very cheerful and enthusiastic overthe continual beatings t~ey are giving the Boche, as they call the Germans. There is an American in our ward from Cleveland. He ls with the British Infantry. He was a sailor with Dewey at Manila, and ~e and I have had many interesting talks. But while these~ talks are fascinatin~ and instructive, I want to be in the midst of doings myself It has rained here for the past eight days and been cool. I read a .little note that a great heat Wave struck America, but no particulars except that ht~ndreds of New Yorkers were prostrated. I hope none in your family suffered. I wish I had some better news for you. I trust my ~ext letter will be from France. Meanwhile,~Im making the best of this. Am going to London this afternoon to~do more sight-seeing. ~avent met King George yet! IIll give him your regards. Well, the call to lunch is Just sounding, ~nd if I dont get there now, someone else will eat all the tomatoes from the salad. Regards to Stella and love to all of you. Leon August 7th Dear Folks, "Still here in Woolwich and still no mail from home and no. orders. Four of our six Americans left ~@r France last week and I was very disappointed in not being one of them. So there are only a couple of us left here. I do not knoW what kind of work the four were assigned to. I am a~iously and ~patiently awaiting orders to cross the Channel,I t.rust very soon now as existence is very dull here. The .weather h~s bee n ab omlnableo For eight straight days it h.as ra~nedalmost as bad as the forty days and

Love, War~ and Medicine

~ ,

nights when Noah had his ark. Besides, it has been ~,~ The temperature has varied from 50 to 70 degrees. ~ a small note in one of the London papers tb~t a greu~ he~t ~ve h~s struck U.S. ~d t~t m~ny c~ses of st~oke~oocu~red. W~lte mo~e details. I hope you all have not s~fered~- please keep Paul away from too much

Nothi~ excltlng. Read Chica8o Tribune of July llth & 12th. I subscribed to it a~ expect to get mo~ soon. It costs me 12 shillin~s a~ s~nce a month about $3., but that includes postage ~hich is high. It~ ,orth It and I never enjoyed t~ T~ib. as m~h as I do
no~

S~

I ~ish I had some ~ews to tell you, b~t I ~vent. I~e written about 30 letters and cards, but to date answers. Ho~ever~ there ought to be so~ en route. I met so~ American doctors ~ho c~e over to En8l~C last ~eek on same ship I did. T~y said they had a terrible battle ~Ith a U boat. No o~ InJ~ed. I think ~. LO~ ,as one of the party. T~y ~ft for France very quickly and Im still ~re in E~land.

Love to all of you.

~e
~t~s the ne,s about conscription? W~t~s Ed doing? Sam? ~illa~d? Ho~,~ ~otb~r? & t~ 2
Friday, Aug. 10th Dear Nina, Just a few lines as busy getting ready ~to leave early in the A.M. for France! Was given 12 hours notlc~ mud thats rather short. So please hold letters till you hear from me somewhere in France. I do not know where Im headed, but Ill soon be on my way, and you can,t realize how much better I feel to get near some re&l work. So must close, especially ~s bugle Just blew for dln~ner (its 8 P.M.). Please accept my love to you end family. Yours devotedly, Lee Friday, Aug. lOth ~Just a few lines as Im in .a hurry. I~avin~ at 7~30 to~;orrow A.~. for F~ance, where I dont know. So hold any letters until you hear from me with my next address. Am in the best of health and hope you Saw a Chloago ~Daily News from July 20th and saw I~ llst of those conscripted from Chicago.. I saw Wi.ll

Love, ~Var, and Medicine

name was Ist drawn. I suppose hell be exempt on ac~count of his stomach trouble. Also saw that Dr. Lang~ horst from County Hospital was drawn. Also young Parrel. T~at was all I knew in first list. I am very anxious to know~ about Joe, Ed, Sam & Millard. I suppose mall is on way for me, but so far have received nothlns. Have Just finished packing. Bugle Just blowing for dnr~ (Ita~8 P.~.). So close with love to all of you and dont forget the two grandmas. Next letter from somewhere in France. Good-bye for the present Lee

Love, War, and

CHAPTER IV
ARRIVAL IN FRANCE ~aturday, August llth awoke at 5:45 A.M. Breakfast,

then by ambulance with Dr. Gerson to Victoria Station in


L~ndon, and by train reached Folkestone, England, at 9:30

A.~. The train was full of soldiers. Folkestone itself is


a small city on the English Channel - it was full of French,

English and Belgian troops. Quai, nt old town. Met a Kentuck!an who belonged to the Canadian Highlander Regiment. Our ship left a..t ~ P.M. and at 6:~5 P.M. we landed in

Boulogne, France, a distance of about 20 miles across th~


We were escorted by 4-5 British destroyers, and were 5 ships in our convoy. We saw no U-boats. finally, we landed in France, and Dr. Gerson and I took a room at the Hotel du Nord (10 francs for the two of U.~ ., about $~). Incidentally, a French chambermaid Just walked in without knocking--- no privacy here. Sunday, .Aug. 12th ~y dear Nina, .. At last .my w.lsh is gratified. Im in France after 2~months of wanderi~ around and after traveling about 5000miles. I tell you you cant realize how tickled to death I am. Im getting near, at least, to some ~eal action and some real work. Had a pleasant trip, convoyed from Folkestone, E~land to Boulogne, France; the voyage., if you can

Love, War~ and Medicine

it that--only took i~ hours. A splendid day and enjoyed it ~nsely. : ~-m staylnK~~or the time being at the Hotel D~ Nord. a~nioe ~@om for ~all s~ of 5 fr~a day, and t~als a~ ~oOd, better t~n I ~d in E~land. The ~@h are sociable and ~e you feel at home. And everyo~ ~re s~s mome or ~ss English. Am att~@~d fore a.few days to Base Hospital #13 here at B~o~e, but expect to move soon, where I dont know. with t~B~itish; In fact, ~ English officer said be with them for a year, so ~ve ii months left :~:~B~ule~ne Is a quaint old to~n ~nd Is full of F~nch ~itia~ tmoops. Also some Belgians and s~ one " ~.:.~ ~ch ~re is wondem~l ~d this ~fternoon e~ed. ~ w~a shocked (?)"to find out that o~ piece ~re the ~o~e here.. ~othin~ else, not even e ~o m~il ~ yet from t~ U.S.A., but some is prob~bl~ Woolwich ~nd I will get t~t later ~hen settled some~on~t write till you ~r fr~ me ~8~in. Your loving cousin postage req~Imed while on duty in F~noe. Boulogne, France Monday, Aug. 13th, 191, JUSt a few l~es to give you my new address. wP~e ~ write fmequently. Nothing new since my letter yeater~y, exoept.am enJoyi~ myself. Went in swim~ mA~at the beach b~re and enjoyed it i~ense!y, tho~h %~wate~ Was eold. ~ ~~Was put t~ou~ gas tests today a~ was issued a gas ~ a~ inst~etions. T~ gas used was fierce when ~ppetected, ~ut was O.K. with mask. Excuse brevity, but ~ve only a little time. So a~swer and dont forget Yo~ loving cousin,
Lee

Lieut. L. Unger, M.O.R.C., U.S. Army No.. 13 General Hospital British ExpedStlona~y Force, France. France, Aug. 15t~. Dear Folks, Just a few lines to let you know everything is al~ right. NO o~ders have come as yet and we are merely

waiting. Have practically nothing to do. Was in ruing yesterday & the day before, but it is raining cool today. I wrote you two days ago and also yesterday, but am afraid letters may not ~ve reac~d you as ~ ~iled t~m In a civil mailbox instead of a milltarN o~ as ~ should ~ve done. So will repeat that you should please write frequently, and add~ss all mail to Lt, L.~ Unger, M.O.R.C.U.S. Army, General Hospital ~13, B~Itiah Ex~ditiona~ Force, France. ~ave ~en in this city in F~nce about four dana a~ ~ l~e it i~ensely. ~ only difficulty is t~ l~age ~ Im picki~ tbmt up readily. Most of ~op~ s~ more or less English. Prices are extremely high, ~d it costs me abo~t ~ a day for room & bo~d ~Ione. ~ French peop~ ~re 8etti~ rich in this ~$1~hbo~hood, from money derived from the visiting oars and men. T~ water here is not very good ~d o~ us dri~ viohy instead. But t~ food is fairly t~o~gh on Monday & Tuesday, no meat is allowed. Sa plenty of bread ~d butter and the e~s are exceller~t ~ So far no mail from U.S., but yester~y I got of a Paris edition of t~ Chicago Tribune ~nd N. Y. Herald ~d enjoyed them, though them are very small pe~s. ~ see that the Sox a~e holding on to ist place b~~ t~ akin of their teeth, and t~t the Giants ~ve r~ away with t~ Nat ion~l ~a~e; the poor old Cubs are w~. A ~ch of mail will probably reach ~ from Woolwich very shortly. I wrote to London & Provincial Ba~ in Woolwich where I ~ve ~ checki~ account, and asked t~m to t~ansfer my accost to c~re of Cox & (France) ~td., Boulogne-Su~-Mer, as England is now too ~ar away for my account. My old suitcase has about ~eached its l~It a~d Ir~ goi~ to buy another one. Also must p~c~ae ~ sleepi~ ba~. Ill get t~ from tb~ British gover~ent. ~alk about cleanliness - you cant keep cleanat t~is hotel. Wash bowls ever~here and only o~ bath t~b f~ the whole hotel. And they charge you two to take a bath. Puts a premium on being dirty~ but I~ 8etti~ so ~ed to t~t I am rather enJoyin8 it. Well; ~ws is scarce, so close with love to all of you. Dont forget to write. By going to post office in U.S. you can send me magazines (Sat. Even. Post) f~e of c~ge. So read t~m Ist, t~n ~lease send t~ me. i hope you ~II are well. Love to two

Love, War, and Medic ine

CHAPTER V

ATTAGHED TO THE 30TH (ULSTER) DIVISION, BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE, FRANCE


Saturday, August 18th After a week of inactivity, received orders to.re.port %O the 36th British Division (from Ulster, Northern

Th~ next day: Our train for the Front Line Trenches left Boulogne at i~30 A.M. The train was kept dark (fear of air raids). About 7~30 A.M. a German plar~ dropped 15-20 bombs close to @,ur, train; the German was driven off by a British warplane.. At 9:30 A.M. we reached the Belgian town Of HOUpOutre (the British Tommies called it "Hop out"). We got out of the train and walked .for about a mile down the railroad tracks to t~ officers ~ss at Poperinghe

al~o In Belgie, and not fa~ from the f~ous old town c~alled
~p~ (%~ British soldiers called it "Wipers"). We had b~akfast at the B~itish officers mess, ~d we noticed that number of buildings and the railway station were pretty badl~ damaged from German gunfire,- this made us a bit nervous as it provedt~t .we newcomers were close to the front line. At 4:30 P,M. w.e took one of those small trains narrow tracks back to Merzeele in France; then by a motor

Love, War, and Medicine

ambulance to the Headquarters of the 36th British Divis~ The H.~. of this famous old division at that time was Io= .o&~e~ in & small town called Winnezeele, France, close to th~ ~9rder of Bel~ium. ,.~ When I reached the H.Q., I found I was assigned to

"the~!!Oth Field Ambulance a few hundred yards away, and I WaS gAven a tent and a servant - the British call this sol@le~ & "batman." The British officers here were a fine fellows and quickly we became good friends. All ~ritish, chiefly from Ulster, though a couple were Soo~oh. I was the only.American. Stood outside the tent foT awhile, with aeropla~e~ ~uzzin~ overhead almost continually. Nevertheless~ to bed ~ at i0 P.M. and~ slept well. Twas a strenuous day and veiny exc it ing. Monday, Aug. 20th proved to be a sunny day. I was A.M. After b~ekfast I took care of t~ mo~ning w~th Captain Olenv~lle, R.A.M.C (Royal Army Medical

~t afternoon I tbok care of a Frenc~an who to oo~it suicide by cutting his throat,~- we bandaged him 0~. Then a walk thru Winnezeele - not much of a place. T.hen I was giyen my let Job of censorin~ letters written by the soldiers of our ambulance. That was interestln~. One sergeant had a typewriter and ~ith the aid. of carbon paper, he wrote similar love letters to four differen~ me~be~e of the opposite sex.

Love, War, and Medic

Love, War, and Medicine

little water for shaving, makes up my bed, and runs errands. Some class to me, oh? It le 7 03 P.M now and must close as mess will . take place soon, dinner, as they say here. Food is ~ood and plentiful. We dine in an old French dwellin~ seven of us, the C.O. (Commanding Officer), four doctors, the padre and I. My mess bill here is small, 0~ about eighteen francs a week (about $3.50), as almost everything is furnished by the British government. sugar i~ ~rance. night~ &~t~sr everything was dark (9:00 P.M.) I ~teed outside the~ tent for about half an hour or more, and the scenery ~ was beautiful. The eastern sky was ~l~t~ up by flashe~ of lights from the guns, and the western by shells exploding in mid-air,- a German ~l&ne was bomblng~ a poin~ a few miles away. The guns ~ w@re heard very distinctly. Searchlights swept the ~ ak~ea all nig~ht. No lights allowed in tents after .~$90~P.M. ~o have nothiDg to do after that but talk

~~ ~,,~Ae~oplanea ~buzz and whirr over us almost continu~i~, ~ome alo~e~ ~some i~ squadrons of four-five. Of
~@1~se~ most are English or French, bht a German plane .~,!ed to" attack our train yesterday A.M. and dropped after bomb about a mile away, You can bet ,.your dollar.~~as, relieved when I saw an English aerodrive the German away. .... Well, I must close or miss my meal. So please anaWe~ and let me know all t~ news. Dont worry about ~ge ~&a Im practically i~ no danger. I close with low~ to you all arid dont forget the two grand~a~
Love,

~e ,~.~~ I left my t~nk at Hotel ~ Nord, Boulogne, and ggWe ,away my ,suitcase as it broke. I bo~ht a hand~

Friday, August 2~$th

~ ~~ .Piti~ thIs by candleliEht .so please excuse ~i~.~ Be,lde~,~it~s cool ~e and Im dead tired~

~an~dly~hold a~pen. T~ only reason I~

~stead~of hittID~ t~ ~y is that my bed Is see, I~ve Just completed another lo~i ~~P~m 2;00 A,M. thls ~orni~ to 7:00 P.~. this I~ve travelled ~ito~e~her perhaps si~ty-~eventy ~i~ I Oan~t~say exactly. In pitch,~rk this morn~ ,~ ~bulance, Includ~n8 officsPs, ~en, ~otor, ~nd

~up as yet.

Love, War, and Medic

described to you in my last letter a couple of day~ It was pouring cats and dogs, and there was mud everywhere. It was so dark you could hardly see more than ~ few feet ahead. I was given a fine horse and rode wit~ the" ether officers to the station about 7 miles away. T~at was some ride for me, for it was the first time I Wa~ on a horse for over I0 years, I guess. When the ~Ide ~was over, I was so stiff I could hardly get off .hawse. Believe me, horseback ridiz~ in pitch dark alo~ ~,~ramge roads is no cinch for a rotten horseman such as ~-~2~.~.~hen we~ ~ot on a train and rode for about 9 hours. ~:,~"troopswe~e very ~ppy as we were leaving t~ zone @~.t~ve f!~htin~ and goin~ to-occupy a ve~ quiet part of t~ first,miles away. T~ co~andlng officer, a major, ~@ap.tains and I ~ode ~n a compartment. We had a box-full e~food with ue and had lunch and tea on t~ train. Of e~ae, t~ service was rough, but who minded if ~ pape~ fell in the tea? Everything tasted .::~. As we rode along the aspect of the country graduali~ e~n~ed from one of peace and calm and greenness to one e~ absolute total destruction. We passed many abandoned ~n & English dugouts and trenches, ~ny st~ll with harobed wi~e entanglements. The dugouts were along the R.R. t~aeks.and made of stones, reinforced by sandbags. .~.T~ irene, s we~ ~llow, most having fallen in. ~.~ We have J~st a~ived in .our camp after a ten mile ~.~ ~PIp from ~,end of the R.R. line, then by motor So ~ve not ~d much of a chance to look around, but I can tell you one thing - we are in t~ ~art of a Frenc~ district which has been absolutely destroyed by the Ge~ ~ before they retreated. There isnt a single ~n~bitant for miles around. Every house has been system~ atleally destroyed,-walls down, holes t~u the centers, )Ors off; its awful. Not a soul. Weeds ever~here. ~It t~es all chopped down. Shell holes on all sides. medlar scene of desolation. Our camp is an oasis in Not a hen in sight - well have to go miles egg.o~ go without. ~ barmen will ~ve to do ~@~washing.~. T~ scenes around are t~ical of wars ~aste and dest~otion. ~:~-Well,.goOd-night. Dont worry, as Im in t~top e@ndltlon and Im at. a, pa~ of. the line where you don t ~aP a shot for. days. Please write quickly. With best

Love, War, and Medicine

Following Page 34

The ground of the battle over a period of four years,- showing Passchendaele, between Ypres and the forest of Houthulst (Belgie). (From the French magazine "LIllustrat~on." Note t~ awful dest~ction, including tanks and trees).

L~ve, Wa~., and Medicine

CHAPTER VI MOVING TOWARD TRENCHES


~,0 Nina follows

your seminary at Long Island or would that be too In~? No, you~ letters are not too long; they are too short, Thank you ve~ much for sendi~ my watch home~ My new ~gemsoll keeps fairly good time. F~om your desomlptlon of ~ke George and surroundings it must be b~ut i~l. ~ " ~ Yes, l~ve completely recovered from the blues,- if i~d t~m. l~m busy now, receive letters fro~, homo, .t~re is always the spice of danger added, Im outdoors almost all the time, and Im in tiptop condlt~on - wh> shouldnt I feel good? Yesterday~.I moved again, with 20 men, to tho Oasualty Clearing Station, (C.C.S.~), about a mile t~r back from where I was. Im only loaned for perhaps 2 weeks,.but cant say exactly. I l~ko work here i~ensely. You see the C.C.S. ~.s th~ li~ conneoti~ the Field Ambulances with ~he baso ~;~p~Itals. And here Is where most of the surg~.y Is ~,~A~present~ecause of the slackness of war at our of the li~e, the C.C.S. Is not nearly so b~sy as so~o t~ region we left a couple of weeks ago. B~t ~ho~.o plenty to do. As Im attached temporarily ~ a~is~ s~gery and give some anesthetics. .Gave h anesthetics yesterday, for cases of gunshot wounds and one l~g a~pu~ .~at!on, This station is a fine one, on top o~ a hill, ~alry and breezy. Have a large ~rquee (~ent) for a~anot~~~ ohe for readi~ and smoking room. ~ have ~mall tent as per usual, but I~ve been promoted to wooden floor instead of earth. ~y batman I too~ ~It~, me, so Handy Andy is still arced. Hes doln8 m>~ ~ of 2 weeks now. T~es no laund~ for 20 ~,re~m~er, we~e still In t~ destroyed ~ Had a little adventure ni~t before last. One ~~ .offlcers of o~ ambulate was taking some ratlor~s ~ ~up~$o~t~advanced dressing station (A.D.S.) close ~%~ front .llne- I asked to go along. We left about ~!0 P.~, with a Ford ambulance ~d rode along toward ~,~ ~,~!~ne, We got to a place where the road was no ~passable, so the ot~r officer and I put the ra~iou~ a stretc~r and .off we went further on. T~ load Ve~ ~a~, and afte~ we carried It about 3/~ ~,~, rotten roads, we both became exhausted. So he l~ft by the side of the road with the stretcher and ~ood~ he went on to get help. It was about ll~30 P.~. whe~ left. He said ~d be right back. Well, I wai~ed waited. It was ~dark, t~ moon came out from behin~ t~ clouds at intervals, at which ~imes my s~dow wo~d very distinct. And I was very close to the Ger~a~ I kept imagining all sorts of things. F~om w~o~e ~ sitting on a log, I could plainly see th~ Ve~.~y ~ta~ lights sent up by ~he Ge~ans all along the~~ lln~. at

Love~ Wa~, and ~edicine

~i

intervals to illttminate No Mans Land and so discover any raiding parties. And large and small guns kept sounding, with accompanying flashes of light. And there I was, on a road I had never seen-before, easily

accessible to Boche fire and alone at midnight. Som~ combination. Ill admit I had the creeps fop a while. I~ was over a~ hou~ before the officer came back and I can tell you I was glad to see him. Then we went on another half mile or so to the advanced dressi~ station (A.D.S.). This is located in a deep dugout, with a thirty foot thick roof. We went down and had a ple. asan~ chat with the doctor in charge. Then we back, fouled the Ford and got home at 2:00 A.M. Thats ~he nearest Ive been to the Line, about one-halfO~e mile. And that~ s close enough: Itls raining again and cool, it Pains almost every day and ~ve never perspired since I left United ~tates.. except for a couple of ~imes at tennis In ED~land. As all t~ B~itlsh offlce~s here a~ree, Prance has the da~edest weather of a~y country and for our pa~t, the Huns are welcom~ to lt. ItS3 cold all the time, pe01ally at night. Dout ~ell anyone, but Ive carded B.V.D~s for woo3er~s. And to think United Stat~: Is ~oastlng. Unitea ~ates Is G~s country ~d I ~et back, Im n~t goi~g to.leave When I ~t* to so,~e inhabited to~, Im goi~K ~ve my photo taken Ir~ my steel helmet and o~ wlt~ m~ ~as mask on - Iill look best that~ way cause you oan~t see my face. I wore ~y ~In cap on mY t~Ip ~he lines - Its very ~a~, but It is a big protection in t~enoh warplane. All last nlgh$ the booming of the guns contln~ed** but not very loud, so I could sleep. Two days ago, ~t so~ Canadians who were playln~ baseball,--- hlttln~ flies. I Joined In for a few minutes. We all were good players,- for we neve~ mlased more t~n four out of five ~lles,- candldat~s foP*t~ big.~ea~ues~ By the way, I see the Giants pPaGtloally ~ve clinched the N.L. Flag, ~d the and Red Sox ~e having a helluva scrap. And I hereby bet yOU a box of candy against a necktie that the White 3ox ~at the Giants, If t~ two play. ~t , kn~ ~If you accept ~hls wage~. PayaOle on la~di~*~ New York. ~ ~ Well, Nina dear~ I know I~ve bored you with windy letter, but you know I co~e from the .WindF ~L SO eXmUSe me. And glve~ ~y love to your family a~ t~

Love, War, and Medicine

38

Stella, and keep oodles of my very best brand of affection for your cute little self. Your devoted cousin Lee And a letter to my brother follows: Friday, Aug. 31, 1917 Dear Brother Ed, Received a dandy 12 page letter from you a few days ago, written by the sweat of your brow. Was awfully glad to hear from you, especially as the letter was very interestln~ and full of news. What wonderful luck that you, Joe, Sam and Millard should have been drown so far dew~ t~e list. And Will was first. Let me know if he gets exempted. Just got hold of Chicago Tribunes from July 29th to Aug. 3rd printed during a hot spell in Chicago. And it must have been rather warm, from all accounts. I suppose swimming was your long suit. And here I am in a climate with only 2 seasons a year, it seems - cold & colder. It rains almost every day. And nights in tents are none too warm, I can tell you. But I have gotten around that. Ive procured a warm suit (woolen pajamas) and a pair of loose woolen (knitted) sort of stockings. I wear these at night, also a sweater coat and my bathrobe; and these with 3 blankets and a bedding roll keep me warm as toast. Im awfully pleased to hear Mother is feeling much better. The vacation at Elkhart probably did her a world of good. Let me know how she withstood the heat
wave.

As for myself, Ive moved again, though still attached to the llOth Field Ambulance. Ive been loaned temporarily to Casualty Clearing Station 48, about a mile further back from where we were before and almost out of gunshot range of the Boche. These C.C.Ss are the links between the field ambulances & the base hospitals. Here is where most of the surgery is done. Almost all wounded need an operation, mostly slight, some serious. At present, on account of the lack of real strafing (fighting) at our point of the line, there is, of course, comparatively little to do. But what with the sick and wounded, theres plenty to occupy my time. Beslde. s, letter-writlng and long walks c on sume time. My present camp "is very nice. In my tent Ive been promoted to a wooden floor instead of an earthen. And every morning my batman, as the English call our soldier servants, brings me in a bucket of warm water in which I stand up and have a c6mfortlng bath. Not very luxurious, Ill admit, but youve got to keep a little

Love, War, and Medicine

39

olean. My batman Just finished my acoumulatlon of three weeks laundry. He did a fairly good Job oonslderir~ the laok of an iron. The Colonel in charge and the other Ez~lish medioal officers are very Jolly chaps. And there is another American here, from Pensacola, Florida, who is a dandy fellow. The food is ~ood and only oosts nineteen francs a week, or about ~3.50. At that rate, my bank account ought to climb. Ive got about 1,000 francs at Cox & Co., Boulogne. Id have had more, but expenses in England and in Boulogne were very high. And the money was difficult to comprehend at first. Yesterday a young German prisoner came ~n, shot in the knee. He was given every attention, equally as good as that given the Tommies. The English are not barbarians. We questioned him a little. He said the German troops had plenty to eat,- meat twice a day. He did not know how the women and children were getting along, as he had not been home in eight months. He said the war would go on forever, but that the Germans and Austrians were very weary of fighting. He was a machine gunner. The next few days the routine was about the same,a bit monotonous with censoring the mail, taking care of some sore b~els add a few soldiers with fever this fever was probably the so-called grippe which out here we call it G.O.K. - (God Only Knows). I did manage to take daily long walks. One interesting episode: I was made Officer of the Day and was told to lead about slxty-five of ou~ men to their baths at an old building three miles away. A British sergeant lined up these soldiers for me and waited for my instruction to march off. But I had never had any military training, only medical. I had had some gymnastic work at the University of Chicago, that was all! So I thou6ht that Forward March might be my best order, so I yelled it out and off we went, with the sergeant walking next to me. When the sergeant suggested that I say At Ease I did as he said. Immediately the soldiers began to laugh as they marched and soon were singing American songs like Yankee Doodle. I should have mentioned that all through my stay with the British, I wore my American uniform with the old high tight collar and the old big American campaign hat. Anyway, we got to the bathhouse and on the way back to our field ambulance, I had the sergeant take over the return march. Best

Lee

Love, War, and ~edicine

40

September 2, 1917 Was awakened at midnight by a terrific storm with water leaking through my ~ent. Had tea at l:15 A.M., and at 2:30 A.M. mounted my horse (Kaiser Bill) and rode down wet roads some seven miles to a town called Esquelbec. There some breakfast, then a long train ride from 9:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Our train took us through a rather large city (Arras) - a place which was practically ruined by German gunfire. We saw many trenches and many dugouts. We left the train at the City of Bapaume, then by motor rode for ten miles to a camp at LeSchalle, France. As we drove along, we noted that the territory for miles around was desolate, with houses in ruins, trees cut down, and no inhabitants in the whole district. The next day had tea with Major Meredith (Commanding Officer) and the other officers, then drove to Bapaume with Captain Christie and saw two good pictures (Charlie Chaplin and the Battle of Arras). The next day was Sunday; I was Officer of the Day - but I did manage to ride a bicycle and play baseball with some Canadian troops. I also received a haircut done by a British private. The next day it poured all day long, but I wore my boots and walked three miles to a new camp.

Love, War, and Zedicine

41

On Wednesday, August 29th I reached the C.C.S. ~48, and gave a few anesthetics - with great precautions because chloroform was used and this anesthetic is very dangerous,- a few extra drops can be fatal. Met the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Morris, R.A.M.C.,very nice chap, and met another American ~I.D., Captain Kennedy. Incidentally, when I reached this C.C.S., I as accompanied by twenty men and my barman. Also helped operate on a Boche prisoner and kept a bullet as a souvenir; was also in charge of Ward B4, a mixed ward. September 1st was raining and cool, but I helped extract two pieces of shrapnel from or~ of our men, and, later, played some baseball again. I even played some poker in the evening and won four francs. Following is a letter to my Brother Paul: Tue sday, September 4 Dear Brother Paul, I was very glad to get your letter written July 26th. I received it a few days ago. So you wrote it in school when you should b~eve been studying. Well, I forgive you - seeing that it was I to whom you were writing. Lets see -this is September ~th and is the first Tuesday after the first Monday, so that means school reopens in Chicago. And I can see all the kids packing up their books and lunches and hiking to school. A few are angry and hate to go back. But most are gl ad , for they know that school means not only good educati6n, but also good

Love, War, and Medicine

fellowship, good fun and good sports. At least thats the way I always felt. So you are becoming an expert swimmer. When I get back, Ill spot you 50 yards and beat you i00. I went swimming 4 times in Boulogne, in ice-cold salt water with large waves. I liked those occasions even though my mouth tasted like a salt factory when I got through. But out here where I am now, Im many miles from any bathing and the only swim I get is my morning plunge in my 2 x 4 bathtub or rather, tin washtub, which my barman valet brings in every morning. ~et that word valet ? You did not write whether you had received the present on your birthday which I asked Joe to buy for me. ~et me know. If Dr. Lewin said you needed arch supports, get them. Have him buy them for you. Let me know when the camera arrives The weather has turned nice, a very welcome change. All the aeroplanes are out, and this morning a Boche plane was up so high you couldnt see it with the naked eye, but you could see hundreds of shells bursting in mid-air, shot by our (or rather British) anti-alrcraft guns. It was very beautiful. I did not hear any bombs. I go to bed about 9:30 each night as usually theres nothing doing at that time. Today I am orderly officer and have to examine all new cases, look after the mens food, etc. This morning I was hauled out of bed at the ungodly hour of 7:30 A.M. (My usual time is 8:15), to examine some rotten bacon. As I write the guns are booming very distinctly. Fortunately, this camp is OK. Sunday (2 days ago) I went over to an aeroplane hangar and examined several of the British planes and watched one 8o up and come down. They are very interesting and graceful. Let me know if you have any trouble getting my letters. For instance, do you have to put on a stamp, i.e., postage due? Our letters are supposed to go postage free if we write on the envelope On Active Service and sign our names. Besides, were many miles from the nearest post office. But I heard there was some .trouble and that letters were held up in Washington, D. C. Well, Paul, no more news, so close with love to you & all the family. Answer soon. Your loving brother, Lee Fri., 9/7 Nina dear, I received a long 3. page typewritten letter from you dated 8/15. It came 3 days ago, but Ive moved again, so have been too busy to answer till today, so forgive delay.

Love, War, and Medicine

First of all, I want to ask you if you have to pay any postage due on my letters from France. Ive been told by Dr. Barnett that the folks in U.S. have to put on 4# on every letter from France. This is unjust, since letters to England from France need no stamps. But aside from that fact, Im located about 20 miles from the nearest signs of civilization & cant buy, borrow, beg oP steal a stamp. There aint no such thing as a stamp out here. So please let me know and meanwhile Ill have to ask you to fork over the postage due, if necessary. Your letter was most enjoyable - if you could see how eagerly I read and reread your messages, Im sure you would realize how much I think of you and how I always look forward to your letters. The more you write, the more I want. Your description of Lake George and your vacation was fine. Id surely like to have been with you and Stella. But Im a little doubtful about that chance meeting on the train you speak of. Would I have come in handy as a sort of chaperone? Am back with the ll0th Field Ambulance again after an enjoyable week at C.C.S. 48. Did I write you that we had a wounded German prisoner there and that I have the revolver bullet that we took out of his knee? My first souvenir. I have charge of 3 marquees (large tents) with about 50 patients,- none very sick - mostly boils or slight fevers or accidental" injuries. We are about 3-~ miles back of the line. It is still very quiet. The last 3-4 days have been beautiful and the sun warm. And, as a result, aeroplane activity has increased. For instance, yesterday there were German planes up over us all day; we could not see them, but you could hear their engines and see very plainly the shrapnel bursting in mid-air, shot from our anti-aircraft guns all around here. Last week I borrowed a bat, baseball, catchers mitt and a finger mitt from a Canadian padre close by, and we have had some dandy exercise. One day we gotup 2 teams, 9 on a side. Capt. Kennedy, an American from Pensacola, and .I were the only 2 who had ever played baseball before. The rest were English Tommies, most of them adept at cricket. And they tried to play baseball as they do cricket. The game was the funniest and most enjoyable Ive ever participated in. We won 40-12 after about 3 o~ 4 innings. The remarks by the Tommies were great. One shouted, Youve attacked it twice now, Bill, so youll have to strike at it. Every man who got to ist stole 2nd, 3rd & then scored on a passed ball. But some of the English are good material for baseball. Well, outside of playing bridge and winning % francs

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(I was the only inexperienced one playing), there is nothing exciting. Am very sorry I have no news nor any adventures to relate, but will try to do better in my next letter. You know that he who writes & quits when gay will live to write another day. So please give my very best to the family, including Stella, & accept my growing admiration & devotion. Lee P.S. Am awaiting your photo. P.S.S. Just finished lunch of bully beef, boiled potatoes, tapioca pudding, bread & butter, Jelly, cheese & llme Juice. Were not starving~! Sept. 12th Not too much to do. Always busy with reading the mail and any American newspapers. Just heard that brother Eddie was accepted by the U. S. Army. Our Capt. Crosby was thrown from his horse; I helped reduce his dislocated shoulder. Was back with the ll0th Field Ambulance,
but leaving in two days to be the Medical Officer (M.0.) of

the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Battalion.

Sept. 9, 1917 Sunday


My dear Nina, An impulse Just came over me to write you a few of my thoughts and feelings. I dont know why, but Im in a thinking mood today. Perhaps its because its Sunday morning, and the troops are singing church hymns in a tent close by my chair. Or again perhaps its because Ive Just finished one of the most wonderful touching stories I ever read; its called My Dear Enemy by Jean Webster, author of Daddy Long Legs. If you havent read it, you must do so as its full of bits of true human it y. But, whatever the cause maybe I feel like getting rid of some things Ive been thinking of and who more fit to receive them than you? So, despite a letter of two days ago, youre going to get another with thoughts, but no real news. Let me know ifI bore you. In the first place, there is religion. Ill admit right now that Im not very religious at heart. Different doctrines rather bore me, to tell the truth. The ceremonies and forms yoc have to go through were all right 6000 years ago, but they dont appeal to me. I dont know Just where I stand, but I do believe that the

Love, War, and Medicine best religion is doing good and thats all you need. The ten commandments are pretty fair, dont you think so? Let me know your views. And then there is war (you see, I intend to skip lightly from subject to subject). Im sitting Just outside my tent. The day is bright, the sun powerful, the skies blue. And everything would be so peaceful if it werent for the machine gunning going on now to the north of us; if it werent for the weeds everywhere and the absence of crops; if the field Im in and hundreds around werent covered with tents and huts instead of peaceful civilian dwellings; if inhabitants were walking around instead of British Tommies, Tommies, and more Tommies; if there werent dozens and dozens of large and small shell holes all around, some dry, some muddy, some filled with water, some containing pieces of shells; and if aeroplanes wouldnt buzz over us at intervals and shrapnel from antiaircraft guns would not burst in mid-air; and if within i00 yards of me there wasnt an elaborate system of trenches and dugouts, built by Germans; and lastly, if I myself were dressed in ordinary clothes, instead of khaki. Everybody here is fed up (English for sick and tired) with the war. Theyre all aching to get back home. But, with characteristic English bulldoggedness, they have no idea of quitting till Prussianism is overthrown. They know and we know our cause is the right one. And the English are apparently awaiting to see what United States will do. Personally, I have no doubt that little old United States will knock the spots out of the Kaiser. The Englishman is a good soldier and fights well. The officers are good also. But the English lack the ingenuity, the enthusiasm, the aggressiveness and above all the pep of the American. Its shown well in comparing cricket and baseball. Cricket takes one-three days for a game, is slow and very scientific. Baseball is fully as scientific, but is fast and you get done in a couple of hours. Having thus easily disposed of the war, I turn my thoughts home. I wonder what United States is doing now. Are the conscripted boys in camps alread#? Do they go willingly? Are they full of pep? Are troops coming over continually? For all I know of American troops in France, I might almost as well be in Egypt. There are some American engineers closeby, but where the infantry is, whether theyre in the line yet, I cant say as I dont k6ow. And I wonder what you and Stella are doing. Are you working hard? Are there any more parades? Is there an American flag from every window? Do you correspond with my folksy Have you heard from Marie?

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And last but not least, my thoughts center on the opposite sex. I havent seen a girl for so long now, outside of a couple of nurses I saw last week, that I wouldnt know one again if I saw her. When I get back to U.S. where the real girls live, Im going to kiss t~ first one I meet as I get off the gangplank. I only hope its you. And, speaking of girls, Ive a letter Just received from a boy chum of mine in Chicago who has evidently discarded one girl for another. And as I agree unqualifiedly in his description of the difference between the two girls, Im going to quote you part of what he says. First of all, I want to say hes one of the finest fellows in the world and one of the wittiest and most thoughtful. He wrote me a 27 page letter, every page a masterpiece. About the girls he says: A new queen bee has lately entered among the roses of my heart. She seems suddenly to have blossomed forth--like a fair flower, in all its glorious splendor. She is sincere and unaffected, and I like her immensely. Upon her I have placed the blue ribbon of my affections. Then he goes on about the other young lady: The young lady at Michigan Avenue is, as far as Im concerned, as dead as a doornail. She means nothing henceforth in my young life. I have called on her for the last time. She is a fine girl, you say? True, very true. Her intentions are good? Yes, but Hell is paved with good intentions. What she lacked was snap - in her appearance and in her mentality. She had no taste, nor did she possess great powers of Judgment. She lacked that fine sense of discrimination which I so much admire in girls as well as fellows. She was complacent - how I abhor complacency. To my mind self-satisfaction and stagnation are synonymous. On the other hand, I have not been blind to her many good qualities. She is kind; she is sympathetic; she is ever-faithful. To a young man wishing to marry, she would be ideal - she cooks, she bakes, sb~ sews, she knits. But who in H--- wants to get mart led ? Dont you think thats pretty fair? And he and I agree almost invariably on almost everything. He and I both agree that pep is a very essential quaiity much to be sought after, among other things. So look around for me, please, find me a girl with pep along with the rest. I dont want to be an old bachelor, though Im afraid Im on my way already. But, and Im not flattering, thats one of the things I most admire in you and do now admire, - your energy and ~heerfulness and ability. So I want you to gather all your pe~ and answer me with a real long letter full of thoughts. How would I do as a father confessor? Yours in thought, Lee P.S. Have been promoted to a regular iron bed with a mattress, given by the Red Cross. Absolute luxury and comfort!

Love, War, and Medicine

And heres another letter to Nina:


Monday, Sept. lOth NinaI was going to post the letter yesterday, but had some work to do, so did not, & then after lunch, I saw one of the most exciting baseball games Ive seen in a long time. Twas between Canadian & American Engineers. Canada took the lead early & when the 8th inning opened was leading 7 to 2. "Then America got busy and batted out 3 runs, maki~ng score 7 to 5. Then in the 9th inning, they batted out 4 more making it 9 to 7, and won. The game itself was good, but the rooting was immense. T~ere were about 200 Americans there and about 2000 Canadians an~ English, but the 200 out-yelled the 2000: I believe the English enjoyed the rooting much more than the game. Theyve sort of taken a fancy to terms like atta boy & make em put it over, kill the umpire, etc. At the game I met a Lt. of engineers from Chicago, a fine fellow. Those Americans are certainly fine physical specimens, and you cant realize how proud I am that I belong to the little old U.S.A. The British are gradually respecting us more and more. Out here the morning dew is so heavy that everything is damp. Its not very pleasant to awaken and have to don .wet clothes every morning. But Im standing that easily, so dont worry about me. I rather worry about you,- you work so hard and never take time off for tea. Well, Nina dear, I close again with loads of love to you, the family & Stella. Lee Flayed bridge last night again and am learning the game rapidly.

Rah: Rah: Rah Rah: Rah: Rah Rotten

In a tent Somewhere in France, On a mission bent, Feeling fit. to prance.


Wed. 9/12/17

My lovely cousin, Just a few lines in addition to my two recent letters to tell you your photo has come at l~st and you look great. I only wish I had the orig~inal here instead, but suppose Ill have to be satisfied with this substitute. Yes, Nina, after traveling all around the earth that bundle of mail you sent c/o Adjutant General on July 16th finally reached me yeste~rday. Some speed: But I was very glad to get the package. The U.S. Embassy at London must have been cleaning house and came across the package. And you deserve more thanks than I can bestow for

Love, War, and Medicine

your faithfulness and energies on my behalf. And in same mail came a letter from you written Aug. 24th. Thats pretty fair time across the pond. Im glad youre all well, but cant understand why you are not getting mail from me. Just a moment and Ill consult my diary. It says I sent you letters as follows, (since leaving .N.Y.): July 3, ~, 8, ii, 21, 30, Aug. 7, i0, 12, 13, 14, 21, 23, 30, Sept. 7 & I0. And this is No. 17 since sailing. I dont think Ive been faithless, do you? And to date lve received 7 from you, all of which I read and reread frequently. Please c ont inue. News there is none except that I went horse-riding yesterday and today am a little stiff, never mind where. Its raining and cool, and now will close to answer some more letters Just received. And you know I am, as ever, Your loving cousin, Lee Just got an invitation to take an examination for regular army. Nay: Nay. On Sept. 14th was transferred to the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and took temporary charge ~n place of Captain Johnston, going on leave. Am sharing a room with 2nd Lieut. Cronhelm in the ruins of an old French chateau at Be rt inc ourt. Sat., Sept. 15th: some rain and some sunshine. Took care of the battalion sick in the morning, and in the afternoon rode my horse to visit the llOth Field Ambulance. The next day up to Demicourt chose to the trenches, and visited a Royal Aid Post (RAP) and Lt. Robinson (~I.S. Med. Corps), and also met British Captains Emerson and Glenville. No danger so far. Letter from Nina:

Mort. 9/ 7
My dearest Boy, At last you got our letters. Well, Lee, I have tried to set the wheels "In motion and now hope all your mail will be delivered. You see, Lee, you are so dear

Love, War, and Medici~

to me that I have been writing you one, two or three letters a week besides sending magazines, newspapers, etc., and it made me feel very badly when you wrote that you had received no mail from the U.S. Therefore, I wrote to a newspaper for information (their answer did not satisfy me), and I also wrote to the British Consul and the Brigadier General at Washington. The latter answers I expect today or tomorrow when this letter will go forward. From this you will see that though you are so far away, you are always with me,no matter what I do or where I am. Your two letters of Aug. 21 and 24 Just reached me and they are splendid - so typical of you,- hopeful & fearless. Suoh m~n ~:~ you will ~lav~ our country and people. Oh, boy, 1 love you~. ~a;th. Petriot~sm is in every line of your letters, and I shall keep them always. Please continue to write me in detail and always tell me Just how you feel. Just now I am in a very sentimental frame of mind and it is hard to shake it. Twice since starting I have been interrupted. Once the telephone rang a~d I had to go out, and then Gussie & Adele came up. Adele wanted to know to whom I was writing. When I told her, she wanted to write, too, so shall enclose her letter. Knowing you would not understand her language, I have transcribed it according to her dictating. Today is Jewish New Year, and I am cooking luncheon. Ma & Harry went downtown to temple and I went in the neighborhood. This is the first time I have ever gone on New Years, and I went mainly on your account to say a prayer for your safe return, and for a speedy ending of this hideous war with victory for humanity. Surely, the God of Justice is watching over us. What wonderful experiences you are having! Your letters are so beautiful in description, and you are so entirely unselfish that I am ashamed of myself and the wasteful life I lead. However, the winter programme is not yet laid out and I might decide to again do some social service work. Did you know that both Stella and I did something along these lines about two years ago? Today Clarences brother-in-law left for Camp Upton, Yaphank, Long Island. Of course, they all feel very badly, but he was happy to go and is delighted at the prospect of serving the country. I understand that Chas. Hughes is trying to put through a bill so that only one in a family will be compelled to serve. That may or may not be a good thing asI know a number of only boys who are strong physically and well able to serve who have not been called, and in most cases the families are wealthy. Did you know that men at college who have had more than 6ne year at studying medicine are exempt? Also Harvard records show that more than

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50

5000 of their men are now serving this country in various capacities both here & abroad. I believe there are 2000 engineers abroad and about 3000 men. Pershings army is composed of about 15,000, and the 2nd contingent of about 14,000 is also in France. My figures may be wrong as I am very poor at figures (both ways). It is time I said good night. If I get time, will add a line on Monday,.- if not, this will go forward as is. With all my love and best wishes and kindest regards from all. Yours till Niagara Falls Nina Letter from Nina: 1:30 A.M. - 9/18/17 Good Morning, Lee No, I didnt Just get up, but on the contrary am getting ready for bed. However, I Just cant stop thinking of you, so shall start this letter & will finish it in time for Saturdays steamer. Of course, I havent a bit of news as I wrote you this morning and nothing very startling has happened since then. Went out visiting this evening, got back at Ii P.M., and have been reading The Pentecost of Calamity by Wister. At the office I had quite a trying day as things are very unsteady, and all ugly matters seem to come up in the course of a day. However, Wall St. is i0 miles away so shall forget it for a few hours. At present the city is quite busy with the primaries as tomorrow is Primary Day. It is quite apparent that the Suffragists are making a strong fight in the city and it looks as though they will pull a strong vote in November. As for baseball, it will probably be between the Sox & Giants, and bets are being placed on the Sox in this City so you see even N.Y. has faith in a Chicago team. I was asked to place a bet, but the chap wanted the Sox so the bet was off, but Im looking for a sucker. If possible, shall go to at least one game. Have arranged that Rudi meet me Sunday morning and snap our pictures so that we can send you one. In a Joke Miss McKeon (the secy in my office - you met her) said she was going to send her picture too, so if I can get it, will send it to you, and you can give it to any nice Irishman who is lonesome and wants to start a correspondence. Ask him to drop her a line and I will get her to answer it. She i~ very bright and I think it will be lots of fun - dont you?

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51

Well, dear, the hour of two is striking so must say good night. Pleasant dreams Yours always Nina Sept. 19th was eventful. I had a fine tub bath at the Divisional Baths. Then a very impressive ceremony.ou~ battalion was inspected by British Lt. Genl Woolcomb. On Sept. 20th 2nd Lt. Ferguson had abdominal pain; my diagnosis of acute appendicitis proved correct as I took him by ambulance to the C.C.S. where the inflamed appendix was removed. The following two letters are from Nina: Sept. 19th, 1917. Howdy Do, old chap:Before starting the days work, shall type you a few lines. Really, its getting to be sort of habit writin~ you. It is the last thing I did before retiring, and almost the first thing this morning. One would almost think I had something to say, but I havent. This morning, I am in receipt of three letters, one from a New York newspaper, another from the British Consul and the third from the Adjutant General, to whom I had written regarding your mail. All three disagree as to the proper way to address you, and I received practically no information as to the non-delivery of your letters, etc. to date. As I can do nothing further in the matter, can only hope that this will reach you within a reasonable length of time. By the way, I want to call your attention to a letter on the first sheet of the Editorial page in the Times of Sept. 16th, which I mailed to you. It is written by some Judge to his son at the time of the Civil War, and is beautifully worded. In the Metropolitan Magazine which I sent you are the love letters of Richard Harding Davis, which ar~e also very beautiful and well worth reading. I hope they will reach you and that you will enjoy them. If there is any magazine for which you have preference, please let me know, as I am having the time of my life keeping you supplied with literature. Would send you a few books

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~2

but they would be cumbersome when moving about, whereas magazines and newspapers can be passed along and enjoyed by others after you have finished with them. Well, dearest cousin, a conference is now going on in the private office, and I must get out some data, so must stop for the present, but will probably get time to write you again tomorrow or Friday. With loads and loads of love, Yours affectionately, Nina Sept. 21st, 1917. Lee dear, You never told me whether you objected to letters written on the machine. Of course, if I were to write them by hand it would take much longer and I would use very much more paper. Besides I could not make as many mistakes, as one of my bad habits is never to read over a letter after it is written, so that you are NOT to critlcise my work, but you may criticise me and attribute errors to my stupidness. Please take particular notice of the cover of this weeks Saturday Evening Post, which will be mailed you tomorrow with other magazines. Are you up against any such propositions? The expressions on both faces are very good and the subject matter should appeal to you. Of course, I thought of you at once when I saw it, and could not help wondering how good a Frenchman you are, and also if there isnt one little French girl who has captured the heart of our American boy. This is a splendid day, and one feels at peace with the world, until outthoughts wander to the horrors of the present war. Oh, I wish it were all over. Last night I had mother to the movies. I dont particularly care for them, and would never go to one if it were not that mother is movie mad. Of course, some of them are worth while, and some fine points can be brought out on the screen. Tonight I am going to see George Arliss in Hamilton. He is my favorite actor, and I believe I shall enjoy the play. Have you ever seen him? I met him personally last year. at the Actors fair. Have seen him in all his plays - he is wonderful, and in a class all by himself. The play I am going to see tonight is, I believe, based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, and as he was almost perfect in character, the dramatization of Hamilton is sure to be good. Shall tell you more about it in my next letter. All at home send their love and be st wishes. With all my love, I am, as always Yours, Nina.

Love, War, and Medicine

CHAPTER VII IN THE TRENCHES Friday, Sept. 21st, was the big day, - my first visit to the front line trenches; one must remember that these trenches extended from near the English Channel all the way south to the border of Switzerland. I slept in a dugout for the first time. It was not too bad. The next day I took a four hour tour of the front line with Padre Redmond (Presbyterian Minister); the trenches looked pretty good. Did look through a periscope, but saw no Germans (Boche). True to British tradition, we had our ~ oclock tea, - but this one was in a 30 ft.~ deep dugout. There~ was some shelling, and one German shell fell close to the entranc~ of our aid post. I picked up 2 pieces of shrapnel for souvenirs. That night we raided a part of the German llne, but were unable to capture any Germans. One of the main purposes of the raid." was to capture prisoners, so we could identify the German troops opposite our trenches. Dugout Chicago, France Sunday, 9/23/17 Dear Nina, As promised to you in my last letter of 9/19, this is from the trenches. Am writing this down in my dugout 3Oft. below the leveJl of the ground. My palace is about 6 ft. high, about 3 ft. long and about 20 ft.

53

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/.

wide. Half of this space is taken up by my R.A.P. (Regimental Aid Post). Here the wounded get Ist Aid treatment and the sick are also attended to. The other half is occupied by cots for my batman and for me. There isnt a lot of room, of course, but we are all very comfortable and cozy, and whats more important, very safe. We have about 8 feet of roof over us, made of earth, corrugated iron, timber & sandbags, and this will stop any of the Boche whizz-bangs as their 5.9 inch shells are affectionately termed. There are no windows, but a fair amount of light comes in through the stairway. This descent is very steep and somewhat irregular, and the roof is low so you have to watch yourself as you walk down and stoop very low, else youll crack your head on the roof. Heres where our steel helmets come in handy. Theyre excellent buffers and they dont mind how often you hit them against the roof. As I write the Boche are shelling away to our left with their 4.2 inch shells, lm getting so I can tell one kind from another. Their shells begin with a faint bang which you dont always hear as theyre fired from a great distance; then comes a loud & prolonged whizz as they fly toward our line; then the final terrific bang as the shell lands and explodes and a column of smoke arises. Our gunners are replying, and our shells begin with a sharp bang as they leave our guns, then a loud whizz as they pass over ou~ heads. Sometimes you hear them burst in the enemys line, but usually not. Yesterday the padre and I took a four hour tour of the trenches, from 2-6 P.M. He talked with the men, while I inspected conditions of men and sanitary details. We donned our steel helmets and slung our gas ~ ask s over our shoulders and off we walked. We walked along the road for a while, then came to the beginning of the line of trenches held by our battalion. We entered a trench and then kept on steadily through the bewildering maze of these furrows in the earth. They go every which way, yet combined they present a continuous face to the enemy. Each trench is deep enough so that you are entirely concealed from the enemy, but visible .by his aeroplanes if they fly over us. The floor is covered with what is known as a duckboard walk merely a diminutive system of railroad ties, close together. On wet days this keeps the men from walking and standing in mud. Many of the trenches are covered with sandbags to add further strength. In front of the first line are rows and rows of barbed wire. As we walked along, we conversed pleasantly with the men and 2nd Lieutenants on duty there. Outside of a little sniping, there was no firing from the Boche, though our guns kept

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Following Page 54

View of a German Trench and Duckboards - taken from book entitled "Die 26 Infanterie-Division (1 Kgl. Wt~rtt) im Krieg 1914-1918, " printed by St%~*ble & Friedel in Stuttgart.

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55

slinging over stuff at frequent intervals. It was a very pleasing sound to hear our shells whistle over our heads and explode in the Boche llne. I suppose you think Im getting bloodthirsty, but no, Im not. I merely believe the only way to win the war is to go at the Boche hammer and tongs and give him no rest. You know out here there is the most intense hatred of the Germans and everything German. There is no doubt that they are conducting a most barbarous war, and they are getting retribution of the most terrible kind. For example, gas. The Germans began that diabolical method of attack and now the British & French are paying them back tenfold. They say the Huns are suffering terribly from gas, especially around the City of Lens which is expected to fall any day now. 6:30 Resumed writing this after a 4 hour tour of the front line. The padre and I left at 2 P.M. and Juat got back. We probably walked about 5 miles. We went through all the trenches held by our battalion. The trip was fine. The trenches are in excellent condition with high walls of sandbags and earth and wooden floors. They zigzag to beat the band. At every little distance, you come to an observation post where men are constantly on watch through the trench periscopes. I looked through a few of them. The Germans are directly opposite us, probably a few hundred yards of no-mans land intervening. When you look out, all you can see are rows and rows of our own and the enemys barbed wire and his front line trenches. In the distance also is a French village in the hands of the Boche. But you cant see a single German. Theyre all under cover. There was only a little sniping going on from their side and I had my first hearing of bullets whistling along. The padre and I were below the level of the trench-tops or parapets as theyre called, so we were in no danger. Of course, if anyone is fool enough to stick his head up high, hell attract a bullet from a German sniper. I heard no heavy German guns, but our guns fired many shots at the German lines. You could hear quite easily these heavy shells go bang-swish-bang! The swish is the whizzing sound they make as they fly over your head and the final bang the loud noise they make as they explode in German lines. On our way back, we had tea in one of the company headquarters dugouts 30 feet below the earth. Im getting the tea habit, so look out for me when I get back. You know, they say the war will end any year now. Lots of love, Lee

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A letter to my folks follows: Dugout .Chi~c ago Sat. 9/23/17 Dear Folks, As indicated by the title above, am in the line at last. Am seated in my dugout about 1,O00 yards from the front line. Am very safe here, as well as protected and out of sight of the Huns. It is ll:30 A.M. now. About an hour ago, a few Hun 4.2 inch shells went overhead and landed about a half mile away. In reply our guns fired about twenty shots. But now it is very quiet. At night the starlights of both British and Germans are pretty. I wrote you last on Monday, September 17, Jewish New Years Day. After I sent that letter, I received your cablegram. Thank you for good wishes. It scared me for a while. Also received a long letter from Mari~, mailed August ll and a letter, a Saturday Evening Post and a Metropolitan Magazine from Nina K. All letters take about a month to reach me. How long do mine take to you? Well, other news is not plentiful. Am doing considerable horsebacking. Yesterday rode about ten miles. Am learning how to hold on with my knees. Its great sport and, as you know, entirely new to me. Am getting to be a bridge shark. I have played altogether about seven-eight times, I think Im about a franc ahead. We play a franc a lO0, usually with some officers of No. ~ Co. By the way, Im still medical officer in charge of 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Just finished a good book which Ed would do well to read, as it will do him good in future army life;The First Hundred Thousand, by Ian Hay. Also doing some bicycling. Yesterday rode about five miles. Must have exercise, you know. The nights are getting very cool now and mY sleeping bag feels very comfy as I crawl inside. The days are still warm considering autumn has set in. I expect to stay up here about five-six days more until Captain Johnston, whom I relieved to go on leave of absence, returns. Then I will go back to the ll0th Field Ambulance to w~ich I belong.

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As I dont know when this will reach you, please have Joe bu~ Pa a present for me for his coming birthday, Oct. 2Gth. Tell him to spend about $5-$10. Tell Pa I congratulate him most heartily, and only wish I could be home to help celebrate the occasion. Tell Ed to write full details of what hes doing as lm very anxious about him. I close with best love to all - Lee ll0th Field Ambulance Brit. Exped. Force, France Wed., Sept. 19, 1917 11:30 My wonderful cousin, Its a late hour to start this, but I havent written you for a week. First of all, Happy New Year and I hope you enjoyed the holidays. A notice of the dates of these holidays came out in divisional orders and thats how happened to know about it. Besides, on Sept. 17th I received a cablegram with greetings from the folks at home. Wasnt that nice? Second of all, youre a dear girl and I love you. You are as ever very thoughtful of me. Am now referring to the Saturday Evening Post and Metropolitan Magazine Just received, as well as your letter of 8/25. Isnt it funny that I got your letter of Aug. 24th, written in the morning at your office, on Sept. llth; while the one you wrote in the evening I Just got today, the 19th. 8 day~ difference: Your letters are all fine. I wish I had your ability & patience. Yes, I am getting your letters regularly now, and I wrote you last week that I had finally received your photo. Your last letter was opened by censor, but otherwise not touched. In regard to magazines, I think that if you take them unwrapped to the post offloe you can get them to me for about i~ postage, same as to members of the A.E.F. (American Expeditionary Force ) I suppose youve heard Ed is now a private in the U.S. Army. He wrote me a long letter saying h~ll probably go into training Oct. Isto He seems quite satisfied," though it s very hard on mother. About you, Ed writes, Nina certainly knows how to write letters. My sentiments also, and please keep up the good work. No, I wont give Lt. Gerson your regards. In the first place, were no longer together. Hes with a different F.A. (Field Ambulance). In the second place am sorry to say while in Boulogne we quarreled. He thought me too prohibition, I gu~ess, at any rate, were far apart. Nina dear, youre getting stolen property. I swiped this paper from one of the officers here as it is much

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better quality than mine. Do you mind? When you write letters at night, you have about ~

candle power light. Im composing this by aid of 2 candles. Moral: your letters should shed 30 times the ill~unination and brightness over mine. Am sitting on the edge of my improvised bed, made
of some timbers with a piece of gun.ny sack stretched across. The room Im in is about O x I0 ft. You have to go outside to sneeze. The room has cold, damp stone floors and walls partly wood, partly plastered, partly paper. You can imagine its some room! All around me are ruins. Were camped in a garden of what was once a beautiful French chateau, but now its all spoiled. Yes, Ive moved again. Im sure some little mover,-never more than a week or so in one place. Im now the medical officer in charge of the 9th .Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, from the north of Ireland (Ulster). This battalion has seen a good deal of service in several of the big battles and has done well. Im only .to be attached to it during leave of absence (about 14 days) of the permanent M.O. (medical officer). At present we are a few miles back of the front line, and are very peaceful and enjoy life. We soon go in the line so that your next letter from me will be headed from the trenches. But dont be alarmed, as strafing is very slight, and during entire last tour of trench duty (2 battalions alternate in trenches), the whole battalion only had a couple of wounded. Up in the line I will conduct an R.A.P. (Regimental Aid Post) where wounded get first aid care and sick also get attended to. At present care of sick & attention to sanitation take up my mornings. My afternoons are practically free and lately Ive been horsebacking a good deal. Im getting so I can ride along at a trot fairly well. This afternoon the Padre and I went bicycling about 3 miles. And I do a good deal of walking, so keep in good trim. If I felt any better, Id have to call for a nurse. Howd you like the Job? A few days ago I was up in the trenches and dugouts. I had to go there to get some well-water for testing. We rode horseback, my groom and I, as far as we dared, often in plain sight of the Boche. Then got off, put on ohr steel helmets and adjusted our gas helmets, and walked along through a field till we reached the village where the well was. It was hot work as the day was warm and those steel hats weigh a ton.. I visited the R.A.P. which is located in a nice-looking dugout,- this will be my home for about a week. I also visited the A.D.S. (Advanced Dressing Station) about a mile back of the R.A.P. We got back to camp safely with hardly a shot fired all afternoon. The war here, i.e., at this point

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of the line, is really almost a truce. Both sides are resting and preparing, for the next big push to come. This afternoon the whole battalion, includin~ your humble servant, was reviewed by the Corps Commander, a distinguished Lieut. Genl. The four companies were all drawn up in full rig, including steel helmets and box respirators. At 2:30 sharp a fine limousine rolled up and out stepped the general and his staff, all decorated with scarlet hat bands, military medals, etc. The general inspected every man while we stood at attention. He stopped in front of me & chatted pleasantly for a minute about America and The War. Hes a fineappearing man. The band struck up, we formed fours & marched past the general and staff. It was a beautiful day and a fine ceremony, and aroused all our military fervor. The General was kind enough to say that the review was a grand success. Last night I visited the officers of Company 4 of the Battalion. We played bridge (auction) and after playing about 5 hours, I amassed the sum of two francs. Im some player: Learn to play bridge if you dont know how now, as its a grand game. Society items: Lt. L. Unger had a fine bath today in a reg~lar tub at the divisional baths. It is rumored bathing is a luxury in France. Lt. Unger had a haircut the other day. Scene : Amidst the ruins, Barber chair: one empty fruit box. Paraphernalia: one clipper, one pair scissors and one comb and one brush. Barber: one Tommy. Covering: blue sky. Results: good - a large amount useless covering was removed. Cost: 2 francs (tip). Lt. L. Unger visited a nearby city (past tense) last week. While visiting the ruins, he came across an Expeditionary Force Canteen and bought a sleeping bag (fleece-lined) for 50 francs. It is said his danger of cold feet the coming winter is now past. Enough of society. Its 12:15 A.M. so must go to sleep. So, good night, Nina dear, while I crawl in between the 3 folds of my sleeping bag and blow out the 2 dwindling candles. And please give my best resards to your family and to Stella. And, remember, dear, that though its hard to be sentimental at 3000 miles distance, still I do love you and often wish I could see you again. Yours, Lee ll0th Field Ambulance B.E.F. France Fri. Sept. 14th Dear Ed, I salute Private E. B. Unger, U.S. Army, but if you happen to be assigned to my region, Im afraid youll

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have to salute me. The news that you had been called and had passed and are to begin training October 20 came like a shock. I thou6ht ~you were way down the list. There must be about 50% total exemptions or more. Did you claim exemption? At any rate, Ed, military training is great and will do us all good. And a trip to France is a splendid inducement. I suppose ~a a~d Ma and the rest feel broken up by your acceptance, but theres no 16ophole of escape; besides, Im sure you wouldnt look for one. But, listen, Ed, try if possible to get into hospital corps, then perhaps you and I can be together again. Gee, Id give anything to have a companion out here. You have no idea how lonesome it gets out this way, for, though the British officers are very nice, they are not Americans and dont have exactly the same interests and outlooks on life. Yesterday, I got a letter from Dr. Gauss who is out in France somewhere, I dont know exactly. He Just arrived. He saw Dr. Barnett. A1 Barnett and I correspond

regularly. Hes still at his base hospital. I thoroughly enjoyed your short letter of about 18
pages. Its weight was suspicious. At any rate, it was opened by censor, but otherwise arrived OK. So the tennis season goes merrily on. I havent played since I left England over a month ago. And Im glad to hear youve been enjoying your vacation as youll need it when October comes around. Swimming is also over for me, I guess. Went in ~ times in Boulogne last month, but out here youre lucky to get a pall of cold water to wash your hands in. A bath is a luxury. I get the War Edition Chicago Tribune now, printed in Paris - a little one page sheet. Not much news, but it gives the daily scores. I seo the White Box are far ahead and practically have the pennant clinched. Just my luck to miss a Worlds Series between Giants and Sox. By Joes account, I only have balance of $2~2.88 in bank (Aug. 20). Not much, but have about 2000 francs (about $350) in care Cox & Co., Boulogne, and soon will get pay for Sept. ($183.33). Then will send part of total home, in order to meet ~nsurance due Nov. 25th. Please pay Mr. Anderson in full, i.e., 2 premiums & note with interest for $150 (extra war premium) - total will be about $380, Id Judge. Also, if U.S. government allows you to buy insurance at rate of $8 a thousan~, as I read was contemplated, .buy me $10,000 worth wlthPa a~dMa as beneficiaries. Of course, if they let me buy it out here, I will do so, as the rate is dirt cheap. I advise you to buy $10,000 worth too. If any new Liberty Bond Loan cemes around, if you wish, buy me some, or have Joe do it when he gets back. If I telegraph money home, it will cost me 30 francs and thats too much. So will probably send check or money order by mail.

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Well, Ed, Ive moved again. Im the original moving man and from looks of it, Ill be moving about all winter. Just arrived this afternoon to take medical charge of a regiment (Irish) for about 2 weeks, while the other M.D. goes to Ireland on leave of absence. My duties are not strenuous, though theres plenty to do. The regiment Just came out of the line last night, and is resting in among a bunch of ruins about 3 miles back. There is still very slight flght~ing going on at this point~ of the llne. The routine is 6 days in the llne, then G days out, etc. The entire regiment only h~d a couple wounded in the last 8 days while they were in the llne, so you can see I~ pretty safe. My duties when out of the line are to take charge medication and sanitation of the regiment or battalion as they call them here. Each morning those men who complain of different ailments line up in what is known as sick parade. I look them over and treat them as necessary. If sick enough, I send them to the field ambulance. Sanitation is also important and occupies a good deal of time. But I usually get done in morning and I have the rest of the day to ride horseback (I have a horse assigned to me), or read or write letters. Unfortunately, there are no theaters or movies around, nor even a French doll to speak to. But when we go back to the line a week from today, in addition to caring for sick and sanitation, I will run a regimental aid post (R.A.P.) where the wounded man gets his first aid treatment. This station is in a dugout a little back of the llne, but well protected. Will be able to write more when I get there. Am writing under rather difficult circumstances. Its 10:30 P.M. now. Two candles give all my light. Im no longer in a tent, but in a room in a ruined French chateau. The room is very small and partly in ruins, but it has been built up so that its fairly serviceable. My bed is made of some boards with wire netting slur~ across. I bought a sleeping bag, fleece-lined, yesterday,- 50 francs. I need it as the nights are cold and will become colder. In a couple of weeks am going to buy ca pair top leather boots from ordnance dept. (33 shillings - about $8--very cheap and good). You.ll find your shoes not strong enough for rough surfaces. Advise you to get steel nails in soles and steel plates in heels. Of course, your kit will cost you practically nothing. Advise you also to purchase a slee.ping bag from U.S. Ordnance - its much better than blankets - it has 3 layers and you crawl right in between the layers. Im writing this in bed. Not as comfortable as my old desk iu the office, but will do. Ed, if you cant get in hospital corps or in Navy, try for artillery rather than infantry, its safer. Infantry is last choice.

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So pinochle is still played, ive taken up bridge and have played ~ times. So far am 5 francs to the good. Not bad for a beginner. I like the game and of an evening it s O.K. as theres nothing else to do. No one thinks of taking a walk at night. Youd break your neck as the ground all around is full of deep shell-holes. I rode horseback 7-8 miles the other day and had a ripping time, or rather was on a tear,- I ripped one leg of my breeches on a stirrup. If I could keep from bouncing up and down every time the horse went on a trot and if I didnt have to hold onto t~ saddle with both hands, and if I didnt have a hard time mounting and dismounting, Id be a good horseman~ We have an old horse trough which has been converted into a bathtub. So I have ordered m~ barman (English for valet) to have my bath ready at ~ A.M. tomorrow. Some class, oh? I get UP each A-M. from 8 to 9, and you will get up at 5:30 or6~ Butit really makes no difference as you will go to sleep earlier. Well, Ed, write me all the news. Give my love to Pa, Ms, ~ar~e, Joe and Eugene, Joe U, the 2 grandmas, Paul, Ruth and Gerald. Your loving brother, Lee P.S. Work hard and become a corporal or sergeant, as its much better than private. Address: Lt. L. Unger, M.O.R.C., U.S.Army, ll0th Field Ambulance, British Expeditionary Force, France

France, Friday, 9/28 My dear Nina, Just received your letter of Au~. 31st. Also your Sat. Eve. Post of Aug. 25th and Every Week of Aug. 28th. Again I thank you. Youre certainly the most thoughtful and most punctual of all my friends and relatives. I get more letters from you than from any one else. And please keep it up as you have no idea how anxiously I await your messages. Am sorry to hear your mother was hurt, but glad it was-nothing serious. You never write how you are getting along as regards health, so I assume you are OK. I wish I had some stirring news to write you to add to that in my letter of the 23rd. But I havent. Things have been very quiet. My duties Ere not strenuous as weve only had one man slightly wounded since we took over this part of the line. We are still here guarding the Boche, but soon we go back a few miles and another battalion takes care" of our part of the trenches. My relief has not come as yet. I think the doctor got 3 days extra leave of absence, so will not return for duty for another 1-2 days. When he comes, I shall return to the llOth Field Ambulance.

Love, War, and Medicine

Since I wrote last, Ive been through the trenches on two more tours, but nothing exciting happened, not even sniping, as on my first tour. There was a bit of an aeroplane fight the other day, but it didnt amount to much. The weather (you see how scarce news is) has been fine. Its only rained once in about two-three weeks. Killing time is a rather difficult problem. I play bridge (whist) a good deal, read a little, write letters, eat and sleep. Thats about all there is to do around here. No horsebacklng out here as were under Boche observation almost constantly, and a horse is a good target. You know every time a Briton is wounded, he gets a gold stripe on his left sleeve, but who wants a collection of stripes? Shelling goes on intermittently. The Boche are methodical beggars. Every noon he shells a position a few hundred yards away, doing no damage. He is so regular you could almost set your watch by the firing. The only thing I really miss out here in the nourishment line is water. What we have here is heavily chlorinated and tastes terrible. So we all drink soda water. I havent had a glass of water in a month. Well, dear, its 8:00 P.M. now ~r~d I must go in for dinner. Isnt that a late hour for a meal? Please give my regards to your family and to Stella and accept oodles of love from me. Yours devotedly, Lee

September 29 Dear Nina : Nothing very exciting except for another tour of the trenches. These tours are very interesting; one must never let his head go above the parapet (top) of the trench walls,- the Boche are good ~shots. But I did manage to look through a periscope which was attached to a project above the parapet. By looking through some mirrors at the lower end, I could see the Boche line very clearly, especially when I looked through a pair of field glasses also. But I saw no Germans. They kept well under cover.

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On our way back we stopped for tea at one of the company headquarters dugout. This is thirty-nlne feet deep and you h-ave to go down backwards. Am getting the tea habit; what would you advise, Nina? Whats good for that dread disease? When I came here, I relieved another American doctor, Dr. Robinson from Cleveland. Hes six feet two inches, an unfortunate height for dugouts. He never could stand up straight in this one. The smaller you are, the better out here. Im glad Im not too tall. Have picked up a couple of pieces of shell for souvenirs, but good souvenirs, llke Boche helmets, buttons a~d badges are very hard to get at this comparatively quiet part of the line. Well, Nina dear, no more news at present. Expect to stay here another three-four days, then back to ll0th Field Ambulance. Please write me all the news and let me know how you all are. Am hungering for sight of you as I miss you very much. It seems Ive always known you and loved you. So answer soon and give my best to your family and Stella.
Yours ,

Lee

Saturday, September 29 Captain Johnson returned from his vacation and by horse cart I went back to the llOth Field Ambulance; I felt it was good to be back in relative civilization instead of living deep in a dugout.

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Letter from Nina follows: September 29 Dearest Boy,Well, Im yours for the evening, and as it is only 9:00 P.M. we have several hours in each others company. To me it is most delightful,-- as for you, I shall try to entertain you the best I can and hope my efforts will nob be in vain. Frankly speaking, ! am tired,- not physically, but mentally. My head is full of figures, patents and patent rights, books and memoranda, all of which I will put in ~vrlting tomorrow, and which will probably be the foundation of a pls_n for the continuation or the dissolution of a corporation. For the past two days, I have been looking ow~.r th~ngs In an electrical company in which A.F. (my boss) has already invested ~i,000 and which company is in need of at least that much more for immediate fads and fancies of silly inventors. Can you picture the sort of ~ork I am up against? For ~nstance, in the past t~o days I talked to everyone - got their views of the business and each other,- all the t~me forming my o~n opinion of the person ~Ith whom I was talking. Then I look over the books, and without taking do~n a figure (so as not to create suspicion) I must form an opinion of the standing of the company. ~hen I get downtown tomorrow, I am expected to write out a complete and concise report. ~ith all this in my head, I am going to ~rlte you and try to forget. ~ow, dear, since Wednesday, I have been trying to get a moment to write you, but time Just flies and, unlike you, I seem to accomplish nothing. It seems as though I shall never get out of this rut of standing still, while all around me everyone is pushing and pushing ahead so fast that they are soon lost while I am still in the same place: Dont misunderstand me, please. Im not unhappy nor dissatisfied, as I laugh, dance and enjoy llfe as mueh now-as I have ever done,- but there is the sameness about it all. Do you know what I mean,- perhaps I have the wanderlust. Perhaps I am Jealous of you ~vhatever it is, I cant explain it nor define it as I should like to.

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I wonder what you are doing at this moment? Some how I feel that you are right next to me and that I am talking to you instead of writing. This morning I sent you some more magazines and a newspaper. In the latter ~ou will read that yesterday we (the City of New York)welcomed the Japanese Commission. It is an occasion such as war which brings the nations together. How much more good - I wonder - would have come of it if representatives of the influential nations of the world would have come together in times of peace. Now that money, peoples and countries are being sacr~~ced because of the ignorance, lust and ridiculousness of a handful of Gods the civilized representatives can find ways and means to confer. When this wholesale manslaughter started - it seems to me - that would have been the proper time to act. Yes, I love my country and what it stands for. I am proud o~ t~le welcome we extend to our Allies, but as each one comes and goes, it means something goes with them. All thls~pomp doesnt help our boys. To our soldiers we say Good-by while we welcome those from abroad. Was just interrupted. Stella called up to say that she had spent $11.20 of my hard earned money. Have decided to buy some of our Xmas gifts as material, etc.. is still on the upward path and prices soar every day. Eggs are $.70 per dozen, chicken (not what you mean~ ~0~ per lb., sugar 10~ per lb., and merchandise has advanced in the same proportion. Even rents have been increased from $3.00 to $10.00 per apartment. Stella asked me to send her love I objected, but she called me a cat, so am telling you all about it. That reminds me. She asked me to enclose her picture with this letter, but I left. it at the office, so you may look for it in my next. She insisted upon writing on the back of it,- again I am Jealous. Last night we saw With Eye of Youth. It was splendid. It was the story of the eldest daughter trying to decide the proper course to pursue when she learns that her father is ruined and as she has no mother ; everything rests upon her. An East Indian traveller tells her to gaze into a crystal, and she may make three wishes and she will see five years ahead. In each case, the curtain falls and rises, and you see her acting what she is supposed to.see in the crystal. It takes you through

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a series of events wherein she falls to the lowest pits through various channels, in some cases morally, in others physically,- and in the end she accepts love and shows her father that with the eyes of youth,- of her brother and her fathers experler~e, he can again make a success of his business. It was well acted, and was something quite different from the usual run. We intended going to a concert, but that house was sold out. Your 2 letters of 9/7 and P~0 were received when got home. They are bully, ~ee, and I love the Io~ in which you tell me Just how you feel. Do you know, feel quite insignificant and almost afraid to try to answer you? Before starting, please bear in mind that I have not given the matters much thought and that even if I had I would probably be too shallow to comprehend. However, you inflicted this upon yourself so here goes. Religion: - Rather deep, but none the less interesting. For the better part of my life, I have been searching for the proper religion. You know, we were brought up on Lon~ Island where we attended every church but ou~ own - because we were the only family in t~e town of our faith. ~en we came to t~ city, I it, and taught Sunday School two seasons. However, did not wholly believe what I was teachlr~, so re~sed to continue. From that time I have heard the best ministers and priests in all religions, a~ all to me is beautiful for those who believe. The Catholic priest (like the Jewish) is perhaps the broadest, but most of them in both are ignorant and when q~estioned, dont know the why or wherefor. To me the most beautiful only religion is Right, and conscience alone can tell us the answer to that. To me conscience is the voiee~ of God, and though the i0 commar~lments embody everything noble, it would be impossible to llve up to them conscientiously, and there again eonsclence must ~e my guide. Are you disappointed in me? War: - is hideous - yes, hell. Why should we in a clv~lized age resort to the lowest most contemptible means for breakir~ the ten commandments. Thou shall not c ommit murder. Love,

oct. l, l 17
Today began with colder weather and was sent up te the Advanced Dressing station (A.D.S.) in relief of Capt. McCarthy for his i0 days of leave. The Boche kept up their shelling, but nothing landed closer than I00 yards away.

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Our food changed to Iron Rations, chiefly bully beef this was monotonous, but not too bad. A letter to Nina follows: Mon. Oct. let Nina Dear, I have named my new dugout New York in your honor. Yes, Ive moved again, twice since I wrote you three d a ys a gO My 1 as ~ ~wo letters were from the t~enc~es. I left ~here Saturday as t~ pe~anent ~dical officer returned from leave. I rejoined my field ambulate Sat~day night, stayed with them until this afternoon (~ days in se~civilization). Am now at t~ A.D.S (Adva~ed Dressi~ Station), run by our ~bulance. ~e ~e about a couple of miles back of t~ front line, ~d we take cases f~ the R.A.P.s (Regimental Aid Posts), a~ send them alo~ to t~ main section 0f t~ Field ~bula~e. I am writi~ this in my little room in t~ where our cases are treated. .I ~ve a s~ll cubicle to myself as Im t~ C.O. ~re (eo~~ officer - look me over, kid) - In fact, Im t~ only doctor here. T~re are about 20 men under ~ The dugout, is an excellent o~. T~ roof is about 15 feet thick and t~refore fairly safe fr~ any s~lls t~t might ~p~n to wander over ~re. But, I said before, fighting is ~ry alight at o~ point t~ li~. Befo~ I go on ta~i~ egotistical~y about my doings, I want to t~ you a~ kiss you again (its too bad Ive only yo~ photo ~) for yo~ f~quent letters a~ periodicals. Yo~ Lite~a~y Digest, Life ~d ~.Y. Times of 8/~6 have come, and I enjoyed all of t~m "immensely. But t~y were nothi~ compa~d to yo~ two letters of p/6 and 12. I enjoyed eve~ w~d of t~m and ~ read t~m over & over again. A~ It only took 17 days for yo~ letter of t~ 12th to reach me. guess since youre writi~ directly to France, yo~ letters will average 3 weeks, reachi~ ~ instead Of an~here from 4-12 weeks as before. In yo~ letter of the 6th, you evidently thi~ becomi~ acquainted with t~ art & entici~ ~er t~ dainty little French girls. But, fortunately u~ortunately, far be it from s~ch. As ~ wrote you before, ~m in a deserted sector, a~ there isnt a ~demoiselle closer than 10-15 miles, so, see, youre wrong and there are no little French girls tryin8 to disrupt the love I have for my little N.Y. cousin. You regret we did not correspond while I was goi~ to college, but I regret it mo~ than you, for

Love, War, and Medicine

went six years when I could have read you~ most interesting letters. I often wonder how you can write in such a fine way, and I ague with ~ b~ot~ Ed w~n w~ote ~ yo~ letters to ~m a~ wo~e~ful. So you saw ~ia Wa~ ~t and didn~ like it, ~i~ a show too o~loal. Well, its 8o Io~ slnoe I ~e~la~ play t~t I g~ss Id appellate anyt~, even T~s Way ~t. Its two months 81nee I saw a play In London,- since then Ive seen not~ but one movie about a month ago. But then Im taki~ a part, h~le of co~se, in t~ greatest speetaele eve~ staged, so I ~ve no kick. I see t~t the Giants and ~hite 3ox ape goi~ to play for the WoFlds Ch~pionship. Dont forget bet I proposed to ~ou in a lette~ a few weeks ago. Isnt it tough luck fop ~ to be ~,000 miles away w~n t~ Sox win their only pen~nt since 1906? Ill bet t~ people of New York a~ Chica~o a~ ~uch mo~e enthusiastic aDout baseball at present t~n about the wa~. And I dont blame t~m,- Id p~obabl~ ~ the s~e way If I were ho~. Batteries fo~ openi~ ga~ (advance dope) are Schupp and Rariden fop New YoPk, Cieotte and Stalk fo~ Chica~o. Hows t~t fop good guessi~? In yo~ letter of t~ 12th I ~Pie~ to sick and I not ~ar you. From t~ desoFiption you give of f~quen~ medicine, pain add ~i~ diet and poisoni~, i~ I had o~" guess I t~ I could diagnose yo~ ease. But assay, Im glad youPe betteP. You ask me how I like France. ~ell, I do a~ I dont. I enjoyed my o~ week in Boulog~, as I the P~nch vein co~enial. But since t~n Ive been ~his deserted destPoyed ~egion which, of co~se, France in the tPue sense o~ the woPd. Its BPitish,. t~e are only B~itish around. You hint t~t some. day you might let diary. ~y not now? In futu~ lettePs please extracts f~om t~ most intePesting paPts, pa~iculaPly deali~ with yo~ tho~hts. You know, Ive not k~own you io~ enoch to be able to ~ead oP even g~ss y~ ideas and wa~ of thi~i~. Yes, Im still keeping diarp and will let you ~ead it when I hit t~ litt~ oi U.S.A. again. Yesterday was my first da~ in seaicivilization and

I had a dandy time, one that Ill never forget. I had no work to do all day. I awoke at 9 A.M. (you see was Sunday), had my usual breakfast of porridge, bacon, eggs and tea, then killed time till noon. .Then a Brltish Captain came along in a fine auto~obile and took another officer a~d me out Joy riding. The roads we covered were very decent, an~ we went for miles and miles at about forty miles an hou~ (no speed laws out here). We finally reached a half-destroyed ~rench town,

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the same one I sent you the plotu~e of. We had lunch at the officers mess in that town, and I was tickled to meet about twenty merlcan officers eati~ there. They were a fi~e lookin~ bunch of men. Its awfully good to see Uncle Sams unlfo~ma again after seei~ nothir~ but John Bulls for such a loT tlme. After lunch I strolled over to a music shop ~arby, , and bought a mandolin and some music for slxty-teo francs(Im extravagant, am I not?). But you need something out here to ~Ip kill time. Im no good on the instrument, as Im Just learnln~. After that we hopped into the machine again and sped along some more. And, flnally, we came to the most awe-insplrir~ region Ive ever seen. We came to a battlefield where last year was fought probably the bloodiest, fiercest battle (Thiepval) of the whole war, though it is not so renowned as others. The three officers with me had all been through this battle and eaa~ back here to sort of renew old acqualntanoes. I wish I could describe this place~ but Im no artist. The battle was fought in a very hilly region. T~e ground was ver~ rough and Just full of large and small shell holes. The place at that. time was almost a forest, so thick were t~e trees. The Germans had the heights and campletely commanded the valley over which the British charged. And from all accounts the British suffered very heavil~ i~n this fight, and it was a long time before they drove the Boche back. As we came r~ar this battlefield, the officers pointed out to me the signs and places so familiar to them. Here they had tbelr dugouts. Nearby the old _ Britisl~ trenches. Through the valley the sunken road where many a patrol went out and fought the Boche patrols. ~e 8ot out of the machine and walked around the field. Where before was a dense forest, now nothi~ but a few bare trunks remained. There was not a branch to ca single tree. The village that was in the center of the fight was nowhere to be seen - a few crumbled bricks showed where it once stood, but the destruction was so ~reat there was hardly one brick on another. And all this ruin was caused by shellfire, so you can imagine how severe this must have been. In the middle of the field there was a demolished tank. ~e went inside it and had a good look at it. You could see the loopholes where the machine guns had been~ and all around were hundreds and hundreds of bullets and empty bullet chses, showing that this tank had done a goad deal of firing before it met its doom. I took a bit of the outer shell of the tank as a souvenir of this famous battle.

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Following Page 70.

War Scenes along the River Somme 1916, British vs.. Germans. Courtesy British Magazine, "The Sphere."

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But the saddest part were the graves. The whole place was practically nothing but a cemetery. British and German graves were close together. The field was full of white crosses. It was the most appalling indictmen~ agaln,st war. Ive yet seen, though I suppose Ill see worse. After we left this region, the other officers were very quiet, and I could see how sad they felt that so many of their comrades gave up their lives t he re. Atfor dinner about eight of us played 21. Did you ever i_~lay that gamblin~ game? It was good fun and at the end I was about a franc ahead. Got to bed about ii:30, but could not sleep for a long time as I could not help thinking about my trip to the first great battlefield Ive ever seen. The days are still beautiful, but the nights are cold. The last two mornings there have been heavy frosts. I have great trouble keeping my feet warm. What do you recommend? Well, my dear, keep up the good work and write often. Give my regards to your family and to Stella. And remember always I love" you and think of you very often and wish I had you here. Will write soon. Yours entirely, Lee

Dugout Prairie Avenue Tuesday, October 2 Dear Brother Paul, I received your letter of September 5th three days ago and was glad to hear from you. So school has started again and likewise tank swimming. Ill give you fifty yards and beat you lO0. But Ill have to get some practice first as Ive had no swimming since I left Boulogne six weeks ago. And Garfield Boulevard is getting patriotic and putting up flags. Is my office rented yet? Is there a For Rent sign up? Are Doctors Kobler and Kargay still there? It is six days since I wrote to Marie, my last letter home. Since then Ive Moved twice. First I left .the trenches and returned to the miin section of the llOth Field Ambulance. Then yesterday

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I came to my present location, the Advanced Dressing Station of the Field Ambulance. Its situated about two miles back of the line and consists of a deep dugout with several compartments. The roof is very thick and safe from ordinary shellfire. I am the only medical officer here and in charge of the station with the men. I occupy a little cubicle where . I live - I sleep, eat, read and write in this place. I dine alone, and my batman, in addition to other duties, now cooks for me and waits on table. I cordially invite you for a meal. The food is fair and yesterday I bought a dozen bottles of soda water for two francs and a quart of lemon extract, so that I now have excellent lemonade. Howd you like to come for supper? All youd have to do would be to come to this place, by train, boat, train and motor till you reach the dugout. Then stoop low else youll crack your head on the roof. Come down till you~e about twenty feet under the ground; then come along a couple of dark passageways till you reach my department. I have an acetylene flame which gives an excellent light. There are no windows anywhere. Work is still slack as fightingis slack. I donlt suppose there will be much doing till spring, though you never can tell. I have..received no other mail from home lately except your letter. No papers or magazines either. Please let me know if youre sending me the Tribune, else I can get it from London. I received about four magazines from Nina Kleinman and many letters from her also. Why dont Joe and Ed write more often? I cant write to each one in the family separately, but I try to answer all letters and that keeps me busy. What is Ed doing? The days are warm and sunny, but the nights are getting cold and there have been heavy frosts lately. So I am getting ready for winter. Dr. Gauss from County Hospital is in France, and he and I correspond. Dr. Barnett and I write each other regularly, and we are planning to take a vacation to Paris. Want to come along? Ive been with the British three months now, and in another month or so Ill get ten days leave, perhaps, but I doubt whether theyll let me take it in the United States of America. I wish they would.

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Well, Paul, au revoir for time being. Your loving brother, Answer~

On October hth about i0:00 P.M. six wounded came in. All were Pioneers of the 16th Royal Irish Rifles, they were wiring new trenches when the Boche shot over about six 5.9 shells. As a result tb.~ee of the wounded came by stretchers, two in shock. six men eventually did well. On October 6th the clock was officially back o~ hour (end daylight saving scheme). That night was reaAly cold and damp, especially in our deep dugout. All of a sudden a soldier came along and handed me a gallon of rum with a note attached: "Give each man a rum ration." "A rum ration?" I said to myself, "How much rum is a rum ration?" So, of course, I asked my sergeant, "how much is a rum ration?" "This much," he said, pointing to about one-half a glassful. "O.K." I said. Well, within a short time, my men were singing away and were quite happy and boisterous. Later I found out that a proper rum ratioi should have been only about one-third of what each soldier received. Fortunately, all these

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Page 73

War ~oene s ALBERT ( Somme ) 191J.&-1917

Love, War, and Medicine

Incidentally, I was in charse of thirty-two stretcher bearers plus two men who poured chlorine as necessary into our water supply, plus my sergeant, my corporal and, of course, my very useful and faithful batman; all British, but since our division came originally from Belfast, Ireland, most of the division came from northern Ireland (Ulster). I should add that most of these men from Ulster strongly disliked the people of Ireland, i.e., the southern inhabitants of that island. One must realize, also, tha~ Ulster was and is strongly Presbyterian and pro-Britlsh. The country of Ireland (Eire), on the other hand, is chiefly Catholic and anti-British; it .is independent of while Ulster is a part .of Great Britain. A letter t.o Nina follows: Saturday, 10/6 Dear Pal Nina, You see I accept your title of introduction. I, think its a good one and hope it endures. GettiD~. letters so often from you has sort of given me a better insight into your o.haracter than I had previously,, and I must say I like you much better each time I hear you. So keep it up. At times I have a sudden fear that youll be getting engaged or somethir~ else equally disastrous. And then where would I be? Youd be so busy youd have little time to continue our young

re spondence school.

Your letter of 9/4 and Stellas of the 12th came


together. Am sorry the weather was poor on Labor Day,

but glad you enjoyed yourself on that auto trip across


New Jersey.

havent one. An army order byPershing about a month


ago forbids them. Anyhow, I hate them as theyre always in the way. However, Ill try to bring you bask a nicer souvenir than that. I ~ust saw yesterdays London Mall and it says that the Giants and Sex are ready for the baseball match.

You ask for my swagger stick. Im awfully sorry I

Love, War, and Medicine

So its a fact. And dont forget our little bet. Root for the White Sox once for me. Ill bet New York add Chicago are much more excited about baseball than the If the weather at home is like what it has become out here, they wont be able to play at all. Its pou~ing and cold and my hands are like ice. Du6outs are . fairly good in hot weather, but they, re damp and cold when its rainy outslde. So please ~ and hold my hands, will you? Am still at the A.D.S. (Advanced Dressi~ Station) and expect to stay another 9-10 days. Have ve~-y little to do. A few wounded and sick; I pull a tooth "occasionally as no dentist is available. Beyond that I eat sleep, read and write and play a little ~andolin. nice I go out for a walk, but I cant get away far, as Im sort of chained down here. Besides, walkin~ with a steel helmet and with you~ gas mask over you~ jhoul~P is no Joke, especially if its warm add dusty. I read a book yesterday called McTea~ue by Norris, the author of The Pit. Its ver~ exoitin~ and everyone dies at the end. I dreamed about all kinds of murders last night. Ill have to read a more pease- ful one next time. I see by the papers that the British are doiD~ extremely well at the (censored) (As you may have guessed, Im. far from there.) Theyve pretty captured the . When they get that, theyll be able to do pretty ,hath what they want with the rest of Belgium as east of this ridge is almost all flat eount~. It will almost- surely mean the evacuation of most of Belgium by the Boche, sooner or later; even more portant, it will lead to a marked diminution of U-boat activities. So heres pulling for the Tommies. Thei~ cause is ours. And theyre doing nobly. Some are e~en so optimistic as to say the capture of that ridge will end the war. Personally, I haw ~e doors (Scotch). o S.ince rea.ching France, I have written you Augu~_t 12, 13, ll~, 21, 2A~, 30, September .7, 10, 12, 19, 23, 2~ and October 1st. So this is No. 1~. I hope youre getti~ them regularly. I guess Ive written you as much as all the rest put together, and I know I receive as ~a~F from you as from all the others. So I say lets keep the ball rolling. Its too bad were a little 3,000. miles apart where we have no opportunity, except of the mind, for some real affection wh. ich has been accumulating in me daily, and which Im going to unlbad on you, with you~ permission, when I hit little old New York again. What say you, Ni~a dear? I dont think I deserve all the praise youre handing me. Ive not do~e a thing out of the ordinal.. In fact, when I hear the whizz of a shell, I duck llke a

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shot, though the shell is usually several hundred yaa-de away. And when a Boche plane eo~s ove~ad ~d ~ops ~ombs around, as on t~t t~ain ~ide I wrote you about,. I did not feel like a ~ro. I Just felt very uncomfortable and very uneasy and I di~t like it a bit. You know, Ni~, this isnt a war llke ot~r wars of t~ past whe~ you meet in fair fight a~ actually batt~ t~ enemy. This war is nothi~ but scientific m~deP, and Im getti~ to realize it mo~ e~ry day. Today you do most of your f~hti~ without e~r seei~ t~ ene~, a~ yo~ wounds co~ c~efly from u~een diabolloal aelentific engines of dest~ction. T~ only ti~a you see t~ enemy are t~ comparatively few ti~s you ~o over t~ top on a raid or a real battle. Many To~iea who ~ve been over t~ top several times ~ve told ~ they ~ve never even t~n ~d a decent look at t~ Boca,they always keep hidden. 0f co~se, you see Boc~ pPlao~rs, but theres nothi~ exciti~ about t~t. I yet to see an e~my, other t~n a priao~r, tho~h I ~d spend a week in t~ trenches. Of co~se, t~ts not ~eh. Yesterday I took a walk along a ~oad ~d afte~ a I ~ard one of o~ guns 8o bang and saw a little ~ arise. Curiosity i~lled me to tu~ aside, also io~-. someness, I believe, and I went toward the am~e and, finally, located the gun which was fired. I .~w t~ ~fficer who was givi~ t~ orders to t~ g~r a~ we~t up to his llttle hut a~ introduced ~self. He w~ a you~ E~llsh 2nd Lieutenant who ~d spent t~e ye~a at Harvard a~ Boston Tech., and ~ see~d glad to see me. I ~ar~d a lot t~ ho~ or two I s~nt ~ith h~ and ea~ to ~alize even mo~e how scientific t~a war This ~n was sitti~ before a table smoki~ a pi~ A telepho~ and a ~gaphone lay on the table and adored the walls. The telepho~ buzzed, t~ picked it up ~d lis.te~d, then ~ote down a stri~ of letters and fig~es. Those ca~ from ou~ major, said; the ~Jors up at an observation post whe~ ~ can watch t~ effect of o~ s~lla on t~ Boc~. T~n ~ figured for dear llfe. In ab~t two relates ~ pleked up t~ megapho~, strode to t~ door a~ shouted to ~e gun~r many ~rds away so~thi~ about degrees, minutes, e~vations, etc. I didnt u~ersta~ a thi~. T~n ~ shouted, Rea~? Back ca~ answer Ready, sir. Pi~ t~ lieutenant shouted, and ba~ we~ t~ gun a~ ano~eP missile was on its way to ~ip ah~ t~ B0~~ how f6ollah they were to start this war. A couple of moments passed, then buzz, buzz, again, and the major, through the telaphone was directing some correction and the lieutenant figured and transcribed the order to the gunners. And so it went, the major watching where the shells landed and directing the fire, though far away from his guns, while the young lieutenant fired, thou~ he could not

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see his shells after they left his guns. The firin~ ceased shortly, add immediately the guns were camouflaged by a khaki colored curtain, so aa to prevent enemy aeroplanes from spottin~ the guns. Am still at the Advanced Dressin~ Station, Nina, and its rather lonesome being alone and eatin~ alone, but Ill be relieved in a couple of days and go back to the main Dressing Station of the Field Ambulance where theres plenty of work and pler~y of sooloty, that is men. Girls we never see out here and its awfully easy to be good,- you have to whether you want to or not. Personally, I want to as U. S. girls are good enough for me. Since I wrote you last, the weathers been rotten, raining every day and up to your a~kles in mud. weve Just had a whole month of glorious weather so mustnt grumble, or grouse, as the English say. Tommies have no pity for a comrade who gx-umblea - they taunt him with being a fair-weather soldier. I do all the censoring of the letters written by the Tommies stationed here and while it gets monotonous, its enlightening to me, as it gives me an insight i~to English character, also Scotch, Irish and Welsh, as. weve a mixed crowd here. The Irish are by far the poorest educated, as a rule, as Irelands school system does not compare with the others. They all se~d &ome copious num~.ers of Xs. Those in love call t~Ir |.westhearts Kid as with them its a term of endearment, not a vulgar one as with us. They all hope and expect the war to be over soon. And one nice thing, you never read a complaint or grumble, though the poor felle~s have to endur~ a good deal and are woefully unde~,~ald. But theyre a cheerful lot. The last two nights, on orders, live given ~ r~tions to the men. The first time I ~ve a wee bit too much, at any rate i~ about five minutes they were singing and enjoying themselves. On cold, wet nights, the Tommies usually get a little ~. I spend about an hour a day fingerln~ my mandolin and its Just the thin~ I need out here. I get alon~ fairly well, though I broke one of the ]~ strings a~d was foolish enough not to buy some extra strings at the time I bought the mandolin. I play all kinds of tunes, chiefly slow ones, as theyre easier, such as waltzes, Way Down Upon de Swanee Riber, Keep the Home Burning,, Perfect Day, A Little Bit of Heaven, Are You From Dixie, etc. I always end the days performance by .the French, English and American National songs, in order. The men say they dont mind ~my poor playing, so Im persisting. The folks say-/~d expects to be called any day, but I dont know Just when. He has not..written me a ~etter

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78

service work is uncalled for, I belleve. You two work hard all day long and deserve you~ spape time for

for a lon~ while. You and my dad ape my two most faithful correspondents. I thank you very much for the prayer you said on New Years. It was very nice of you. Your suggestion of you and 8tells resumin6 social

selves. Let those girls who loll about a11 day do

kind of work,- most of that class do little enou6h. No, thank you, I have plenty of writing paper, though my correspondence is large. The only thi~ lid like are even mo~e letters from you. And as for youmself, Keep the Home FiresBushiDo. Dont ever let anyone intimate we*re not goiz~ to win.. We must and we are. Around Ypres and around Lens the English, French and Canadians are doin~ splendidly, gaining almost every day. And when the mighty force of Uncle Sam reaches and strikes the Boche, then theyld better look out. I donlt look for a walkaway, by any means, but no country has ever been able to withstand us and Germany wont be the first. So keep up your spirits .and dont allow anyone to discourage you. Just reprove ever~ pro-German; all a bunch of vipers. And remember that way out here in this Fuelled country, your little cousin is thlnki~ about you day and loves you more and more each day. ~ith tons of love,

Lee
Tuesday, October Today proved rather exciting. We had a Joy ride to the rather large city of Amiens. Awoke at 4|30 and it was cold! Had some tea and toast, then by ambulance to Bertincourt. Then to another town called le-Grand by lorry (this is the British equivalent of the Amerioan truck). Then we had breakfast Number 2 at a. Church Army Hut with tea and bread again.. Then by train to Amiens and reached there about 10s15 ~.~. Twos wonderful to see civilization again. A nice French city and I walked around through busy streets and along fine shops.

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Following Page 78

Amiens, Franoe. Nice city not far from Paris. Did not r~ceive much damage during World War I.

Love, War, and Medicine

Had lunch at a restaurant called the Savoy, but this Savoy didnt compare with the famous Savoy in dear old Lo~don. Also bought some fancy handkerchiefs for mother and for Nine K. Later by train back to Aschief-le-Grand, and to a . bed with five blankets at the Church Army Hurt. The next mornir~ breakfast there, and by lorry back to the llOth Field Ambulance. No sooner there than I was ordered to be permanent Medical Officer of the Royal Engineers of our 36th British Division, with headquarters a~

122nd Field Co.


I reached Royulcourt at 2:30 P.M., and was ~et by Captain ONeill (R.A.M.C.) whose place I was taking. Aleo 0 met some other fine Brit.ish officers including Major. Captain Kerr, a~ Lieutenants Beneon and Gallc~ay. October I was a guest for tea and dinner at the Officers mess of the 14th Royal Irish Rifles, a fine battalion of Ulster Division. mud and. more mud. portable bathtub bad, except that Walked back to my dugout that night thievish~ My friend~Captain Christie, sent me a so I tried it out; the bath was not too on another night my barman fixed up a

bath for me, - I got in and the bathtub collapsed. The next afternoon I took a walk and visited a British battery nearby. the guns with the aid of up in trees. I was I watched the process of firiD~ signalli~ by telephone from men

invited up a tree, also,- very inter-

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esting, especially when I saw trench mortars shot from behind our trenches, - each mortar was as large as a pig an~ would go up in the air and then land in the ~erman trenches wit~. a tremendous bang, and, Im sure, with great damage to any Boche nearby plus destruction of the ~erman trench. In t~ evenin~ played some whist with Sergeant Hamilton and two of my men. Also praotleed @n my mandelln. im not very good; besides one of the strings was broken. Also received a draft for 122 francs from the British government for field allowance for the month ~of September. A letter to my brother Ed follows$ Thu~sda.y, October ii b:30 P.M. Dear Ed; Your book of September IPth has Just come and cant understand how it escaped the censor,- its so bulky. But I enjoyed it very much and read all the news items eagerly, as I havent seen a Chicago pal~e~, outside of the Army Edition of the Chicago ~rlb~ue, a little one-sheet paper printed in Parla, with very little ~ewa. So youre not drawn yet, but am thinking by the time you get this, Y0ull be Private ~. B. ~nger, United States Army. So Leon Seidler is out here somewhere. Mo, I havent met him; I correspond regularly with ~auss and A1 Barnett. A1 and I are goi~ to spend ten leave, I hope, in Paris in a month or two. You ask me what I did ~ew Years Day. By refer.ring to my diary, I find I wrote some letters~ received Pas cablegram and got letters besides from Marie and A1 Barnett. I also went horseback riding and played whist with some of the battalion officers. I spent the Day of Atonement in the t~enches. ~he~e are no temples out here and I di~ not f~st.. You will get no money from the United States ~overnment for me, as I collect it all here, as I wrote you a few weeks ago. So dont look fo~ any. ~hen get to a decent sized city, Ill send some home to

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81

Joes care. Id send a check now but am afraid to as theres a whole lot of red tape plus fees. O~e bank wanted thirty francs commission for every $i,000 sent over to United States. I told them to go to . Think of it - 3% or about $6 on $~00. Why doesnt Joe write? He says he wrote a lon~ one about August 20, but that never came. Tell him to t~y again. So one paragraph of my letter was censored. wonder what was said that was objectionable. I suppose from the time I left Boulogne and reached the front, all letters from me to United States are censored. For exercise I take long walks dogn the muddy roads, and then come back again to my dugout. Sometimes I converse with some of the artillery or battalion officer| around here and twice Ive dined out. Well, must stop now, as my barman has Just brought in my dinner or rather supper. It consists of beans (without the pork), sausages, bread, butter, Jam, greengages (something like plums) and a pear. These last two are not rations,.- I buy them myself from a canteen nearby. I have tea three times a day as the coffee served out here is terrible. But I got plenty to eat, especially beef and spuds. Plenty df sugar out he~e, though very slack back in England. Well, finished supper and it tasted fine. Out in th~swildernes~ you cant spend much money, not more Khan a dollar a day at most and that includes my mess bill. But every time you hit a tourn, money flows like water as the French shops certainly rob the British and Americans, especially the officers. .They see you coming. Am writing this with my overcoat on as this dugouts very cool in the evenings. In fact, I ate in my overcoat. It comes in handy and if it keeps getting much colder, 1,11 be sleopinK in it soon. The other night had dinner at _oDe of the battalion headquarters mess nearby. Had a nloe meal. Afterwards, we played auction bridge, the colonel, a couple of captains and I. Im learning rapidly, though I did drop a couple of francs,- usually I win. But at the rate we play, one franc a hundred points, you cant win or lose much. Am very glad to read each day how well the British are doing up around Ypres. Theyre gaining every day and all in all its very encouraging. Theres no doubt the Allies have got it all over the Boa.he now, and when, in addition, you and the rest of Uncle Sam come over and strike, then the Boche will get his and the war will odd.

Love, ~~ar, and ~tediclne

~2

But I have my doubts about it ending this year, thou6h I hope s o. Well, Ed, be good. When you ~et the opportunity to learn French, seize it as itll do you good out here. You~ loving brother, Lee P.S. Practically no fighting around here. A wounded . man is a curiosity. Saturday, October 13 Spent much of the day Just reading. Am buried unincluding the New York Times, Literary Digest, and the Also received one letter,

der an avalanche of newspapers, the Saturday Evening Post, the British magazine called "Puck."

but wrote letters to Nina and also to two nurses I met when I was an intern at Cook County Hospital; way back in Chloago. Also gave out another rum ration to my men, but no~. I know how much to give. on Monday, October 15, Captain Christie returned from his vacation, and I want back to what I begin to con- _ sider my home away from home, i.e., the ll0th Field Amb~lance. Glad to get back there and received many letters and a book. Have been reading a number of books in my spare time. Also received five Journals of the Amerla~n Medical Association. Saturday, October 13

9:00 .P .a.
My dears: Nina and Stella Im going to be lazy tonight and write to you both at once. Do you mind? And if you did, it;ll be six weeks before I get your answer so I should worry. Thats one advantage of beir~ over 3,000 miles aw&y. But what I started out to say was that you girls are entirely too good to me. This afternoon about 4:00 P.M. a wagon rolled up in front of my dugout with

Love, War, and Medicine

rations and mail, and my valet went out to get mail for me (you have no idea how handy he is). When he came back I could hardly recognize him. He was sta~gerlng under weight of three big parcels of papers and magazines. He laid them down on the table and said "whew~" and then he took out a letter from his pocket

and laid that down also. I gazed with astonishment


and dismay at the pile in front of me. First I read the letter - twas from you, Stalls, written on September IP and uncensored. I read it once, I read it twice, and Just now read it a third time. I really enjoyed it, you see. For youre awfully funny, Stella, and I know youll cheer up.poor lonesome A1 Bar~ett when you write to him. Youd make a pessimist latt~h. I enjoyed especially your description of your presents, but tis a shame you didnt list them all as, llke all men, Im intensely curious. Some day Im crete myself somewhere in a room where a female stag is being held, then look out for me. Your impendi:~ . photographic party .also interests me, as it hints of some nice photos of you two coming across this way. Be sure to send one to AI. .Hell fall for you in a minute, as he always falls deaperately for a beauty. I said a beauty and I mean it, Stalls. Oh yes! the. bundles. I opened them and f.otu~d a bunch of New. York Times from September 2-10, Inolusi~e, and also the Saturday Evening Post, Puck, two Litera:~ Digests, and a Metropolitan. Girls, youre spoili~ me. Absolutely! Youre too liberal. I cant thank you enough, Nina, for you sent the papers and periodicals. Youre the best little cousin I have and Ive got a lot, you know. Now, if I may suggest somethl:~ please dont send any more New York Times as I get the Chicago Tribune now. But, please send the Sunday pictures out of the Times as theyre fine,- you know. the brown ones. Also dont send any more Digest as I never did fancy that much,- Im not intellectual enough, I guess. But if you care to s~nd me some periodicals, from time to time you might send me the Metropolitan, Every Week and Worlds Work - thatll be more than enough, as my folks wrote me theyre sending the Saturday Evening Post regularly. And I cant thank you enough. Ive read the Times already and especially enjoyed the account of the parade in New.York. And, Nina dear, your letter of September 20 came the 10th, Just after Id sent.you my letter of the 10th. It was very interesting, as all your letters are. And to think of you writing letters at 1:30 A.M. ant to me. It sort of makes me want to Just take you In my arms and hug you to death. May I? But you have no idea how bashful I am. But it gives me a wonderful feeling to know that a long way away is a girl whos

Love, War, and ~edlcine

thinkin~ of me. And you can rest assured Im thinkin~ of you and lovir~ you more each day. Stella, you say you are sendir~ me some writing paper. I really dont need any as Ive plenty, and all the canteens around sell it. But IIi gratefully accept it when it comes. But really, girls, Ive plenty of everythir~ but love, so send me Iota of that. You cant send me too much! I wish I had some news to w~$te you, but I ~avent. Im still at the Advanced Dressing Station and writls~ this in my dugout as per usual. Im d~e to be any day now, and 8o back to the main section of th~ ll0th Field Ambulance. Things 8o on as per usual, few sick and an occasional wounded. Once in a while I pull a tooth. The weatber continues cold and it every day, but Im feelin~ in best of health ao have no kick coming at all. Im worried about news from New Yo~k. I saw in tbe Sex 5-0. That makes it 2 all-I did llke it 8o much vben the ~hite .Sex won the first 2. I got the scores only 2 days late; that isnt bad, is~tY you at any of tb~ games? . Well, gi~is, as Ive no news and its now about I0 P.H. Ill close with love to both and very best to both your families. And .please glvo Cella~...S two. brothers my~ best wishes and good luck. ~ r~m~mbeP~ that in this region of barbarism and dostr~ctlon laom who thinks of you two often and who lovu8~ yo~. Yours as

Leo
Another letter to Nine and Stella~

Sunday, October 1:15 P..


~hile waiting for my valet to bring in the lunch, I .thought I would write a few words. I Just finished a fine fou~ mile walk along the road and tell you that it was great. The weather was cool at firet and cloudy, but about halfway out the sun came out strong, and. now it is beautiful outside. ~ hummed, I whistled the whe2~ way along,- out here you can sing as loud as you want to without anyone heari~ you, and thats a great t .hin~. Just imagine, you two walking alo~ ~roadway, whistling, humming, and sing~.ng. Why, theyd have you in a nut shop in no time. Out. here there s persona~ liberty. ~y valet Just brought the food in so please excuse me a few minutes, wont you? Thank you! Well, thats over now. Boiled beef, potatoes and carrots, bread and butter, and Jam, tea, rice and milk. Not bad, and as I was hungry, it hit the spot. ~ut ~

Love, War, and Medicine

wish you had been here to help me eat it. In a couple of hours the Church of Er~land Padre is comin~ to hold services for those who want to attend. It doesnt interest me. I read last night till about ii:00 P.M. and then hit the hay. Thats a grand feelin8 when you crawl into bed and stretch yourself full length. Theres nothing like it. And I awoke this A.M. full of pep. I lay in bed while ~y valet heated my water and prepared my bath, dont y,know! Ive got a portable rubber tub I Just had another officer buy for me in Edinburgh and its not bad. You sit it on the floor and take a bath in water about two inches deep. Its real exciting, for every minute it looks as though d .... d tub was goir~ to tip over. It did once but I survived and wasnt drow~ed. Well, Girls, au revolt once more. With oodles of love to both, I am as ever
~e

Thursday, October 18 My dearest Nina, Ive been neglecting you somewhat as Ive not written for five days, but Ive been movir~ about again thank Stella for me~Ill write her later) for the box of stationery and book which arrived a couple of days ago. Ill now have plenty of paper to write on, though I was never very short. But you girls are dolls to be so thoughtful of me. When I last wrote to you, I was at the Advanced Dressin~ Station. I stayed up there for another couple of days till m~ two weeks were up the 15th. Then. I was relieved and wasnt sorry a bit, as it was very lonesome up there, especially the dini~ by yourself. I went back to the main section of the llOth Field Ambulance, and was awfully glad to get back to semicivilization again and to meet other chaps. I had a good dinner that night, and then separeted myself from a couple of francs playing bridge. We pla~ half a franc a hundred points so cant lose much. Do you play? It isnt a bad way to while away an evening: especially as movies and theatres arent very handy and you cant call on your best girl(s) out here. We get to bed about ii:00 P.M. Our tents were all blown down in a gale a few nights ago, so all of us slept in the Ward supposed to be reserved for sick ofricers. It was awfully cold,- you have no idea how .~c French nights are; the days are O.K., but you I~eeze at night unless youve plenty of blankets.

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well, at ~:30 A.M. the orderly awakened me as I was to go alor~ for a visit with four men to a big French city miles away. So I got up in the blackness with my teeth chattering, and dressed quickly. Then I went out to the cookhouse where the men and I each had a cup of tea and a piece of toast. That was breakfast Number i. Then we hopped on a motor car and were off. In about fifteen minutes we reached another ruined where we got out and Joined the rest of the crowd,- it was a sort of a holiday f~ all. We clambered into three huge motor lorries and soon were away again. We rode along for about fifteen miles and then came to a large French village where we got out at a Church A~ Hut where we had tea, bread, butter, Jam and crackers. That was Breakfast Number 2. In a short while a train came alon6 and we were off again. There were six British officers, a French nurse and I in this compartment, and we had a lot of fun all the way, though the nurse was very quiet,- I guess she couldnt understand our lingo. About 10:30 A.M. we came to this big French city. It was great .to be in a regular place again where there were intact houses, streetcars, shops and plenty of civilians. It was .Just about two months single I had last seen a French city, Boulogne. The first place, we hit for was the officers mess (British) where we had some .fine bacon, eggs, toast an tea. It tasted Just great. That was breakfast ~umber 3 - not bad for one day. Then we headed for Cox & Co., Bankers, where all the English officers with me cashad checks with which to carry on. I sent a draft home from there to my brother Joe. Then we all went shopping. One chap bought glass tumblers, soup cubes, wallpaper, victrola records, and what not. He looked like a t~ck horse when he finished. My purchasing was slight - some chocolate, some shoe polish, a few Mandolin strings and picks. Not much. The French shops are not bad at all. We did see a couple of pretty French mademoiselles, though very few. We had a dandy lunch at a restaurant with a most charmin~ black-haired French waitress. She brought in the menu, but it was Greek to me and the other two Chaps I was with. So we told them to bring it on and it was O.K. The waitress couldnt speak a word of En~llsh, and all we could say was merci beaucoup" and "bon JouA-". But the meal was voted a success. After that we wandered about the town Just gazing around. We took in the Cathedral for which this city is noted.. The town was full of British troops, and I also bumped up against many Americans, chiefly engineers; also many French troops. They have motor-women there, running the streetcars.

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87

We had dinner at the officers mess, and then hit the train again bound for home. We pulled out about 8:00 P.M. There was a Jolly crowd in ou~ compartment a few English officers, a Scotch Gordon Ri~hlander officer in kilties, another United States doctor, a United States Engineer Corporal (from New York) and I. The Hishlander was a fine chap and had been out three years. These Scotch are the fiercest fighters of all the British, and I suppose you know the Germans call them Ladies of Hell. Well, we rode along and finally came to the large village where we were to sleep for the night, the aa~e at whloh I had breakfast Number 2. The train stopped, and I hustled out and almost immediately we lost the other officers. It was pitch black and I could see no station. I saw a bunch of men going along up the tracks and I asked one of them was that the way to the station. He said yes, so along I went. Well, we walked clod6 the railroad ties llke a bunch of ham actors, pretty Dearly breaking our necks,- it was so dark. After about a half hour of this, we had come" to no station so I concluded something was wrong. So I asked another chap was ~that the way to this particular station and ha, said no, that.~ wed passed it lor~ ago. I cussed a little and gathered my four men and about-faced, and back alor~ the tracks we went. After a long time we saw a couple of lights on the other si~e Of the road and concluded that that was the station. But there were fou~ empty train~ on tracks between the lights and us. So we had to crawl over, under and through these trains, and finally reached

the lights. But, worse luck, we found wed reached a

Casualty Clearing Station about a mile from where we wanted to go! They set us right, however, and soon we reached the railroad station wed been looking for all ales6. Then we had some tea and oaks at the Church Hut (thats all gratis), and I went to the hut I .was sleep in. My bed was a stretcher. I rolled five blankets around me and it didnt take me io~ to fall asleep, though it was cold. At 7:00 A.M. the sergeant woke ua up. We had some more tea, then by motor lorry we got back t o the llOth Fie id Ambulance. I had no sooner returned when I received fresh orders to become permanent medical officer of the Royal Engineers of ou~ division. So yesterday afternoon I arri.ved at my .. new location. I have medical and sanitary charge of all the engineers of the division. There are three companies, one to each brigade of the division. These companies are all at least two-three miles apart, and each company. besides is divided into headquarters, advanced billets and transport sections. So I have nine different units to look after, and Ive got lots of horseback riding to do to see these, as its a very scattered Job. Im a

Love, War, and ~edici~e

~8

sort of a roaming M.D. My headquarters is with the 122nd Field Company, one of the three companies. I have a nice comfortable bed in a little hut. The mess is tree bien, or, as the Tommies say, tray bon, - you cant beat it, as engineers get the best of everything. The food is good and well-cooked. We have two cozy rooms, one for recreation, other for eating (mess). Both are fitted with pipes in which acetylene gas is burned, so no candles here. The recreation room has a nice fireplace going all the time, and its great, let me tell you, as the winter is setting in quickly. We also have a regular carpet on the floor, a few comfortable chairs, plenty of books and periodicals, and a nice victrola with good r~cords. Glass windows are being put in too. I tell you, theres class to us. So far its the nicest quarters Ive struck. Im very well satisfied, as the officers here are fine, though so are those of the llOth Field Ambulance. We are located several miles back of the line in a typical ruined French village, not far from where I was before. I will write more about the work when I get used to it. The enclosed snaps were taken in front of my dwelling in one of these villages.. The o~e I want you to see particularly is the one with my steel helmet on, so as to give you an idea what one of them looks llke. I have no other copies, so beg. of you to have a ceuple made of each &nd give one of each for yourself, also for orty and Gusaie, and Clarence and Celia. The enclosed handkerchief was the only halfway decent souvenir I could get you in the city I Just visited. Im sorry they had no variety. As to baseball, thats all over, so well say no more. I hope none of you had any money on the series. Did you attend any of the games? Well, Nina dear, Ive run out of news. Am anxiously awaiting another letter from you as Ive heard nothing from you for almost a week. I hope tomorrows mail will be lucky. Am writing this in the reading room and am munchi~ some inferior French chocolates bought in my tour of the city. I trust you are all well and happy. Give. my best regards to your mother, Harry, Clarence, Celia, Gussie and orty. And for yourself my very best brand of love with all necessary supplements thereto. So. cheerioS, as the English say. Yours devotedly, L~e Thursday, October 18 A quiet day. Took care of the morning sick (usually

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about eight-ten men each day with such trifles as sore throats or sore heels). Then horseback rides to Metz and Bertincourt and back (am gettID~ alon8 pretty well with horsebacking, althou6h I have been a bit lame from all this exertion). Sunday, October 21 Nina dear, Your most welcome letter of September.2~ has come and I was very glad to hear from you again. Yours the only letter Ive received in the last five days and so it was doubly enjoyed. Am pleased to hear you are havin8 a good time for I know you deserve it, if any one does. About my you say youd like to read it when I get back. You though Im afraid it~wont be interestin6 as I merely do recording,- its a sort of memorandum book really.~ But can amplify as we read along, and in return you o mustIread parts of your diary to me. Is that a

Who is this boy .James you speak about and whom


Stella teases you about? You never mentioned him to me. Also yOU ~ever write about all the youn~ men you go out with, though Im sure you have a string of admirers. I promise you Id be one of the foremost I in New York. You ask me if Ive learned to dissipate yet. Well, as I sort of regard you as my confessor(ess), Ill tell you what happened. No, I dont smoke at all and I denlt drink anything stronser than lemon Juice. But when I was in London early in July, I came the closest I did to gettin6 drunk. It came about this way. I was at the Hotel Curzon at the time and awoke one mornin~ about I0:00 A.M. (lazy?) I went downstairs to eat breakfast, but was collared bytwo youn~ Canadian lieutenants whose acquaintance I had made the day before. They wouldnt let me eat breakfast, they insisted I. ride with them in their taxi which was outside. Before I knew what had happened, I was standing in front of the American bar at the Savoy Hotel (the Canadian han~out), and I had two Hanhattan cocktails in quick suecession. Of course, on an empty stomach, alcohol is absorbed quickly, and .in about five minutes. I was tingling all over and felt a little dizzy. And believe me I drank no more, but instead d~ag~ed the two fellows to Fullers restaurant, an American place where we had a good lunch. There had two cups of coffee and felt 0.~. again. Since then Ive had altogether, in about four

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months, about three ~lasses of port at widely separated intervals. At our mess Im the only teetotaler. So now Ive confessed what a drunkard I am. I wrote you last Thursday, the 18th, and told yeu about my transfer to the Royal Engineers. I~o, I havent moved asain, Im still with them. And theres plenty work to do. As I told you before, I have medical and sanitary charge of the three companies of engineers tha~ belong to our division, the same one Ive been with since I reached France. And as I told you these three companies are in three widely separated villages and each company is further divided. So to take cars of is some Job and ~nvolves a tremendous lot of horseb&oking. I have a groom who always rides along with me. I probably average ten miles or more a day and I tell its no Joke for a rotten horseman llke ~ am. Yesterday afternoon there was a steeplechase all&iF with four races. I rode over and enjoyed the meeti~ as all the races were closely contested. After the had been siren out, Lieutenant Benson of the engineers and I started home. I was in the lead and trotting along slowly when all of a sudden his horse bolted and ran past mine llke a shot. A.nd of ~ou~se mine followed. And down the track we went Just as fast as the horses could ~o. We both tried to stop them but it was no use. The Tommies alo~ the road thought it was a r&ee a~d yelled Go .It~ Tommy and stick to him, Yankee, to me ~I wear my big American hat). But it was no Joke as it was all I could do to stay in the saddle. So we t~nandered along about a half mile with me hangi~ on for dear life. Then we came to some rail~oad tracks and the Englishmans horse Jumped them nicely. But miae Jumped them so high and so suddenly, ~ was thrown ~ of the saddle and hung around the horses ~eck. Then he ~ave another Jump and I was thrown off on my head. Fortunately, I landed in a mudhole and completed a somersault. Outside of aeeiz~ a few stars, I wasn,t injured a bit, though I collected so~ mud on my hat and overcoat. I was pretty lucky! -Hy horse stopped after it threw me and the other horse also stopped after. Then we rode back peacefully. The crowd here is very nloe add we dont-have it too bad at all. For recreation we have the ~ramopho~e end play bridge occasionally. And I still tinkle the mandolin occasionally. Well, l~ina dear, Ive no more news. My best re~a~da to your family and Stella, and for yourself oodles of love and kisses. For I am - ever yours Strafing is slight, as per usual!

Love, War, and Medlcine

91 Sunda~, October 21

A nice day, but I awoke very stiff from yesterdays near catastrophe. After the usual morning sick, I went to Bertincourt and inspected the sanitation of the 150th Company Royal Engineers. The text day I inspected the sanitation of other units of our division including the Headquarters and ~dvance b~].].~t~ of both the 121st and 122nd companies in Havrincourt Woods. In the afternoon read "Pentecost of Calamity" by Owen Wister,- short but excellent. Read this before a cheerful fireplace with its big roaring fire, - I did not notice the cold weather outside. That "night" was a real adventure. Our C.O. Colonel Dent, the Adjutant and I, together with one Tommy started out a0out 2:00 A.M. to inspect two of our scattered companies. We were so close to the German line we dared not inspect these companies in daylight. We were walking along on firm ground, not in trenches, when suddenly a Germa~i-ma~hi~ne gun ope~:~ed~ [ .

fire on us and bullets were whistling ali~,amound us. Dent, in the lead, fell suddenly and lay~!p~)ne on the the adj~utant fell flat. When I saw ~the~fall-~I too hit the ground, and so did the soldier behind me.~~ ~We four lay quiet till the firing stopped, then got up and hurried to the headquarters of the other company. When we reached safety, I said to Colonel,Dent,- "Y~u know you fell so quickly I thought you were killed. He laughed an.d replied: "You know I was with the British in the attacks against the Turks in the Dardanelles. We were taught .to lle on the grou,~d, ~ad our rifles, then run forward about fifty

Love, War, and Medicine yards, fall suddenly, load a~ain, then up again and run another ~ifty yards or so. Thats where I learned to fall quickly."
add we all got back safely to our own quarters.

Wednesday,. October 24 was raining and the wind was howling. Nevertheless, I walked to Hermies, and inspected more billets of the Royal Engineers.~. There was Captain Christie so I paid him for the rubber~ bathtub (LI-9~I0). Then I walked to Bus (four miles) back to the. ll0th Field Ambulance. There the British soldiers put on an excellent show called the "Pelicans" with the Tommies takin~ both Nal~ and female parts,- they were excellent and the applause wa~ deafen. Many letters came Includin~ one from my f~mer Cock County Hospital roommate, Dr. Ha~ry Fre~lich. He said I passed first in a Civil Service Examination for Chicago. $~ahool O~fieer,~ vaguely remember that I had taken that examination a Ion~ time ago. I no longer even wanted that position. Also heard that Brother Eddie was in Camp Grant~ to begin his military training. Following is a long letter to~Nina: Thursday, October Nina dear, Two wonderful letters came from you today, one written September ~9, the other October 2nd~ In addition, I received two magazines and a New York ~Times from you for which many thanks. Your letters are fine, Nina, and I dont, know Just how to go about answering them. I have Just spent an enjoyable half hour reading and rereading them. The letters are intellectual and require me to stir up my brain to answer. But here goes. Im sure you wont mind if I answer both letters with one, though it does seem unfair. Im, sorry to hear you think youre in a rut and are getting nowhere. I dont think thats so. You are filling a responsible position where you are trusted a good deal, and I~ sure you.re holding down the job O.K. Many a girl would ache to get your position. Youre doing ~our bit as well as the rest of us. I enjoyed your description of With Eyes of Youth and I sho~S~ have liked to have been with you.

Love, War, and Medicine

As to the different subjects under discussion, your views and mine correspond closely. You believe conscience is the best religion and I believe doing right is. Nh~n you analyze these, they are the same for it is you~ conscience that makes you do right. And I also agree with you about war, and share your belief that women bear the afterwar brunt. It does seem an awful pity, doesnt it? You ~ay when I get back, youll meet me with open arms, and wont l~,t go till ~ yell. Youll wait a long time fore 1 yell, Iii tell you. So you wont look for a gi~l for me. I cant say Im sorry. Now youll have to look. out for me. How will that suit you? Your little was good and didnt shock me at all. Im gfrald Im the shocking age. Your description of the troops marching down Fifth Avenue was good, and I can see those veterans and marching down the street Just as though I was thex.e.. must be very sad to witness all those leave-takings, a~ in that way I was lucky to leave practically aloft. The photo of Stella was very good, also her remarks on the back of the pictures. Please tell her I ~efuse proposal until she gets my dads consent. Ask b~e~ if ~ can support me in the luxury Im accustomed to. Miss McKeons and Miss Buchanan.s photos I Just to a couple officers of the mess who h~ve promised to w~Ite to them. Theyre both fine chaps and are veterans of ~.. war; both are engineers. You ask-me what my Idea~ of a glrl is. That is a question though in this wilderness where there are no my very aloofness may help me in telling you. But I really have no ideal, if you consider looks, color of hair, e~e. Like all men Id like a girl who was not ugly - she need not be beautiful - she must not be ugly. Frankly, I dont believe ~d ever be satisfied if she were ugly, no matter what fine qualities she had. This may not sound good to you, but you asked me for the truth and Im giving it to you. You see, if she were ugly Id be ashamed to take out to various functions, etc., and a man whos ashamed of hi.s wife cannot love her. Its selfish but true. But dont misunderstand me - Im not looking for a doll-faced glrl, of the chorus-girl type. Fair looks are sufficient. Otherwise, she must be intelligent, though not necess.ax~lly intellectual. Id rather have a self-educated girl with common sense than a university~ graduate who may know a lot of nothings. Of course she must be kind and patient and helpful to others. And also good,-- I mean respeo~able;. flirts would not agree with me, and, above all, we must love each other as I dont believe in marriage without love. .As far as finances go, Id prefer her to be poor rather than wealthy as I want to support her and not she me. I had s chance in Chicago to marry a wealthy girl, ~t t~r~:w ~t away as I didnt want to feel dependent. Do you blame me? This array of qualities sounds fo~nidable, doesnt it? But.l can tell you one thi~, Nina, Im not ~oln~ to get married until I get the right girl and ~untll ~ can suo~ort her. And at present, Nina, my finances are oeio~ p~r. You see, I still owe $1,000 to my grar~dmother

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for my sixth year of college (I earned most of the money f~r my other five years). Besides, Im carrying heavy insurance ($5,000) and that means premiums. And when I get bask, Iii have to begin practice all over a~ain. So marriage looks far off, unless some girl would come along and agree tc starve with me. Of course, out here Im saving considerably as my expenses are not heavy. Dont be afraid of m~ bri~ playing as we only play for either one-half or one franc (nineteen cents) a hundred, and you can hardly win or lose more than five-ten francs at the most, usually one-two. New York is stirred up over the election. Please write how it comes out. Personally, I hope Mitchell gets reelected as he has a good reputation and is apparently a of act ion. You ask how sanitation is in France. Its not too go~. The French take no care of themselves and havent even the conventional modesties. A bath is a luxury for many Frenchmen. A big hotel will have only one-two tubs. Can you beat that? Thank you very much for your kind offer, but I have plenty of socks and, besides, Marie is knitting me some stuff,-a muffler, g.loves, a headgear and some socks, I believe. Thanks Just the same. I last wrote you Sunday and this. is Thursday, though as it s Just midnight its really Friday. Since I ~wrote last, Ive very little news. Im still trapezing all this region on a horse. Today I rode about ten. miles am gradually conquering the aching and stiffness. By the way, I read The Pentecost of Calamity and enjoyed it. Its brief but good. Yesterday I visited the ll0th Field Ambulance, my f@r~er abode, to help celebrate the fact that one of the me~$eal lowed by is leaving to get married. We had a banquet officers Irish songs, old and new, and everyone enJ0~ed" themselves. It stormed severely all last night so that slept at the ambulance and came back here this morxli:~. Well, Nina dear; its getting late and the fire .has gone out so that my nether extremities are getting chil~d. So Iii say good night and pleasant dreams to you. A~ when you get blue and feel youre not getting along, Just sit down and write me all about it for Im thinking of you more than anyone else. Regards to all I love youLee A letter to my brother Joe follows: Friday, October 26 Dear Joe Your letter of September 26 came yesterday, the first one I received from you since I left l~ew York. Harry Freilich took an examination for tuberculosis physiqian for the city and passed it, rand now is .putting in fr.m nine-five every day for $2,500 a year with $250.00 Increase each year to $3,500 limit. Besides, he does a little tice in the evening so that hell be taking in about $3,500

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a year to start with. Not bad, eh? You remember last April, before I left, I took an examination for school health officer. About 200 took that examination and Freilich Just told me I passed first in my district with a grade of about 87. Lot of good thatll do me out here, though, unless they will hold the Jobs open for those of us in service. So, Joe, if they should send me a notification or if they have already done so, asking me to take the Job, please go down to the City Hall and make a formal application for waiver till ~end of the war. Dont forget, as even $70.00 a month for three hours work wont look bad when I return and have to begin all over again: Thatm the rotten part of this war. Those who serve .lose their practices while those who stay behind get rich. But wouldnt trade with any slacker Just the same. I couldnt go around continuing medical practice knowing that other doctors whose practices Im acquiring are doing their and I not. The war news. is very encouraging, as the British French have done exceedingly well, and have the Boohe the run. Were giving them hell, theres no other word so true. Shelling and gassing and starving are the of th~ unhappy German, and his morale is gone. ~or ample, for every ally gassed, ten Boche have got it In retribution. Their losses are terrible, and I don~t how they can hold 6ut much ,longer, though I d~nt thlr~k therell be peace till autumn or winter 1918~~ Love to &ll Your brother, Lee Nonday, October 2P My little Cousin The mall just came and brought me letters from Na~le, my brother Paul, and from Dr. Barnett (inFrance), but none from you. However, I must not be greedy as I received two dandy twelve-page letters from you on ~he 25th which I immediately answered. But Ill admit Im a bit di.sappolnted as I love to hear.from you. Before answering my other., letters, I thought a few lines to you would not be amiss. I havent any real news, but am well and happy. The weather today is cool .but not too bad. The moon is out strong so that its very light outside. Im getting into the routine of the work. I wake up at 8:00 A.M., have breakfast of bacon, egg, toast and tea, see morning sick (about five-ten patients daily) a~ 9:00 A.M., then my groom and I mount our horses and off we go. This morning I did about elght~nine miles .visiting two differe.nt units of the engineers and inspecting sanitation. Then I had lunch at l:O0 P.M., then read some medical Journals and newspapers till %:00 P.~. Then had tea. Then read a bit more till now (6:15 P.M.). It gets dark out he re about %:00 P.M. now. In the evenings we usually sit around after dinner, and talk or play the gramophone, or, if we can get up

Love, War, and ~edicine

a foursome, play auction bridge. I hit the hay usually about i0:00-II:00 P.M. So there you have an average day. It shows lm not working too ~rd. One of the officers Just got back from fou~ days leave in Paris. He says Paris is beautiful and advises me to go there for my vacation. But I think III go to London as I cant speak French worth a hoop. Im thinkingstrons!y of appl~ing for leave November 20 December I (fou~een days). But Im trying to get Barnett, my old rQomm~te, to go with me and a~ waiti~ for his a~wor. Well, dear, this is Just a short~ note. Will write more next time. All my folks are wel! at home and st111 ~as not been called. My regards to your fo.l~S and to Stella, a~d bet I am Ever yours, Lee Did that handkerchief souvenir I sent you October 18 reach you? ~ ,~ Thursday, Novembe r ~i Today warm and sunny. Horseback to Equa~c~~ a~ back, and met 51e~tenant Buckley of Pittsburgh,- he is Medical officer 22~th Company Royal Ensineers,- fi~e foellow. Also paid my mess fee (forty francs). The as usual and received orders to become M.O. cer) l~th Royal Irish Rifles, a unit which next ~ay raining (~edical Offiis in the

line trenches at Her~ies. I am replacing Captain Gavin who was thrown from his horse a~ killed. Also met Captain Picken and was shown to my dugout which was shaped llke an elephant with my cot in the passageway,- not bad. Pe~aanent Job with the l~t~? Letter from Nina K.: New York/October 29th, 1917. ~y dearest Soldier Hey:An age h~s passed since I received a letter from you, and it would be very hard to tell you how I feel about it. Im afraid, old ch~p, it would take a~more

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loquent speaker than myself to desorlbe a waiting sensation. If only I were sure that you are O.K. I would be perfectly content, but no matter what I do, or where I am, you are in the foreground. Yes, we have had another parade (should say two parades) since I last wrote you. The Liberty Bond parade, and the Suffrage parade. I saw neither of these, but am delighted to say that ~the Liberty Loan was oversubscribed. -~ Saw Polly With a Past last Th~u~sday evening, and enjoyed it very much. The cast was~ap!endid, and the acting good. Ins Claire is great and~Cyril Scott is so much at home on the stage that you ~forget he is acting. On Friday evening I remained at home and took pa~t in a family debate on the Candidates for Mayor, results and effects, as well as ways and means. Also on the Liberty Bonds and Government loans of past and future. Too bad you missed it, as o~e or twice Clarence got quite excited, and as he is the most American American I have ever met, he cannot conceive of the negative to a~y question of National importance. Friday Stalls was out riding in Rudis Flivver, but I got even with her on Saturday, by goi~-out without. ~

her. We went to Carnegie Hall and heard DamPosch add his symphony orchestra of one hundred plebes, w~hloh is perfectly wonderful. When we got out it was raining, so we got into a taxi and went up to the Pekin, wher~

we stayed until we were put out as all places in the

City must close at one oclock. We then walked up a few blocks and got into a Black & ~nlte axed went hoeae. Sunday was the day set aside by the President for

prayers for our Country and Soldiers, so I went down to meet Stella and we attended services at the

byterlan Church at 71st Street and Broadway. In the afternoon took Adele .out and in tb~ evening the family, Ha and I went to the movies..~ Now, dear, you have my entire history since my last letter. o If the prayers of yesterday are heard you will be back home soon - and can you doubt the player that is constantly in.my heart for you and all.our boys doing their bit T I wish I were with you at this minute. Sorry cant write more, as a heap of work was JUSt handed to me. However I shall write again later in the week. With all my love and hoping you are taking

good care of yourself.


Yours always, Nina
And another letter from Nina follows: October 31st, 1917.

Dea~ 01d Pal:You cant imagine how differently I feel today.

Love, War, and Medicine

You ask the reason? Foolish question, to be sure! The answer is, that I received a letter dated October 6th, from the dearest boy in France, and am in hopes of getting your letter of October ist (which you say you w2ote) on my arrival home this evening, for I saw an American liner come up the river a couple of hours ago. Stella phoned me a few minutes ago, and read you~ letter. To say the least I am quite green-eyed ever since. If she is beautiful ~and lovable, please advise if there are any adjectives left to describe me. Stella is an exceptional girl, with a keen sense of humor and an abundance of sound Judgment, as well as bein~ a true friend of wonderful character, and a~friend of whom might well be proud. If Dr. Barnett is sufficiently interested, you might mention these traits from one who knows. Then they say women are cats! But, kind Sir, would you mind telling me why I wasnt asked to write your charming friend. Of course, I wouldnt anyhow so there. Does that repudiate my statement about cats? It is quite true. that through my letters you ought to know me quite well by this time, in fact, you probably know me better that you would had we lived in the same town all our lives. I have shared with you m~ thoughts and acts - in fact, I have expressed myself quite freely at times, which. I probably would not have done were we ~alklz~ things over. You say you llke it? Well, I enjoy writing you, and only wish I were more interesting, so as to make my letters worth while. At times they are full of truck and nonsense,, but we all have our moods, and I have mine quite often. Boy, Oh Boy! Just remove from your mind all thoughts of a possible engagement, so far as Im concerned. If anythir~ like that were to happen Id be the most suPprised mortal on earth. Just at this moment I cannot think of anyone sufficiently interested in me to want to sit opposite me 365 days (and one day extra every four years) each year. One gentleman, whom I see occasionally, has a happy faculty of telling me the truth about myself in all its hideousness. He says that Im a nice girl, but not good looking - too damned stiff and too damned good to be interesting. So, what can a poor girl do? Shall probably enter a home for A~ed but Respectable Spinsters. How would you like to be Sandy in such an institution? A terrible storm has been raging all day, and I am glad to be indoors. It is probably the sor.t of day you describe, so I can appreciate what you are up against, and regret I cant send some of the steam heat to the trenches. Just told Miss McKeon that you wrote your hands are cold, and she says tell him As long as you are not there to hold them, tell him to sit on

Love, War, and Medicine~

them - God loves him. Isnt that the Irish of it? And she is lookin6 for a lonesome Yankee to adopt can you imagine what maneuvers he would have to go t hr ough? Good morning! This is the morning after the night before. In other words, the first sheet of this letter was written last evening. Introduction. Now that thats out of my system lets get down to business. As expected, the American liner I saw come up the river, brought your letter of October ist, and it was delivered at the house before I reached there. Joy? Much Joy. It was a charmin~ letter, and I have read every word of it three times. You are a dear boy, and I love you for writing me so regularly. It seems to me that each letter is more interestin~ than the previous ones. Your description of the auto ride and battle field was beautiful. How I should like to take such trips wi~ you. Thanks very much for naming your ~ew dugout New York. May I attend the Christening? I shall be very glad to~ supply the bottle of wine for the occasion.. Or would you prefer a bottle of water? Im so glad you are out of the trenches for a while, as I was very much worried. all the time you were there3 and could think of nothing else but your danger. Oh, it is such a relief that you are in the A.D.S. again. I too salute the Commandiz~ O~ficer of theA.D.S. Regardln6 the literature I am sendin~ you might mention that each week on Friday I send the Saturday Evenir~ Post, Literary Digest and one other. On Monday I send you the Sunday Times. Unless you receive these each week, you might make inquiries re~ardlng~.them, aa " you can be quite sure that they have been mailed. You are quite an adept flatterer. Do all Chicago boys do as well as y~u? ~ should like to take a co~ree in the same school as it is an art I have not acquired. One of my faults is telling people the horrid things and. omitting the nice ones about.~ themselves. However, I rather llke a little of it fFom you, though I resent it very strongly from others. For instance, in business when a man tries to be exceptionally nice to me, I watch that man closely.and immediately become suspicious, and invariably condemn him. Those who treat me indifferently get much more consideration. Of course, that would never do socially, but through business I have" become very skeptical. To quote parts of my diary Would probably bore you. I have not kept one for two or three years, and my ideas have changed so materially in that time, and I myself. am amused when I refer to it. In fact, I read part of it to Stella ode night and we had a good laugh. Of course, opinions expressed in a diary are more or less

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expressions of moods, and by referring to my diary of four or five years ago I can almost tell in what frame of mind I was at that time. Therefore, it would not interest you at this late date. From my letters to you, you are in better position to Judge my character and shallowness, and if you dont know me now you never will. Some say that you must live with people in order tc know them, but from experience I have learned that we KNOW the people we work with and those we correspond1 with. By that I do not mean casual correspondence given to flippancy, but rather such letters as we have been exchanging. In other words, your diary will interest me, because they are current events, etc. while my letters are the best diary I can offer you. Good mornir~, little Bright Eyes! I should say Father Confessor, Im at it again. How lor~ is it since my last confession? Last evening we celebrated Halloween. There were four of us in the pa~y, starting from the office a~d finishing at 1:30 A.M. It was one of those nice evenly divided parties where one of the gentlemen was too ol~ and the other too young. Decidedly society gentlemen; the younger one danced admirably, and the older can order a dinner for. the most fastidious person and is a real connoisseur of wine. However, we were all sober" as he is very caref~l not to. mix wines, etc. ~.~tella delights iD:putting it over on him, and it is ~qulte noticeable to everyone except the gentleman moat cerned. Am sorry you have cold feet, but why have a du corps if you cant warm your feet on his back? However, I anticipated your trouble, so hope the socks and knee warmers will partly overcome your difficulty. other suggestion comes to me Just now, as I have not made a very thorough study of chiropody, which" I re.gret exceedingly in this case, Friend Cousin Lieutenant Doctor. But, do try my first suggestion of warming yo.ur feet on someones back. I know that in this same mail you will receive a letter from Stella, and as news is scarce, ~filling three sheets single space, is quite enough. Am I right ? Hoping you are well, and that youwill continue .~ .4 to write regularly,~ I am, Yours, Nina. P.S. In your letter of October ist you me~tion something about a picture of a French town. This did not reach me - probably confiscated.

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~y letter to my brother Ed follows: Thursday, November 1 Dear Ed: Yesterday received your lor~ letter of October 2 and today your next one of October 7. The scene shifted between your letters, I observe; the first from Chicago and the second from Camp Grant. So your call has come. I heard about it after youve been there a month, and by the time you get this, youll be almost a veteran. Your second letter from Camp Grant was more llke it. It was a military one, more than the other and therefore very interesting. Keep me informed on how thin~a go, the routine, etc. How many times were you vaccinated? What precautions do they take against venereal diseases? What chances of promotion and are you working hard with that in mind? Go to it, as an N.C.O.s life is much better than a prlvates, especially in France, as you get better food and better lodgings and more pay. So dig right in and learn the drill, etc. as rapidly as you can. The army is very short of officers, and therell be plenty of chanoe.s for you to get a commission, from what I hear. I wrote a letter today to home trying to cheer them up as you left. I dont know how much ge.0d that will do. Be sure, when writing home, to write cheerful news only, same as I do. When writing to me thats not necessary, nor I to you. ~o you have to get up at 5~45 A.M.~ and do some real work. And shine your own shoes, etc. Thats tou~h, but it wont hurt you and would not hurt me if I had to do my own. But a.batman (servant) was puahad on me, and, of course, hes a help Besides, as ~I must ride ten-twelve miles.a day, ~ have a groom~ my exclusive use. My army family is assumi~ tre~n" dous proportions. ~ ~i~ ~ ~.~- ~ Otherwise not much new. ~,I did my~ten miles on ho~se this morning and am getting alo.~g ~firat rate at the art. Am learning how to grip th~horse properly with my knees, and thats the secret~of the whole

thing. I have a horse named ,Har~~, ;~ s~he is very lazy, and I have to hammer her and~.~yell glddap to
get her to go faster than a trot. So I think, when I get more expert, III get a faster horse. Had expected to go on leave this month to either London or Paris as November Ii will be three months in France for me. But Im informed you have to be four months in France before first leave, and then, three. months after that for second and all subsequent leaves.~ So wont go till December, at least. Very likely will

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spend Christmas and New Years in London as I get fourteen days. Am trying to arrange to go with A1 Barnett. Harry Gauss is out here with a field ambulance, but havent run across Seldler yet. But out here you never know where anyone else is except those in your own division. Am eati~ some walnuts bought in a canteen close by. These canteens are great as you can get almost any luxury you want. Even get the London Daily Mail (Continental Edition published in Paria)_about 7:00 P.M. of the day of publication. And when you realize were only a couple of miles behind the line, thats not at all. Rumors are flying around about some British troops going to help Italy. Personally I wouldnt mi~ spending the winter in sunny Italy, as sunny France is going to be cold this winter. Yesterday and today it was fine, but those were the first two decent days in about two weeks. It rains almost every day. Well, Ed, write often and I will do the same. TaMe care of yourself and go for a promotion. I close with. affect ion Your lovin~ brother,

Lee
Saturday, November. 3
Rotten night - Just too many rats - they bit through my tube of tooth paste, and they ate part of my overcoat buttons. One rat was on my chest and ran away ~hen I slapped~
:

at it.

There was a raidon, and guns wer~e~ban~i~-awayf~ about half an hour. Miserable roads~ from~Our mess to my
R.A.P. Mess with Major Mulholland, Major Lewis, Captain Duncan, Lieutenant Reddy and Padre Corky. The ~ext day went through the trenches of the .l~th Royal Irish Rifles and o~e company of the 12th. It was very quiet at that time. The trenches .were O.K. but the duckboards on which we walked were very slippery.

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A letter to my Father and Mother follows: Thursday, November 1 Dear Father and Mother, The news that Ed has been called and is now in training came as a shock to me, thoug~ of course I had been expecting it for some time. And I cant say how sorry I was to know that you~ loneliness has increased. But you and I and all of us have much to be thankful for. Ed is much better off Inthe National A~ than in either the Regulars or Nation~l Guard. He will start in training on an equal footi~ with the rest, an~ will have as good a chance for future promotion as anyone else. Had he been assigned to either of the other armies, he would ~have been badly handicapped from the first. "~ And even more than that : the regulars are in the trenches in France already, and more of them will ~robably be going in quickly. The National Guard will go next, the National Army last. So you can safely fi~re Ed for at least three months trainin~ in United States before sailing, and at least three-four mo~ths more training in France well behind the l.ines before he will even see the trenches. And by that time the war is likely to be over as I dont think the Germans c~n last more than to next a~tumn. Theyre making a so~t last push a~alonst Italy now, but deep down in~helr hearts they know theyre beaten on the Western Front, and thats the line that counts in this war.. All other campaigns are mere diversions. And then look at the advantages Ed is receiving. Plenty of fresh air, good food, the best of care, a course of training that cannot help but make a better man of him. I only wish I could have received three months of similar trainln~, but in m~ ease, the Brltlah needed doctors quickly, so here I am. But I always will regret not having had a regular course of millta~ inst ructi on. And there is one thin~ more, a thou4~ht that should comfort you more than anything else, and that is that you should be proud to have two sons in the United States service, doing their bit to help crush a tyr&nt who is trying to conquer the world. It isnt every father or mother who can boast of as much as that, and .Ill venture to say many a father and mother only wish they.had sons able to help their country in this crisis. You must bury your personal feelings, and must. live content and hap~y knowing you also are doing your bit for the country to which we all owe so much. You must remember you are not the only pa~ents whose sons have gone forth,so be brave and set an example for all the others.

Love, War, and Medicine

I0~

As regards rentin~ out a room to strangers, please dont. I dont think it,s necessary. If you need money, tell Joe to give Mother $50 a month for me stead of $25. Donlt worry - well get alor~ O.K. Also, as ~egards telephone, please keep it as it is; dont give up the unlimited phone as its cheape~ in the lon~ ~un, and youll never get ..it back if you once give it up. Am very glad to hear Ed is close to Chicago, so that you can motor down. And I suppose he will be getti~ leaves to Chicago at intervals. Hold the wire a minute. The post is Just coming. Oh Boy! A bunch of mail ~from United States for me. Wait a minute till I read them. Theres a letter Pa written September 25; am glad to hear the Thursday night affairs still go on,- its a relaxation and you both need it, especially now. Your lovin~ son,

Saturday, November 3 12:3.0 P.M. My dear Girl I have thirty minutes to write these few lines to you. as lunch is at i:00 P.M. So please excuse me if the letter is sho~t. No, IVe had no more letters from ygu since 0etcher 25 when I received yours of September 28 and October 1. But IIm patiently waiting and hopir~ tonights mail brings me better luck. I have a new trouble and want you to help me solTe it by you~ good advice. In the mail of two da~s ago,. I had two letters from nurses whom I knew when I was an interne. These nurses a~e little mo~e than aoquaix~ances to me, yet th~..y found out my address somehow, add wrote to me and ar~ expectin~ answers. Of o.ouPse~ shall answer them this time, but its.~eally ao~e lass of a nuisance as my correspondence is sixearly, formidable (50% at least to a little gi.~l in New York). I readily perceive that these nurses me,ely desire a letter from F~ance, as they haw nothin~ in common with me. What would you do if you were in my place? Ill be needing a secretary soon. Nina, Ive moved again. I was sixteen days with the Royal Er~inee.rs and I guess thats too long forme to be in one location. At any rate, yesterday noon I suddenly got orders to take medical charge" of the Battalibn Royal Irish Rifles, and so here I am once more in the line or, rather, Just back of it. I rived yesterday afternoon by horse and foot ar~i my kit came afterward and caught up with me. The sudden chan~

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105

was due to the fact that the medical officer who had been with the battalion two years, and had been decorated twice for bravery, was thrown from his horse night before last and was killed. It was a very sad affair as he was a fine chap and liked by all. He was a New Zealander and had been through three big pushes and never got scratched. I slept last night in the passageway of the Regimental Aid Post Im taking care of. Its a dugout with a strong roof made of galvanised iron, earth, steel and sandbags so that iti~Is _safe against oven shells. The engineers are Jus~t Tinlshlz~ the medical officers dugout which will be~ very nice when completed, as it will be about "TxlG and has a small brick fireplace, a door and a window. When do~e I will move in gladly as last night was awf~l.~ The passageway was infested with rats and all night I could hear them gnawin6 away. At about midnight I awoke to find one playfully runnin6 over my chest. I did ~ot like that. This morning I went rummaging around a bunch of ruined houses close .by,- blown up by the Boche. And, Nina, theres anythir~ and everythi~. I collected

fine old chair which Im flxl.r~ upf.o~ ~my pa~lo~; a , row of pegs to hang clothes on; and a big pail, go~d
fo~ klndlin~. Besides, I unearthed, a car~iage,but am at a loss as to what to do W~h It.

Suggestions, are in order. Then there were old bedsteads, colored skirts and waists, and many Prench

books. A wonderful collection of stuff that,s damaged


beyond repair, all mingled with brioks. The Boche did a very thorough Job of destruction while they were about it. -The weather is dull and foggy today, and the going extremely muddy. Boots are in order. I eat at head-~ quarters, about half a mile away, so walking is my. long suit. Last night had to find my dwelling afte~ dinner (about 9:00 P.O.) in pitch darkness through puddles of mud and water. You ~darent use a flashli@ht aa the Boche could see you. I found it, nevertheless, and got my ratty sleep. Aa I write ~hls, I woz~ler what youre doing. ~ cant ~et you out of my mlz~ and I dont want to. And the more I .think of you, the mo~e ~I want to have you here where I could, look at you, talk to you, and be affectionate to you. l~y only doubt is whether you would permit the last. Now fess up, would you? And, by the way, you never have written moo what your idea ofa man is. You know, I wrote you what my idea of a ~irl is. So please answer to the best of your ability. It will be very interesting. Any time I feel a bit lonesome, I get out your photo and study it or your letters (I keep them all)

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and read them; or, better yet, I write you a letter. Its funny about those letters, too; I write to other people chiefly from a sense of duty. But to you write for the Joy of knowir~ m~ words are goin~ straight to the nicest, first, sweetest gi~l in the world. T~t sounds llke a big order, but its t~e. ~en write to you, I ~ver feel, ~ell~ I owe the letter, so ~re ~s. And w~n Z ~Ive yo~ ~plles, my cup of ~ppi~as ~ ~ull. So p~aae w~Ite often and as nleely as those last tee ~welve-~e letters I eelved f~om you about a seek a~o. ~ ~ ~ell, deep Nine, I don,t w~t t~o~e you A~ to you, ~IPl, .my utmost a~P~i~i~nd affection. Fondly P.S. Probably ~o on leave (fo~tee~-~daya) to London about ~cem~r 5, tho~h cant say f~ s~ as yet. P.3.S. I thi~ my new Job is tempo~only, tho~ ~ P.S.S.S. certainly. cant tellE~losed is a l~d of love~0~ you.

Monday, ~ Nov

r 5

Took care of one of our men who was. Wounde~*by~. bullet from.a German machine gun. I must mention .that at this point, the British and the German t~en~hes were p~etty close to one another with only a narrow "no mans land between them. "

Received a letter from Dr. A1 Barnett, ~y forme~ roommate when ee interned to~ether at Co.oE County Hospital,
Chicago. ~e a~e both trying to get a lea~e, of absence. He wants to go to Paris, -I want to go back to London. 8o I suppose we will go to Paris,- we are both anxious to get back to civilization..Meanwhile, the Boche kept shelli~ us from about 100 yards away,- at least, I thought about that distance. I always wore m~ steel ~elmet and carried

my gas mask. One must remember that the Germans in this

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lO7

World War I used many gas shells, both Phosgene and mustard, so our gas masks were II both sides one hopes the
wa~"8 OCCl~l~. )

always with us. (In World War

had available gas, so neither aide used it; same will be true about atom bombs if future

Tuesday, November My dear girl, To say I was pleased with this afternoons mail is putting it mildly - I was absolutely tickled to death and havent 8often over it yet. I dont believe I~.ve felt so happy since I left United States for I received five, count era, five nice biE letters from the best little girl in the U.S.A. Havent had a United States letter censored in over a month so guess theyve quit censoring letters from United States to ~ere. I wish I could tell you how I enjoyed those letters and how Ive read them over a~ain. ~-,X~st night I felt awfully blue as I hadnt heard from you in about ten days nor from anyone else in the U.S.A., and to make it worse Dr. Barnett wrote me a. letter about his gay tlmes with a masqCe?ade dance Halloween Night. Do you wonder that I felt Just a wee bit homesick for Im human as well as the rest, and enjoy dances and good times as well as the next. But tonight its all different. Im as contented as can be. Your letters are much better than a tonic, so please keep it up and Ill try to do my best from this s~de of the pond. Am ~lad you enjoyed My Dear Enemy - I knew all ~lon8 sr~e was 8oin~ to marry the Scotch doctor, d~dnt y~u? Your Scotch letter was good ~nd humorous. You ~sk me how ~m progres~in~ in French. Im not ~ ~ver se~ a French person ~o cant learn the lingo ~ all, I oelieve I know far less French th~n I did whe~ " l~1"t BouRo~e, though I ~uess thats no~ very true a~ n~er d~d know ~nough to even ~order a d~cent mea~ ~h~.;~ ] ~as In ~o~iogoc 8nd they used ~o b~i:~g me~,,.~ ~ used to say bri~ it ir~ as 1 diunt know one w~d ~rom a~]other and still dont. Yes, I thi~ t~t little office of yours with the chair Just big enough for two would ~ fine. Of it need not be big enough for two. Again yes - I agree with ~ou that the modern gi~l (far too many of them, I should say) tend to ~ ste~et~ed machi~s without enoch brains or souls. ~ glad. youre not of t~t t~e.

Love, War, and Medicine

lO8

th~ base in General Hospital 18, B.E.F., a good distahoe away from me.
Before I forget, want to thank you fop the two

Dr. Barnett and I correspond regularly. Hes at

copies of t~ New York Times of Septembe~ 23 and 2~ t~t came today. I especially enjoy the plct~s In t~ S~ay Ti~s - t~yre ve~ fi~. It is yo~ last letter ~hich puzzles ~. I asked you yo~ age a~ w~n yo~ ~xt blrt~ay Is. As to t~ first question, I ~ve ~ard its bad form to ask a youn8 l~dy ~r see, thouKh hit~rte that has ~ver stopped ~ doin~ so if I ~ppe~d to~ c~ious. And f~the~o~, I dont believe you are ce~urles older than I as you say; you Just re~d yo~self so. It is curious t~t a 81rl of say twenty looks upon a yo~K man of say twe~y-one as a kid. It o~ht not to ~ W~t right, can you tell me, has a Eirl to claim to more matte t~n a boy of the s~e see or a bit ol~r? If anions, t~ boot should be on t~ other foot as the averase boy ~s seen much more of t~ ~orld t~n t~ average 81rl of like abe. However, Im sorry if I offered you by my blunt~ss, tho~h I ass~ you did not ask out of ~dle curiosity. As to yo~ birthday, you mi~t in yo~ next letter tell ~ t~ date of t~t, wont you? The~s no ~ in t~t, is t~? And assin," Im sorry if Ive offended you by allo~in8 Marie to knit so~ st~f for ~. You see, she ~mote so~ time aso and wanted to kn~ if s~ couldn% knit ~ somethin6, so I said ~o a~ad. ~ A~, later, you ePote aak~ t~ same thi~; but, as I~m only o~ person, tho~ it advisab~ not to trouble you. You cant ~ealize that all I ~a~ from.you, I~m away, is a constant st~ of-~Iee letters. T~y~ better t~n any scepters or socks op~wspa~rs, So please don~t t~e offense at any pf~ ~roua faults ~d mist~es. .~ ~/~: ~ I t~ t~ idea of coffee at t~~offiee-ls not T~s f~ the ~nvltat~on ~d .wil~.~;aecept on my ~t~n to New York. No, my ~atae~ still blo~s, but I~ve not acqui~d a Vandyke and don~t intend to. I t~ t~y~ rotten and I wouldnt own o~. A pa~ is the na~ siren to all C~istlan lains of w~tever denomination, eit~r ~ctestant ~ Catholic. It d~a not signify F~nch Ca~dian, as you thi~. A c~plain Is. a captai~ (a few hisher), but is usually Introduced as Pa~e Jo~s o~ Padre As for myself, Im still.in t~ line, a~ am ~itin8 t~s letter in bed by t~ lisht of a candle. It is mi~isht now, and t~res a strafe (~an for ftri~)~ on somewhe~ as the bib 8~ a~ bo~i~ in t~ distance, thou~ o~ resion is still quiet. It ~s rained all day, and t~ mud is a~le-deep in many plaees.

Love, Hat, and Med~clr~

109

This afternoon the Chief Medical Officer of the division and I went around our line of trenches. The boardwalks were very slippery and muddy and it was a long arduous walk. And the Colonel started to trot th~ last half mile and believe me it was hard to keep up with him, as the trenches zigzag so abruptly and frequently. But he was very much pleased with the sanitation in the parts Im responsible for. He intimated Id be likely to stay with the battalion Im with for sometime at least, and not go back to ~the Engineers, as I had thought. Other~vise, there was ~gthing new except that tonight came the report the British had captumed the village of Passchendaele, a most glorious victory as it 8~ves them command of a big district in Belgium. And the Italians seem to be comin~ back a bit. (a paragraph censored) N~na dear, its late so must close. You say that because you are older than I, you can love me unreservedly, but I mustnt reciprocate. But I do, and I know now I love you more than I ever did and thats saying a good deal. Do you think age makes a difference? I dont, so will continue to admire and adorns you despite you~ efforts to discourage me. So good night, Nina, and pleasant dreams. A cousin far away is aching to kiss and hug you, and in the meantime he can only show his deep affection by writim~ often. -. Yours to the hilt, Lee Wednesday, November Nina dear, A few more lines before sendim~ this away. Just got through takin~ care of the mornin~ sick parade~only five. Most ofthe siok~sses ~e slight; the most seve~ a~ so~t~n~ like i~l~nza,~. Havent seen a ca~e of t~hoid since I ca~ out as t~ p~ophylactie inoculation eith t~hoid vaccine Is ~ry successful. If you have any t~hold in New York, would strongly advise you to take both t~hoid a~ parat~ho~d ulations. Its great stuff. Its pourin~ outside ~d ve~ muddy, a~ the mud is most affectionate. My gum boots co~ in very hand~ I can assur~ you. M~ ~, ~ t ~- ~ bU. that S be~ ~ built is Just

ole~e~,. A ,

~ ~ ma~:n~ ~ bed for ~e, ~ ne. Plea. hink o9

my h~

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110

and sling my gas mask over my shoulder, and trot alert. Will write again soon and await more welcome letters from you. Devotedly, Lee Wednesday, November ~ain raining with muddy ~oa.ds~ ~ter the usual
tea,

I was relieved by Captain Pleken 0f~e 10th Roya~,~ and my ~d~oal S~goant and I wa~ed

Inniskilli~ Fusiliers,

back to ~ertlncourt. Thls time I am bille~ted in a rotten~ little hole with the roof so io~ I oann~stand up straight. That night my dinner came at i0~30 P.M. (probity late). A letter from Nina K. follows: Thu~ s day ~~ / Noye~abe.r

Hello Dear,
It is n~w

ture at Col~bla College at 8:15 shall s~a~

7:30 P.M.

~" ..~- .,~.~


and as I am booked fo~ a leo-

~er and ~nlsh w~n I get back when I a~ll tell you all abou~ It,- ~ I hope you tell ~ so now. ~a~ you, so you s~11 ~ve my opinion .hen I
T~ is little ne-s. Wall St~et is in a -orse. panic t~n It was in IP07 and thats 8oi~.so~. T~ ~sai~ situation ~s put t~ finishi~ touc~s on t~ 3treet (as Wall Street is known). ~ It will. end- cant say, but somethin8 must happen before lon6. Also the Hamburg-American Buildin~was taken over by the United States Government this mornir~. Dont know the exact reason for this, but it is .a known fact that all trouble in this country (through the Germans) emanated from that building. If you remember that is. where they found Boy-Eds papers, etc. Secret Service men have been watching the buildir~ for many months. Have thought that someone sometime would try to blo~.. up the shack but, if that happens, heres hoping they do so at nlg~t as our office is directly opposite. The election is over. The "Democrats have won out in almost every instance. Also we now have suffrage. Now that we have it, what shall we do with it? Personally, I dont believe I shall ever vote as I dont feel capable. Politics will ~ever be clean, and though

Love, War, and Medicine

III

I admire the fight the women have made, I dont believe the vote given women will help make the city any better; yet I am in favor of women suffrage. I feel that those women who want the vote should have it as mentally they are mans equal, and I also believe they should be consulted in a number of civic matters which concern children, moral welfare and upllftinE of the nature,- but in matters of vital importance, they will probably prove a nuisance rather than a help (I am sorry to say). Tell me frankly is Chicago any better than it was five-six years ago? This week I attended two lectures. The first was a dramatic recital by adame Labadie. She is very clever. She has splendid control over her voice and the changes are perceptible. Her selection Chanse was very pathetic. Tonight I heard an opera recital on Verdis Falstaff by Havrah Hubbard. How much more we would enjoy opera if we could hear a recital before we went to hear the opera. Of course, we love the music, and by reading the libretto we get a fair conception of the play. But most of us miss the motif. Hr. Hubbard lectured on each part of the opera so that each character became human, and as you surely remember The Merry Wives of Windsor upon which Falstaff is written, you can appreciate all the humor of it. Lee dear, let me thank you most heartily for the kerchief. You are a dear (how often have I told you so in the past four months). You can rest assured I shall always treasure it and when you come home, Ill kiss you on each cheek (a la French style) in addition to one on American Plan. And your pictures! ! Bully! ! I love the one with the tin cap on. The other one is a bit blurred. But I thought you said you got fat. Would you mind telling me Just where you got fat as it certainly doesnt show in the pictures? Stopped at a photographer this noon to have some reproductions made, but they say they will have to have the films. If you have them, will you please send them to me, and I will have as many made as you wish and send them out for you. Your letter of the 18th of October reached me last night. Stel!a received your letter of the 20th on Monday the 5th. Isnt it strange how irregular the deliveries are? But so long as we get them eventually, we wont complain. Tell me, dear, where did you get your modesty? To me you are quite a hero out in a real world where there is excitement in the air at all times. Oh, you are wonderful, even more so because of you~ lack of conceit and self-concentration. If all men were like you, this would be a better world. Tonight I felt like a slacker. At the lectures almost all the women knit while I sit with folded hands,- ashamed of the little I do and the much you are doing.

Love, War, and Medicine

112

Your new quarters sound good to me, and I hope you will not move very soon agaln,- do pay your rent in advance so they let you stay. Am getting worried - now that you have met the most charming black-~mired French waitress. Will you promise not to neglect me entirely even though she should require a part of your time? You cant imagine how I would miss your letters if you were to neglect me now. Please dont, Lee, dear. However, I am glad your trips were interesting and that you enjoyed the company,--as Im sure warfare grows monotonous at times, and a pretty nurse or waitress is a treat even though you cant understand them. You surely have had some adventures since June 21st and I envy you. If I were a man, I might be by you~ side. As it is, I go to business each day and come home very tired,--but the next day I do the same things over again. We are all very well and each one sends kindest re gar ds Have read The First Hundred Thousand and enjoyed it very much. Shall now give it to Stella to read. Received a dandy letter from Ed, but, unlike the former letters, this one was rather serious. He told me about his Pal as the best little girl that ever lived,- but what can a soldier do at $30 per month? I really believe the boys in love. What say you? Is she the girl he went with for so long? Well, dear, the clock is striking twelve and you must be tired reading so shall say Good Night, Doctor. Do take care of yourself,--particularly when making your rounds on horseback. I love you too much and should hate to hear that you are neglecting yourself. Now that you have the wonderful bathtub, you can take a real bath, and if you bundle warm when going out all that you must look out for is the enemy,--thats enough. With all my love, Nina

Thursday, November A hard day. It was cold and twenty soldiers ported sick. Then I inspected the entire battalion and found seven cases of scabies (the itch) and ninety-one with pediculosis (lice). The next day thlrty-five soldiers ported sick, most of them with slight symptoms. Also

spoored eighty men from the 109th machine gun brigade, and

Love, War, and Medicine

ll3

found two more cases of scabies and three with pediculosls. ~y letter to Nina follows: Thursday, November 8 Dearest Little Nina, Just a few lines tonight to tell you were out of the line for awhile and are well and happy. Also want to thank you for two bundles of New York Times. I wrote you a long letter yesterday and hope you get it. If you dont get the letter (dated November 6) please let me know as it was important and I will try to reproduce it. Am writing this in the mess room of our new quarters. It is no__t a dugout as were several miles behind the line and dugouts are not necessary. Its a sort of patched-up brick affair with a brick fireplace which keeps us warm and thats the big thing out here. But my billet is a puzzle to me and a source or rather a cause of much cussing. Its Just ~x7 and about five feet high with beams that come down another three-four inches. You ~et in there sort of sideways after lifting the door (made of a sandbag). Then you stand there in a hunched position. Youll crack your head on the roof if you should forget and try to straighten up. The bed is fairly good though, and thats the only useful thing there as Im never in it except to sheep. For a change I put in a good days work. Had morning sick parade and about twenty showed up,- chiefly boils, aches, dental cases and slight colds. After that I had medical inspection of the four companies and headquarters of the battalion. And it took me most of the day. I went around to each company at the appointed hour. As I neared them, each company came to attention, the officer in charge saluted me and I returned the salute. Then each man took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves and opened his shirt at the neck. Then I went around and inspected each man for vermin, and they certainly needed inspection as I discovered ninety-one cases of bugs in the battalion. Not a nice.subject, is it, but you know what Sherman said about war. So tomorrow each of these men gets fumigated.- likewise his -clothin8 P.S. As per usual its raining, so will hurry to my little bunk and climb into bed in my most approved humpback style, and will try to dream of my little cousin 3,000 miles away. Good night. Lee The next day only twenty-five in the morniD4~ sick parade. That afternoon horsebacked to Ytres; the horse tried

Love, War, and ~edlcine

to run away twice, but this time I was able to check him. That evening by mess car~ some of us went to Fremicourt to see another excellent stage show called "Bow Bells," and again the soldiers did well both as males and females. A letter to my brother Ed follows:

Sunday, November ii, 1917 Dear Ed, Am writing you today to help celebrate the fact that three months ago today I landed in France and have been here since and expect to be for some time yet. I wrote you November 5 after gettin~ your letter of October 7 and hope you received that letter. I hope you are getting along well and learning quickly as dont forget I want you to be promoted. I got a letter from Joe written on October 13 and he said youre doing well. So keep it up. When I wrote you I had Just Joined a battalion and was up in the line. Im still with the battalion, and were resting (?) out of the line now, though we go back soon. You see, the system is that two battalions relieve each other constantly,- one is in the llne and the other back. Of course, in an attack the system is changed. But in a quiet sector such as were in, this system is in order. So in a few days we go up and relieve the other battalion and they come back. My billet here is a little hole in t~e wall with a tin roof on it~ ,so low that you cant stand up straight. Its ~x~ and if you sneeze youve got to go outside. The door is a piece of sandbag. But Ive now got a dandy pair of thick knitted socks and get alon~ first rate. I have a portable rubber bathtub and every few mornings, my batman (servant) brings in the hot water and I have me bath. Some class. Who brin~s yours? ~m writing this in the mess room of battalion headquarters, a few yards from my palace. There is a nice fire going now and we need it as its pretty nippy out here. The trouble with this climate is that it rains about every day or every other day and is always damp. Am kept quite busy. Sick parades, sanitation and vermin-inspectlon take up a good deal of time. A good many of the Tommies have most affectionate comrades and theyre not too easy to get rid of, especially as

Love, War, and Medicine

n5

each Tommy has only one uniform and one undershirt no change. How many uniforms, etc. do you get? What is your equipment? I have one of those United States haversacks, but have never used it and dont even know how to put it together. Have not decided about leave yet, thou6h will probably go to either London or Paris next month. Yesterday got a check for $183.33 for my October salary and deposited it, as usual, with Cox & Co., Boulogne. Well, Ed, Ive a bunch more of mall to write so close with best wishes. Write at least once a week and Ill do the same. Your lovin~ brother,

I~e
P.S. Saw some movies night before last - not bad - all comics. Last night saw a dandy show given by Tommles (Scotch). It was tray bon as Tommies say Ivery good). Are you learning French?

Sunday, November II Today ends my third month in France. I remember how anxious I was to get to France. After these three months of shooting, rain and mud, and rather poor dwelling plaoes in or r~ar the trenches, - am I still in th~ marne frame of mind? Sunday, November II My darling Girl, Though it is 12:05 A.M. and I should be asleep and though I owe at least eight persons letters, some for many days, ! cant resist writing my dearest glrl a few lines. Do you mind my writing you at this late hour? lm in bed, sitting up against the wall in m~ little cubicle I call home. Was delighted to get your letter of October 12 yesterday, especially when I see youre ~ettin~ all the letters lm sending you. For I do try to tell you any news in as much detail as possible and as truthfully as I can. lm afraid to others I get rather brief. Am glad you think about me frequently. Its awfully good to know that someone takes more than a passin~ interest in me. And I do hope yours is not a passing interest - but I knQw it isnt. So May Time and A Tailor-Made man were good. Am pleased you enjoyed them as you deserve a good time.

Love, War, and Medicine

116

Tell Adele her cousin Doctor Soldier will come to see her as soon as he can: I hope that day is not far off. Were still out of the line restln~ (?). Am kept quite busy with sick" and sanitation and vermin inspections, etc. But last two nights have managed to get some long-delayed recreation. Last night went to a movie - all American comic films (Keystone and Fox). The thing flickered a bit, but the comedies were great, and th~ British Tomm~es Just howled all through. Tommles are t~m most appreciative audience I ever saw. Just ~ma~Ine seeing movies only a few miles back of the llne ! And tonight six of us h~tched up a mule and a horse to our two mess carts and drove flve miles to see a Tommies Theatrlca2 Company called the Bow-Bells,a Scotch bunch. The theatre was a big barn-llke affair with no heating apparatus so that overcoats were in order throughout the performance. But the play, a comic opera, was positively fine,- as good as anything Ive seen in many b~g city performances. Tommies took all the parts. The two men who took girls parts did splendidly, one especially. She was a little lighthaired glrl with short skirts and pigtails, and she had a most delightful wink. When it comes to flirting, she could put many a girl to shame. The scenery and costumes were also O.K. This company has played in London ~usic Halls, so it is a good one, the best Ive seen out here. The place was Jammed and but for the fact wed bought our t~ckets in advance, wed never have gotten in. So you see Im not doln~ too badly at all. gy dear girl, its very late and I must say good night, blow out the candle and get to slesp. Howd you like the Job of tucking me in bed and kissing me good night? Im sure Id be delighted to let you do it: I am unreservedly your Lee The next day gave a lecture to my thirty-two stretcher bearers. That night another show called "Merry Mauves," this one not too good. Also inspected about sixty members of the Machine Gun Company - they proved pretty clean. November 12th, 1917. Letter from Nina K. Dearest Lee:This is the second time I have started a letter to you and as I left the sheet at home, shall destroy it.

Love, War, and Medicine

I17

Today being one of my off days, shall make this rather short, but promise to do better next time. Nothing very startling has happened, except that all electric lights went out on Saturd, ay night between 7:30 and l0 P.M. (between 150th and l~Oth Streets on Washington Heights) so that the streets and homes were in total darkness. In the afternoon I had turned down an invitation for the evening, but when I found that I couldnt read, I really wished someone would come up and hold my hand. Can you picture me all alone in the darkness in a five room apartment, roaming about with a candle from room t9 room? Perfectly good time wasted, say you? I admit ito, but why must you be in France at such a time~ Your letter of October 21st was received on the 9th and it was splendid, as usual. They say a man isnt a man until his head has been d~zzy at least once, so now were members of the same club, though I confess I can stand a little more than you without even knowing it. You see, I would hardly be a New Yorker if I didnt take the stuff, but Ive been told that New York girls know how to drink, so that its perfectly all right. This is not a boast, but merely a statement, Sir Confessor. Take for instance last evening I was out for supper (from 6 to 10:~5) and during the evening I had a cocktail, claret-Lemonade, sherry, and I never knew I had been drinking for all the effect it had on me, so you see I am a real rounder. You arent surprised are you? Of course, it all depends upon the company Im in, as I make it a point to be agreeable - if it doesnt affect me, and when Im with teetotalers why, I enjoy it just as much as when Im with a drinking crowd. At home we have beer, sherry, French Brandy, etc., in the house almost all the time, so it is Just as easy to get it at home as outside if I want it, but I never touch the stuff, except to be sociable. Lee, dear, do be careful when you go out riding. Are you quite sure you dont feel any ill effects from the fall? Please tell me that you are O.K. as I am Just a bit worried that you hurt yourself more than you will admit. This letter will reach you about Thanksgiving Day. I hope you will spend it pleasantly and that you will enjoy your turkey (???). I shall drink a toast to you at dinner that day. You know, dear, that whenever I am asked for a toast it is always To our Army, Navy and Country - Heres to Us and our Cause, as well as our Success. Like you, I have all the confidence in our boys, but it is appalling when one thinks of th~ price. Your letters are bracers and we all need direct encouragement such as ybu give us. All send affectionate regards. I send you all my love and sincerely hope that you are taking care of yourself. Yours lovingly, Nina.

Love, War, and Medicine

n8

Tuesday, November 13 After the usual morning sick, I rode to Ytres and discussed future plans with headquarters. It was obvious that something big was about to happen and that could only be an attack by the British. I was transferred to a rather cozy and warm billet and to the Regimental Aid Post. I also toured the front line trenches with the Padre, Li~utenant Anderson and my sergeant Gault. This took about one and one-half hours of walking in the trenches during a heavy fog and complete darkness. That was really a difficult tour.

Wednesday, November 14 My Dearest G~rl, Althoug~ it is past m~dnlg~t, ] cant resist writing you a few lines to let you know lm O.K. I think of you so frequently that I just am compelled to put down on paper some of my doings and thoughts. I only hope I dont bore you with my many letters. Today was another banner day as regards letters. I received or~ from Father, one from Stella, one from an aunt, two from old Chicago friends and (you see I save the best for last) your two letters of October iI and 23 and your postcard of October 22. And I cant tell you how glad I always am to hear from you, dear. Your postcard puzzles me. You say you are worried about your confession of yesterday (October 21), and I shouldnt think you as bad as it seems. Well, as your letter of yesterday has not come as yet, Ill have to suspend Judgement until it comes and with it the dope. But, in advance, I dont believe you are bad . Your description of the camp at Yaphank was very interesting. The one thing Ill always regret is that I had no military training. But England was short of doctors and so it could not be hel~ed. About postage on my letters, I received word the other day to state on the envelope that I belong to United States Army and postage to the United States of America would be free. "Heretofore, in accordance with

Love, War, and Medicine

i19

British rules, I was merely allowed to slgn my name at the bottom of the envelope. Let me know the result, please. You say you dont like flattery and that Ive been guilty of flattering you. But you are mistaken as I dont believe in it either. I always try to tell the truth, and if in the letter you objected to my statement that you are the nicest, finest and dearest glrl Ive ever met, I hope you believe me when I say I mean it and am not flattering you. I love you too much and too honest y~to attempt to write mere Idle words. Do you believe me now, Nina dear? This sort of thing has been growing on me day by day since we met and parted. Whenever people talked of real love affairs, I used to sort of scoff and doubt their existence except in novels and in movies. I1ve met a good many girls in the last few years and have been friends with many of them. But Id never met one who stirred me in the least until you appeared on the scene, or rather when I obtruded myself on you. And since then I have someone who thinks of me and whom I think of and love, someone who writes to me often and to whom I respond, someone whom Im longing to see again and who I hope wants to see me. So, as the hour is late, Ill kiss your photo good night as a substitute for you, and I wish you pleasant, very pleasant dreams. All my love, dearest girl Lee November 15 Received a circular concerning promotion to captain (I was still a 1st Lieutenant). Was also invited to Join the Regular Army,- again nothing doing as I said in my reply to the Chief Surgeon of the United States Army. From Nina K. November 15th, 1917. Dearest Soldier Boy:It is almost time to go home, and as I am booked for a concert this evening, shall hastily drop you a llne before leaving, Just to let you know that you are still, (and always will be) foremost in m~y thoughts. It is almost a week, dear, since I have heard from you, and it seems three times as long. You know it is your own fault that I demand so much of your time, as you got me in the habit of expecting a letter on every steamer that comes in, and like all good things, the more we get the more we want.

Love, War, and Medicine

120

At present the City is envelo~,ed in a real London fog, and looks as though it will turn into rain before long. We can distinctly hear the fog horns from the boats on the river, though we cant even distinguish the llghts. Did your ears ring last evening? The family and Stella were at the house, and, naturally, you were part of the evenings conversation. Even if you are not conceited, it would do you no good to hear what was said, but you can rest assured it was entirely flattering to you, though you are deserving of it all. How are you, Lee? At home, every one is very well and send their kindest regards. Stella has started knitting wristlets for the soldiers, and is doing very nicely. Have you heard from A1. Barnett? Do urge him to write her regularly as she will be delighted to answer, though, of course, she has not said so to me - I know Stella, and with her many things left unsaid are self evident. November 16, 1917 Good Morning, Dear:Some people have nothing to do, while others are busy doing nothing. Which of these classes do I belong to? For the past week or two, Ive been lazy and in a dreamy mood so that it is an effort to think. How would you diagnose such a case, and what would you suggest as a cure? The concert last evening was wonderful. Mary Jordan, a contralto, was the soloist and besides possessing a rich, full voice, she has a charming personality and is very good looking. As usual, it opened with the National Anthem, and as two thirds of the audience were singers, it was worth the price of admission to hear the chorus. Tonight we are going to see Broken Threads, of which I shall tell you more in my next letter. Our electric stove was in operation this morning, as the Secretary and her Assistant at i0 A.~. received a message from the vicinity of the stomach that there was a vacuum, which we decided to remedy without loss of time. So, unlike you and your acquired English five oclock tea habit, we had good Yankee coffee, "and are now (12 M) preparing tea for luncheon, as we have decided to stay in today. You are cordially invited to join us at luncheon, .if you care to, as it is quite informal, I assure you. Shall write you again on ~onday. I hope, dear, you are in good health and in the best of spirits. You are very dear to me, and I do want you to take good care of your self. With all good wishes, and all my love, I am, Yours always, Nina.

Love, War, and ~edlclne

121

The next evening a nice bridge game with three British lieutenants. Also applied for $I0,000 War Risk Insurance to a Captain Wolfe, U.S.A. Payments to be deducted c.onthly from my pay checks. Friday, November 16 My dearest Nina, I wrote you just two days ago, but thought a few more lines would be in order. Ive over ten letters behind now, but somehow I always sit down and write to you first as it gives me a most peculiar feeling of what shall I call it,- satisfaction perhaps is the right word. First of all, many thanks for the periodicals. In the last two d~,ys, lvo 1ece~ved Harpers, Current History, Saturday Evening Post and a New York Times, all from my little girl in New York City. I suppose I must be an awful nuisance as I keep you busy thinking what you can send me. But, next to yourself, your letters are the welcome gifts for they are full of good thoughts and news, and they tell me unmistakably that you do care a little for me. What I want to know is how much. Answer that! Please excuse me a while as my batman is fixing me bath, dont you know. I have a little rubber tub ~"~ich--~e fills to a depth of about five inches with warm water and into which I get in and double myself up and pretend its Just like at home. Try it sometimes yourself - use a washtub. Twenty minutes later. The bath is over and Im dressed again. I always feel refreshed after these luxurious baths,- perhaps Its mental rather than physical improvement I get from what I call my dip. I wish I had some news, but havent anything exciting to write about. Everything goes on calmly and serenely, and you wonder where the war is. Only occasionally do you hear a shot. I guess both ~ides have sort of fixed up an informal truce in our sector. .Did ! tell you I received another invitation to take an examination for the regular army as lieutenant? But nothing doing as far as Im concerned. Army life is all right at this time, but when this war is over, Im going straight back to the little old U.S.A. and Im never going to leave it again if I can help it. For the meaning of the words patriotism and U.S.A. dont come to a person until he or she leaves the U.S.A. and lives among Strangers as Im doing. The British are very nice and hospitable and are glad

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United States ~s in the war, but theyre not Americans and Its not like being at home. Personally, Ive been getting along exceedingly well with the British. Only once did I get into an argument with an English officer and suppose that was my fault as I sort of butted in. It happened several months ago when I was in Boulogne. At the hotel I stopped at there was a souse party o~e night composed of British officers and my old roommate whom Stella wanted to wr~te to and ~ didnt want her to. About ll:O0 P.M. I went downstairs to mail some letters when I met this British officer with another ofricer, both hopelessly gone. The first man was trying to get the other stuporous chap up to his room, but as he himself was mor~ than half gone, he was havin8 a hard time of it. So I helped and between us we got the unconscious man to his room. Then the other man and I went back. He was a nice-looking boy, not over twenty, and I hated to see him go back and imbibe more, so I said to him, Dont you think youve had enough for tonight? Well, he became very angry, and cussed Americans and my interference in very forceful language. Well, Ive never given any similar advice since, and dont intend to any more. It does seem a pity that the British dont adopt the American order of no drinking for troops or at least restrict drinking to light wines and beer. Of course, many good arguments are given why Tommies should get rum rations on wet and cold nights. But youll be thinking Im a prohibitionist and Im not, though total prohibition would not make me angry. Last night after I crawled into bed, I got to thinking of you and wondering what you were doing and how you were feeling. And I hoped at that time you were thinking of me, or, better yet, writin~ me one of your ever welcome messages. I had half a mind to light the candle, get up, and write you a few lines then, and tell you I was thinking of you. But the fire had gone out and my room was cold. So I put it off till today. As the mail leaves at night (one collection daily), youll get this Just as quickly. .Its almost five months since we parted, Nina dear; do you realize that? The time has passed very qulekly for me and I hope you have been as happy as I. I can only trust that before another five months have passed, you and I will have met again for Im as desirous of seeing you as I can be. Well, Nina, please take good care of yourself for you are very precious to me. Dont worry again about me as Im in no danger and in A1 condition.

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Write often, dear, to the boy who thinks of you and admires you, and who loves only you, for you are most dear to Your most affectionate Lee Sunday, November 18 My lovely Nina, I havent anything exciting to write about nor any news. Thats a poor beginning to a letter, isnt it? But this is merely a note, not a letter, Just to let you know Im in the pink, as the Tommies say. My luck was bad again yesterday as again no letters from you. Its five days ~nce I heard from you; youve spoiled me into expecting one from you almost every other day or so. But heres hoping I get a bunch from you when the next mail comes; for Im always anxious about you till your letters come and soothe me and abolish my worries. For one never knows what may happen. Stella writes you went to your annual theatre party. I hope you enjoyed yourself and saw a good play. This is Sunday, but out here that day is llke all other days except that there are services for those who wish to go. But as there are none of our faith, I never go. The work goes on Sundays as well as other days, and really one day is very much llke another, and you tend to forget what day of month it is. Time has never passed so quickly for me as it is passing now. Im kept busy almost all the time, chiefly with my work, to a less extent by letter-wrlting, etc. Not that the work is monotonous. It isnt. I was bored while in England, but never since I reached France as theres always something to do out here. Would you mind sending me a copy of the song by George ~. Cohan called Over There -you sent it in a metropolitan Magazine, but I lost it somewhere and am trying to learn it on my mandolin. Dearest girl, I am busy and I know youll excuse the shortness of this. Ill write a longer o~e next time if possible. Until then, dear, I will think of you a~d hope you are O.K. and love you with all my heart. For I am, as ever, your own Lee From Nina K. Monday, November 19th, 1917. Good ~ornlng Dear: It really is good t~o be alive on a morning like this, when the very wind is singing for Joy. Yes, it

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is cold, but clear and the sun is shining very brightly. To continue with my letter started last evening. We went out to a small place on 125th Street where they have a cabaret and dancing, and came home about midnight. We have seen one or two very interesting sights on the river this mornlrlg. A large steamer went up very pec.~li~rly camouflaged, grey and black, and a smaller steamer came in camouflaged in grey, black and green; these were evidently painted abroad, as those leaving here are in sea green and a very light grey (almost white). We also saw a new fleet of about twenty torpedo boat chasers, in war color, going down the river. At first we thought it was the mosquito fleet going down for patrol duty, but have learned differently. On Saturday, the Vaterland went out, and I pray with all my heart that she will arrive safely, as I am sure she oartied some of our boys Over There She came very close to shore so that we got a very good view of her, which is very unusual for a boat of that size, and as a ~ule they go out when it is Just about getting dark, whsreas she left in the morning. Now, dear, I want to congratulate you on your ideal girl. Your views and mine coincide, regarding the qualifications off a wife and I agree with you entirely, though, it is rather unusual for one so young as you to be "~o practical, as men of your age usually clamor for raving beauties Do you know, Lee dear, at times you seem so much older than your years, that I fear I shall fall desperately in love with you if you continue. Your frankness and manliness, truthfulness and sincerity have made an everlasting impression upon me, and I admire you more than anyone I know. This is not flattery, as I am averse to that, but I believe in expresslr~ thoughts, whether good or bad, as truth is good fo~ all of us. One possessing so many admirable qualities is bound to make a success in llfe, and I shall always take a vast amount of interest in your progress. Also, I confess that I am very glad you havent found your ideal, as in that case I should be compelled to reluctantly vanish, which I am not inclined to do at pres.ent, as am selfish enough to want you myself. By this time you must be quite an equestrian, and if you are very nice, Ill let you teach me how to ride, when you come back home. If you teach me, it might be necessary for you to feed me, also, as I understand it is very uncomfortable eating off .a mantelpiece. Is it? If I had more time, I should write several more pages, as I am in the mood for writing this morning, but A.F. (my boss) has just asked for some memorandums. Hope you are feeling O.K. and that you continue to llke your work. All at home send affectionate regards. With all my love, Yours more than ever, Nina.

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CHAPTER VIII THE BATTLE OF CAMBRAI Monday, November 19, 1917 Today was Y day - we were to attack the Germans the next morning to begin the Battle of Cambrai. Cambrai is a city in France, then in the hands of the Boche. The Germans shelled us all night, - they must have known we were going to attack. Tuesday, November 20, 1917 The Battle of Cambrai began. Zero hour was 6:15 A.M. The Boche shelling continued, but then suddenly our guns opened. The shells came from our guns behind my aid post and our front lines, and the noise was tremendous and deafening. Our soldiers went forward following our tanks,- these were not very large, but were successful in driving the Germans back and back, and capturing thousands of .prisoners. I took care of one wounded Boche prisoner and a few wounded Britishers. A very exciting day. Wednesday, November 21 Was at my R.A.P. in the morning (at Demicourt, but at 10:00 A.M. was ordered t6 go up through the old German lines to Lock 6 in the Canal Du Nord. My medical group and

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Lt. Leon Unger, ~i.C., United States Army with British Expeditionary Force at Battle of Cambral, France, November 20, 1917.

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I walked up through the canal; we narrowly missed two German barrages and some sniping. We finally reached Lock 6 at ~:00 P.M. after walking six hours along this canal. In the building called a Lock we found a lot of German food stored in big bottles (beef and potatoes chlefly). We ate some of this - not too bad. could not sleep. Thursday, Nove~be r The Boche shelled our position in this Lock, but, fortunately, I was relieved and sent back to my old R.A.P. at Hermies. Friday, November 23 Dear Folks: Did I tell you in my last letter I received Dads letter of October 3 and two of Joes of October 8 and 27. No more since. Why doesnt Ed write? Am glad all at home are well. It takes so long for your letters to get here that Im always anxious about you. As for myself, am out of the line in complete safety, so you need have no worries about me. Am wl~itin~ this suspended in the air on a stretcher held up by racks. Am in my dressing station and as chairs a~e short, stretchers make a fairly good substitute. Its nice and warm in here for theres a stove here. Sorry to have to close but have some work to do. Please write often. My love to all. It was so cold the~e we

Lee
~onday, November 26 Dear Folks, Am very busy at present, so Just these lines to let you know Im well and happy. Recelved a whole bunch of magazlnes, Trlbunes and Sentinels from you and f.rom Nina K. my love to all,

Lee

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Saturday, November 24 At 2:00 A.M. we were up again and walked back to the Lock, and again Just missed a heavy German barrage. We reached the Lock about ~:00 A.~. and managed to sleep for about two hours. Had breakfast and lunch in the Lock, then we moved up across the Bapaume-Cambral Road to a concrete R.A.P. The shelling remained heavy and our dugout was cold. We had plenty of blankets so sleep was O.K. care of a few sick and two wounded Tommies. Monday, November 26 Went back to a cold dugout in the Reserve Line, then was relieved by an M.0. of the 13th Essex (2nd British Division). It was snowing heavily, and there was no decent shelter when we reached the French village of Doignes (we called it "Dog Knees"). There was no sleep at all. I did see one Tommy standing up and leaning against a brick wall and sound asleep. Tuesday, November 27 Raining and very muddy. From 8:00 A.M. to noon walked around and sent six men to the hospital (exposure). From noon to 7:00 P.M. we marched twelve miles ( Doigne s-Ve lu-Be rt inc ourt -Bus -Racquiny-Le TranslayBe aule nc ourt ). We finally reached a nice Nis~en hut for medical inspection. I was dead tired. I did ride my horse for a few miles during that march~ but preferred to walk through I did take

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the mud most of the twelve miles,- walking lessened the effects of the cold weather. We dne sday, November 28 soldiers city of

A pleasant day in Beaulencourt. Thlrty-one reported sick, but later I did manage a walk to the Bapaume and back. A letter to my folks follows:

Thursday, November 29 Dear Folks, Delightful Thanksgiving Day: I hope the turkey (or was it goose?) tasted good, and that the cranberries matched the fowl. No. Im not eating turkey or goose today, but I Just had a fresh egg and some country milk besides the usual rations. But while eating it, I wondered what you had on the table and confess my mouth watered at the thought of it. But Ive the best of news for you. Our battalion is now resting many miles behind the line in a cozy little French village. And Im writing this in my room in a F~ench home, a sort of cottage. This is a fine room with a big bed, with a soft mattress, so that you sink almost out of sight in it when you climb in. Oh! Boy~ Ill sure have some sleep tonight. Have had rather a strenuous time this last couple of weeks as weve been moving about almost constantly, due to the great battle which we took part in, and which is still going on, though our battalion is far away now. Where we now are we cant even hear the guns, so you can see weve struck it pretty soft. But it wasnt always so easy. Weve marched and marched, through slush and mud, and had plenty of work to do though our casualties have been remarkably slight. But we have the satisfaction of knowing weve t.aken a part in a great British victory. We put in rather a busy day today. Awoke at 5:15 A.M., had b~eakfast, and then at 6:~5 our battallon marched off to the railroad station,- about three miles away. I always march at the end of a column looking after Tommies with so.re feet, etc. We piled in our train about 9:30 A.M. and soon were off, leaving the most desolated regio~ I ever saw. I have now been in that same region for a bit over three months. We didnt have the b~st of luxuries on the train; in fact, we were put into cars intended for horses,no seats, Just the floor. But we put our haversacks

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down for seats, used an overcoat for a table and four of us played bridge on the floor. We got out about l:00 P.M. at a little sidlr~ nea:, the tracks, lined up again and soon were off on the march again. We marched about three mere miles and reached a quaint old French village. There is real civilization here. Every inch of ground is utilized, and the farms are very pretty. Near us is a windmill and close by a fine old French chateau. The general sleeps there. We had a bit of cold weather and snow the ether night, the first snow of the season, and as it came when we were marching out of the trenches, we were caught in it But we got along O.K. Tonight iits now 6:15) am going to read some magazines and catch up. At present am overwhelmed with periodicals as a bunch came the other day. What is wrong with Ed? Ive had but one letter from him written almost two months ago Just after he went to Camp Grant. Ive written several to him. Well, I must close as have several more letters t o write. Love, Lee P.S. Havent met a good-looklng mademoiselle yet. Don~t believe theres a woman in this village under eighty, so guess Im safe. And a letter from Nina: Novembe r 20 Dearest Boy, Theres a conspiracy against me and I need a champion. Please, dear, protect a helpless girl. Have told Stella I intended to send a Chrlstmae card to A1 Barnett and at the same time told May McKeen I would send one to Major Hardie. You should have heard the riot and I was told to Keep off the grass. Se Im afraid youll have to have me all to yourself, and I shall have to let out all my excess steam on you unless you object and can suggest a remedy. However, I llke writing you best of all, so please dont offer the cure. Mother is sitting by my side knitting stockings for a man in the hospital who is an invalid and has tube rculos is. This evening Stella and a friend will be up. Sh~ phoned me this afternoon to say that she ~eceived a letter from you and that. she would answer it at once. May I make a suggestion? You probably knew all

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your letters are censored three times, therefore On Active Service which you usually write on top is invariaOly covered with a paster Censor #__. We are therefore compelled to pay postage. The New York Postmaster has advised me that it is necessary for you to put your station as follows (Ist Lieut. L. Unger U.S. Army-France) on each letter; and if I were you I would put it on the center back of the envelope so that the paster will not cover it. Then the letters will be delivered without stamps. Try it,--Ill let you know what happens. It will be fine if Dr. Barnett will be able to spend a week or two with you as it will break the monotony for both of you. This is the day you are to start on your vacation and I do hope you enjoy it. Tomorrow will be five months since you left New York. I wish we could have this evening together as we did the night before you left. To you, these months have been a complete change,- you have seen more of humanity than the average man sees in a lifetime. Your last day in New York I was with you every moment until the steamer sailed. Oh, dear, I wish you were back. From your menu, you are certainly not starving, nor are you overworked. And you seem to get plenty of sleep and exercise. Later Sorry to learn your vacation has been postponed. I agree with you that it is better to spend Christmas with men you know. An appeal has been broadcast for the entertain~ent of sailors and soldier~ on Thanksgiving Day and we are contemplating a d~nner for four or flve of them. As Stellas home is larger than ours, we decided to hold it there though we shall chip in and share expenses. There is still an obstacle to overcome before definite plans can be made. Shall let you know what happens. Soldiers are also advertising in the papers asking that people correspond with them as theyre lonesome. Have been tempted to answer some of them and only regret I havent the time. But Im satisfied with the one boy in France, and I do love his letters better than anything. I love you very much. Nina November 21 De are st Cousin, Ill add a sheet to the letter started yesterday. The market today was considerably better than it has been. The report that the Tommies are holding

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their own and that the Italians are on the of~enslve has stimulated the Street a bit and acts as a tonic. Time to go to work. Much love, Nina November 24 Dearest Lee, Thursday evening went to the Philharmonic Concert and it was Just wonderful. Joseph Stranky, the leader, is in a class al! by himself. Mr. Chadwick, the composer of Tam oShanter (played for the first time in New York) was in a box across from our box and acknowledged the tremendous applause. Also saw the play Oh Boy: and it is great. Otherwise, very little news. You probably have read that we have a sugar famine and a shortage of salt as well as a threatened shortage of matches. I have given up sugar entirely except for candy. Many candy stores and candy factories have shut down because of the sugar shortage,- others have advanced prices to almost double. All foodstuffs are at a premium,- we must be grateful to the dealers for serving us. Even Childs has a wheatless as wel~ as a meatless day each week. When you are alone and tired, remember that I love you and am constantly thinking of you. Yours always, Nina Thursday, November 29 Thanksgiving Day in the United States of America, and I wondered what my folks were doing. We had no turkey out here. Awoke early and we were ordered back for a rest. We felt pretty happy about this. We thought that the Battle of Cambrai was over, and that it was a brilliant success for our British forces. Thats what we thought. But then we marched back to Bapaume, and by train went through Arras again to a new billeting place called Gouy-en-Artois. En route by this train we played bridge in a 40-8

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car (this means a train car for ~0 men or 8 horses). We

played on the floor. Friday, November 30 I had a large sick parade this morning, then off we , marched for fourteen miles till we reached Achet-le-Petit that night at 10:30 P.M. We were all ox~austed but managed to get some sleep in our cold tents.
Saturday, December I

We ~eard that the Boche had attacked us; the Battle of Cambrai was not over, so we were ordered back to the trenches. So off we marched again, but this time we wet@ not too happy. We no lon~er were deslrohs of more battles. So each day we marched closer and closer to, th~ front llne, and"each day more and more of our troops reported for sick parades. We went through .Bancourt, then Bertincourt again where we rested for a day. News item: the Boche destroyed one of our motor lorries (trucks) nearby; many casualties. We were ordered to prepare for action. Sunday, Decemhe r 2 Dear Folks, Just a few lines to let you know Im O.K. and well. We are moving almost every day, marching abou.t e i6htfourteen miles a .day, and when you get in at night, youre too tired to write letters. Have had no mail for a low time, nothing except a very funny newspaper edited by Ed, Joe, Sam and illard. Still no letter from Ed. Sorry to close but post is Just leaving. Will write more next time. Affe c t i onat ly, Lee

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Tuesday, December 4 We were off again for Havrincourt Woods, with a brief lunch while lying ~n the grass. At dusk we were off again and at I0:00 P.M. reached the reserve lines. It was a hard walk over frozen ground and it was very cold. There was no aid post, so we all clustered together in a deep du6out. It was so cold and crowded we had no sleep. The next evening at dusk we moved about 2,000 yards to the support line. My R.A.P. was a tiny 6x~ concrete dugout,- this formerly was a Boche outpost, so natu~ally th~ doorway faced the German~ trenches instead of faci.n~ tow&~ the British lines. We were in extreme danger if we walked. out the door into our trenches. There was fierce and our concrete ~oof was hit about twenty times. We had some lighted candles, but German shells landed on our roof and out went our candles. This shelling was no__t comfortable. One German shell landed Just outside our door and four of our RA~U men about ten of a shell hit again. As far as food was concerned, it was bully beef for breakfast and more of the same for lunch, for tea, and for so-called dinner. Our drinking water and even. our tea were .cot too good as our water-cart men had to add chlorine for safety. Despite the severe shelling, some mall did come through; for me came three letters and a parcel of candy. Just below had very narrow escapes. Alto6ether our Tommies were wounded that day. Each time our roof, our candles went out, but we llt them

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and another parcel containing handmade wristlets and a scarf. Wednesday, Decemb~ r My dear Girl, Ive been neglecting you somewhat lately, but I assure you ~t is solely due to lack of time. In the last three weeks weve never been more than forty-eight hours in one location. Every day we march, some days five miles, some days fourteen or so. And marching with a pack on your back is no Joke, I can assure you. But Im getting so marching ten miles or so is easy for me. Occasionally I ride a horse, but the weather is cold and riding is a cool exercise, so I prefer walking. To date have had but one slight snowfall, but each morning there is a very heavy frost. Fortunately, I manage to keep warm. I dont know whats wrong, but I havent received a letter from you or anyone else in United States for ever two weeks. You donlt know how anxious I am to hear you are all right. I hope this reaches you in time, but anyway I want to wish you, your mother, Harry, Clarence, Celia, Mottle and Gussie and the children, and Stella a very Merry Christmas and lots of luck the coming year. Im sorry am in a place where I cannot get you some slight token of the coming holidays, but I hope you will be content, for the present, with my very best love and affection. Too busy to write more now. P.S. Hope the next post will bring a bunch of mall from you. Have three new American doctors in our division all from New York. Love, Lee Tuesday, December 5 Dear Folks, Am kept busy as we move about almost every, day. Dont get much time to write letters. In last three weeks have written letters to you and to Nina K. only. I guess I must owe about fifteen letters. For last two weeks have not had a single letter from the United States. News item: - had a fairly decent haircut and shampoo yesterday, both for a franc. Price.s are very cheap out here. On the other hand, the American barbers are much better than the ~ritish and French. The weather has turned a bit col~, though weve only had snow once. But I maDage to keep warm as we always have a fire going. Besides, I have a heavy shirt and

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to twenty-three year.s of age, and Just full of slang and fun. Of cours~, decidedly uncouth but gentlemanly.
WOL[" ~~um V~[~.~J~ (w~u ha~J buul~ duLalnud

oouZd no~ ~e$ ~ 9a~s ~o Zeave Camp MIZl~) jolnod u~. W~Ze o~ oE L}~e bo~s pZayod tho 9~ano so~ pa~$~ ~a~d LhaL ~ had no~ wr~$~on bom~ for ~wraZ weeks, so I got some correspondence c~ds and wrote each ones mother saying that we had s~nt a very pleasant evening and that her son was with us to dinner and that he was looki~ very well. The eveni~ just flew and Im sure all enjoyed it ve~ much. Stella and ~ay ~cKeon took t~ Army, so that t~re was nothing for ~ to do but t~e the Navy - a~ I had three of t~m with me. I told you in my ~st lette~ that we we~ goi~ to make them happy and believe we succeeded~ though we had to come off our ~rch der to meet the Navy. Stellas cousin was of the party, but she mi~t Just as well ~ve been In San Francisco. She confided to Stella afterw~d that s~ enjoyed t~ eveni~ But you girls are such good mixers, and try as I will, I cant. The part of t~ Navy that I didnt ~ve was playi~ the piano, and I would ~ve been glad to give him to ~r as he had a real dirty face (he was a fireman on the battleship). However was a lot of fun, and weve been laughing all mo~nlng at some of the things that we~ said during the evenly. A steamer camouflaged like a barber pole Just went up the river. I wonder if it will bring me a letter. ~ust go out now, so will close. Hoping you are well and happy, and with reg~ds from all at home, Yours lovingly, Nina Saturday, December 8 Shelling continued, but in came Captain K. V. Smith of the l%th Royal Irish Rifles to relieve me. I was off from the front line down muddy trenches and in a pouri~ rain. I was up all night. The next morning the rest of our group was relieved and we were off through fierce mud till we finally reached Havrlncourt Wood again. But the Boche shelled there heavily so at dusk we were off again.

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When we reached shelter, a wagon load of stuff was

waiting for me. I was overwhelmed by twenty-eight letters from the United States of America plus many newspapers and some medical Journals. In the loot also received a sleeping bag, a flashlight (badly needed), some socks, soap, etc.
The next day was rather quiet and managed to shave

off a five day growth. The sick parade was heavy again, yet I spent much time reading letters and writing answers. From Nina K. December I Dearest Lee, Oh, how much better I feel! The last few days have been agony. You know, dear, you are never out of my thoughts, even ~vhen at work; it is almost two weeks since I received your letter of October 29. Yours of November !I Just came and it is a dear letter. Evidently one of your letters has gone astray as I notice change of address about which you say nothing. I do hope it turns up as Im anxious to see it. I threatened to cable if I had no word from you by Monday, but all told me you were too busy to write. Someone else suggested that a pretty blonde nurse had struck your fancy, while someone said it may be a black-eyed petite French beauty. All of which did not help to soothe my mental anguish. ~n my last letter, ~ tolc~ you somoth~ng about how I spent Thanksgiving day, but not all of It. In the morning I helped Y~a as she had eleven for dinner; at I0:1% ! went to the hospital for a visit, the~ after lunch to Ste!las to help her. It was a wonderful day but ! do wish you had been with us. Love, Nina December 3, 1917 Dearest Soldier Boy:Had intended writing you th~s .morning, but have Just been ordered to go to the uptown office to take a statement off the books for a meeting which will take place this week. Therefore, shall Just add a llne before mailing my notes of yesterday and Saturday. Am delighted to know that you are getting a little recreation, as all work and no play isnt good for

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i~0

anyone. For the fighting men the comic pictures are probably best, as they are bound to make one laugh, and a good laugh usually is a splendid tonic. Well, dear, must g~t out, or my employer will put me out. Do hope you are well, and that you will continue to remain so. All at home send kindest regards, and you can rest assured you have all my love. Yours always, Nina. Monday, December lOth That evening was marked by an unusual happening. Three British officers and I were playing bridge in our tin Nisson hut. One of the players, a lieutenant, was the only one of us who had had poor cards. Suddenly a German shell landed close to our tin hut and pieces of the shell made a tattoo on our shelter. Without hesitation we four ran from the hut to a deep dugout close by. None of us was anxious to be in that vulnerable hut when the next shell would come along. When we reached safety in this deep shelter, this lieutenant had brought along his cards. He was grieved cause it was his first good hand and the other three of us had run off and left our cards on the table. The evening ended by a wonderful shower bath. When one goes for severa! days without a bath, one really appreclates this luxury. From Nina K. December 5, 1917 My dear Silly Boy If I had you here I would kiss you real hard and banish all doubt from your mind. The idea of taking offense never occurred to me. You will agree with me,

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I~i

however, that it ~s not quite usual for a man to fall in love wlt}~ a glrl older than he. ~hy Adam was older than Eve and through the ages it has seemed to continue along the example set by them. That, however, does not mean that we cannot deviate from the course pursued by our forelather~, lfl ] r~mcmber correctly, I told you my birthday within two days - but you did not know that. I said I would not have a birthday until the new year is almost three months old - In other words, my birthday is on ~larch 29th and I will be three or four years older than you. Now you know all and dont ever again doubt me. By the way, each year my friends come to the house for dinner on my birthday and we usually have quite a feed. It is never By request - Just understood but I would llke you to be with us. Wont you try to co~e? As to your second suggestloo at offense - what foolishness. ~]arie is your sister, while Im not even cousin (should we lament the fact?). I did not mean what I said, literally. But cant you see, dear, I am jealous of anything others do for you. I should llke nothing better than to be with you all the time. To kiss you good-bye when you start on your rounds, greet you wit~ a smile when you get back, sit down by your side, listen to your tales about the boys and sympathize with you. The offe~]se idea to me no loni~er exists where you are concerr]ed. ~hen people are fo~d off each other they are past that stage. It is possible to hurt by lack of attention, a look, a wor~ and most of all by deceit. Such a hurt is worse than a knife thrust into the heart. Here are two more kisses to convince you that I am not in the least offended. But surely my subsequent letters prove that. Do I understand that you are malntalolog bachelor quarters? If so I regret that I cannot accept your invitation to call unless you agree to furnish the proper chaperon. In that case I shall call upon you New Years Eve (in spirit). Your furnishings sound interesting particularly the baby carriage and womans clo.thes. Your letter of the 8th (October) reached here yesterday morning. The one of October 6th reached me last evenin~ and letter of the 2nd was delivered tonight. I love them. With your permission shall answer the three in one. You know, dear, everyone is interested in news from France, at present. Therefore I cant blame the nurses for writing you. Of course it is hard on you and I realize that I demaoda lot of your time but the nurses probably feel that they .are really doing you a favor by writing. Wish I could write the letters for you. But if they find your letters as interesting as I do they

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will probably continue writing. Talkin~ about letter writing. Yez, I get letters from Ed - (have received three or four of them). But oh, the difference. Cant you understand dear? I would no more think of wrltlr~ Ed (except when he writes me) than I would any other person of my acquaintance. My letters to you are entirely ~.ersonal while to him they are cousinly. Ed is a de~" ~- but" he is not Lee. I cant say that I like your bed companion as rats never did appeal to me. Am glad that you are again sleeping in bed as the passageway does not sound particularly comfortable. Do hope they will soon give you a permanent address as I have a hard time keeping pace with you. What is my ideal man? Had you asked me that six months ago I should not have hesitated to describe him but toni~ht ~ am lust a bit doubtful. When I was at high school I formed an ideal. L~ter, at business I came face to face with the ideal. It had no further suggestions than looks. Then--n--~--awakened with a bump that something more was necessary. Today I should say character, and a really true man. I will admit that I have been spoiled to some extent. At home and through life I a~ denied very little - T~mt may or may not be due to ~m fact that I never ask for or wish for thlr~s beyond my reach. Therefore my ideal must first of all be a real man, who has a commendable character and is true to himself. Am sorry that you were blue but can understand that you are bound to feel so occasionally as you get so little diversion. If my love will keep you from an overdose of the blues let me assure you that you have all of it, and that I probably am thinking of you at that particular moment - no matter where I am. To me, and all those who have met you, you embody everything that is noble. You have the courage of .yOur conviction and strength of character. Your faults are trivial compared with your good traits. In fact I want to fee] that you are far above petty faults. At the same time I should despise a saint as one would bore me. They say Theres a little bit of bad in every good little girl. Surely men should have their proportl-on in that field - of course not an overdose, but Just enough. This is where I show my Ne~ York rearing and lack of appreciation for the goody-good. How I wish it were time for you to return home and how different your second visit to New York will be. Think I shall want you all to myself this time. Will you mind? Of cour. s~,, I can g~t convenlentl~ ill so that you will have to attend to me - providing your fees are not too high. This morning Stella received a very interesting letter from Dr. Barnett and she is delighted with it.

Love, War, and Medicine

Of course, it was promptly answered and s~ has also sent him a pair of wristlets. The clock is striking midnight so shall close for this evening. Do hope it has stopped raining in France and that you suffer no ill effects from the weather. Good night, dear boy - I love you very much. Pleasant dreams. Yours always, Nina Sunday, December 9 My dear folks, C~rlstmas came today for me and ~ forgive you all for not having heard from you for some time. For after an early morning march, we arrived at our destination, and I flound myself overwhelmed with letters, periodicals and parcels. Honestly, the mailman had to make two trips for m~/ stuff alone. First of all, I received twe~]ty-eight letters (three weoks accumulation). Twenty-eight--count era. Oh!~ Boy! Two from Pa (October 31 aod November 6), one from Joe (November 5), two from Paul (October 23, July 27), one from Nina and Evelyn; one from ~lldred B., o~e from Abe and Dora from New York; two from Nina K., and three from~**ella Kraus. Besides these came letters from Sam, Dr. Lewis., Dr. Kargau, Berenice Ladewick, and many other good friends. I certainly put in a dandy two ~ ~ hours ~"~* reading those letters. There are bundles ~u~ and bundles of porio41cals and medical magazines which Ive not even had time to look at. And parcels - some class. I wrote you I received some candy and gum from some unknown one from Field~s, and a nice pair of wristlets and a scarf from Aunt Kate.

In addition, today I received a veritable onslaught.


From Abe and Dora ! got a sleeping bag - a fine one; a flashlight, some tooth paste and a lot of other things. From Joe G. came some figs and books - please thank him for me,- !l! write him later. From Nina K. I received more gum, another pair of wristlets and helmet and tooth paste; boku as the Tommles say (plenty). I really got so much Im bewildered - Im likely to thank the wrong persons. I dont know what to do with all the stuff,- Im only one person and cant possibly carry much more than thirty-flve pounds equipment (regulation weight of our bedding roll, complete). The rest I have to carry on a pack on my back. So, please, dont send me too much, especially dont send me any more books or magazlnes other than the Saturday Evening Post and the medical Journals. Dont send that other heavy medical magazine as I dont have time to read half what I already have.

Love, War, and Y~ediclne

l~

I owe you a long letter as I know I havent written you a ~ocent letter in over a month. But were very busy~--marohing and taking care of sick and wounded. We havent stayed much more than forty-elght hours in any one place. Tell mother ! enjoyed her letter. It was short but fine. Also Pauls two letters were good. Though Im surprised he cant find the city of Amiens on the map. Tel! him its a big city (about lO,O00), east of Paris and thirty-forty miles west of the llne, I should estimate. But tell Paul hes some swimmer and I send him congratulations on his winning the gold medal. But I didnt know hes a plunger. Please have the American ~edical Association, 535 North Dearborn Street, send my magazines directly to me, and then you wont have to pay po~tagc. I~ theres an extra charge, tell them to bill m,~ . Am awfully glad to hear from you all, and especially as youre all well. You must have great times when Ed comes home. VJish I could be there to help celebrate the occasions. How often does Ed come home? Did you ever get that draft of $3~0 I sent to Joe? And did you get the letter of October 16 enclosing a silk han~(erchief to mother? I wish I could send you all so~ Xmas gifts, but Im in a region where I cant get a decent thing. But when I get back to civilization again, Ill send some things. I owe about forty letters and dont know when Ill be able to catch up. If I could stay a week or so at one place, Id have a chance to write, but this constarer ~oving makes letter writing difficult. fhe weather has broken and it rains almost every day. ~ud I never saw so much of before. Nud over you~ ankles in all places, and up to your knees in some spots. And the mud is of a very affectionate character. Y.y barman is ~ust unrolling my bedding roll on the floor wher~ I will sleep tonight. Im getting used to the floor and its not bad at all. For the last three nights, four of us slept side by side, my medical sergeant and corporal, my batman and I - Just llk.e four sardines in a row. When I yelled turn everybody turned. I ~kave five days growth on my face now, as have had no time to wash or shave. You get up, shake yourself, put on your hat, and youre ready for work. Life i~ so slmplo. Have been living on bully beef (tins), biscuits, tea and Jam for last week or so, but today we came back to semicivillzation and are back to regular rations again,- roast beef, potatoes, etc. Well, folks, I have many more letters to write and dinner is Just going to be served - it is I0:00 P.~.; then to a good nights sleep. I left instructions not

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to be awakened till 9:00 A.M. tomorrow. My very ~est love to everyone at home. again.

Lee
My long letter to Nina follows: Monday, Decembe~ ~10 My darling girl, You are a doll: And I love you more than ever! You ask me why this outburst of emotion. Well, when the post came yesterday morning, the postman had to make two trips for my mail alone. Think of it - twenty-elg~t letters - count em - a whole fusillade of periodicals and several parcels. And from you, dear girl, came two very nice letters of October 29 and November I. I w~-ote you in my last letter that I had received your letter of November 12 and a fine parcel which from your description of the three youre sending me tallies with tM~t of parcel #2, i.e., the one with cigarettes, gum, etc. But why so much paper--I dont know what to do with it all! Everyone around is writing letters today on your paper, and every Britisher is chewing gum here,- theyre bein~ converted to Americanism and lm the grand little converter. So I cant thank you enough. Please give my best thanks also to all contributors to these parcels, namely Ma and Harry (I can call her ma, cant I?), Gussie a~d Metric, Clarence and Celia, Mrs. Krause and Stella; Miss McKeon and Lou Moren; and, o~ course, you - as know youre the organizer of these parcels. You ask why I didnt ask you to write to A1 Barnett instead of Stella. Foolish question! I hardly need tell you that I wanted you to devote all your spa~e energy and time to me. Im selfish, you see! You ask if Id like to be the Sandy in the Home for Aged but Respectable Spinsters you contemplate entering. That would be great, doP~her know? But I dont hold the same opinion of you as your gentleman, friend who says youre a nice girl, but not good-lookin~,damned stiff and too damned good to be interesting. Far from it, Nina dear! Hes all wrong. To me youre not only good-looking, but youre so good and so Jovial and so considerate I consider you by far the finest and most interesting gi~l Ive ever rueS. And please believe me--I mean it--no flattery--Just the simple tx-~th. Im a very poor flatterer - a roommate of mine once said had less tact than anyone hed ever met before and that I was too frank. I received not one but three letters from Stella isnt that fine? Am going to answer ~r first chance

Love, War, and Medic ins

I get. In the meantime thank her and give her my best regards. Shes some girl, almost as nice as you. Its 5:~5 P.~. now and in a few minutes will have to stop for a time as a whole bunch of us are going to get shower baths about a mile away. Imagine walking a mile through six inches of mud, with you~ clean chan~e under your arm,- and all for the sake of a bath! But we do it and are glad of the chance, for eve~ that opportunity does not always exist. I suppose you want to know what Ive been doin~ since I last wrote you that long letter about the bi~ battle that began November 20 in which I had a part, though but a small one. Of course, what I tell you is under no circumstances to reach my folks as they would be worried about me. I know youre a sensible girl so 1,11 tell you a bit about it. But a full description would occupy a book, so varied and exciting have my experiences been. But first to set you~ mind at ease, the battle is about over, and our battalion is out of the line and out of danger. Not that I havent had a bit of danger,I have had. But thats over now, at least for the time be ing. In that long letter I wrote you about November 25, I told you about the great battle of November 20 and the days following,--how I was first at an aid post back of the llne, then how our boys and tanks went over the top and gained many miles of ground and thousands of prisoners; and t~n how I moved up to a new aid post in a deep canal lock. I believe thats all I wrote you about the war, except that our battalion came out of the line,I remember now I wrote you while lying on a stretcher in our old place - that was November 22. On November 2~ we went up in the llne again and had another fierce tussle with the Boche,- that is our troops did. I ~went up also, and established my aid post in an old Boche dugout Just back of our line. That was a great dugout--about ten feet thick conerete walls and therefore practically shellproof. We stayed there a couple of days or so and had an easy tim. A few shells fell near and we had a few wounded,- not many. Our battalion was very fortunate on this occasion. Then we were relieved in the midst of a severe snowstorm, the first of the season. We marched out of the trenches and several miles back to a place Ill always remember as a spot ou~ troops spent the rottenest night in their lives, and that includes me too. i belie~ve I wrote you about that - no shelter and pouring rain~ and cold. But the Tommies are immense. They stood their suffering excellently, and where I had anticipated many

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cases of pneumonia, not on~ urosu.

The next morn~r~ we were off with light hearts, for


you can*t keep troops from being happy, especially when we were leavin8 for a long rest,- so we were told. But I ~uess that was only an army Joke, as events proved. We marched fourteen miles that day and rested in some huts back in semicivilizat~on once more. After thirty-~ six hours in that place, we moved off by train and a ~ short march to a little French village from w~re I wrote you on Th~ksgiving Day. I cant tell you how good I felt at the sight of ~aceful surroundings again and at the prospect of a long sojourn there. But right next day came the a~y Joke. The word ca~ to get ready again, and less t~n t,enty-four hours after we reached this peaceful place, ~e ~ere on t~ march again bound back to our old f~illar desolate ~glon. It seems we wer~ needed in the battle once ~o~, so, tho~h all we~ pretty tired, especially t~ T~les, we about-faced and ~rched back a~ all t~ way, too. Those were some days, Nina. Every day on t~ ~rch, every night we slept at a differe~ place. Gradually we came away from civilization to desolation, ~d soon were back in our old quarters back of the line. But not for long. We were ordered to get ready for action and on ~cember 4th, we went up to the fro~ line again. That night we slept or rather spent t~ night in a deep dugout in our reserve line. There we~ almost fifty of us in the one dugout and no one could sleep at all as it was too crowded. T~ next night we moved to t~ front line, and remained there three days, three of the most exciting days I ever put in. I established my aid post in a tiny concrete d~out which we had captured and ~hich the B~he ~d used for an observation post, I believe. It ~d a thick concrete roof and walls and floor with an iron door with peepholes drilled thro~h it. It was about ~ - not very large for ~ aid post, youll say, and youre right as usual. Yet four of us, my medical sergeant and corporal and my barman and I lived t~re t~ t~ee days. a~ n~hts. We slept on so~ straw on the floor, four of us in li~s parallel to o~ another, packed like cigars in a box. It was a case of ~hen I said turn everybody turned. To the trench side of this dugout was the exit a~ a small porch-like apa~me~ which could Just about hold one patient on a stretcher. T~re wasnt much doi~ the first night ~e we~ there, but early next morni~ the f~ co~nced. The Boche opened fire on us for fare you well a~ wounded cases c~e pretty quick%y. Most of them were sli8ht, walking cases with bits of shrapnel the Hurts we~ flinging over. I was walking throu~ t~ trench w~n the

Love, War, and Medicine

bombardment started, along with my corporal, and III guarantee you we did the last fifty yards in nothing flat, and almost on our bellies too. At a later time I laughed at the spectacle I must have presented, but believe me, it was no Joke at that time, with shrapnel bursting directly overhead, and bits of metal and dirt flying down on you. We worked hard that morning handling the wounded as fast as we could, and sending them along to the next station by means of stretcher-bearers and guides. We worked in the open most of the time as our aid post was too small. About noon came a pause and we heard how the Boche had attacked and how our boys had gallantly held them, giving them bomb for bomb, and bullet for bullet, and finally driving them back, and how ou~ brigadier-general and his staff major had Joined in, and also hurled bombs; how one of my stretcher-bearers, a most courageous lad, had thrown down his stretcher for the moment and Joined in valiantly; and how a corporal had under heavy fire climbed up the parapet and had brought back his wotmded lieutenant and had thereby been recommended for the Victoria Cross, the highest honor England can give its soldiers. And many more absorbing tales. It must have been a grand battle, one of the few hand-to-hand struggles this war has permitted. After that came the shelling and it certainly seemed to be aimed at our dugout. The Hurts secured at least twenty direct hits on top of us and none came through the concrete. But the porch was only a mere shelter and three shells dropped through it,- it became a w~eck. The firing was so fierce you didnt dare stick yo,a~ head out of the door. It was bang: bang! and every time the roof was hit, all our candles would go out and we would thank the Lord we were well protected. Those were three hot days we put in, days I wont soon forget. We didnt have a bad time, though, afte~ the first day, not many cases came. We would sit around and talk and eat. Under t~ circumstances, of course, our diet wasnt very fancy, but we had bully b~ef, potatoes, tea, jam, bread and butter and bacon, and we managed to eat our four meals a day, counting tea. Well, that brings us almost up to date except to say weve been re lieved and are re sting away back. It is ll:30 P.M. now - you see I had to quit writing for a tlme. I had my bath, Nina, "it was wo~h the trouble. A nice shower bath with hot water, and soap and clean clothes puts new life in a fellow, and I never felt better in my life than I do now. I suppose Ive bored you with this long letter, so Im going to close now and get into bed. The fire is

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I~9

going out and the room is getting cold, so its good night, dear girl, and pleasant dreams. Write often as you know how I love to hear from With loads of affection,

Lee
Tuesday, December ii Today was noteworthy because ll8 of our men reported sick; and, also, along with other medical officers of Ulster Division we doctors wrote to our Commanding Officer (C.O.) and to our superior medical officers that we felt that our division should be relieved from active duty and
should be sent back for rest and relaxation. Will our rec-

ommendatlons be favorably considered by the powers that be? Letter from Nina K. December 8 My dearest Boy, All day it has been hailing, snowing and raining, and the wind blowing at ~quite a gale. Your letter of the 14th came last evenin8 and parts of it I can repeat word for word thoug~ I read it only twice. This h~s bee~ ~ very happy week for me bec~se I have sevoral letters from you and each one is a Jewel. By this time, I am convinced of your sincerity, though I am not quite sure I ever doubted it. Lee dear, I am not going to give you any advice nor try anything so futile. It is many months since you have seen any girls, talked or danced with one. Unconsciously,- in fact, unknown to either of us,letters became more and more personal until it reached its present stage. All this time you have had no diversion or recreation. Therefore, my letters have sort of filled a gap for the time being. But, dear, dont be hasty. When you get to London, Paris, or any other city where girls are plentiful, have a good time and rest assured you have my approval. ~o far you have seen only my good traits, but I have many more bad ones. You Just might meet someone who will have something more than letter-writing as an asset, and when you find her, I shall retire gracefully. Dont mistake me, dear.. Your opinion is worth much to me, but I also reco~nlze your superiority to me i~ every way, and the more I

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think of it, the more I realize my shortcomings. It is quite true that I think of you every minute of the day, and at night I ~ush home just to see if there is a letter from you which I devour like a hungry wolf. And at times I wish you were. with me,- while at other times I confess I am glad that you are beyond reach. Perhaps it is because I am a little afraid, or perhaps it is because ! love you too well. Also your family, their plans for you, your future, etc. all seem to occur to me. From what your Aunt said, your family expects much of you, and you are capable of fulfilling their expectations. As for what I feel for you,- are words necessary? Ask yourself that question and you will get a truthful answer: But with me now, as always, you come first, and your welfare is more to me than my happiness. I know I havent made myself clear to you but I dont know how to say it. If only you could spend an hour here, I could tell it to you so much better. But I do care for you very much, dear, and want you to know that no matter what you do, I will continue to love you. Only it is strange,- all your life we have been cousins, never giving each other a thought,- then suddenly this happens and things are so different. This afternoon we were at the office until 3:00 P.M., then went to a Red Cross Bazaar given by downtown Business Girls in order to raise money to send an ambulance to France. Later went to a Charity. The poor children from the west side go there every year and receive clothes and toys. They are also given hot coffee, cake, ice cream, etc. I helped the hostesses for a while. You have probably read about the Halifax disaster. It is perfectly horrible. Not alone were people killed by the explosion, but many are dying because of the severe cold and lack of clothing. On account of heavy snowstorms., it is almost impossible to reach them. It makes ones blood turn cold to read of it. Have also read in the papers this evening that the destroyer Jacob Jones was sunk and the entire crew lost. This has not been confirmed, but I will probably hear something mor~ about it before mailing this letter. At last war has been declared on Austria. Nell, it was bound to come, and so far as I can see there are several thousand Austrian spies in this country, and it will be much better for the government to have them under control. In fact, it would have been well to do the sa~ with all the Huns aids. E~uch love - take care of yourself, dear. Yours always, N ina December i0, 1917 Good Morning, Dear:Winter is here at last, with all its stin~. Oh, its so cold. Wont you please come here and warm my hands?

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My feet, too, are cold, but of course, you cant help me there - in fact, Im cold all over. The ground is covered with ice, making it very difficult to walk, particularly for a tenderfoot like Yours Truly. Yest~rday wa~ ~s bad, If ~lot worse tha~ today. Beiore forget, 1 want to tell you that the letter marked U. S. Army was delivered free of postage. Of course, this has happened before on several occasions, but every once in a while the post office decides to charge, arid you have the last reply I received from the postmaster. On Thursday evening we sawChu Chin Chow. It played in London several seasons. The stage settings and costumes were wonderful - but, llke all spectacular shows, there are very many scenes, less sense and little comedy. Some of the singing is good. Florence Reed and Henry Dixey are always good. As a whole I enjoyed it very much, and am glad I saw it. Also saw a movie on Friday night which was particularly intvresting because it was taken down at Long Beach, Long Island, and I know the town quite well. According to this mornings paper there were sixtysix lost on the destroyer Jacob Jones and forty-four saved. One of those saved was taken prisoner by the submarine th~ sank the vessel. Isnt it perfectly awful? Oh, dear, it makes one feel so blue to read the papers today. It seems that so many things come up at present to make one feel sad. Still, we try to realize that much depends upon us, so that we try to keep up a bold front. All at home send kindest regards, and special regards from Adele. I love you with all my heart, dear. Yours devotedly, Nina. ~onday, December lOth A Boche aeroplane brought down one of our observation balloons in flames. I saw two of our men successfully land by parachutes. The next day only had thirty-fiFe sick, but seven had fever, and I sent them back to the nearest hospital. Then we marched off to Sorrel. and slept on the floor of another tin Nissen hut, along with officers from Company B & G.

Love, War, and ~edicine

CHAPTER IX REST AND RELAXATION

A letter to my folks follows: Wednesday, December 12 Dear Folks, Just a few lines to let you know Im O.K. Am busy with a big sick parade every day as most of the men have slight colds, etc. However, there are very few serious cases. Personally, Im as fit as a fiddle. The weather is not too bad for this time of year, though theres plenty of mud. Were way back in safety and havent moved for a couple of days. This suits me O.K. as it gives me a chance to start answering letters. I must owe about forty,- I suppose everyone will be angry with me for not answering quickly, but it cant be helped. Am going to try to write a few today, so will close with love to all. Lee Friday, December ~ My darling Nina, Here I am writ ing you again. It s getting to be a habit. However, its a nice habit and is to be enc outage d. I wish you could see us now. Weve moved again, and back, Im glad to say. In fact, I think were ink out for a long rest and our battalion certainly needs it as the battle has been pretty strenuous to all concerned. But I started out to tell you I just received your three letters of November 7, 9 and 19. Also Stellas of November 19th which Ill answer later. Tell her I Just wrote her a long letter a couple of days ago. Notice char~ge of ink - my pen ran dry, so borrowed another from one of my nine roo~nates. Youve certainly been a busy lady goi~ out four nights in succession, and getting to bed at 1:30 A.M. or later. Am very glad withal youre true to me and

Love, War, and Medicine

CHAPTER IX REST AND RELAXATION

A letter to my folks follows: Wednesday, December 12 Dear Folks, Just a few lines to let you know Im O.K. Am busy with a big sick parade every day as most of the men have slight colds, etc. However, there are very few serious cases. Personally, Im as fit as a fiddle. The weather is not too bad for this time of year, though theres plenty of mud. Were way back in safety and havent moved for a couple of days. This suits me O.K. as it gives me a chance to start answering letters. I must owe about forty,- I suppose everyone will be angry with me for not answerir~ quickly, but it cant be helped. Am going to try to write a few today, so will close with love to all. Lee Friday, December i~ My darling Nina, Here I am writing you again. Its getting to be a habit. However, its a nice habit and is to be enc outage d. I wish you could see us now. Weve moved again, and back, Im glad to say. In fact, I think were ing out for a long rest and our battalion certainly needs it as the battle has been pretty strenuous to all .concerned. But I started out to tell you I Just received your three letters of November 7, 9 and 19. Also Stellas of November 19th which Ill answer later. Tell her I Just wrote her a long letter a couple of days ago. Notice change of ink - my pen ran dry, so borrowed~ another from one of my nine roommates. Youve certainly been a busy lady goir~ out four nights in succession, and getting to bed at 1:30 A.M. or later. Am very glad withal youre true to me and

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think of me and write often. For your letters are Just great and I cant wait till they come. Yes, Nina, Ill be glad to play the mandolin for you and put you to sleep. But Im peer at it and, sides, I havent touched it for a month on account of the battle Just past. No, Ive lost my desire to go around the world. When this war is over, if everything is O.K., Ill beat it as quickly as possible back to the United States of America, and Ill try and stay in New York for a time till you get tired and kick me out. Then back to Chicago and hope you will come along. Will you, Nina dear? I should love that Great Lakes trip you suggest, Just you and Stella and A1 and I. Doggone, this pen wont write decently. Am afraid will have to resort to a pencil soon. Some of the Tommies write funny letters such as Dear Mother, enclosed find five pounds. Im darned if I can, or Dear Mother, am sending you ten shillings, but not this week. Yea ask if Chicago is any better than it was fivesix years ago. Really, I dont know. It has grown a bit more bold, perhaps, and vice (organized) has been broken up, but the vice remains as strong as ever, I believe. But Im a poor Judge of the whole problem. I dont believe that the fact that women vote in Chicago has had much of an influence on the morals of the city. Glad you got the kerchief and the pictures. Am sorry I havent the films of these as I didnt take the photos. No, I am not getting fat,- Just keeping about the same. Please do not worry about the little black-haired French waitress I met one day two months ago on my visit to the city where I bought that kerchief. Ive not seen her since nor any ethers. This desolate region harbors no mademoiselles. Am glad you are enjoying yourself seeing shows, movies and attending concerts and lectures. I too saw Intolerance in Chicago last winter. You see, Chicago always gets the good stuff first, New Yo~k second! (Slam.) You received Major Hardies letter, or, rather, Miss McKeon did. Hes a very fine chap and thoueh Im no longer with the engineers, I like him very much. rarely see him nowadays, however. I gave the other photo to another officer - did he wr.lte? By the way, major Hardle is one of the biggest and wealthiest consulting engineers in all Britain. He started this war as a 2nd Lieutenant and has been promoted rapidly to major. Hell go highen if the war lasts long enoueh. Now, Nina dear, youll be turning my head by your pralses. You call me frank, truthful, slnoere, etc.

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when I know I,m no better than the average. Then you say Do you know, Lee dear, at times you seem so much older than your years that I fear I shall ~all desperately in love with you if you continue. What I w~n~t to know, dear girl, is what age has to do with it, and what do you mean by if you continue., If you mean if I continue loving you, you will fall in love with me for I do mean to continue, i~-~u allow me. For Iv~ never met a glrl I respected, admired and loved till I met you. And thats true. Youre the very first person Ive ever carried on a correspondence with, to an extent anywhere near what ours has become. And I can tell you I ~ever realized there could be such delight in knowing you and ex.changing letters. When you asked me what my ideal of a glrl is and I replied to you, did you not perceive that I was describing you, that you are my ideal? I never knew what love was till I reached New York and met you again after about a six year interval. So I have found my ideal after many years of search. And your letters have made me very happy, for its awfully nice to a fellow in this ruined region to know that theres a girl llke you who loves him. My dear girl, its 10:30 P.M. now. Were on the march early tomorrow. My eyelids are flickering, my pen is about dry, but my thoughts are all of you as I end this. With all my love, Lee Saturday, Decembe~ 15 Dear Folks, Yesterday was a grand day. Three letters from Pa (November 9, 13, 15) and one from Joe of November one from Paul (of November 8). Thats the way I llke em--the more the merrier. But none from Ed -why doesnt he write? Am glad all at home are well, though so~ry about pas knee. Tell Pa to see Dr. Lewin about it, if
ze c e s s ar~j.

Yea, Tm gettin~ the Chicago Tribune and ~aturda~ Evening Post regularly - in fact, at the present time Im overloaded with literature, as Aunt Dora also sent me about ten magazines. Yes, I took out $10,000 worth of life insurance from United States government; I wrote you that about two weeks ago. Am glad youre fixing up my other policy, also that you received the draft fo~ $350. Was there any other charge on that draft at the bank? Ask Joe to send me an accoun$ of my standing. I have about 2,300 francs in care of Cox & Co., Boulogne, and, as soon as possible, will mall you another $350 d~aft.

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No, please dont send me any ~cords -in the first place, I no longer am near a victrola. Other reasons are superfluous. Paul wants to know if Ive learned to smoke yet.1 The answer is still no. A day before yesterday came the treat of the season, that nice parcel from mother. Tell her it was great the cakes, the peach Jam and the sugared dates. They all tasted fine and the British officers who helped me down the eats told me to send you their best thanks. They especially liked the Jam. The other officers have frequent parcels of cakes, as they only take about six days to get here from Britain. Your cookies came smashed to b~s, but they were good Just the same.. Have good news for you. Were out of the line and a long way back,- so far we can hardly hear the guns any more. Indications are were moving still further back, and all signs tend to show well soon be out of this desolate region and back once more to civilization. We just finished a fairly long march. The day has been splendid,- sunny and not too cold. But mud never seems to be absent in sunny or, rather, muddy France. We marched today with our band in front and really it was great. On the way we saw a Hindoo with his shirt tails hanging outside his trousers. I couldnt see why, but perhaps it was to keep the mud off his breeches. But then how about his shirt? Well, I give up - its a puzzle to me. Anyway its true. We see many Hindoos and Chinese, etc. In the back areas, - they work as laborers on the railroads, streets, etc. Theyre funny beggars, all turbaned and with varied costumes. Some are clean shaven, some have long beards. But they very clean,- they seem to be washing almost all the time,- usually in shell holes full of water. And they smile when you pass and show the whitest teeth Ive ever seen. Am writing this in our new messroom. The fire is going and everyone is cheerful. For the prospect of spending Christmas out of the line is pleasing to us all I must close now as I have sick parade ina few minutes. My love to all. Lee M~nday, December 17 During the past few days, we have marched and marched and by a rotten train finally reached another Nissen hut at Rocquiny. Kept rather busy with my daily morning sick paPade.

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December 13, 1917 My de are st Boy:It is a week today since I have heard from you, but two steamers have Just gone up the river, so surely one of them will bring me a letter from the dearest boy in the world. A week is such a long time - I never before knew Just how long it could be. My, how selfish I have grown! Im sure others are waiting Just as anxiously for your letters, but I seem to forget everything and everybody. But, dear, you are so far away. The war has made a great difference in New York, particularly in branches of work where men alone were employed. There is a great demand, at present, for women in almost all branches. For instance; we now have women letter carriers, and in other branches of post-office service; we have women on street cars, the Government is making an appeal for clerks and stenographers in Washington and other places. The questionnaires for men who are not yet drafted, but within the draft age, will be issued on Saturday this week. It is quite possible that I shall offer my services for a short time to assist in the work after business hours. At noon yesterday I was in a most peculiar frame of mind and wrote you a letter, which I later destroyed. Itwas by far the silliest thing I have ever written. Not a bit of sense to any part of it. You see, dear, during the cold weather we stay in the office for lunch, and frequently you are the topic of conversation. In fact, a~ least one half hour of my employers time is lost each day, while his secretary and her assistant talk about you, or during this time the assistant will sit and dream. News is rather sbarce, and I must get back to work, All at home send kindest regards, and I send all my love. Yours always, Nina. December l~. My dearest Doctor Boy, Something within me commands m~ to write you though I ca~nnot describe the force which has so much control over me. How I wish you were here, because today it seems impossible to t~nk of anythi~ but ~ boy in France. Work, under such conditions, is quite a at~aln. All night the wind was blowi~, ~d it was smowi~ very ~avily so t~t traffic is blocked and the city ~s t~en on a winter clo~. To me t~re is not~ mo~ beautiful than snow wheD it is clean ~d the s~ is shining. It always dazzles me, - isnt ~t~e wonder~l? Sometime ago, you wrote t~t letters from U.S.A. are not censored. I understand t~t is due to t~ fact t~t

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this cou~ntry had made no provisions fo~ it, but there is such a bill before Congress now and a certain proprlat!on will be made for censorir~ mail. Forgot to tell you, dear, that I fell on B~oadway yesterday when going home. Must confess my feelings were badly hurt - but thats all! No letter has come from you this week and Im disappointed. Yesterday two steamers came in and Miss McKeon bet me a box of candy that Id get a letter om one of them. In my heart I was hoping that I would have to pay Heres a big kiss to start the new year! Yours lovingly, Nina

My dearest Boy,

December 16

Sunday would not be complete if I did not finish the day with a word to you. I might truly say that each day is incomplete until I have uttered a prayer for you, and that usually lasts until I pass into subconsc!ous stage. It surely would be inflictir~ punls~Lment upon you if I were to record all my thoughts. But, dear, I would prefer to tell those thoughts to you rather than write them. On paper they sound ridiculous, while, when spoken, there is a strain of sincerity whloh cannot be doubted by most fastidious human being. Dont you feel that way? Of course,3,000 miles is quite a distance and my voice might not carr~g that far. On Friday night Stella and I remained downtown for supper as traveling is rather slow in this winter weather. After that we saw Whats Your Husband Doing?, A wry funny movie. One girl who is named as a corespondent because she is found dining with a married man asks Now was I to know he was camouflaged?. There is a courtroom scene ~hich is almost a burlesque, and one must laugh in spite of oneself. The show is a sure cure for the blues. Lee dear, ~ou would certainly have enjoyed tha lectures I heard yesterday. This week I have listened to some of the best speakers I ever heard and that is saying a.good deal. The topic was Relations of Labor and Capital Du~ing the Wa..: it was discussed by D. W. Morrow of the War Savings Cow, hiss!on, J. E. David, Federal Trade Commissioner, V. E. Mary, Shipbuilding Labor Adjustment Board, and by H. Frayne, War Industries Board. They all came up from Washington to give the lectures, and Mr. Macy came from Frisco a week ago so as to make a report first in Washington and then to~ attend the lecture to make public the work in which he is engaged. It was nea~ly

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twelve oclock when I ~eached home, but it was well worth hearing such men. Today I heard Dr. L. K. Anspacher The Place of the Drama Among the Arts. You probably know that he is the author of the Unchastened Woman. Besides author, playwright and actor, he is an orator. Of course, he poses all the time. At first he was very much the actor, but little by little he forgot himself and became the man discussing a subject close to his heart. By the end of his lecture (which lasted two hours), he was quite a humorist. He enunciates and articulates very distinctly, and is distinguished in physique as well as having the appearance of a deep thinker. I liked him before he spoke and said I should like to meet him. Its now eleven days since I heard from you, bu~ am in hopes that tomorrow will be my lucky day. A mall steamer came in on Friday (so the postman told me) but there wa~ no letter for me. Yesterday I received a letter from Ed and he surely is some boy. Says he got four letters from you (Im Jealous) and that he had a splendid time Thanksglvln~ Day when he had five visitors. Shall quote a line from his le-ctero I just love to drop you a line, knowlr~ that your answer will .always be one of you~ masterpieces. He also said: Fact is, Nina, its been a good many years since I have even kissed you - so up and come to Chicago. What do you think of that? But, dear, at present theres only one place Id llke to be and t~.~t is Just where this letter is goln~. Time to say good night - Much love - Nina

December 1917
y dearest L~_tt!e Boy:Yes, thanksj its still snowing, and Im still aold. Here I am with a heavy serge dress and a sweater on, but I cant seem to get warm. Please, dear, hurry home and Im s~are of a permanent cure. isnt it splendid that the amount asked for the Jewish Hellef Fund of $5,000~,000 has been realized - in fact,.though receipts are not yet all in, they have more than t~hat sum. Now the Red Cross drive is on, and they expect to get ten million new members before the end of the year. The American people have never been found lacking in patriotism, and they certainly will do their duty in this drive. Mother has a new Job. She is engaged by a squad of women to give instructions in knitting for the soldiers. Her pay will be ~ cup of coffee MAYBE, and for that she will have to travel to the Bronx. However,

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she knits very well,and she will be giving her services to the Government for less than $I.00 a year. Surely thats cheap enough. Everybodys doing it. This is my busy day, dear, so must be brief. Shall write you again later in the week. All at home send their very kindest regards, and you have all my love, de at. Yours always, Nina

December 17, 1917


We had a suspect case of scarlet fever and also a lot of snow. We had a nice evening at the home of the Mayor of Groucher - Lucheul, and then (behold) I was given a fine room all to myself in the home of an old French woman (75). She put hot bricks to my feet after my hot bath! My quilt was feathers, but the quilt was too short; either my feet were sticking out or I was only about half covered. But I managed a ~ood sleep. December 18, 1917 My own dear Lee :How easily one forms a habit. Sometimes it is the cause of much annoyance and discomfort, and other habits afford much pleasure and radiate through a mist which is apt to surround us. ~y writing you, almost daily, has become quite a habit, and I wonder which of the above classifications would be best suited to me - of course, my friends have told me time and time again that Im a pest. But you are at a disadvantage, because of the distance be~ween us, and therefore cannot protest, but must bear it and grin. Your letter of the 25th, enclosing one of November 28th, reached me last evening, while Ma, Stella and I were at supper, and just at a moment when I said, There is only one thing I want, a~d thats a letter from Lee. It was very interesting, and though I was not surprised to learn that you were in the thick of the last, and probably t~he most effective battle fought during this war, I am glad to know that there were so few casualties. Of course, every one reads the news

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in the papers, but one is inclined to doubt most of it. Therefore, your letter, which confirms most of the ports, is of greater value, from a news standpoint, than you can imagine. From a personal and entirely selfish viewpoint, let me say, that the longer you are in the service of our Government, the more I realize what a strong, fearless, unselfish dear you are, and can only repeat that I love you first for yourself, then for what you are doing in the name of humanity. We woman are handicapped, but we are proud of our men, and our American Boys will never fail, because we have an Army and Navy made up of such mettle~.as~.~you, and with such stuff success is always assured, no matter what the goal may be. Your letter before and after the ones Just received (you speak of one written two days before - a twelvepage letter - which has not yet reached here) will more than welcome, because, I want to know all about t~ battle, and most of all, I want to know that you are safe and well. I had remarked, on one o~ two casions, that I was sure you were on or mea~ the line during the last battle. But, dear, tanyou possibly realize ones state of mind at such a time? I love you dearly, which makes the suspense so much worse and so much more intense. Of course, we know what a strain you are under and how inconvenient it is tO write at times, but to us at home each minute is a day and each day a week of agony under conditions such as you are up against. There is very little news since my letter of yesterday. Prohibition has passed the House, ~and the country will be dry within two or three years so that you might as well get out of the habit of prescribing ~um rations before you come back to the states. What will you and I ever do without booze? Tonight I am going to a music recital, and if I get home early enough shall write Ed, as I owe him a letter which should have been written several days and we have agreed between us to answer mail as promptly as possible. You never had to ask me to answeP your letters promptly; did you, dear? Answers are more often antiqipated, it seems to me, where you. are concerned. As this is an extra letter for a good measure, this week, I think I have said quite enough. There are only three words I would add - I love you. Please, dear, take good care of yomrself, wont you? Everybody sends .kinde~st regards and best wishes. Your s, Nina. Did not have to pay postage on your last two letters.

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December 19, 1917 Lee Asthore :(If you dont know what it means, ask one of the Irish Rifles, and hell tell you). This is rather an eventful day - that is it was, six months ago. It seems but yesterday since I went up to the depot to meet you, and the next forty-eight hours were OURS. At that time you didnt even know ~should say remember) what I looked llke, and I wrote you at Washington telling you that I would wear a pink and blue sport hat. Since that time both of us have learned to know each other. To me they have been wonderful months because your letters hays kindled so~ething within me, which up to this time lay dormant. Your letter of the 16th (November) reached me last evening. Mall from France is like t he Chine se language. First I received your letter of November l~th, then November 28th, 25th and last evening the one of the 16th. Perhaps, the letter of the 22nd will arrive before Christmas. However, the one I am most anxious to receive is that written after you are back of the firing line, ard again at rest. From newspaper reports, shelling has let up and I am eagerly awaiting news that you are O.K. and that you did not feel any ill effects from the wet and dampness of the trenches. You ask me not to worry about you. Is it possible fo~ you to stop thinking of me? I have Just as little control over one as you have over the other. After such a confession, need I answer your question What I want to know is how much do you care." At home we have steam heat in cold weather, and when it rains we remain indoors, etc., whereas with you things are different, and at all times there is a touch of danger. Also, the conditions which you encounter are hardships which we need not endure; and, dear, that is why I a~ worrying about you - always. Your suggestion that I take a bath in the washtub is rather interesting, but why not ask me to take one in a washbasin. However, I was thinking seriously of trying out your idea, that is, I shall tie my knees under my chin and pull myself up on a derrick suspended from ~the ceiling and drop gently into the washtub. That is the only way it can be accomplished, in a New York flat. Will let you know how I make out, if I live through the ordeal. While writing this, several thoughts seem to rush into the foreground. Firstly; if you are keeping all my letters, as I am yours, it will be interesting for both of us to read them over together, because it seems to me that with very few" exceptions, your questions are answered before your letters are received by me.

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For instance, in yours of November 16 you say prohibition will not make you angry. In my letter of yesterday, I said practically the same thing, etc., etc. Secondly; I, too, feel a certain amount of satisfaction writiz~ you, which is lacking in all my other correspondence. Writing you is, perhaps, one of the greatest pleasures I have had in the past six months, and unlike other letters it is no effort, because where you are concernod, everything is aboveboard and I am wholly myself without the frills or sham which, even I sometimes must practice. For sometime I have wanted to ask you whether you are able to get any water where you are, or whether are still drinking soda and charged water. From reports you are having a severe snowstorm. Please, dear, when going out, bundle up well and be careful, for I do care a great, great deal. Am very glad that you have decided not to take the examination for the regular army. By the way, dear, how long must you serve abroad? What is the advantage or disadvantage of the regular army doctor? Are the examinations given by the United States or British GoTernment? You cant come back to the United States of America quickly enough to suit me, and if serving as regular army doctor means prolonged service abroad, am glad you have decided to remain a Reserve Officer If on the other hand, it means service in this country until the end of the war, and work abroad for the sa~s period as a Reserve Officer, would not that be an advantage ? I agree with you that one of the best laws this country ever made was that no liquor be given or served to a uniformed man. It is really surprising how few intoxicated men we meet on the streets of this city. As you know, we get the men from six cantonments, and New York is known as a general playground. As this letter is to be mailed tomorrow, I had better leave something unsaid. But I do want to tell you that Stella got a splendid letter from Dr. Barnett, she is delighted. She Also Just called me up and read your letter to her, and told me that she would probably answer both h~tters today. Hope you are well, dear, and when you meet Dr. Barnett give him my kindest regards. With all my love, Yours only, Nina. P.S. December 20, 1917 Good Morning, Dear:Wont have time to write you a letter today, so will just add a line to this before mailing it. Got to bed rather late last evening, but was perfectly

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happy as all my thoughts were of you, and so fell asleep. Strange, too, when mother woke me, I was dreaming of you, but cant Just remember what it was. In your next letter, dear, would you mind telling me whether you still plan on coming back to America via the Pacific Ocean? That would surely be a terrible blow - please~ Lee~ dont do it, as the Atlantic is so much nicer, and we have a wonderful Statue of Liberty to greet you first, and then ~$-- ???? There is nothing new to report. Everything is going alon8 as usual. Shall write again later in the week - probably on Sunday. With a great big .kiss and all my love.
Your own,

Nina. Tuesday, December 15 Up at 8:00 A.~. and felt fine after breakfast; forty in the sick parade,--sent five to the hospital. Then I walked to Division Headquarters in Lucheux and appiled.for a leave of absence. (I went into active ser~IOe June 6 so I have been on duty over six months.) The next day, after elghty-nine soldiers in the sick parade, I walked to the city of Doullens, a small but nice city. There for tea and a good dinner. Cashed a check for 200 francs with a 1% commission. Also bought small items for some of tb~ folks back home (a comb, silk scarf and some beads). Heard that Brother Ed was ~ow a 1st class private at Camp Grant. Letter from Nina K. 10:30. P.M., December 19, 1917 My own dear Boy, May I give you a real long kiss to greet you this morning? In fact, if you dont object, 1,11 give you many of them - if you~ like mine as much as I do yours well both be supremely happy. Never have I i~

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(voluntarily) a kiss to any man, slnoe I have outgrown childhood. Dont mistake my remark, dear, because I would not be a girl if I had not been kissed - but there is a vast difference in giving and taking, and I can truthfully say that I have not given any to th~ opposite sex as I dont believe in promiscuous kissing or love-making. Both are obnoxious to me. But I do want to kiss you. Your picture doesnt protest a bit do you? Have written you ~very day this week. Surely, dears you dont feel neglected. This mornlr~ I wrote you a long letter at the office (which will go forward with this letter) and I intended writing again tomorrow. But I cant aleepJwithout adding a few ~lines. Your most wonderful letters of November 18, 21 and 23 reached me this evening. Lee, they are masterpieces. Your descriptions are so vivid that I have a minds picture of the battle and your work. The formation and details are complete and I think you wonder. Please keep it up as I hold all your letters quite sacred and when you get back it will be Just great for us to sit in my little room - Just we two and read them over. In the meantime, please tell me everything. Of course, at no time, do I repeat to your folks at home any details contained in your letters. When writing I merely mention that I heard from you and that you are well and happy. Lee~ dear, when you offered your services to the Government, you wanted to go abroad - and Im glad you did. You have proved in every way that you are a man, full of pep, courage and ambition. But, dearest boy, I love you very much, and for the first time shall ask you to do something for me. Dont take any unnecessary chances. It isn,t necessary to run away from danger to the extent of shirking your duty - but, wont you please be careful, for my sake, dear? When you wrote the abovementioned letters you were still on the offensive and so I am anxiously awaiting news of the battle when you were on the defensive. Please, dear, let me know all about it, if you havent already done so. I.t rather amuses me to hear you ask if you bore me with your long letters. I wish they were twice as long and that I would get twice as many. They are akways so interesting and they are everything to me because they are your thoughts shared with me and through them I know I am in your confidence. Also though I am not with you, I can feel the horrors glory of it all.

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How can you ask me if you are not a nuisance. Anything ! do for you, dear, is a pleasure and gives me the utmost satisfaction. I am happiest when writing you or doing something for you. There is only one fault to find and that is that you dont ask me to do enough for you, as I should like to feel that I am of some use to you. Shall stop at a music store at noon tomorrow and send you Over There. The postal you received signed Louise Moron is from the girl whose anniversary dinner I attended October 21st of which I wrote you a full confession. The penalty you inflicted was that I write an extra long letter. Surely those written during the pas~ few weeks are long enough. For one who says nothing, you will admit that I use considerable paper. I owe several letters and Im sure your brother will think I,ve gone back on him but I feel as thot~h I want to write no one but you. All your letters are on the desk be side me, as I want to arrange them according to dates in a large envelope and then put them safely away in a box so that nothing can happen to them. So, dear, I shall spend another most glorious hour, in your company Just as I did six months ago when you were standing. with me in this room. How differently I feel towards you now, than I did then. At that time you were my cousin now you are the dearest boy in France and mean so much to me. When you are tired and worn and have had a particularly hard day, Just try to remember, dear, that I love you with all my heart and that I am thinking of you always. Stella just phoned (II:00) and says she is also writing you, so.that..this mail brings you at least two letters which proves that we are not forgetting you - by any means. Before closing let~me add my congratulations to those of the brigadier general for the work done by your brigade. It was splendid. And now, good night, dear. May~God bless #ou, and watch over you. All send regards. My bestest to the bestest boy in France. Yours for ever, Nina Pleasant dreams, dear. I love youmuchly.

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Followlng Page 165

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HAKI

ALTH POSSESS YOU~ FORTUNE BLESSYOU ALLALONG THE UNSEEN WAYS,

FORWARD FARING~GLADLY SHARING IN THE NATIONS TESTING DAYS~ COURAGE FILLYOU, SERVICE THRILLYOU~ VICTORY CROWN EACH BRAVE ADVANCE, COI~RADES CHEIrR YOU~ GOD BE NEAR YOU, SOLDIER BOY,~SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE~"

Xmas Card from Nina

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Thursday, December 20 My own girl, I am ashamed to think of the six days Just gone by - six days in which I should have written you at least once, but did not. I must beg your forgiveness. But I know you have a kind heart and when I promise to be better, I really believe youll forgive me. Yes? No? These last six days have been rather enjoyable for me, for Im once more back in civilization. When I last wrote you, we were camped in a little ruined village back of the line, and in the same desolated district I~ve been in for four months. Now Im in falryland~--It really exists. Our battalion is billeted in a little French village many miles back of the line - so far away we cant even hear the sound of guns. Its a cozy little place with a population of perhaps 500, and is nestled in a little valley. A tiny brook runs through the village. Its all very quiet and peaceful here, and Im enjoying every minute of my stay. Our battalion Headquarters mess is in the dinin~ room of the malres home (mayors). Its a great big room with a stove, a table, and plenty of comfortable chairs. And for the first time in ,months, weve enough plates, glasses and cutlery to go around. After a long search and much persuasion, I finally succeeded in renting a room off a care for my medical In~pectlon room. There every morning I hold my sick parade. And now we come to the big thing,- my own billet. Oh. Girl: Some class to us, I can tell you~ I1ve a nice little room to myself with a most .wonderful~ . French bed. There are double mattresses on it and clean sheets and a pillow. You get in at night and sort of sink in, its so soft and my barman has to use a good deal of persuasion to pry me loose in the morning~ as it is, I have him wake me at 8:00 A.~., then I turn over and sleep again till 8:S0 a half hour of the greatest Joy and comfort. And madame, my landlady, is very nice to me. As soon as I come in, she says, Bon Jour, monsieur, or Bon solr, as thecase may be, then hurries to wrap up a couple of hot bricks in a gunnysack and place them under my feet. And she "begs me to have coffee frequently and asks me each morning how I slept. But lest you become Jealous, may I here remark that she says she is seventy-five years old,-

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she looks 132: So I guess Im pretty safe. Poor soul she has five sons in the French army. She frequently says Le guerre, no ben, monsieur, no ben. And when she saw my overcoat, covered with a thick layer of mud, she said, Trenches no ben, monsieur. She is a very kindly old lady. I seem to be in her good graces. Our Journey here was trying in many ways. First we had to march about four miles with packs on our backs. Then we got into some box cars intended for horses,- it might be de luxe for horses, but certainly was ~de tlrlng for men. Mind you, cars with a wooden floor, a ceiling and four walls. No seats, no windows. Anti,here we had to spend seven hours. A~ firet we tried to play bridge,- four of us sat on our packs on the floor and spread out a blanket over our knees in place of a table. But we soon gave up as it was too cold. So we spent the rest of the time walking up and down, trying to keep warm. We all Joined in, the colonel as well as those of us of lesser ranks, in all the songs we could think of. We sang everything from ~I Love a Lassie to We Wont Get Home Until ~orning, and we even resurrected Alexanders Ragtime Band. So we did enjoy ourselves. When we finally reached the end of the train Journey and we scrambled out, we found a fierce snowstorm was raging and everything was whlte. The wind blew sharply and it was pretty cold. Snowstorms are wonderful to view when looking out from a comfortable room, but nothing to brag about if you have to march thorough. And march we did - for about two hours, till we finally reached this little village at A.M. Then we found we had no billets for the officers, though there were enough for the men. So we gathered around the stove in the malres home and sat there till daylight (6:30 A.~.). Then we went down a hill to a little care ~.nd had breakfast. Eats tasted fine: Omelettes, bread, butter, Jam and coffee. Later in the day we skirmished around and found rooms for ourselves. We are only about an hours walk from a city of about 25,000 people. So yesterday the mayor invited- seven of us to this city for dinner, and a good time was had by all. We had good food and plenty of beer for all (except me). I dont like the taste of beer. We spent a good deal of time looking around the shops, of whichthere are a good many. Along with two other officers, I entered a

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ladies shop and proceeded to enter into conversation with the mademoiselle in charge. I had a great deal of trouble trying to prevent her from showln~ me all the latest styles in fancy lingerie,- it was gettir~ embarrassing. She insisted that these unmentionable articles would be very nice for mademoiselle. But finally I bought what I wanted, one aeticle for you, one for Stella and one for my mother. Im mailing them to you today, so look for them. And please accept yours with my fondest devotion. Ive been waiting patiently for more letters from you, but alas~ None have come for almost two weeks. I know you write me regularly, but my mail comes very irregularly; when it does come, it usually comes in bunohes. 0nly a few minutes t~ill tea-time. Much love azld regards to all Lee Letter to my brother Joe. Saturday, December 22 Dear Joe, Yesterday was a good day for I received youe letters of November l, l0 and 23rd. Isnt it peculiar all came at once? Also fathers of November 24, and one from Clara ~. So I take back what I said about you not writing me. Am very glad Ed has been promoted. 0nly hope be gets a chance to enter the oficers training camp. And b~slncs~ with you is good. And youre kept busy. Fine ~ So you paid my life insurance. Also please pay~ note for $I~0 for war premium at once - I have to pay 6% interest on that. I have about 2,~00 francs in care of Cox & Co., Boulogne, and as soon as sible will send you more money. Meanwhile any balance you might invest for me in those ~% war tlfi~ates. Too bad Pa has had to give up his ~amblln~ evenin~. Couldn,t Joe G. relieve him one night a week?~o So Paul is on the swim team. Some little plunger, eh? Tell him to plunge~ seven more feet for me. The mail train has been stalled in snowdrifts many miles away and I expect there"s something foe me on that train. For from what ! hear, many parcels are for me.

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! wrote a long letter to Marie yest,erday telling her all about the peaceful little village Im in now, so wont repea~.. Sufficient to say Im having a nice quiet time and putting in elght-ten hours sleep each twenty-four, besides getting three square meals plus tea daily. Am afraid if we stay in this place long, I wont be able to get into my clothes. Yesterday afternoon I walked over to a Canadian hospital several miles away; its beautiful. The hospital is located on top of a hill and in olden times was a strong fort. There are heavy iron gates, steep brick walls, a moat around it, and the drawbridge ovor the moat. With snow everywhere it is a grand sight and I wished I had a camera. By the way, did you get my picture sent from Great Britain? Well, Joe, no more news at present. Oh, yes, I forgot to say 1,11 not be able to get leave before February. Also on or before May Ist, Ill probably be transferred to the American Expeditionary Force in France. Love to all, Lee Monday, December 24 Was asked to see a child with a sore t~oat and another with acute bronchitis and a third child with neuralgia. (Some civilian practlce:) Tuesday, December 2% (Xmas Day) Today warming up some. Only two Tommles reported sick. In the evening a heavy snow, this made olaf Xmas dinner an even bigger success. All the Battalion officers -were there. The food was great and drinks were also served. Speeches by several of us, and I replied to a toast by one of the o~rltish: Toou~ Allies. I hope I did well. The dinner and speeches did not end

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till 12:30 A.M. the next day. I really enjoyed the evening, especially since we were pretty far away from the trenahes, so far we couldnt even hear any gunfire. Letter to Nina K. Xmas Day My dearest, loveliest, sweetest Nina, Youll say some salutation, wont you, but itts an appropriate one for you from me. For, somehow or other, the affection I have for you seems to increase each day; I have never met your equal, dear girl. No, Ive met a good ~ny girls, but never one so good, s@ thoughtful, so kind, and so dear as my own little lady from New York. Oh: Girl: If I had you here at this minute, Id huE you to death. Maybe not that hard, but Id squeeze you and kiss you till you yelled for mercy. Would you shout very loudly, dear? Yes, today is Xmas and my warmest greetings to you. Everyone is celebrating merrily, eating and drinking. But I prefer to sit in my room in peace and quiet and shale my thoughts with you. Note disappointment has overt~uken me for no mail from you except a letter from October 25, that must have gotten lost as its overdue at least one month. While I enjoyed that letter, it didnt give me the latest news, and you have no idea how I long to hear all about you and how you are. In that letter you say you share with me almost all your thoughts and act ions. What does that little word ~almost mean? If it should mean that someone has captured you and that you couldnt write to me as often as at present Id indeed feel very badly, Nina. It would create an empty feeling in a very important organ in my chest. Anyway, do let me know. Oh, yes, I almost forgot that several days ago, I received your card of November 30 enclosir~ names of those at the Thanksgiving Day Party. We are still in the little French village in~ civilization, and there is nothing new. Everything is peaceful. Tonight all the battalion officers, about thirty, gather ~t our ~ess for the big Xmas dinner and, believe me, there will be eats and drinks. Wagonloads of s~tuff have come from the city close by. Everyone"

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must make a speech, and drinking will be a big item. Ill write you about this affair later. ~y leave has again been postponed, probably not before February. Did I tell you that on or befor~ May 1st all United States doctors serving with the British will be.transferred to the United States Army in France,- and that includes me! Wednesday, December 26 i:00 A.M. - I know I should be in bed, but after coming home from a most wonderful banquet, I cant resist telling you all about it. It was held in messroom, and the room was nicely decorated with Japanese lanterns, bunting, mistletoe, and a big Union Jack. There were three tables, each seating about eleven, and fortunately I sat next to the Chairman, so derived the utmost enjoyment from the proceedings. The food was wonderful, considering there s a war on,- turkey, chicken, pork, roast beef, apple sauce, soup, potatoes, plum pudding, fish, fruits, nuts, raisins, figs, dates, coffee, and there may have been more. And liquors:- plenty;red wine, white wine, champagne, liqueurs, port, whiskey and cider. I imbibed two glasses of the last and stayed sober. The speeches were very funny, most of them. Almost everyone spoke. The toast To Cure Allies, Especially America was given by one of our company commanders, Captain Renwick, a typical Scot. He paid great compliments to the United States of America. I was then asked to respond to the toast which I did as best I could. I assured them that United States was in the war for all she was worth, and would be there at the finish, and help win the victory, so essential. Strange to say, I wasnt flustered, though, as a public speaker, Im a pretty good pinochle player. Anyway, we all had a dandy time, and I enjoyed myself to the utmost. So you see being at war has its advantages. A heavy snowstorm is raging now, and six inches of snow are already on the ground. I hope it quits as walking will be very difficult. I have three civilian patients in this village, one lad with neuralgia of the face, another with a sore throat, and a third with bronghltls. Luckily, theyre all doing well - otherwise I dont know what would happen. As I charge these French people no fee, my fame is spreading,- the ~rench appreciate a fee-less doctor.~ One old lady of eighty

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Xmas Dinner IpI7


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Mementoes of Ulster Division


THIEPVAL, 1916.O

Including our Royal Inniskilling


YPRE8, 1917.

~$1NES RIDGE, 1917.

Fusiliers

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Mementoes of Ulster Division Including Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

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even came and wanted me to massage her knee for some fancied ailment. Not I: I gave her some liniment. and showed her how to do it herself. Well~ dealt glrl, its getting very late and cold here. So !ll crawl into bed and think of you till some magic wand admits me to the Land of Nod. My Love Lee A letter from Nina: December 21, 1917 My own Wonderful Boy, When I took out this pad it was not my intention to write you, dear, but somehow I cant think of anybody but you. I feel most guilty~ too, because six or eight letters are about ten days old and each day I try to write but usually wind up by writing you. However, tonight and tomorrow (Sunday) morning I shall remain at home and try to accomplish something. It is now 10:15 P.~[. and I have Just finished doing up my Chrlstn~as gifts. Dont give many but they a~.~. usually expensive and I am always glad when it is orer, though I would rather give than take. Yesterday I received my check from A.F. and though it was not as much as last year, I was agreeably surprised as Wall Street is a losing proposltlon this year and I offered to sell Mac my gift (on Monday) for $50. However, I received double that amount. Dear, may I share it with you? Please let me know what you need and you shall have it promptly. My idea would be to buy you something useful that would cost about $10 and the rest I will put in the bank for the present and when the next issue of Liberty Bonds comes out (probably in February) will buy one. Do tell me what you need. Your letters of November 30 and December 2nd also you_~ postcard reached here last evening. As usual they are dandy and I have read and reread every word of them. Was glad to hear that you were not on the firing line on Thanksgiving Day, and thoush it was not our kind of a day, you were well and had had a good--~ghts rest, for all of which I am very thankful. Your card did not appeal to me. Please remember, Sir Lieutenant Doctor, my shoulders are big and strong enough to hold your head and I object to your pract_ioin~ on any French beauty. As for your heaa b~ing an Old~ head (on Young Shoulders)

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am inclined to agree with you. That is probably due to your profession, the travelling you have done, the peoples you have met from different nations and yotu~ natural seriousness. All of these have made you much older than the usual ms_u of your age. If this were not a fact, you would not interest me, except as a relative - to be treated like all my other cousins, etc. Sometimes, dear, I wonder whether it would not have been better for you, if I had not discovered that the head was way, way beyond your years. One of the reasons I would not marry was because most men lack the qualities you possess,and I have always been very critical which is a bad trait in a girl. Throu6h the office, it would be an easy matter to marry for money - but such money is tainted. You and your letters are absolutely the first real cause of awakening affection which I never realized I had. As I told you, in one of my previous letters, we must form opinions very quickly in business, and Just glancing at a man we can usually read his character and his general makeup. Invariably we are correct,and A.F. sometimes takes our advice about people. With you, it was quite different. When you were here, dear little cousin, I did not try to read you, nor learn you. In fact, I should have Jeered at anyone had they told me I would write, you two, three or four times a week. But, when the boat pulled out something seemed to rise into my throat - (though I had seen several cousins and friends off this never happened before) and I was blue and lonesome. Now, it is quite impossible to forget you for a minute so, dear, you are always with me and I love you de arly. You may not approve of what I did this evening. Was at Gu~les for supper and read her part of your lette~ about the battle. She was so much interested that she wanted to write you at once. I asked her not to as you would have to answer and you were too busy. Howew~, if you say so, I will ask her to write. Adele also wanted to send one of her letters so my selfishness has deprived you of two letters. Are you angry? Someti~e ago I tried to find your location on a map. Of course, I havent the slightest idea where you are in France. However, I was quite sure you were at St. Quentin - that is near there. Of course, your last letters tell me that I was wrong so shall guess again. You cant tell me because that would be censored, but I shall try again and

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maybe get it right this time. Some day Ill tell you how I made out. You have probably read that we are having a numbe~ of investigations here. Try as we will, graft must play a big part in the lives of our politicians. No matter what the conditions we cant stop it. It is thoroughly disgraceful at such times as these. Also the sanitary conditions at the camps are being investigated. Isnt it too bad that should be neoessary? Fee have had any number of cases of pneumonia and measles - particularly at Camp ~ills, which has been cleaned out because ~o~f~ .~tbe .~.~um b~e~ of sick. Most of the men are abroad by th~s time, I be.lleve, As I was shopping this afternoon, I am very ti~ed so shall close now and promise to write again on ~onday. Good night, dear. Dont worry about me - I am very well and happy in the thought that a docto~ boy in France loves me. All send kindest regards and best wishes for a very Ho~ppy New Year. Wit~ all my love and many kisses. Yours only,

Nina

Another letter from Nina. December 2~, 1917 My dearest Boy:~ This is the day before Christmas, and I have recei~Ld a package with instructions not to open until this evening. But, dear, there is only one Christmas present I really and truly want, and that is a letter from you. If Santa loves me at all, surely he willgrantmy one wish. In the Catholic Churches of the New York diocese services will be held at midnight this. evening, the intention of which is for peace, and it is hoped that by concentrated prayers a speedy ending of the war will be effected.~ As a boy whom I love very much is taking an active part in the war~ I feel that my prayer added to those of so many people, can do no harm,~so Stella and I will attend the services, and say an ardent prayer for you, dear, and for all our boys. In several of your letters you ask whether I would prevent your lovin~ me, and though I think

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it ridiculous to answer the question, I will frankly admi~ that I should feel very badly if you should stop loving me - so please dont do it. As for myself, don~t think it would be possible for me to love you more than I do at present. While on the subject, ~ am going to tell you of a conversation between Miss and myself several days ago. She asked whether I love you more than I do he r. After a moment I answered truthfully No, but differently. So far as she was concerned, she knew me probably better than I did myself. She kno~s my faults and my good traits and our frlend~hip has been tried and I believe I have passed the test. With you it is different, because you dont know me in quite the same way - I have written my w.ay to you - you know my mental capacity (oi~ lack of and I have filled a gap in your llfe, which could only be done b~ one of the opposite sex. I love you for what you are, as shown by your sacrifice, courage, and manhood. One attraction is quite different from the other. What would you say? But I do love you. And now, dear, I must close. Before doing so, T want to wish you ~ very Happy New Year, and I sincerely hope t~At next New Years Eve will be spent in each others company, because I want to be the one to klss you in the New year; not as I shall do it this ~ew Tear, because there is little satisfaction kissing a picture. All send you kindest regards. With all my love, Yours only, Nina. A letter from Nina.

December 26, 1917


My own dear Lee;Well, Christmas is over and Santa is a dear old myth, whom I shall love all my llfe, because he ~ranted the only wish I made for Cbmistmas day of 1917. Your card of the 5th instant arrived Christmas morning and was the most cherished of all my gifts. Of course~ everybody knew what I wanted most, and the~ ~ere all delighted for my sake (so they said) and all thank you for your kind wishes which were very much appreciated. I was very glad to hear, dear, that three United States Doctors are in your Set as you might not feel quite so lonesome now that you are with yo,A~ own people. I hope you will all be friends as it will make it so much be~ter. Do they come from the Washington Heights section of the City?

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You know, dear, I love you very much and you are never out of my thoughts for a moment. Under conditions of that kind, I cant help talking of you a great deal, and, of course, ~ay ~IcKeon and Stella must stand for most of my nonsense (do you think it such?). realize that in your position there is probably no ome to whom you can talk, which makes it so much harder ~o~ you to bear than for me. However, I am going to ask you not to mention me in your letters to Chicago. understand you write something in every letter about me. Thi~ does not seem Just right, in the ordlna~y course of events, and it may cause them to worry, we mu~t try to avoid, as they have quite enough tO worry about without adding more to tB~Ir burden. you th!zk me right? They dont love me as you do. There is n~thlng new to report. The Red Cross ha~ succeeded in enrolling thirteen million members the Christmas drive, which surely is splendid. Am so ~orry my mall is not reaching you promptly. I, too, worry when I don~t hear from you every three or four days, and it makes me feel badly to hear that you have not recovered letters for two weeks. Have written you very regularly, and you should receive two or three letters (or more) each week. Your letter of November 26th, reached me December 2~th - that is your short note, saying that you were writing a long letter, (which lou~ letter was received more than a week ago) so you cau see how i~regularly letters reach this count ry. With mauy, m~ny, many kisses and a big hug, Yours Iovln~ly, Nina A letter from Nina. December 2~, ~y dear Lee, Do you mind if I write you two letters in one day? I am very lonesome this evening. In fact, today ha~ been an unusual one for me and all day I have been lonesome for you. At the office I worked hard until nearly five oclock (usually leave at one oclock o:1 Saturday). Tried to buy a pair of shoes but the were so busy that I would not walt. Then came up Sn a car and almost froze to death. My. feet now are ing so that I am almost insane. When I reached home found it deserted. Ma is at Gussles and Harry is in Atlantic City, so I had supper all alone. To make day of too much troubla complete I turned down an

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invitation for the evening as I did not feel that I wanted to be with any man but you tonight - as that is not possible no one else would do. Stella is entertaining some friends so I might go there for an hour or two. Also it is six below zero so that it is not very comfo~.table t~.avelling today. I dont want to complain dear, but I am not myself and I must talk to you. Ed wrote me that he had been home. Also that h~ received the chocolates I sent him as well as the cigarettes Stella sent him. Am anxious to know whether you received the three packages O.K. Stella is also sending A1 a box of cigarettes~ though she doesnt know whether he smokes. She is now writing him every week and her letter, s are splendid. New York i~ facing a coal shortage which is very serious. It looks to me as though the government will have to take a hand in it soon. Have you read that the government is now in control of the railroads? Stocks went up as soon as it was announced, and I hope it continues as Wall Street is badly in need of something to boost it. Tomo~row is Ado les birthday. She is having abou~ a dozen lt~le girls and boys to her party with their mother~, et al. Of course, Stella and I will be oS the Li~tle Girls. Very exciting - I assure you. Well, dear, I feel much better now, so shall not bore you any longer. This would not be a letter to you if I did no~ add that I love you with all my heart. Shall write a~aln early next week. With regards from all at home and many kisses from me, Yours only Nina December 31, 1917 ~y own dear Lee :This is the last day of the year, and from .the looks of things the old year will go out with a vengeance.. The mercury tells us that yesterday was the coldest day New York has ever known and today is as bad. The river is a mass. of ice and the steamers going up the river look llke floating icebergs. However, Saturday was the worst day for me, .as I thought I would die of frozen feet. Dearest, Doctor, is such a thin~ possible? This evening, as promised, I will spend with you in splrit. It is very unusual for me not to go out on

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N~w Years eve, but other years were different. Am ing down to Krauss store and will remain there until midnight, or thereabouts, and they will open a bottle ~so tlmt we can drink to you. My dearest boy, when the old year goes out and the new one rings in, there will be only one thought and only one prayer in my heart. I sincerely hope the new Year will be a happy one for you, dear, and that all your wishes will be fulfilled. I love you very much, and Im sure we will be wishing the same thi~g~ when we close our eyes tonight, though we are 3~000 miles apart. Stella and I will sleep~.tegerber in my bed, and Ma will sleep in Harrys Tomorrow May NcKeon is blowing us to a luncheon at Brevoo~t, which is one of our oldest Knickerbocker hotels in the Washington Square section of the City. ~ell, de~r, i hope to receive a letter from night or tomorrow morning, as I have not heard since last Wednesday (this is ~ionday) and I do want a letter from you to start the New Year right. Santa was good and brought me a letter on Christmas morning, so maybe -Father Ti~ue will do ~l~is share ard bring one New Yea~s morning. It seems t6 me that I want nothing at all lately, but your letters, because next to yourself, they are the dearest things in the world. With kindest regards and best wishes from all, and again wishing you a very Happy New Year, I am, Yours only, Nina. Many kisses and all my love to the dearest boy in the world. Friday, December 28, 1917 Walked over to see Captain McCarthy of the he had 103 fever and he thought he had malaria. ~ase, I sent him to the hospital. Nonday, December 31, 1917 My d~rling Nina, Yes, dear girl, it is New Years Eve. It is l0 P.~. The town is very quiet. Madame has passed to the La~d of Nod. I sit alone in the kitchen by the fire. In United States all is excitement, Im sure. Everyone there is anxious to get rid of the old year and drink in the new. I can imagine you all slttlr~ around tables, me~.~rily Jesting and all hilarious. can see the crowds that pass up and down ~tate ~treet

llth In any

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~ctlvit3 o1 t~ tl~klo:.~ ~d Bet I ~ocldnt trade ~It~ t~e mo~t ~ileriocs ~ppy of ~Ii t~e Joy-m~kers. For ~m ~ not sittin~ ~ere in pe~ce ~nd qciet ~rlting to t~e finest ~irl in t~ United States? (~nd t~erefore of t~e ~orld?) I do not hasten to get rid of 1917, for is bbat not the year in which I rediscovered you, a~ this time for good? Nina, I am very happy and contented tonight, tho~h I wish with all my heart w~ could be toget~r this ~st night, at least, of 1917. This ~s been the most wonderful ~ar of my life, Nina - Just full of travels, excitement, work, - and love. Just finis~d my 1917 diary and ended it with a short r4s~4. When I last wrote you (~cember 26) I was in a little village. Now I~m in a fair-sized town. Otherwise, t~res very little difference. Were still way back and in civilization. Were still resting and training. Even my new mad~e looks like my old one, a~ is equally as old and as nice. My new bed is Just as comfy as the old one, and my barman ~s Just as much trouble in pulling ~ out in the morni~s. The mail ~s been rather poor lately, but I did manage to get one from you dated November 16. I received it ~oember 27 - some speed~ But, as usu~l, it w~s g~atly enjoyed. Funny I should ~et yo~ card of November 30 on ~cember 20, a week before the one you wrote on November 16. The mails do ~ queer~ Am due for leave any day now, but t~ division is a bit short of doctors, so dont thi~ Ill get to go for a couple of weeks yet. T~n to London (?) for two weeks. My dear glrl, I w~sh I could ~ with you to help you ~i~ in the new year, now so close at hand. But Im with you In spirit (not spirits~), ~d can only hope 1918 will see ou~ victory and the end of t~ ~ar, and all of us safe and sound back in Gods own country. So Ill end 1917 in the right ma~er by sealinK this with ~ utmost devotion and affection ~d.will crawl into bed. So good night, Nina dear, my own sweet ~irl, and the ~st of all thlng~s ~or the coming year. With loads of love, ~e Do you know, Nina, what Id like best? Did you ever see the movie 0ast Adrift, or something similarly sounding? Well, thats what Id llke to do,to take you to some lonely isle and live with you,-Just you and I - you the. queen of the isle and I the king. No bothersome interferences, no social conven-

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tionalities,- nobody but you 8A~d I and our mutual love. How would that suit you, dearest? Dont learn to skate too well, Nina, or youll beat me in that as in swimming. But, if you dont already play tennis, I command you to get busy and learn,- no, I dont command - I Just entreat, so that when were together, we can have many love games and love sets. But do learn as its the best game I know, and there are plenty of tennis courts in Chicago. You ask me what I thlnk~ of your pictures, and I told you all about that in yesterdays letter to you,how I love both of them and kiss them again and again. But a sad accident happened to the smiling proof today. Carelessly, I left it exposed to the sun- result: I ruined and blackened the proof. Im sorry. I thank you very much for what you say,- that the pictures were taken for me only. It is indeed good o~ you to un~old yourself to me in that wonderful page about temptation, and 1 fully realize how much you confide in me to write me on such a subject. You are kind enough to say your influence is ever at my service to keep me right. I can tell you, it has been a wonderful thing for me, especially on my recent trip to Paris. There, temptation beckons you wherever you go, in the most beautiful of forms and costumes. You are accosted on every hand. But, dearest, your beautiful and virtuous face shone before me constantly and helped keep me straight. For, as I said before, and would hardly say to any other women, I want to give myself to you clean in body as in mind, even as I know you are and will be. I fully sympathize with you in your own trials you mention and appreciate how often you must wonder whether it really pays to be good. Thank God, dearest, you chose the right course, and I love you all the more for it. Yesterday and today I received twenty letters, of which six were from you, two from Stella, one each from my father, my brothers Joe and Ed, and another soldier at Camp Dodge, Iowa, (this chap, by the name of Millard Forster, my brother Ed, another chap and I made up, before the war, what we liked to call the big four of the south side of Chicago; three of us are in the service now, and widely scattered,- will you help us celebrate the coming reunion?) The other letters were from old Chicago friends, including two nur~ses from my old hospital, all nice, clean girls I used to know. So you see, Ive some work to do to answer them all. My brother Ed mentions what a wonderful girl you are and also Stella. I wonder (~this is for you only) IF he and

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Stella couldnt learn to like one another - I happen to know his fancied love affair is all off. Id like Stella awfully well for a sister-in-law. Wouldnt you, too? Dont mention this to Stella, please! Sweetheart, its now 12:30 A.M., and the doctor in me (Im a sort of Jekyll and Hyde, you see) warns me to get to sleep. I obey him, close this, and will kiss your photos Just before I blow out the candle,- and crawl into my most comfortable bed; and Ill dream of you. Yours forever, Lee Monday, December 31, 1917 The last few days I have been caring for the sick and the sanitation of both the l~th and the llth battalions. Only fifteen reported sick. Was in bed at 10:30 P.M. For some unknown reason, there was no New Years Party such as we Americans are accustomed to.

Today is the last day of 1917. It has been an eventful year for me. In January and February I was finishing my internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Then for two weeks in Roberts, Illinois as substitute (locum tenens) for the doctor there. Then in priv.ate pr~ctlce from March 6th to June 6th when I received notice to enter active service. On June 21st reached New York City and met Nina Kleinman, (the glrl who was destined to become my wife in 1919 after I came home from overseas duty).

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On June 23rd sailed from New York, and we beat off a U-boat on July ist and then landed at Liverpool on July 3rd. Then six weeks at London and Medical Officer at the Royal Herbert Hospital in suburb of London, Woolwich. On August llth reached Boulogne, France, and on the 19th left for the front and was assigned to the ll0th Field Ambulance of the 36th British Division (Ulster). Then to various Belgian and French villages as part of the prolonged Battle of Belgium and my first experiences in the trenches. On November 20th came the Battle of Cambrai, in France, with great success for the British, but this success lessened by a severe German counterattack with, heavy gunfu~e. Then finally relieved from trench warfare on December 9 and fairly quiet the rest of the year, with a fine banquet on Xmas night.

WITH THE TOMMIES AT BATTLE OF CAMBRAI: REVIEW November 20, 1917 When the news that we were going to make a big push was quietly circulated about du~ing the middle of last November, all of us were stirred profoundly. Even the veteran officers of the battalion whose medical officer I was, officers who had been throug~ the battles" of Thiepval, Messines and Ypres were aroused to their depths. And I, who had only been in France since August, and who had yet to take part in a real "strafe" (battle) was excited beyond words.

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Quietly the preparations went forward, each man doing his task in such a way that no hint should be given t~le Boche. It was to be a surprise attack and a surprise it was. At 6:15 A.M., zero hour, of that eventful 20th of November, the British artillery suddenly opened fire. The noise was deafening, and the shills whistled over my dugout aid post in a heavy and steady procession. The Boche artillery, which had been fairly active all night, ceased suddenly. I tended to a few wounded, but things were so slack I went up, with my medical corporal, to see how matters were going on. We passed through long lines of trenches till we reached our front line. Everyone was standing up on the fire step to see the fun, and an enjoyable sight it was. Nay out in the distance was our artillery barrage, playing for so many minutes on this sector of the Boche line and for so many on that, moving forward all the time. Behind this row of shell-burstings came the columns of rather small tanks proceeding forward, crushing everything before them as though on parade, and .lastly came our men, men of my own battalion, marching in order by platoons. We saw no Germans anywhere .- except some prisoners who had quickly cried their "kamerads" (surrender). One of these was a captain who came along bareheaded - some Tommy had take~ a fancy to his helmet, and as he passed along his buttons and shoulder straps disappeared,- souvenirs were i~ demand. This officer spoke

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perfect ~.ngllsh and seemed to be well pleased in his new experience. We watched for a while and then went back to the aid post where we had our lunch of tea, biscuits and bully beef. Right here let me remark that Ive eaten worse food than bully. That afternoon my corporal and I walked over a part of the captured ground. In what had been No Mans Land and was now British, we came across a wounded German. He was standing up in a shell hole and shouting for help. He told me the British had co~e along, he had thrown up his hands and shouted "Kamerad," and had been shot through the knee from behind by one of his own men. He was naturally very bitter against his countrymen. He could not walk; I told him to wait, then walked over to the road and sent four other German prisoners to carry him on a stretcher to my aid post. I should add that he was my only prisoner in the entire war. The next day I moved my aid post up about two miles to keep pace with my battaliou which was drivir~ everything before it. The Journey was extremely difficult as it was raining and very muddy. Our medical stores were piled on a wheeled stretcher, and it took all hands to push the vehicle along some of the most difficult spots. We reached our new shelter, a strong brick building, not rive minutes too soon, for hsmdly were we in before the Boche bombarded us savagely. The shells were coming in one, two; one, two; one hit our

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structure and shook thi~gs u~) s bit. ~0~ortunately, none of us was hurt. After about thirty minutes of that, the British artillery opened up and the German fire ceased - and we all said prayers of blessing for our good friend, John Bull. When the danger had passed, we looked around our buildinE and much to ou~ delight found we were in a German storehouse. There were thousands of round tins of Rindf~ei~ch (meat) and bottles of a weak soda water; there were also plenty of bread and candles and "Tommies cookers," - small contrivances for quick heating of water for shaving, etc.; and we found several buckets full of potatoes, all peeled, Just waiting for us. It was evident the Boche had left in a hurry. Then we proceeded to have a regular meal - bully beef, rindfleisch (which tastes good, I can assure you), German fried potatoes wit~.~ genuine German "spuds," tea and biscuits and soda water. No dinner at the Ritz of London or Meurice of Paris had a thing on We sat around a fire for a bit, then adjourned to some wire beds we found. We had no blankets and it was so cold sleep would not come. After an hour of this, we gave up and gathered again around the stove and dozed b~ the fire. With the morning came word we were to be relieved. The relief came and we marched back to our old front line. All of us were pretty well tired, and as soon as we reached ou~ old billets, we had some much needed sleep.

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The next evening under cover of the darkness, we marched up to the llne again. Once mo~e the old storehouse was our haven, and once more we passed a sleepless night. The next morning I moved my aid post up again to an old German dugout. It was an excellent shelter for the roof and walls were made of sol~Id concrete, about six feet thick. We lald out our dressings and bandages. Intermittent shelling was going on. We tended to a few wounded. There were plenty of blankets there and we took turns keeping watch and sleeping. We stayed up there a few more days. Things had quieted considerably. We had little to do. We spent most of the time sleeping and eating. Rations were scarce so that it was a case of bully beef and biscuits for breakfast, lunch; biscuits and bully for tea and dinner. We whiled away some of the time by playing whist and reading. Then we were relieved. We marched out about midnight with the snow coming down fast and furiously. For hours we tramped along till we came to a little clump of ruins once called a village. Under shelter of some walls, we waited till daybreak, then resumed the march. The men were all. tlred, footsore, and sleepy, but they marched fourteen miles that day with the lightest of hearts for they were glad to be going back for a "rest. As they marched along, they whistled the tunes so dear to the Tommy llke "Blighty" and "Its A Long, "Long Trail"; and all of us

Joined in.

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Our billets that night and the next day were in some Nissen huts. There were plenty of them for all, and those thlrty-six hours of rest were most grateful. The next day by train we reached a small village over twenty-five miles back of the line, and we all settled down with deep content for a long period of rest. We were once more back in civilization, and the sight of French civilians, the comparative luxuries we found and the freedom from the irksome steel helmet and gas mask,- all these combined to make us happy and Jovial. But our Joy was terminated abruptly the very next day by the news that the Boche had counterattacked, and that we were needed in the front line once more. Within one hour we had about-faced and had begun the long march back to the front. Not a man grumbled: Every day we marched and every night we slept in a new locality. Civilization gave way once more to devastation. Ruins took the place of trim little houses. Weeds superseded neat farms. One night we found ourselves back in the front line with "tin caps" firmly on our heads, and gas masks strapped to our chests in the "alert" position. Ohr new position was in a salient and the Boche commanded us from three sides; they made it very hot for us. My new aid post was in a tiny dugout which the Boche had used as an artillery observation post before they had been driven out in the first days of this push. This dugout

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had a narrow porch which was protected only by a corrugated iron roof. The main room was strongly covered by a thick roof of iron and concrete. And oh: boy! The Boche did shell us. They evidently had this dugout spotted for their fi~e was tremendously accurate and frequent. They gave us a taste of their 16 pounders morning, noon and night. We would sit in the little room and Just wait for the shells. Thered be a tremendous bang on our roof, and out would go our candles, and wed all be a bit shaken up. Wed relight the candles and the Boche would put them out again. Altogether, we counted twenty direct hits on our dugout, and it was indeed fortunate that the Boche werent sn~p~nK at us with 5.9 inch shells instead of their smaller ones. Three shells came through the slender roof of our porch, and yet, withal, not one of us was injured. The next morning there was excitement galore. The Boche, who were in the same trench as we were, and only separated from us by a barricade, suddenly started bombing their way down our trench. At first they drove things before them; they reached to within 200 yards of my aid post and I had visions of a German prison. The wounded were coming in rapidly, and we dressed them as quickly as we could and sent them back by stretcher bearers to the next medical station. Our dugout was so small we had to dress many of the Tommies out in the trenches, as shrapnel was bursting

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all around, it wasnt the most comfortable of situations. Then came better news. Our reserve companies went to the rescue, and bombs and more bombs were presented to the enemy. The Boche did not like it, and at last gave way and retreated. From all accounts it was a terrible struggle, and our battalion fought like heroes and saved the trenches and, incidentally, me. At last, after several days of this almost constant bombardment, our battalion was relieved, and I, for one, wasnt a bit angry. We marched out of the trenches once more and quickly put mile after mile between us and the front line. Then by train and more marching, we reached another little village where this time we found not only civilization, but also a long rest and quiet and peace. And truly that was heaven for all of us.

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January I, 1918 - a quiet New Years Day. Had my usual morning sick parade and sanitary inspections. Our Headquarters mess was in a fine room with warmth, comfort and electric lights. Dinner was great and included turkey and the contents of two parcels from the United States of America. We were in Morelul near Amiens~ France. France, January i, 1918 Dear Folks, Just a few words of greetings on this bright and happy New Years Day. It isnt Just like at home, but its very peaceful here. The sun ~s ~h~n~ng brightly. Just finished some lamb chops, an d Je vais route suite a promenader,- if you ca~ unCerstand my rotten French; in other words Im going to take a walk soon. Of course walking here and in Chicago are a bit different. In Chicago you stop and converse with numerous friends and acquaintances, Here you know no one, but you meet people and say Bon Jour, madame or monsieur. And Ive met a few pretty fair looking girls here, though havent struck up any acquaintances as yet. Received a letter from Ruth and one from Paul. Glad to hear you are all well. Have neither letter with me at present, so will answer them later. The doctor of one of the other battalions of this division had a touch of malaria and went to the hospital. And a~ the division is at present a bit short of medical officers, I am taking care of two battalions instead of the usual one. And it keeps me pretty busy. Hold the wire: The mail is here. No letters. Two parcels for me. Wait a minute. One from Nina K - wristlets, knee warmers, soap, toothpaste, shaving powder, camp comforts, taffies and a fine parcel from Berenlce Ladewlck- candy, raisins, biscuits, Jam, shelled walnuts. Both wonderful parcels. We are in a very pleasant little town now. About 3,000-population. I have a nice room in the home of another old French woman. Shes very nice and Jolly, about as big as grandma H., and full of life, Just as grandma H. is. Shes buzzing around all the time. She takes snuff. I took a bath in my room night before last. She said she was 76 and had never bathed since she was an Infant, at least, thats what I understood her to say. Many French people dont believe in baths, - when they feel dirty, they put on sbme more perfume.

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For the love of Pete, dont send me any more soap, toothpaste, shaving powder, paper, wristlets, etc. Ive got enough toilet goods to open up a pharmacy, and wristlets! Ive three pairs now and really it isnt cold enough to even wear any. Not that I dont appreciate parcels, but Im only one person and cant carry more than 35 lbs. of equipment. Well, folks, must take that walk. So Happy New Year to you all, including ~a, Ma, Grandmas, Marie, Joe, Eugene, Ed, Paul, Ruth and Gerald. Au revolt: Lots of love, Lee Am due for leave any day now, but dont think Ill get it for at least two weeks. January 2 Had a double sick parade, mostly coughs and colds. In the evening played 21 with British officers (Major Harper, Captain Renwick and 2nd Lieutenants Taylor and Hall). The next day visited a chatea~ with Captaiu Duncan and the Brigade Interpreter Francis. Fine old building with four towers; belongs to a marquis and was begun in the year

1102 !
January 3, 1918 My dearest Nina, Your letter of December 13th came yesterday and it was a good one. It relieved my worries as I hadnt heard from you for a long time, i.e., about a week or two. Please accept my thanks again,- this time for the parcel that came a couple of days ago. I told Stella the contents so wont repeat except to say its the one with the harmonica in it. You girls are certainly good to me. I wish you hadnt destroyed that letter you mention. You say it was silly, but I dont believe it was, as you couldnt write a silly letter if you tried. So please try and recall the contents of that letter and send it to me. Wish I had been along to help eat Mrs. Kraus chop suey. Im very fond of that stuff. No, I did not get

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a soldiers Xmas package, therefore cannot tell you how the plug tobacco was. 0nly enlisted men got those, I believe. Have started to use the diary you sent me. It is very handy and compact and Just large enough fo~ me. May I show it to you when I get back? Received two letters from Ed - he seems to get alor~ O.K. I suppose you know hes been promoted a bit. He mentions you a couple of times, especially you~ wonderful letters. Am writing this in the kitchen in the French home Im billeted in. Its warm and cozy in here. I read that New York had fourteen F. below zero - it must have been awful. Out here its never been lower than about ten F. above. Theres snow oH the ground, but its thawing today. Not much new in this town. They say therell be a movie here tomorrow, so well have some excitement. Fancy note paper, isnt it? I received it as a gift from an aunt of mine in Chicago. Ive got more paper than I know what to do with. Am kept pretty busy looking after two battalions as one of the other doctors is sick. So dont get much chance to write letters. My leave has not come yet, though its due any time, probably in a couple of weeks. Well, Nioa, must close. Give my regards to all. Have you another photo for me? Do you pay postage on my letters? Lee Friday, January ~ After usual sick parade, took train from Moreull to the rather large city of Amiens. Then an excellent lunch at the Cafe des Huitres, followed by a wonderful hot bath. Was with American Lieutenant Robinson. Back by t~ain to our Headquarters. Januar~j ~ My own darling girl, Though its ll:30 P.M. and I wrote you a long letter yesterday, I Just cant crawl into bed tonight without saying good-nlght to you. I only wish you were here to kiss me good-night

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Today came your letter of December 17, another Jewel. That makes six dandies from you in the last three days, and I can tell you youve made me very happy. In fact, that very fact has made me awfully lonesome for you. Letters are good, but though they come from you, theyre not you. I cant very well hug and kiss and converse with letters, and tonight I want you badly. If it could only be! Oh: Girl: You dont realize how much I worship you and how I long for you. A~d the very stillness all around here makes me want you the more. But it cant be helped, I suppose. You say it would be a punishment on me if you were to write me all your thoughts. Please punish me and see. You know, Ive never had anyone I could talk to as I can to you, and Id like nothing better than for you and me to share our thoughts. Wont you do this? Wont you tell me what you think about? And please dont destroy any more letters you write to me, no matter how silly they may seem to you. Wont you send them to me and let me be the Judge? Am sorry I couldnt read the shorthand. In high school I took a course in it, but that was many years ago. Im getting old! Sorry youre so cold. Wish I could help you. Ive noticed you write two sorts. Those you typewri~te at the office are excellent, but they dont tell me your thoughts as those written longhand at home at night do. Of course, thats easily explained. In the office youre a busy girl and are continually interrupted and have no privacy. At home you can sit and write to your hearts content. So that do you wonder how much more wonderful your home letters are as compared to your office ones? I dont, and am tickled to death to get either kind. But I always know in advance which Im going to like better. Isnt it peculiar, Nina, how night affects one,- it sort of opens up your thoughts. I was on a visit to a big city today, but was only in there a few hours; I devoted those to having some swell oysters, lobster, turkey, etc., also to getting a long-delayed haircut, and taking a good bath. A regular tub with hot water is a real luxury out here. Nina dear, I must once more say good-nlght as its midnight. ~y dearest girl, I love you very much. Please write very often, especially at night. Your own devoted Lee P.S. A1 B. Just asked me to go on ~acatlon with him to Paris, stay there four days, then to Nice, Lyons, ~onte Carlo and other southern cities. ~aybe Ill go with him - if we can get a.way at the same time.

Love, War, and Medicine

The ~ m a~l Just came and truly lts wonderful. The foyer nicest letters you ever wrote came in a bunch, those of December 3, 6, l0 and 18. I cant thank you enough for them. They re great, every one ! Its a real comfort to hear from you as youre so cheery. Somehow any attack of blues I may have (theyre rare) disappears like magic under the influence of reading what the finest girl in the world has to say. Ill try and answer you as well as I can, but I know its a hopeless task as when it comes to letter-writing, as in other things, Im your inferior. First of all, I cant tell you how sorry I am to have caused you to worry about me. You say you received no letters for two weeks. But what can a poor fellow do? I try to write two-three letters a week, at least, but somehow the mails Just wont behave. You seem to get my November letters before my October ones and the reverse is often true. I go a couple of weeks sometimes with none from you, then come four-five. Well Just have to be content, dear; so IPa week or two should elapse with no mail from me, please dont worry - the letters are somewhere and will always reach you in due course of time. You can rest assured that neither a blonde nor a brunette mademoiselle, nor any other person, will prevent me from writin~ to you Just as often as I can. So you say youll.be glad to kiss me good-night. Shall I come to you o~r will you stroll over here? Nina, its perhaps just as well youre not here at present as I love you so much Id just eat you up~ Thanks for looking up my Aunt Dora. Im sure you were well repaid for the trouble you took for shes as fine a woman as youll find. Shes one steno who married her boss, so you see it doesnt happen only in the movie s. That disposes of the first letter. The second one, of December 5th, is the long one in the official envelope. Eighteen pages, in two parts. Its a hard one to answer, dear. Its the one you head My dear Silly Boy. Do you recall it? Its the one in which you tell me your age and when your birthday comes. Merci beaucoup, my dear. I know I shouldnt have asked you such personal information, but am glad that you agree with me there ought to be no secrets between us. o You are hereby made my Mother Confessor; I leave it to you whether I shall be your Father Confessor. Im awfully glad there are only about three or four years between us,--thats nothing at all. It is true

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that Adam was older than Eve and that the groom even to this day is usually older than the bride. But thats no argument. Its llke the Chinese custom of never dolng anything his father and grandfabher didnt do. So please, please allow me to remain in love with you and well abolish age from our vocabularies. Do you agree? Yes, Ill try to come to your birthday party March 29th; Ill be there in spirit, at any rate. Be sure and have a good time on that day. Yes, Im maintaining bachelo~ quarters, but please call anyway. Am afraid I have no expert chaperon, but, then, one wont be needed. So you, too, have undergone the changes in ideals. I suppose we all pass through those stages. F1rs~ of admiring beauty and later character. But please dont flatter me the way you do. If you dont watch out, Ill swell up and burst. Really, Im only an ordinary human being placed in rather out of the ordinary circumstances. Im Just full of faults that perhaps you havent divined yet. For instance, when I get angry I can cuss with the next one. Thats just one of my failings. No, when I get back to New York, Ill Just surrender to you. Ill throw up both hands and squeal out Kame~-ad! Kamerad: Youll take me prisoner and Ill be your ~bJect slave. What fiendish tortures will you devise fo~ me? Am glad you didnt listen to that pretty cousin of yours who suggested you should drop me and begin a romance with a stranger. You complain youre not doing your bit. But you a~e! You are keeping one of Uncle Sams doctors very cheerful, and making him very happy, happier than hes ever been before. Letter three is now before me. Nina, I must scold you for lying awake at night thinking~ - of me. You must sleep, and, as your doctor, I command you to abolish thinking when you once close your eyes and draw the covers over you. Child, dont you realize sleep is a necessity? Now comes the difficult part. You say you are now convinced I am sincere. Youre right, I am, and I love you dearly. Then you go on and say I shouldnt be hasty, but should wait; I should see all the girls of London and Paris before making up my mind. And you say youre only a letter-writer. Im not hasty. For the last flve-slx years, Ive met many girls ; Ive called on a good many, went swimming with some, played tennis with others, took some to theatres, etc. Ive liked some of them, but none more than in a friendly way. I stayed six weeks in London, or near it, and saw many English girls. And Im now back in civilization and Ive seen some French mademoiselles. But theres only one girl I love and admire and thats you. Perhaps you have faults, - all of us have; but Im

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sure theyre trivial ones. I know your heart is sound and that your mettle rings true. And thats enough me. As for you saying Im superior in ~very way to you, its absurd. The boot is on the other foot, I know. I realize my shortcomings and know youre on the pedestal and I kneel at its base. You say sometimes youre glad Im not there with you and think perhaps youre a little afraid of me. Perhaps youre right. Thank you for the good-nlght kiss. May I return it ~ith interest?

i0:00 P.M.
Intermission for di~ner. Want to know what we had? Turkey, soup, lobster salad, roast beef, potatoes, sardine relish, coffee, bread, butter, cheese, strawberry Jam, nuts, raisins, dates and candy. And thats about our usual meal when were out of the line as weve been for almost a month. So you see we dont starve. Yesterday we had roasted turkey. This afternoon the Brigade French interpreter, the Adjutant and I by invitation made a tour through a chateau close by. This is an old fort that had been convetted into a French military hospital, though it is empty at present. It was a wonderful tour. The castle was begun in ll02, and additions have been made to it from time to time, though none in the last two or three hundred years. It consists of a main building with foum widely separated towers. A moat is around the whole thln.g and there is the usual drawbridge. The main building has wonderfully pretty decorations, especially coats of arms on the ceiling; and it has all kinds of queer corners and winding stairways. The towers are stone and in them the floors are also stone and all the windows are barred. And each one has deep dungeons way under the ground where, in olden days, they used to throw their prisoners. And through slits in the walls you could see where the men-at-arms used to fight. All the towers are connected to the main building by underground passages which we did not explore. The three French doctors who took us around were very nice. The main building his about 100 rooms. Howd you 1.ike to be the mistress of such a home? A marquis, I forget his name, owns the place. Did you ever play 217 Last night we played for a couple of hours and I won two matches or tuppence. Some victory: It isnt a bad game, but I llke bridge better. We play bridge about once .a week or so. They dont play pinochle in England or France so those pinochle cards you sent me, Im afraid arent of much use. Well, my dearest glrl, the hour is getting late and I dont want to bore ~ou. So bend over and kiss me good night, dear. Thats good: Now I know you do love me with all your heart. And cant you guess how I feel

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toward you? Yes, thats right, I do love you and only you. You are the one glrl whom I admire and honor and whose devotion I want and hope I have. Am I not right? So good night again, Nina, and God bless you. May all your wishes come true. Very pleasant dreams and I hope theyre of me: Yours only,
Lee

I love you very dearly. Im a poet and dont know it: There lives a girl named Nine, For her my heart does pine Shes good and shes kind and shes sweet, I met her and fell by her feet, For youll neer meet one so fine. Take ira out: (Poetic license for Nina )

Saturday, January 5 Usual sick parade and inspection of troops for vermin. Talked with Captain Hanna, guest at our dinner. Cannot go on leave because of a lack of medical officers in our Division. Sunday, January 6 Rather small sick parade. We will move tomorrow to another village five-six kilometers away. Captain McCarthy of the llth is in England on two weeks leave of absence. Sunday, January 6~ 1918 Dear Folks, I dropped you a note this morning before the mail came, but another one wont hurt. I received another big batch of letters today--Ive had about thirty this week. Today came one from Sam, one from Clara and four from Nina K. and Stella. In the last few days, Ive received a goodly number from home; pas of December ~th, Joes of November 30th and December 7th, and Pauls of November 26th and December Sth. Besides two from Sarah and one from Marie and two from Ed and one from Ruth L.

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In case you didnt get my letters, let me repeat my thanks to mother for the strawberry Jam - it was good. And today ca~ a parcel from Fields; one suit underwear, a knitted sweater, helmet and socks and two flashlights. Thank you very much and please send my warmest thanks to Mrs. Horovitz whose address Ive lost. It was very nice of her to knit the sweater. No, I havent met Dave out here yet. Also got a fine parcel of cake, crackers, raisins and walnuts from Blanche; all in todays mail; besides this, a-couple of magazines from Nina K. Am glad Grandma U. is in good health. Yes, I did write a letter to her about three months ago, but never heard fro~ anyone that she received it. Paul wants to kno~rj whether he should go on a farm for Uncle Sam or not. I think hed better not, as hes been sunstruck once and the hard work in the sun wont do him any good. There must be other fields of work where he can serve his country. What does he intend to be? Now is the time for him to begin to decide that. Yes, I get the medical magazines, the Chicago Tribune and the Saturday Evening Post regularly. Ed seems to like Camp Grant very well. How go things with Clara? Is it to be a double wedding - Ed and Clara and Sam and Hattie?. Sam seems a bit fascinated. I guess Ill have to hurry back and get hitched up myself. prefer a United States girl - no British or French ones for me. Am sorry to hear Fas knee still troubles him. Perhaps a bandage might help; it cant hurt if put on properly and not too tight. Joe seems to be very busy and must be almost as much of a stranger at home as I am. So ~illard and Edga~ Forster have enlisted. Am still in same town and still taking care of two battalions temporarily. Expect to go on leave soon, perhaps to Paris for four days, then to Nice, Monte Carlo and other cities of southern France. Must close as its dinner time. Love to all, Lee Sunday, January 6, 1918 My own Doll, By that title I imply youre sweet enough to hug and kiss and that Id llke to do that ~this minute, even though it is ll:30 P.~. on a rainy night. This has been a wonderful week for me - Ive received your letters of November 22, 27, 30, December 3, 13, l~, 6, 10, 18, your Xmas card of December 1st, Hearsts Magazine, the Worlds Work, and the second parcel which I acknowledged in my last letter of two

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days ago. I cant begin to thank you enough for your kindness to me and every one of the letters I read most ravenous ly. Also received Miss McKeons X~as card - please convey to her my gratitude and hopes that she too will have her most en.loyable year these twelvo months. A1 Barnett is all in favor of that Great Lakes Trip with you and Stella and me. As he says, it would be tres bien. You ask which Id rather be - your uncle or your cousin or your brother - nather, as the Irishman said. Id rather be Just what I am to you. By the way, what am I to you? You say that Dora told you there is a girl all picked out for me in Chicago and that she is very sweet. Thats news to me - Ive a good many acquaintances and some friends, but none more than that. She must have been teasing you. No, theres no third party and I wont allow you to exit. There is a group of my boyfriends in Chicago who send me ooce in a while a copy of a paper they publish for my benefit. Im the only subscriber. Its called the Schmoos and some parts are so funny you almost split your sides laughing. A few notes from it follow: Editor, - We dont ~eed any ~anager - A subject of debate Board of Directors - They board at home Condition of ou~ Treasury - Money aint in it For Sale : One Lizzie. Spark plugs in good condition. Will exchange for cake of soap, package of Fatlmas, or what have you. For Sale : Soup silencer. New patent. At all dealers. Buys Column: A hair on the head is worth two in the gravy. People who live in glass houses should make love in the dark. Its a long lane that knows no spooning. Do unto others as they would llke .to do you. Camp Grant diddles : Prisoner (behind bars): Say, pal, what time is ~t? Passerby: What the H--- do you want to know for? Youre not going anywhere today. Familiar Fibs:Clara Straus (Eds gi~l) to Private Unger: Now, Eddie, please keep your arms where they belong. And lots more, especially local gossip. Its awfully funny:

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tomorrow morning our battalion moves to a village close


by. So I must get sole sleep - its 12:15 A.M. now. So good night, my dearest glrl; cant you hear me tell you I love you with all my heart? Anyway, I do! Pleasant dreams, Nina. With a heart choked-full with affection for the finest girl living Your abject slave, Lee Monday, January 7th At i0:00 A.M. we moved off to Mgzigres - ten of our men dropped out on this march of only six kin. - disgraceful most of these ten were drunk the night before. Had the usual sick parade. Lieutenant Scott is now Medical Officer (M.O.) of the llth, so now I am the M.O. of the l~th Inniskilling Fusiliers. Also learned that our dlv!slon was soon to go back to the front line trenches. (Good-by to peaceful surroundings we have had since the Battle of Cambrai ended last December). Wednesday, January 9th Much colder; much snow. Up at 6:00 A.M. and after breakfas~ and the sick parade, our battalion moved off at 8:25 A.M. and we marched till ~:30 P.M. when we reached Rethonvillers eighteen miles away. This time no stragglers. We passedthrough old war areas (M4zi~res - Roye - Carriepuis Rethonvillers). Fairly decent billet. Wednesday, January 9 Letter #i My dearest girl, Look at the top of this page and note for future reference and necessary action. Thats the official way of explaining that from now on, Im going to number my

Its wa~-mev tonight and pou2ing cats and dogs. And

Love, War, and ~edlclne

letters to you (not post cards), so that you can tell proper sequence and see if any are missing. Would you mind doing the same? Isnt that a good idea, NSna?. ~ Our postal truck has been held up by the snows and as a result our battalion has had no mall for three days. However, heres hoping tomorrow will bring me another of your delightful letters. I last wrote on the 6th. At that time we were in a small town. The next day we moved to a small village about four miles away and we. stayed there till this mo~nIngo I had a fair billet there,- a large room in the attic, but it had no heat so that bed was the only warm place. This morning was ~etty cold, about five above zero. I awoke at 6:00 A.~. as we were ~olng to move early. I dressed as much under the covers as possible as the room was pretty frigid. Then my troubles began. ~y boots were frozen,- so my faithful barman thawed them out by the fire downstairs. I started to shave and found my shaving brush was frozen stiff. I thawed that out in some hot water and got a decent shave. When it came to cleanln[ my teeth, both the toothbrush and toothpaste were frozen solio, so I had to o~!t that part of the proceedings. I finished dressing and walked a couple hundred yards down the street to ~y iospectlon room. This was 7:00 A.~. ~nd I examined the twelve men who had reported for t he sick parade. Six men were not fit to march because of sore heels, and I ~ent them to the hospital. After that I hustled a!ong to our messroom and downed some oatmeal, sausage, bacon, bread and butter and tea. At 8:~5 the band struck up and the battalion moved off along the frozen but good roads. We marched along mile after mile, stopping ten minutes each mile for rest. I marched at the rear of the column, as per usual, as om a march I .have to look after stragglers. At twelve noon we stopped for lunch. The men each got a mess tin full of steaming hot stew, cooked by the moving cookers which accompanied each company on the march, the ovens going while moving along. The other o(~[~icers and I stood in the shelter of a building along the side of the road and had a quick standing up lunch of bully beef, bread, butter, cheese, Jam, cake and coffee. Eats tasted good, as Clarence would say. At l:O0 P.M. we moved again and marched along steadily until we reached our destination at 4:1~ P.~. We had marched eighteen miles, and not a single man had fallen out. The C.0. (Commanding Officer) was very pleased, and it certainly was remarkably good marching. Were billeted in a little village which is many miles back of the line. It was once in possession of the Boche and still shows some signs of ruins, though

Love, War, and Medicine

202

not to be compared with the awful desolation of the region we quit a mo~th ago. I have a room in a French home and Itls fairly good. Theres a good bed, a table and a couple of chairs. But its pretty cool, so Im sitting writing this by candlelight in the main room. This has a stove and its warm, though, like most French homes in this village, it has cobblestone floors, - not extremely warm for the feet in winter. About fifteen minutes ago, madame (20) and her father (72) were conducting an animated conversation and I was writing. All of a sudden, that was 7:30 P.~., madame said she was not feeling well and was going to bed. I forgot to say there are two large beds also in this. sitting room, one for madame and one for the father. When she said she was rutlring, I rose to leave tho roora, but she protested it was all right and proceeded to retire while I kept on writing and looked the other way. Madame is now in bed, the old man still sits by the stove and I am writing on the table. ~odesty in France does not seem to exist to any great extent. Tell me, Nina, was I to blame? I suppose I should have hustled out when she announced her retiring stunt, but she wouldnt let me ~ My leave will con~e soon, any day now. Cant say Just whe n. Its 7:30 F.~. and we dine at 8:00 and I have ~00 yards ~o go. So must close with very best regards to your folks and Ste!la and loads o~" love as ever from Yo~z own

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