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                                             August 1, 1918
                                               No. 8
Dear Emma and Children:

   Today, the first day of August, is surely a beautiful day, but last night at 12 midnight there was started a tremendous barrage. We can hear it all that it is making Jimmy quite nervous. We have not seen it all, but we see some and hear all that can be expressed in the English or French Language. Th
   This drive has been a great success for the Allies. Everyone is delighted. A. (American) and F. (French) boys come ack here for twelve and twenty-four hours rest, and we try and give them a good time. I just left two; they are here for twelve hours rest. I took them to the P.O.. We sent a cable to his mother in West Virginia that he was alright. The other sent to his sister $50. Many of the boys are oing this. Jimmy is with them now listening to their stories. They always have much to say about their special sections. 
    As far as the fighting is concerned,we do not know of it except by sound and airplanes. Just now,of course, the wounded are coming in, but we are too far away now to be a first-aid hospital. But every department connected with the work is leaving each day. I hope we will soon leave. There has been a complete change over this village yesterday and today. Practically all the civilians are back going about their work. Stores are open; the crier is going about the town crying out the orders of the day. 
    Early in the morning we still have many passing soldiers to give coffee and chocolate to. They are generally soldiers who come to resting points by train in the night. They start off early in the norning on foot for the front. The French have a new spirit in them. You see, the Allies are fighting together. The other day four men were brought to the hospital- two Americans and two French men. They ate breakfast together, fought together, and were all wounded, and were sent to the hospital. One of the boys, about 19, looked quite clean and shaved. While joking with him, I asked him how it was that he was so clean and nicely shaven. He said, "You see that fellow lying next to me. He is our company barber. I told him this morning I wanted a clean shave and hair cut, because if I am killed today or wounded I want to look clean where every I am stretched out." They were badly wounded in the arms and shoulders, but they will pull through alright. They were very elated over the day's work. It is certainly true that the Busch are roped ad chained to their cannons. This is undoubtedly done in the retreat and applies to the rear guard who must stay with the guns to the last and then surrender if they can. I do not think many get the chance. They also have a little machine gun which they carry in a stretcher. They put Red Cross bands on their arms. They come out in groups. When they get their position, they put down the stretcher and open fire. 
      We had three Germans in our hospital last week. They are dead now. One of them shot his stretcher bearer. When I went my rounds in the rooms, I could not help shuddering with horror