----_France, June 30_
_Dearest "folks at home," abroad--and Grandma!_
Four nights ago I had a pretty narrow escape. I can mention no names
here, but this is the gist of the story:--
I was driving my car with three wounded soldiers in it along a road
that was being shelled. Well, I got in the midst of a pretty hot
shower, so I stopped my car and got under it. A few minutes later I
supposed it was blowing over, so I got out. I had no sooner done so
than I heard one of those big _obus_ coming, the loudest I had ever
heard. I ran to the front of my car, crouching down in front of the
radiator. When it burst it struck the car. My three soldiers were
killed. I was hurt only a little. I am not disfigured in any way. It
just tore my side and legs a bit.
The French treated me wonderfully. I succeeded in getting the next
American Ambulance driven by Wheeler (a great boy) who took me to the
City of ---- where our _poste_ is. Here I was given first aid, and the
_Médecin chef_ personally conducted me in an American Ambulance, in the
middle of the night, to a very good hospital. They say I have the best
doctor in France--in Paris.
[Illustration: AMERICAN AMBULANCE AT A DRESSING-STATION NEAR VERDUN]
Well, I woke up the next day in a bed, and have been recuperating
ever since. Every one is wonderful to me. General Pétain, second
to Joffre, has stopped in to shake hands with me, and many are
my congratulations, too, for above my bed hangs the _Médaille
Militaire_, the greatest honor the French can give any one. Really, I
am proud, although I don't deserve it any more than the rest. Please
excuse my egotism.
Mr. Hill and my French lieutenant come to see me every day, and some of
the boys also. They joke around here, saying that I am getting so well
that they have lost interest in me and must move on. In three or four
days I go to the hospital at Neuilly where I can have every comfort.
Of course you won't worry about me. I will be just as good as new soon,
and really this is true.
The Germans peppered the life out of my car. No one goes over the road
in daylight, but the fellows brought me back the next day a handful of
bullets taken from it, and said they could get me a bushel more if I
desired them.
A----, I got your letter; it was great. The first one that I have
received from some one who has heard from me.
F----, thanks for the $----. I am sorry I have made you so much trouble
about the prescription. It is just my shiftlessness.
For three days I was not allowed to eat or drink and could hardly move
in bed. My spirits were high, too. I will try to write better and take
more pains.
Good-bye,
WILLIAM
_Neuilly-sur-Seine,
July 10, 1916_
Well, I am here at Neuilly! This is a wonderful hospital and they
do treat you great! I am just getting back to normal and have no
temperature. The doctors here are _the_ best in the world....
Now I want to ask your advice or permission. When I get well, in two
or three weeks, how would you like it for me to spend a week resting
in some suburb of London? I would just take a room there and live and
sleep. I have read so much about life in England that I am dying to try
it and I think it would do me good. I don't think the cost would be
heavy and I will consider it a go if you cable me a loan for the trip.
When my wounds heal up, which they are fast doing, I will be just as
good as new, no scars at all. I am very happy here and hope every day
that you are as happy and never worry about me. I surely have given
you a lot of trouble and anxiety, and hope that I will do always as
you say after this. The best of my experience is that I have never
once regretted this great trip, and I think I have done a small part
of a great work, and my _Médaille_ shows what the French think of my
services. I will throw aside modesty for the moment. It is given for
discipline and valor, and by the way, what amuses me, there is an
annual pension of one hundred francs. I have been treated wonderfully
since I had it given me. The French keep me in official quarters and
give me officer's grub, which is about one hundred per cent better
than the soldiers'. I am having some wonderful experiences....
I am still continuing my diary, and I assure you it is full of thrills.
I am the only ambulance boy who has been given a _Médaille_, and I am
told that Mr. Balsley, an American aviator, is the only other American
who has it. Well, enough of this conceit.
Excuse writing; written in great haste in bed.
Please cable me some money if you will permit me to go to England for a
week. Perhaps I can get ---- to go with me.
Lots of love to all; my best to Grandma.