As soon as I could leave my work, at six o'clock the next morning, accompanied by our French lieutenant, I went to Vadelaincourt to see William, who was just coming to from the anæsthetic. The doctor told me it was serious because the fragment had cut into the peritoneum, but without injuring the intestine--the danger being in the chances of peritonitis setting in; that he could tell me in forty-eight hours whether there would be the danger of this complication. On your son's insistence, and on my own judgment, I decided not to cause you needless anguish by cabling until his case should have been judged. On the third day I was told he was out of danger, so I advised William to cable you, and I cabled his brother myself. One of his other wounds consisted in a small splinter that lodged in his lung, but this was not considered by the doctor to be the cause of any concern, the only wound which might have dangerous consequences being the abdominal one. [Illustration: A CORNER OF VERDUN, JULY, 1916] The Section was moved away shortly after, so that July 1st was the last day on which I saw him, but I have telephoned for news daily, and have been always told he was doing well. Before closing I wish to tell you how courageous he has been throughout, not only after he was wounded, when he showed the most splendid pluck, but before, when he was doing really dangerous work with enthusiasm and coolness. The French authorities have recognized this in awarding him the _Médaille Militaire_, the highest medal for military valor in France. [Illustration] TRIBUTES AND CITATIONS _Armées de l'Est_ _État-Major Général_ _G. Q. G., le 24 Mai 1916_ NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE Le Général Commandant en Chef à Monsieur PIATT ANDREW, Inspecteur Général du Service aux Armées de l'hôpital Américain de Neuilly Je vous remercie vivement pour votre offre d'une nouvelle section automobile, qui va porter à cinq le nombre de vos formations sanitaires aux armées. Je tiens à vous exprimer ma satisfaction de l'oeuvre accomplie par vos volontaires qui n'ont cessé, en toutes circonstances, de faire preuve de courage, d'endurance et de dévouement. Les bons résultats donnés par votre organisation sont dus, pour une bonne part, à votre activité et votre zèle inlassables. Agréez, Monsieur, l'expression de ma considération très distinguée. [TRANSLATION] _Armies of the East_ _General Staff_ _Grand Headquarters, 24 May, 1916_ The General Commanding in Chief to Monsieur PIATT ANDREW, Inspector General of the Field Service of the American Hospital of Neuilly. I thank you warmly for your offer of an additional automobile section, which will increase to five the number of your sanitary units with the army. I desire to express to you my satisfaction with the work performed by your volunteers who have unremittingly, under all conditions, given proof of their courage, endurance, and devotion.