The War Romance of the Salvation ArmyHill, Grace Livingston
History
The War Romance of the Salvation Army
Hill, Grace Livingston
World War, 1914-1918 -- War work -- Salvation Army
_Wednesday, 22:_ I visited the Battery in their trenches again and took
them food. My eyes are affected by the gas, and I got treatment at the
Evacuating Hospital. Some shells come very close to my dugout—to-day
thirty feet, fifty feet and twenty feet. I gather up a box full of
remnants. I find I am gassed by a contact with the poor fellow coming
in whom I took to the doctor. I get treatment two or three times for my
eyes and throat. My hands begin to crack and smart. The flesh comes off
from my neck and other parts of my body. I had a fine meeting with boys
in dugout and am again visited by the doughboys and officers. I visit
the ruined church area again and get a few relics.
_Thursday, 23:_ My eyes are very red and becoming painful and also my
throat and nose, _etc_. I plan to move my dugout and pack up
accordingly. Things are quieter today; had services again in the
evening. French schoolmaster among the number, six requests for prayer.
_Friday, 24:_ Am all ready to move to a new dugout when Staff-Captain
arrives and tells me I am ordered out by the military.”
Here is the Military Order received by the Staff-Captain:
“To Major Coe,
“Salvation Army:
“(1) Major Wilson, Chief G1, directs that the Salvation Army evacuate
‘Coullemelle’ as soon as possible.
“(2) He desires that they leave to-night if possible.
“(3) This message was received by me from the office of G1.
“L. Johnson,
“1st Lieut., F. A.”
Orders also arrived soon for the removal of the Salvation Army workers
in Broyes:
“Headquarters, 1st Division, G-1.
“American Expeditionary Forces,
“June 3, 1919.
“Memorandum: To Mr. L. A. Coe, Salvation Army, La Folie.
“The hut, which it is understood the Salvation Army is operating in
Broyes, will, for military reasons, be removed from there as soon as
practicable.
“It is contrary to the desire of the Commanding General that women
workers be employed in huts or canteens east of the line
Mory-Chepoix-Tartigny, and if any are now so located they are to ’be
removed.
“The operations of technical services, Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., and other
similar agencies is a function of this section of the General Staff and
all questions pertaining to your movements and location of huts should
in the future be referred to G.-1.
“By command of Major General Bullard.
“G. K Wilson,
“Major, General Staff,
“A. C. of S., G.-1.”
In Tartigny they found a house with five rooms, one of them very large.
The billeting officer turned this over to the Salvation Army.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account