100 years ago in The Saratogian
Thursday, Oct. 31, 1918. “When the history of this mighty world war is written, there is no doubt that the Twenty-seventh division and the home company ‘L’ of the 105th Infantry in that division will have a glorious page in it,” The Saratogian predicts after five more local soldiers are reported wounded or gassed on European battlefields.
The world war appears to be entering its final stages. The Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany and Austria, has sued for peace, and British forces have concluded an armistice with Turkish forces in the Black Sea and Mesopotamia. Austria itself is reportedly seeking an end to hostilities on its Italian front.
Local troops are playing a bigger role in the climactic fighting. “News of casualties sustained by the Saratoga boys have been coming in since Monday as they have not before since American entered the war,” a reporter writes. A dozen local casualties have been reported officially and unofficially this week.
Private Rowland W. Waterbury is recuperating in a British hospital from a wound to his femur at the hip, according to a chaplain who wrote to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Waterbury of 141 Caroline Street.
Private Harvey Saxton wrote on October 2 from a British hospital that he’s recovering from shrapnel wounds to his foot, leg and arm. He tells his mother, Mrs. Hugh Saxton of 189 Broadway, that the wounds are slight and “I will soon be out again.”
Sergeant Joseph L. Cunningham wrote on October 8 from a French hospital that he’d been wounded by shrapnel in his right arm. In a letter to his sister, Mrs. Phillip H. Rosser of 27 Church Street, he anticipates that “the war may be over before long. I hope so anyway; for I am sure fed up on it already for my part. I’ve seen enough.”
Sergeant Thomas J. Nellen of the 105th’s machine gun company is recuperating in a British hospital from a September 28 poison gas attack. Besides writing home, the resident of 11 Warren Street has been interviewed by an American wire service. Asked if he was scared before going over the top, Nellen replied, “Not a damn bit.”
Corporal James H. Lockwood of Mechanicville, the nephew of Saratoga Springs police chief James H. King, was gassed on September 30. Writing on October 8 from a British hospital, Lockwood describes the attack and its aftermath.
“Mustard gas is very bad on the skin, blistering my scalp, and it also has a very bad effect on the eyes, throat and chest, Lockwood wrote, “I guess there isn’t much it doesn’t effect about a person.”