John V. Hadley, Union Lieutenant - American CivilWar
June 20, 1862 Though we seem, here, to loose all the finer feelings of our nature – learn to look up on aman flouncing in his blood,with nomore feelings of remorse than if he were a beheaded dog & hear the groans of suffering humanity with as much indifference as if it were the groans of a dying hyena. But, dear friend, I don’t desire to impress you with the idea that this is common with us. It is only the result of battle. Amanmay&will become so infuriated by the din& dangers of a bloody fight, that if he ever had a tender heart itwill [be] turned to stone & his evry desire for blood.
Kirby Ross - World War I
July 8th, 1918 Again with a detail of 10men and CplMerrill we traveled under fire to the front line to bury the bodies. My what a time. Lost our Lieutenant in the woods. So I led them on to the front and went to work digging the graves. looked for identification which was awful work. bodies so decomposed. beyond recognizing. finished work at dusk – returning to camp at 10 15
Soldiers Crossing Duckboard near Ypres in 1917
Thursday, July 18, 1918. My, of all the bloodshed, bodies badly torn… nothing to eat for 72 hrs, just what we could get, and no sleep for four days. Here’s where my poor pal Sgt Fred T. Merrill met his death, poor Fred. Just shook hands with him before we departed.
Sigfried Sassoon, 1918 Does itMatter?
Does itmatter?-losing your legs? For people will always be kind, And you need not show that youmind When others come in after hunting To gobble theirmuffins and eggs. Does itmatter?-losing your sight? There’s such splendid work for the blind; And people will always be kind, As you sit on the terrace remembering And turning your face to the light. Do theymatter-those dreams in the pit? You can drink and forget and be glad, And people won't say that you’remad; For they know that you've fought for your country, And no one will worry a bit.
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