The Sylvester Family of Plainview, Minnesota*

Byrl Sylvester moved to French hospital; companion died instantly

September 7, 1917 - September 14th, 1917

PAGE 102

you to worry as to his speedy COMPLETE recovery. I am writing you as I am the son of J. G. Lawrence of Wabasha also V. P. of Brown & Bigelow St. Paul.
We have been on duty on a very hot sector near Verdun and the roads are shelled most of the time by the Germans. I need not say that all of the boys in S. S. U. 62 join me in expressing regrets over Byrl’s being wounded and we will look after him in every possible way. As the French say, "C’est la Guerre."
Your very truly,
C. W. Lawrence.
September 7, 1917- (Byrl’s letter)

"Our Men ‘Have it all over’ French Soldiers in Grenade Throwing" – Says Young
Sylvester
Recent letters from Byrl Sylvester from somewhere in France give a little more news from the front.
(NOTE: Letter written August 4 printed here)
Letter
Thursday, September 13, 1917
In France
Dear Folks,
Well you could never guess where I am writing this note. Am in a French Hospital back of the lines. Yesterday Bob Hall and myself went up to a dangerous post on duty. A shell came in. Poor Bob was taken away before my eyes. I have only two slight flesh wounds. One in the hip and one in my back. Nothing serious at all or I would have cabled. Will be moved to the American Hospital soon. Will be home sooner than expected.
Love, Byrl.
September 14, 1917- (Byrl’s letter)
Sees Boche Plane Destroyed in Air Battle
Byrl Sylvester Witnesses Thrilling Destruction by French Airmen and Secures
Many Pieces From Broken Machine as Souvenirs
War Reports on All Fronts Most Encouraging – He says
(NOTE: Letter written August 19 printed here.)
Copy of letter
Jubecourt, SS 62, Sept. 14th, 1917
Dear Mr. Norton,
Thank you so much for the telegram Mr. Harjes and you sent to me. I received it about five in the afternoon yesterday.
Robert P. Hall was killed on the 12th, about ten in the morning at the entrance of a Poste Decours in the Bois d’Avocourt. Byrl Sylvester who was on the car with him was just inside the abri and was only wounded. A brancardier ran to another Poste near by where an ambulance was stationed and almost at once were able to get Sylvester down to the hospital at Brocourt. Someone telephoned me from the Bois D’Avocourt and I was on the scene as soon as possible. We carried Sylvester on to a main hospital at Freides where the Doctors advised an immediate examination and operation. I remained with him all the time. Fortunately it is not serious. He is doing well and will be evacuated to Paris in a few days. Two pieces of shell, one in the leg and the other in the back, - no bones were touched and I suppose the Doctors consider them really only flesh wounds
I telephoned to Compiegne, according to the instructions received from you and also telegraphed to Paris that same day. During the night, this whole section of the country was terrifically bombed by German planes and they successfully cut all wires from everywhere. Communication was not restored until late that afternoon. I had the body of HALL brought down to a chapel at the Hospital at Brecourt and this morning he was buried in the cemetery adjoining. I found a French Pasteur who speaks perfect

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* SOURCE: Manzow, Ron (compiler), "The Sylvester Family of Plainview, Minnesota - a collection of information taken from the Plainview News, other newspapers, letters, and diaries beginning in 1884": Plainview Area History Center, 40 4th St. S.W., Plainview, MN 55964. Compiled in 2001.

NOTE: from Ron Manzow, December 2001: "Feel free to reproduce the pages for anyone who wants a copy. It was compiled to be shared... All I ask is that they consider sending a check to the [Plainview Area] History Center to help us out. That should be enough."