F. G. LAWTON, Colonel, Infantry, National Army.
The work of the Salvation Army as illustrated by the work of Major S. H. Atkins is duplicated by no one. He has been Chaplain and more besides. He has the confidence of officers and men. Major Atkins, as typifying the Salvation Army, has been forward at the very front with what is even more important than the rear area work.
The following letter was sent to Major Atkins of the Salvation Army:
Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, France, December 26, 1917.
I wish to thank you for the great work you have been doing here among the men of this battalion. You have added greatly to the happiness and contentment of us all; giving, as you have, an opportunity for good, clean entertainment and pleasure.
In religious work you have done much. As you know, this regiment has no chaplain, and you have to a large extent taken the place of one here.
For myself, and on behalf of the officers stationed here, I wish to express my appreciation of the work that you have been doing here, and the hope that you can accompany the battalion wherever the fortune of war may lead us.
Wishing you a very happy and successful New Year, I am
Yours sincerely, (Signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT, JR., Major (U.S.R.), 26th Infantry.
When Captain Archibald Roosevelt was lying wounded in Red Cross Hospital No. 1 he wrote the following letter to the same officer:
"You have, by your example, helped the men morally and physically. By your continued presence in the most dangerous and uncomfortable periods, you have made yourself the comrade and friend of every officer and man in our battalion. It is in this way that you have filled a position which the other charitable organizations had left vacant.
"Let me also mention that, perfect Democrat that you are, you have realized the necessity of discipline, and have helped make the discipline understood by these men and officers.
"If all the Salvation Army workers are like you, I sincerely hope to see the time when there is a Salvation Army officer with each battalion in the camp."
Before leaving France for the United States, two Salvation Army lassies received the following letter:
I was very sorry to hear that you had been taken from this division, and desire to express my appreciation of the excellent assistance you have been to us.