A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN BIRDSALL.
(FRANCE)

Lt.-CoI. Russell.

Dear Colonel:
Your letter to Bolster was handed over to me, and as no doubt you already know, Bolster is missing. I thought I would answer it.
We went into action on the 22nd (April, 1915) and in the afternoon were ordered to retire to hold the line as both flanks were broken.
Bolster was the last man to leave his trench and no body really knows what happened to him for the Germans immediately occupied it after he vacated it. So you are there is a big chance that he was wounded and is a prisoner.

Doxsee was in No.2 Co. and was in charge of a house with one or machine guns. He was shot through the head and immediately killed on the morning of the 24th.

I was in No.3 Co. We have one officer missing and about one third of the men killed, wounded or missing.

The Battalion's casualties were 14 officers and 534 men. I have command of No.8 Co. and have my rank now. The Co. is not up to strength yet. We have 186 men. I have not had the opportunity to figure out the number of 40th men, but do not think they suffered very heavily.

Sincerely yours,
F.E. BIRDSALL, Captain.