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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/33841-8.txt b/33841-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c0e217b --- /dev/null +++ b/33841-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4628 @@ +Project Gutenberg's History of Ambulance Company Number 139, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: History of Ambulance Company Number 139 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: October 6, 2010 [EBook #33841] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF AMBULANCE COMPANY *** + + + + +Produced by Moti Ben-Ari and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + History of Ambulance + Company Number 139 + + [Illustration] + + PRESS OF + E. R. CALLENDER PRINTING CO + KANSAS CITY, KANSAS + + + + +Foreword + + + THIS BOOK IS AN ATTEMPT TO GIVE A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF + THE MEN OF AMBULANCE COMPANY NUMBER 139 DURING THEIR SERVICES + IN THE GREAT WAR. IT WAS WRITTEN BY THE MEN WHILE THEY WERE + AWAITING SAILING ORDERS FOR HOME. IN BARN-LOFT BILLETS OF THE + VILLAGE OF AULNOIS-SOUS-VERTUZEY, FRANCE, WHILE THE MEMORIES OF + OUR EXPERIENCES WERE STILL FRESH IN OUR MINDS. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CONTENTS + + + ORGANIZATION OF AMBULANCE COMPANY 139 Page 5 + + LIFE AT CAMP HOEL " 6 + + TRAINING AT CAMP DONIPHAN " 8 + + DEPARTURE FROM CAMP DONIPHAN " 12 + + THE TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC " 14 + + OUR FLYING TRIP THROUGH ENGLAND " 18 + + FROM SOUTHAMPTON TO LE HAVRE " 20 + + OUR TRIP THROUGH FRANCE TO ELOYES " 22 + + IN ACTION ON THE WESSERLING SECTOR " 25 + + VENTRON " 31 + + LE COLLET " 32 + + THE MARCH FROM LUNEVILLE TO BENNEY " 37 + + BENNEY TO FIVE TRENCHES " 40 + + FROM FIVE TRENCHES TO SENARD " 42 + + MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE " 43 + + WITH THE KITCHEN IN THE ARGONNE OFFENSIVE " 48 + + CITATIONS AND CASUALTIES " 50 + + THE STAY IN VAUBECOURT " 52 + + THE VERDUN FRONT " 53 + + MOVE TOWARD METZ AND THE ARMISTICE " 56 + + THE FIRST REPLACEMENTS " 59 + + FURLOUGHS--GRENOBLE " 62 + + LA BOURBOULE " 64 + + THE FURLOUGHS AT AIX-LES-BAINES " 67 + + TRIP TO MARSEILLES " 68 + + A CASUAL IN THE S. O. S. " 71 + + PERSHING REVIEWS THE 35th DIVISION " 73 + + FROM COUSANCES TO AULNOIS " 74 + + THE HOME GOING " 75 + + FROM AULNOIS TO "CIVIES" " 76 + + FICKLE WOMEN " 78 + + COMPANY ROSTER " 80 + + + + + +ORGANIZATION OF AMBULANCE COMPANY 139 + + +When war was declared on Germany April 5th, 1917, the government sent +out calls for volunteers. The auxiliary organizations were to be the +first ones to go across, and it looked as if ambulance companies would +be among the first to get into action. Many of the universities and +colleges in the east started at once to organize ambulance companies. +These companies were quickly filled, and the enthusiasm spread quickly +to the west. + +Early in April Dr. Edwin R. Tenney of Kansas City, Kansas, was appointed +by the adjutant general of the State of Kansas to organize a national +guard ambulance company in that city. Until this time there had never +been a national guard ambulance company in the State of Kansas. Dr. +Tenney had been a practicing physician in Kansas City for a number of +years and before coming to the city he served as a physician during the +Spanish-American war. For the past five years he had held a lieutenant's +commission in the U. S. Army Reserve Corps. It was through his efficient +work that this company was recruited to full strength within a month +after he received his appointment. + +The recruiting office in the press room at the city hall was a very busy +place during the month of April. Every one was anxious to join some +branch of the army. By April 25th the company was recruited to its full +strength of sixty-four men and the office was closed. However, orders +were received the next day to recruit the company to eighty-four men, so +again the office was opened for business with a sign which read, "Join a +motor ambulance company and _ride_." It was in this office that so many +of the men held up their right hand and said that fatal "I do." + +About this time Dr. Richard T. Speck, of Kansas City, Kansas, received a +lieutenant's commission in the Kansas National Guard and was assigned to +this company. A few days later Drs. A. J. Bondurant, of St. Margaret's +Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas, and A. H. Adamson, of the General +Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, also received commissions and were +assigned to this company. + +On April 30th Major Seth A. Hammell, of Topeka, Kansas, mustered the +company into the state guard as Kansas Ambulance Company No. 2. Another +ambulance company, known as Kansas Ambulance Company No. 1, was +organized by Lieutenant W. L. Rhodes, of Argentine, Kansas. + +After the state muster the company had two drill nights a week. These +drills often interfered with some of the men's plans, but that made no +difference as they now belonged to "Uncle Sam" and duty came before +pleasure. It was at these semi-weekly drills that the men learned the +first principles of soldiering under the leadership of Lieutenant R. T. +Speck and Sergeant Roscoe Leady. They were unaccustomed to regular +drilling, especially on paved streets, and many times they went home +with sore feet from doing "fours right and left" and "to the rear, +march." + +On June 14th the company was called out for federal inspection and was +formally recognized by the federal authorities. This was the first +formation in which every one was present, as many of the men lived out +of the city and could not come to the drills. After this inspection the +men were told to be ready to leave at any time, as it wouldn't be over +two weeks at the most before they would be called out. The days dragged +slowly, and it seemed that the company would never be called into +service. The men were all anxious to start for France and many of them +had already given up their positions, thinking that it would be but a +short time until they would leave. + +On Decoration Day the company was ordered out for a special formation to +march to the cemetery and to pay tribute to the heroes of the past. +However, it rained so hard that the march was called off and instead the +men were assembled in the auditorium of the High School where they +listened to an address by J. K. Cubbison. + +For a number of years it had been customary for all national guard +organizations to go into camp on the night of July 3rd and stay until +the 4th, when they would put on an exhibition of some kind. Consequently +this company, together with Company A, First infantry, K. N. G., and +Battery E, First Field Artillery, K. N. G., went into camp on the night +of July 3rd at the City Park. To most of the men this was their first +experience in sleeping on the ground, and it will not be easily +forgotten, for the next day found every one with aching bones. In the +afternoon of the 4th the men of Company A, Infantry, put on a sham +battle, and this company followed them up, administering first aid to +the "wounded." + + + + +LIFE AT CAMP HOEL + + +It was on the memorable day of August 5th, 1917, that the members of +Kansas Ambulance Company No. 2 assembled at the corner of Ninth and +Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. As the clock struck nine the +order "Fall in" was given. After a few army formalities the company was +marched out to Camp Hoel, which was situated at Twentieth Street and +Washington Boulevard. It was a spectacular scene for the outsiders and +for all the men in the company. It looked more like a parade of college +chaps before a football game, as almost all of the fellows were dressed +in their "Sunday best." There were a few boys dressed in the khaki, +which gave the passerby the idea that we were a part of the great +American Army which was being formed. When we reached camp a small white +tent was pitched, which was to be our office, supply room and a place of +shelter for those boys of the company who did not live in the city or +who were not staying at the homes of some of their friends. + +Our company was not the only one at this camp, as we had neighbors, who +were later designated as follows: Company A, 137th Infantry; Companies B +and C of the 110th Regiment of Engineers; Battery E, 130th Field +Artillery, and Ambulance Company 140 of the 110th Sanitary Train. The +majority of the members of these organizations were Kansas City boys. + +In a few days the drills were started. Awkward squads were formed and +from all parts of the camp the command of "fours right," "to the rear, +march," etc., could be heard. Hikes were numerous, and it was not long +until our feet knew all the bumps on every street in Kansas City, +Kansas. + +The mess for the different companies at Camp Hoel was put in charge of +the Central Boarding Company of Kansas City, Missouri. A large tent was +erected for the kitchen and it was there that the men were initiated +into the secrets of "kitchen police." + +After wearing overalls, blue shirts or any other old article that was +obtainable, the company was greatly shocked one morning when the news +came that part of our equipment had arrived. Here again another dream +was shattered, for it seemed that the good fits for the men must have +been lost in transit. The large fellows received clothing too small for +them, and the small fellows received clothes that would have looked well +if they had had about fifty more pounds of muscle upon their skeletons. +But as a matter of fact everyone was very proud of the new uniform. + +A few days before the uniforms arrived a proposition was laid upon the +table for the debate of the company. The great question was, "Shall each +member buy leather leggins?" Nobody knew at that time about the uniform +rules of the army. Leather leggins looked fine and seemed to be the +fashion according to posters and magazine pictures. So the debate was +closed and the whole bunch bit on the eight and ten dollar pairs. We +used them several times, in fact we wore them in two parades, and were +granted the permission to wear them to Doniphan, were we soon sold them +at the average price of $5.00 per pair. + +On August 13th the boys received their physical examination. A few were +disappointed at that time to find that they could not pass the +examination and go along with the company. That afternoon Captain Arthur +L. Donan of the 3rd Kentucky Infantry placed himself before the company +and mumbled a few words. After the company was dismissed the main +question was, "What did the captain have to say?" It was soon found out +that he had mustered us into Federal Service. + +On the Saturdays of the first two weeks at camp we were treated fine +(just kidding us along). On the third Saturday we were lined up in +formation and were sent to the infirmary. There we were told to get +ready for the worst. Both arms were bared while iodine swabs, the +medics' famous panacea, were thrown around freely. There were three +doctors in one corner ready for action. Two of them were puncturing the +right arms with needles and with a little push of a plunger our body was +given some extra fluid so that we might be able to combat that great +army disease of former years, typhoid fever. The other doctor was +cutting a few nitches in the boys' left arms so that the smallpox +vaccine could do its duty. Fainting was in order on that day, as well as +on the following three Saturdays, when the puncturing process was +repeated, and no member of the company was slighted. + +The mothers of Kansas City made army life, while we were at Camp Hoel, +as pleasant as possible. On different days we received a basket dinner, +a watermelon feast and an ice cream and cake festival from them. Those +days were the frequent topics of conversation during the boys' stay in +France and will never be forgotten. Shows were always at hand in Kansas +City and on certain afternoons theatre parties were formed by the +members of the company. + +September 27th was the fatal day for Kansas Ambulance Company No. 2 in +Kansas City, Kansas. On that day camp was broken and the company was +formed. We left our camp and marched to the train behind the famous +Kilties Scotch Band, which led us down Minnesota Avenue through the +great crowds that had gathered along the street to cheer us on our way. +We boarded the train at Third and Washington Boulevard, where the boys +bid their dear ones "goodbye." + + + + +TRAINING AT CAMP DONIPHAN + + +When that Frisco troop train pulled out of Kansas City, Kansas, on +September 27th, 1917, it cannot be said that it carried a very hilarious +bunch of soldiers. The men, the majority of whom had never been away +from home before for any length of time, had just spent a last few happy +days with the home folks, sweethearts and friends and now they were +going out into a new life, into new environments and with unknown +problems and experiences ahead of them. They were quiet at first, no +doubt wondering what was in store for them before they saw "home" +again, but as they left Kansas City far behind their quietness +disappeared and soon little groups were chattering at a lively rate. + +[Illustration: GERARDMER.] + +[Illustration: NORTHEAST TOWARD CHARPENTRY.] + +[Illustration: VENTRON--VOSGES.] + +After an uneventful trip the troop train carrying Kansas Ambulance +Companies No. 1 and 2 and one field hospital company arrived at the Fort +Sill railroad yards at about 4:30 P. M. on September 28th. After a short +delay the companies started their march toward the area on the south +side of the camp, designated for the Sanitary Train, and right then and +there they were introduced to that for which Camp Doniphan is +noted--DUST--five or six inches of it on every road. What a hot, dirty +hike that was, unaccustomed as the men were to those ungainly, heavy +packs! And when Kansas Ambulance Company No. 2 (later designated as +Ambulance Company 139) reached camp did they find comfortable tents or +barracks to step into? They did not. True, tents were there, but they +were in wooden crates, and there was a long, vacant space between a mess +hall and a bath house on which those tents were to stand. Fate was with +the men that night, for the moon was shining brightly, so after a supper +of crackers and cheese they soon had twelve Sibley tents pitched on the +allotted space. Tired from their trip and work litters made excellent +bunks and the men slept the sleep of the weary, their first night under +real army conditions. + +Army life, as experienced in those first six weeks at Camp Doniphan, can +scarcely be called a picnic. _If_ there had been floors in the tents, +and _if_ you could have turned a switch instead of having to light a +candle in order to have light, and _if_ there had been an adequate +supply of good water, and _if_ "DUST," in vast quantities, had not been +a "regular issue"--well, such was life at Doniphan for the first few +weeks. + +However, by Thanksgiving, many improvements had been made. Good water +was piped from a lake some distance from the camp and no longer was moss +and like substances found in the water that came through the pipes. Nor +was it necessary to watch all the dust of Kansas blow by from the north +in the morning, with a return trip in the afternoon. The tents were +floored and sidings put on, and electric lights were installed; Sibley +stoves were issued, together with an ample supply of wood--all of which +made the life at Camp Doniphan a little more attractive. A large boiler +and tank was installed in the bath house, giving the men plenty of hot +water for bathing and washing clothes. Military training continued, of +course, consisting of drilling on the field and lectures in the mess +hall by medical officers on subjects essential to the work of sanitary +troops. This included practice in the use of bandages and splints and +litter drill. + +The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays brought many visitors to +camp--mothers, brothers, sisters and friends, all anxious to see for +themselves the Army life that the men had been writing about. If any of +the mothers had been worrying about the "beans and hard-tack" which is +supposed to be an unvarying part of a soldier's menu, they returned home +with that worry eliminated, for on both Thanksgiving and Christmas, +"John," the red-headed chef of the company, brought forth dinners that +would make the "Plantation Grill" or the "Pompeien Room" sit up and take +notice. Turkey, all you could eat and with all the trimmings, and the +dessert of mince pie and fruit cake, made one think of "Home, Sweet +Home" and Mother's incomparable cooking. As a whole, Army feed wasn't +half as bad as it was supposed to be. How could it be, when flapjacks, +sausage, steak and pie were regular issues? + +The winter of 1917-18, according to the "natives," was the worst in +Oklahoma for fifteen years, and those reports will never be questioned +by the men who were at Doniphan that winter. More than once they awoke +in the morning to find three or four inches of snow on the tent floor. +However, unaccustomed as the men were to living in tents in cold +weather, there was a comparatively small amount of sickness. True, a +number of the men were sent to the Base Hospital, with measles, +influenza and pneumonia, and several times the company was quarantined, +but very few of the cases proved serious, and sooner or later the men +returned to duty. + +For several months, both the Base Hospital and the Isolation Camp were +in need of Medical men, and details from the Sanitary Train were sent to +relieve the situation. The men were put to work at anything from nurse +to Supply Sergeant, and this work gave them some good, practical +experience along medical lines. Just before Christmas, the company +received twelve G. M. C. Ambulances, and for the remainder of our stay +at Doniphan these ambulances were used for evacuation work between the +Base Hospital and the different units of the Division. + +Not all of the training at Doniphan was along _medical_ lines, however. +At regular intervals you could expect to find your name on the Bulletin +Board under the heading "Kitchen Police," and when it wasn't that, it +was probably for a tour of guard duty, and if you were lucky enough to +miss both of those details, it was seldom that you weren't picked for +company fatigue. + +The personnel of our officers changed somewhat at Doniphan. Lt. Adamson +soon after getting there, received his honorable discharge. About +February 1st, Lt. Tenney was transferred to a Machine Gun Battalion, and +Lt. Speck was placed in command of the company. Lt. Paul R. "Daddy" +Siberts, Lt. Bret V. Bates, and Lt. Colin C. Vardon were assigned to the +company while at Doniphan, the latter in place of Lt. Bondurant, who was +transferred to the Casual Company at Camp Doniphan. + +With the coming of warmer weather in the early spring, the outside drill +turned to hikes, and many is the tale that can be told about the +"strategic maneuvers" of the Sanitary Train. Ask any of the man about +the night at Buffalo Springs, when J. Pluvius turned the faucet wide +open, deluging the tent city. Ask them about "The Lost Sanitary Train," +when, in returning from Sulphur Springs, they circled Scott Mountain +before they finally bumped into Medicine Lake, and finally arrived back +to camp at 3 A. M. But as a rule, the hikes were interesting and +instructive, and furnished excellent training. Men who had always +depended on Mother for their meals learned how to build a camp fire in +the face of a high wind and to cook their dinner of bacon, potatoes and +coffee. They learned that a great deal of territory can be covered +without the use of a street car or "flivver," and incidentally their +muscles became hardened, fitting them for the strenuous work ahead. + +From the very first, nothing interested the men more than the thought of +a furlough home, and almost as soon as they arrived at Doniphan, the +arguments were many as to whether it would be nicer to be home for +Thanksgiving or Christmas. But it was not until January that any leaves +at all were granted. Then the furloughs were limited to five or seven +days, and in that way almost all of the men were able to visit the home +folks for a few days before leaving for overseas service. Putting their +feet under Mother's table again, and seeing Her for a few days, +invariably put the men in a happier and more contented spirit, and they +came back to camp with more "pep" for their work. + +Tho the days were filled with the routine of drill and company duties, +the social side of life at Doniphan must not be forgotten. Not far from +camp was the city of Lawton, and while it was far from being an ideal +town, it was at least a change from the monotony of camp life. Passes to +town were liberal, and the men spent many pleasant evenings there, +either at the picture shows or with friends whom they met after going to +Doniphan. + +The Y. M. C. A. deserves a great deal of credit for its work at +Doniphan. "Y" Bldg. No. 59, used by the Sanitary Train and the 110th +Engineers, was just a short distance from the train area, and in the +evening immediately after Retreat a stream of men could be seen going in +that direction. The "Y" furnished paper and envelopes, pen and ink, thus +encouraging the men to write home oftener. Movies, at least twice a +week, band concerts and boxing bouts were some of the means of +entertaining the men, and there was always a full house. On Sundays the +men were privileged to attend exceptionally interesting religious +services, and the series of addresses given by Chaplain Reeder of the +Engineers was well worth hearing. + +Almost as soon as the company arrived at Doniphan, rumors filled the air +about the Division leaving for overseas service, but nothing +substantial developed until about the middle of March. Then orders were +received that the Division was booked to leave, and the work preparatory +to moving started in earnest. Everything, from the kitchen range to the +Pierce-Arrow trucks, had to be prepared for shipment. Lumber was +furnished, and the company carpenters were kept busy almost to the day +of departure building crates and boxes. After being crated, each article +had to be stenciled with the company designation, together with the +weight and cubical contents, and the Division Symbol. Packing lists were +prepared, which was no small task, and the main work preparatory to +leaving was completed. + +Not all of the men of the company left Camp Doniphan with the Division, +for as is always the case in a large body of men, there were a few who +were physically unfit. These men, nine of them, were left at the Casual +Camp at Camp Doniphan, and were later assigned to recruiting or military +police duty in various parts of the United States. + + + + +DEPARTURE FROM CAMP DONIPHAN + + +The day of May 8th, 1918, dawned bright and fair. The morning was spent +in finishing up little odds and ends of work, and in rolling packs. At 1 +P. M. "Fall in," the last one at Doniphan, sounded, and soon afterwards +the Sanitary Train started its march to the railroad yards. Again it was +hot and dusty, just as it had been when the company marched into camp, +and it was with a feeling of relief that the troop train came into view. +Pullman cars? No, the Sanitary Train couldn't be as fortunate as that, +so the men had to be content with chair cars. + +With seven months training behind them, the men of Ambulance Company 139 +left Camp Doniphan for "Somewhere in France" with great anticipation, +feeling that they were ready for any part that they might have to play. + +On board the train, which left Doniphan at 3 P. M., the men amused +themselves in reading and card games. There were a few details, such as +sweeping the cars, kitchen police or serving the meals "de luxe" to the +boys, but the old beloved guard detail was not left to the privates. It +was graciously wished on the non-coms, who were forced to carry a "45 +smoke wagon" on their belts, according to some General Order in the +"blue book." We never learned whether they were to keep the boys from +getting out or to keep the feminine sex from getting in. + +At our first stop, El Reno, Okla., the four ambulance companies, which +made up one train, "fell-out" for a little exercise, and after an hour +or so of maneuvering, we climbed aboard again to journey nearer the +Atlantic. We were by this time consulting time tables, watches and maps +to decide over which route we must travel in order to pass through +Kansas City, the home of most of the boys in the company. The first +night of traveling passed slowly, and as the first tints of dawn were +spreading over the eastern sky our train drew into Topeka. Shortly after +daybreak the train left the Capitol city of Kansas, and headed down the +Kaw Valley towards Kansas City. As the noon hour of May 9th was passing +away the train pulled into the big Union Station, where mothers, +fathers, wives, brothers, sisters, sweethearts and friends had been +waiting for hours, with baskets overflowing with delicious meats, +sandwiches, fruits and all the rarest and spiciest that a Mother's +effort could put forth. + +Again the "blue book" came into play, and we took a little sightseeing +trip up Main Street. The bride of a certain Sergeant in the company +tried to follow her "hero in hobs" but fell out after the first block. +We did an about-face at 12th Street and double-timed back to the folks. +After re-entering the coach, we leaned out of the window, pulled the +Mother and sweetheart up to us, and for the time being were utterly +unconscious of what went on around us or where we were. When the train +slowly moved out of the station, we tried to smile as we said +"Good-bye," and watched the handkerchiefs still waving when we rounded +the corner and were out of sight. + +We arrived at St. Louis about 12:30 the next morning, and were switched +onto a siding, where we stayed until daybreak, when we continued our +journey, crossing Illinois and Indiana. At Huntington, Ind., we again +stopped and had setting-up exercises. Upon reaching Peru, Ind., we found +Pullman cars awaiting us, and from then on we rode in style. Our next +stop was at Salamanca, N. Y., where exercise was again on the program. +From there we traveled through some of the most picturesque country of +the east. + +While on the train a humorous incident occurred. The officers heard from +some underground source that "Snowball," our dark-complexioned porter, +had been passing "Old Evans" around to the boys in a promiscuous +fashion. And at the same time "Snowball" heard in the same way that the +officer of the guard was going to make a search of his possessions for +this precious "fire-water." The search was made, with Snowball looking +on wild-eyed, and the officer detective was about to give it up, when he +noticed a string leading out the window, and upon investigating found +the poor half-dead soldier (bottled in bond) tied by the neck to the +other end of the string. + +The last night of riding brought us near to the eastern coast, and soon +after daybreak on May 12th the train stopped at Jersey City. We slung +our packs and pushed our way through the station to a ferry boat. From +this point many of us had our first view of New York and the salt water. +After loading on the ferry we were pulled out into the East River, +where the boat remained for the greater part of the day. At last it +moved on and we landed in Long Island City. Dragging our packs and +barrack bags, we marched wearily to a Long Island train. A few hours' +ride brought us to Garden City, and truly it was well named, for with +its low, well kept hedges, its English gardens and its wild flowers +growing everywhere, it looked like a garden city. From Garden City to +Camp Mills was a weary hike but we finally reached there, and after +eating supper, we crawled under our three O. D.s and slept. + +During our five days stay at Camp Mills, some of the men were granted +passes to New York City, but we left before all the men had a chance to +visit that city of bright lights. The day before we departed we were +given the last of our overseas equipment, including the pan-shaped steel +helmet. + + + + +THE TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC + + +After spending five chilly nights at Camp Mills, Long Island, and +awaiting anxiously the orders to leave for France, we did not seem to +mind the coolness of the night on May the 17th, for we were to leave the +following day on the long expected trip across the Atlantic. Bright and +early the next morning a passer-by could plainly see that something was +about to happen. All were in gay spirits as they hurried here and there, +gathering together the miscellaneous articles and other things, which +make up a soldier's equipment. Packs were rolled, the camp tidied up, +and our overseas boxes loaded on trucks. At last after everything was +ready we fell in line and marched across the camp, to the train that +would carry us to the ferry. The old world seemed to hold a different +meaning for everyone that morning. We were about to step into the +greatest adventure of our lives, and one that would never be forgotten. +Groups of soldiers cheered us on all sides, and yelled that they would +be with us soon. Some were from our own division, and we recognized many +of our friends. + +On arriving at the ferry, we took our place as close to the rail as +possible, and waved to the passengers on passing boats. The ferry, +filled to its full capacity, chugged down the East River to one of the +many docks where, quietly waiting, was the big camouflaged boat that +would complete for us the trip from our training camp in Doniphan to +England. + +The moment that we had been looking forward to for so long a time had at +last arrived. We wound our way to the big warehouse and stopped in front +of an iron door. Stacked on the floor were life-saving jackets and as +each one passed through the door, he received a colored tag, and one of +the life-preservers. The tag assured him a bunk and meals. + +Our expectations were fully realized as we filed by one by one up the +gang-plank and onto the boat that was to be our home for the coming +fourteen days. We were divided up and led down stairs to our quarters. +They looked more like a steam-room than a place to sleep. It was all a +jumbled-up puzzle. Water pipes seemed to be running in all directions, +and arguments could be heard on all sides as to how we were to sleep. In +the midst of it all an officer appeared, and he told us to let down the +rectangular shaped frame, also made of water-pipe, which rested in +sockets on two other upright pipes like hinged shelves. Then he told us +to unwrap the small piece of canvas, which was wrapped to the +rectangular frame. After doing this, things began to seem clearer, for +the canvas was also rectangular in shape, and had grummets all around +it. By means of the rope it was securely laced to the framework. This +composed our bunk, and there were three of these in a tier, and a tier +on each side of the two perpendicular pipes. The aisle between the bunks +was very narrow and we crowded and pushed in making up our beds, for +everyone was more than anxious to learn more about our boat. + +In the meantime several sailors came in from the engine room and we +began making friends, although they had many a laugh while watching us +prepare our bunks. They were asked for every bit of information we could +think of about the boat--"How fast it could go," "How long it was"--and +many other questions about the sea, and their experiences. We found out +that the name of the boat was the "S. S. Louisville," formerly the "St. +Louis," that it was 564 ft. long, and carried 3500 men. On asking how +many miles the boat could make in an hour, we were assured that "it was +the speediest ship in the convoy." + +By this time we heard mess-call, and began to look for a line. Men were +running upstairs and down, and hurried questions flew from everyone as +to when and where the men with his color of tag were eating. Each color +had a certain time to eat. There were four colors, two eating at one +time. The men filed in to the dining room from each side of the main +deck through two large double doors. There were four long tables and we +stood up to eat, moving along the table as the men ahead finished eating +and moved out to wash their mess-kits in large sinks, just before +leaving the room. It was very interesting to see the systematic way in +which the men moved along, taking a mouth-full as they pushed their +mess-kits up the table. + +As we were strolling on deck that afternoon, a low grumbling sound met +our ears, as if it came from some place far below. Then it turned into a +rythmatical chug of a large engine, and we knew that the boat was +getting up steam preparatory for the trip. The sailor-boys, too, were +making preparations for "Jerry." They carried large shells and deposited +them in cases behind the guns, and as we watched them work, we wondered +if there would ever be a real necessity to use them during the trip. + +Evening found everyone knowing the boat almost by heart, and we began to +gather in groups on deck and look about. To the rear lay New York, the +tall buildings outlined against the sky. Numerous tug-boats were slowly +winding their way in and out of the docks. One of the sailors leaning +against the rail pointed out to us the former German ship "Vaterland," +in a dock across the river. We were entertained for awhile by watching a +bunch of negro waiters for the officers mess shooting dice, and a +quartet gave us a few songs. But night soon came, and we went below to +try our new bunks. One of the boys no sooner found the trick that one +could play, than he immediately dislodged the man above him, by putting +his feet on the bottom of the bunk above, pushing it out of its socket, +and bringing the fellow down into the aisle below. + +All night the engines kept up their continuous running, and the next +morning two little tug-boats came up along side and pulled us out and +down the river. We were ordered "below decks," out of sight, but a few +borrowed sailor caps and stood on the lower deck to get a last long look +at old New York and the Statue of Liberty. As we neared the open water, +and the tall buildings began to fade away behind us, the cold facts of +the situation began to present themselves. We were leaving a land, the +only one we had ever known, to cross the fathomless ocean to another +land, and to battle-fields with horrors unknown. But we soon put such +thoughts aside when we were permitted to go on deck. The convoy was +slowly spreading out into formation, the battle-ship that accompanied us +going ahead as our protector. As soon as we reached the ocean, orders +were given not to go on deck without our life-preservers, and to stay on +the side of the boat which our color of tag designated. By night we were +using "sailor-terms" for every part of the boat. A detail was called +for, to stand watch in the "crows-nest" and other look-out stations. One +of the boys in the "crows-nest" said that "when we hit the rough sea, he +knew the top of that main mast touched the water when the boat made a +big heave to one side." + +A few days passed, uneventful except that we went through the usual +drill necessary in case there should be a fire or an attack by +submarines. Every man had his place to go in case of danger. At the gong +of a bell, every man would grab his life-preserver, and hurry, +supposedly in an orderly manner, to his portion of the deck. One of the +fellows asked John, the cook, if he expected one little life-preserver +to hold him up. Well, John didn't say anything, but that night he had a +couple of extras--"I might have to use them," was the only excuse he +would give. + +[Illustration: CAMP DONIPHAN, JANUARY, 1917: LT. EDWIN R. TENNEY, LT. +ADAM H. ADAMSON, LT. RICHARD T. SPECK, LT. ALPHEUS J. BONDURANT, LT. +PAUL R. SIBERTS.] + +[Illustration: STARTING HOME.] + +[Illustration: ARRIVAL IN KANSAS CITY, MAY 5, 1919.] + +After a few days out the ocean began to get rough, and the boat would +heave from side to side, and at the same time pitch forward and +backward. However, we soon got used to it, and did not mind it so much. +Some time that night one of the boys who had been on deck ran in, saying +"the rudder has broken"--and apparently something _was_ broken, for the +boat seemed to heave all the more, and to take a zig-zag course. Once or +twice it made a complete circle, and we began to think that they had +lost all control of it, but three sturdy sailors were sent up in the +stern to handle it by means of large pilot wheels. Our company was +quartered just beneath the officers kitchen, and during the roughest +part, the plates and other dishes began to roll from their places on the +shelves, breaking upon the floor. This made a very unpleasant sound, +above the uproar of a thousand other noises. During the rough sea, the +mess line began to thin out somewhat. Some would come into the mess +hall, but at the sight of food, they would turn pale and make a hurried +exit. + +Soon we ran into comparatively smooth water again, and one day our +boat's turn came for target practice. We drew away from the convoy, and +a buoy with a small flag on was dropped overboard. The gunners took +their turn shooting as the boat swung around, and once or twice they +came so close that we felt sure they had made a direct hit. The buoy was +knocked under the water, but the little thing soon appeared again. The +boys were naturally anxious to see them handle the guns, and they +crowded around as closely as possible, but after the first shot they +gave them more room. One fellow was standing directly behind the gun, +but upon the super-deck. He was so intent upon watching the operations +that when the gun fired its concussion knocked him off his feet. He got +up, took a wild look around and immediately left. Finally the big +six-inch gun in the stern sank the buoy. After cruising around all day, +and just as night was hovering over the sea, we again caught sight of +the convoy. We were certainly glad, too, for of course we felt more +comfortable with the other ships. + +It was on board the ship that we first became acquainted with the +censorship rules. The officers did a slashing business on our first +letters, and only a few unconnected lines ever reached the folks back +home. + +It was on the morning of May 29 that the news flew over the boat that +land was in sight. Although only 2 o'clock, day was breaking, and many +went on deck to see that which we had not seen for fourteen long days. +Upon reaching the deck, we could also see a number of little torpedo +destroyers darting here and there--small in size but powerful little +"watchdogs" of the sea. The "Mosquito Fleet" had arrived, and was +tearing through the water in all directions. We were thus escorted +through the danger zone, and had little fear of submarines. But we could +now understand why old "Chris Columbus" felt so glad upon seeing land. +As the day grew on we drew into the Irish Sea. The water was as smooth +as glass, with only little ripples disturbing its peacefulness. Jelly +fish of every shape and size could be seen through its clearness. Two +large dirigibles, and several aeroplanes came out to greet our convoy +and protect us in the dangerous waters. At one time we could see both +Bonnie Scotland and Ireland, where the channel was very narrow. + +About 10 o'clock that morning five long blasts from one of the ships was +heard--the signal for a submarine. The little sub chasers raced around +to our right and immediately began to fire upon an object. The big +dirigibles also made a nose dive, and turned loose with its machine +guns. Aroused by the shooting, we ran up on deck to see the action, but +were ordered below to await the outcome, and if there was ever a time +when we could have used an "island," it was then. However, nothing +serious developed, and afterwards we were told that it was a broken life +buoy which had been mistaken for a periscope. + +We were moving slowly, so very slowly that one could hardly feel the +throbbing of the tired engines that for twelve long days had worked +untiringly. From the officers' deck we could see the green and red guide +lights, welcoming our convoy of fifteen ships into the sheltered harbor +of Liverpool, England. + + + + +OUR FLYING TRIP THROUGH ENGLAND + + +We crawled out of our bunks just as dawn was breaking upon a new world +for us, and went on deck, where we saw, on a cliff, "Spratt's Dog Food" +printed in large white letters on a black background. Unpoetic and +unromantic indeed was this first sight of England. + +Here was where the "weary waiting" began, as we waited for the first +transport to unload its human cargo. Old man "bon chance" was with us +for the time being, for we were the second to dock. We stood on the +deck, complying with the English boys request "'ave you any coins" by +tossing them all the pennies we had. The men on the port side were first +ordered to fall in, and then those on the starboard side, for the +purpose of finding out if any of us had fallen overboard during our +journey. Finally, half walking and half sliding, down the gang-plank, we +stood on what was to us real land, only it was but one of the many +floating docks of England. + +On the side of the main street, Y. M. C. A. signs were seen, and +incidentally three live American girls, who were soon serving the +"to-be-heroes" with hot coffee, buns and cookies. Although they were war +buns and war cookies, without sugar, we enjoyed them to the utmost. + +A large, stately policeman stood guarding the gates to the street and +the docks. Some of us, wondering what was on the other side of the gate, +climbed up and peered over on a large, beautifully designed square, +which was crowded with women and children. But, alas, we were in a big +hurry, and did not get to parade before them, or to receive the embraces +and kisses which we were told awaited us. The R. T. O.'s (Railway +Transportation Officers) crowded us into a "miniature train," like the +ones seen in the parks in "God's Country," and we were soon on our way. + +We rode across streets and through buildings just like a runaway engine +might do. All the time pretty girls, dressed in overalls, waved at us +from factory windows. After numerous stops, and more tunnels, we passed +through the suburbs, traveling at a speed which did not seem possible +from the looks of the engine. + +We will never forget the beauty of the English villages, nestled snugly +between green hills, or the soothing effect of the winding brooks which +spread their cool waters over the well kept gardens. + +Three or four times the train stopped to take on water (or perhaps at +the command of the "top-cutter" in order to give the boys a chance to +open another can of "bully beef"). About midnight we grew weary of +sitting in our little compartments, and having cosmopolitan ideas, we +proceeded to make ourselves "at home." Some were packed upon the baggage +racks and managed to get a little sleep,--being used to the bunks on the +boat, it was not difficult to adjust ourselves to this situation. + +Sometime early in the morning we were awakened by a pounding at the +door, and thinking it was a fire call, or submarine drill, one chap +immediately began to feel around for his life-belt. He stuck his fist in +somebody's eye, and was soon told by that unfortunate person just where +he was. We fell in at the side of our "vest pocket edition of a train" +and marched off, and just as the sun was about to show his face, we +arrived at Camp Woodley, Romsey, England. After waiting for sometime to +be assigned to tents, which resembled a miniature Billy Sunday +tabernacle, we stretched our tired bodies on the soft pine boards and +listened intently for the "roar of cannon." Hearing nothing but the +songs of the birds, we decided that an armistice had been declared and +proceeded to make up for all the "couchey" we had lost. + +We had always been told that England was famous for her bounteous feeds, +and after all the bully beef we had consumed for our "Uncle," we thought +we were entitled to one of those dinners of roast suckling pig and plum +pudding. But alas, we were badly disappointed, because in place of the +former we had a piece of cheese, the size of which wouldn't be an +inducement even to a starved rat, and in place of the latter, we ate a +bit of salt pork. + +During our brief stay at Camp Woodley, we visited many historical +buildings and places. Among these was the old Abbey at Romsey, built in +the eleventh century, the walls of which plainly showed the ball marks +of Oliver Cromwell's siege against it. The pews in the Abbey were the +same old benches of old, and the altar was the work of an ancient +artist. Around the walls were carved the epitaphs and names of those who +were buried in its stately walls. Along with the tombs of the old +forefathers who had fought with the armor and lance were the tombs of +the late heroes, who fought with the methods of modern times. We signed +our names in the visitors book, along with King George and Ex-Kaiser +Wilhelm. + +Our hikes in the morning were enjoyed by everyone, over well kept roads +shaded from the hot sun by large over-hanging trees, the same old trees +and the same old Sherwood forest that Robin Hood knew so well. But as +Roger Knight says, "You can't _eat_ scenery!" + +After an enjoyable five days, spent in doing nothing much, we donned our +packs again and started for the Channel, a distance of twelve miles. +While walking thru the streets of Southampton, our throats parched and +our feet sore, we were cheered time and again by the women and children, +and many ran alongside of the marching column serving us cool water. We +sighed as we had to pass Ale Shops just as if they weren't there. About +noon we stopped at a Base Hospital to eat our picnic luncheon--(Bully +beef). + +Our first big thrill of "La Guerre" came when we saw some real live +Boche prisoners working on the roads. We watched them as a little boy +watches the elephant at the circus. One of the boys asked them, in +German, how they liked England, and they said they liked it much better +than fighting. + +After our slight repast, we again took up our yoke, and did one hundred +and twenty per until we reached the docks at Southampton. + + + + +FROM SOUTHAMPTON TO LE HAVRE + + +On the dock at Southampton, the British Y. M. C. A. operated a canteen, +selling hot coffee, cakes without sugar, and ginger bread made of ginger +and water. The supply lasted about fifteen minutes, as we were one +hungry bunch. + +We boarded the "Archangel," a small passenger boat, about 9 P. M. on the +sixth of June. In peace times the "Archangel" was used as a pleasure +steamer, but was converted into a troop ship to ply between Southampton +and Le Havre. It had three decks, which accommodated about 325 men each. +We donned our life-belts, as usual, and tried to make ourselves +comfortable, but like all troop ships, that was impossible. The men +tried sleeping on deck, but it turned too cold, and they tried below +deck. Some were sleeping in the once "state-rooms," but they were too +small to accommodate all, so the rest slept in gang-ways, on chairs, +benches and barrack bags. We were tired in body but our spirits were +high, and we wanted to see the front, so we lay down where we happened +to be, using our life-belts as pillows. While pulling out into the +harbor, we saw ships in dry dock with large holes in their hulls, others +with nothing above water but the masts, all caused by the submarines. +And when the little speed demon raised anchor and slipped out of the +harbor, we were all fast asleep, never dreaming of what lay before us in +France, and not caring a great deal either. We waited in the outside +harbor until dark, or about 10 o'clock, and then started our trip across +the channel. The boat made very good time, and the trip was uneventful. + +At about 7 A. M. we were called to breakfast, which consisted of the +customary bully-beef, coffee and hard-tack, and upon coming on deck, we +discovered that we were resting safely at one of the big docks of Le +Havre. The sun was shining bright and hot, and after unloading and +having our pictures taken by a moving picture camera, we were lined up +and marched toward the city proper of Le Havre. We were a tired, +disappointed bunch of men, for instead of the beautiful country we had +expected, we saw a factory infested city. The docks looked more like an +arsenal, with cases of ammunition everywhere, and it looked as if the +whole French and English armies were working there. + +On our march to the rest camp, we passed large bodies of French and +Indo-Chinese laborers unloading cars, and conveying merchandise to the +warehouses. It was a common sight to see two or three of them pulling a +large, two-wheeled cart full of ammunition. We also passed a number of +German prisoners working on the roads, with the usual "Poilu" present, +with his long rifle and bayonet. It was strange to see the French +carrying their guns just opposite to the way the American troops do. We +saw many large caliber guns and caissons, that were back from the front +for repair, also blocks of salvaged motor trucks. + +We marched about five miles to American Rest Camp No. 2, and were put +into an old cow-shed to sleep. It was the first billet we had in France, +and while it was not the most desirable place in the world to sleep, it +looked mighty good to us, as we had not had much rest since leaving +Romsey, England. + +We were issued meal tickets, and had English tea, war bread and cheese +for breakfast, "slum" and war bread for dinner, and English tea and +cheese for supper. We had a good night's sleep, but the next morning we +were hiked up on a mountain, where we were issued English gas-masks. We +went through a gas chamber, to see that the masks were O. K., and to +give us confidence in them. About noon trucks were brought up to take us +back to camp, and upon arriving there, we were given orders to roll +packs and be ready to move. Every one made a trip to the Y. M. C. A. +where we could buy our first American cigarettes since coming from the +States. We did not know where we were going, or when we could buy more. + + + + +OUR TRIP THROUGH FRANCE TO ELOYES + + +At three P. M. on June the eighth we rolled our packs and started on our +first venture into the mysteries of France. It took us about forty-five +minutes of steady hiking through hot and dusty streets to reach the +depot where we were to entrain. We found a long string of second and +third class coaches waiting for us. Our barrack bags and three days +rations had been loaded on two box cars by a special detail sent ahead +for that purpose. + +We crowded into our cars and all was ready to go. A description of a +French car might help one to get a better idea of our situation. The car +is only about one-half as long as an American coach and it is divided +into five separate compartments. Each compartment has a window and a +door on each side. There is a step on the outside running the entire +length of the car. It is just below the level of the floor and one can +walk from one compartment to the other if he is not afraid of falling +off the car. The compartment is about large enough for four persons to +ride in any degree of comfort if they have cushions to sit on; but the +Railway transport officer evidently thought that there would be more +room if the cushions were removed. There were eight of us to each +compartment. + +We were scheduled to leave at three P. M. and by rushing a little we +were loaded by a few minutes after that hour. We lived up to the +reputation of the Sanitary Train for always being on time and pulled out +of the station only three hours late. We thought at least that we were +going to see some of the beautiful France we had heard about. We had not +gone far when we realized that we were going to have plenty of time to +look at the scenery. France must have some very strict laws against +speeding for we never traveled faster than ten miles per hour and it was +very seldom that we ever went that fast. + +We ate our supper as soon as we were out of Le Havre. It was a very +hearty meal. Each man's issue was five crackers, one-eighth of a can of +"corn wooley," one-eighth of a can of tomatoes. He didn't have much +variation from that during the trip. + +Our next problem was, how were we going to sleep. It did not take long +to solve that. Two of the boys slept in the hat racks, four slept in +the seats and two slept on the floor between the seats. Part of the time +we slept piled on top of each other. When we woke up in the morning we +felt like we had sat up all night. + +The second day we began to get our first real sight of France. We saw +soldiers guarding the bridges and tunnels. Troop trains passed us all +day long going to from the front carrying both French and American +soldiers. We saw our first real barbed wire entanglements that day and +it made us realize that we were getting near the place where the +fighting was going on. The children all along the way attracted our +attention by running along the track crying "biskeet" and holding out +their hands. They looked queer to us. They wore a little black apron and +wooden shoes. Some of the fellows threw hard tack out the window to them +just to see them scramble for it. + +The rest of our trip was similar to the first day. We went by the way of +Rouen and Troyes and arrived in Epinal, a city on the edge of the Vosges +mountains, on the evening of June the tenth. We were a very tired and +hungry bunch for our rations had run low that morning and we had eaten +nothing but hard tack all day. + +We detrained there and marched through the town to an old military +prison of Napoleon's time. We were told that we would spend the night +there. There were several large buildings surrounded by a high stone +wall with only one gate and that was guarded by a French soldier. There +were about one hundred German prisoners in the building next to our +quarters. As we were not permitted to go up town the French people +thought that we were prisoners also. We were given our barrack bags that +night for the first time since we left the states. We were without any +funds so some of the boys who were fortunate enough to have some "Bull +Durham" stored away in their barrack bags disposed of it to the French +soldiers for a franc a package. It was an exchange where both parties +were satisfied. + +We learned that the division was billeted a few miles south and the next +morning we received orders to move to Eloyes at two P. M. Trucks were +furnished to haul our barrack bags and packs and we started out hiking +with our company in the lead of the train. We were half way there when +we saw our first aeroplanes in action along the front. There were five +of them in battle formation returning from the direction of the front. +We noticed that houses and lumber piles along the road were camouflaged. +This began to look like the war that we had heard about. We passed +through Arches, division headquarters at that time, about mess. We +thought that we were at the end of our long journey and could almost +taste our supper but we did not stop there. Just as we came in sight of +Eloyes it began to rain. It did not rain long and the sun came out just +as we were climbing the hill to our kitchen. There was a very pretty +rainbow with the end of it, so it seemed, right at our kitchen. That +was one time that there was something better than a pot of gold at the +end of the rainbow, for the cooks had supper almost ready for us. It +certainly tasted good to us after our long hike. + +It began raining almost immediately after supper and rained most of the +night. We stood around in the rain until almost eleven P. M., while the +Major de Cantonment was explaining that he had no billets for us. We +were tired enough to pitch our pup tents and sleep in the streets but +finally we marched about a mile out of town and were put in a barn for +the night. One of the boys said he will always feel like a criminal for +robbing a calf of its bed and also for carrying away about a thousand +"petite crawling animals." + +We marched back to town the next morning about eight A. M. and enjoyed a +breakfast of bacon, hardtack and coffee. During the day the soldiers who +occupied the town moved out and by five o'clock our company was located +in fairly good billets. + +It rained so consistently that we did not get to drill for over a week. +We were issued our overseas caps and spiral leggins a few days after we +arrived in Eloyes. At the same time we turned in our barrack bags and +russet shoes. We were equipped for the trenches. + +We began drilling by going out under some trees and practicing with our +gas masks. A few days later we received litters and then our real +drilling began. "Patients" would be sent out and located on the sides of +the steep hills and the litter bearers were supposed to locate them and +bring them safely down the almost impassable paths. + +However, the boys were not worked very hard and they had plenty of time +to spend with the inhabitants learning to "parlez Francais." Many of the +soldiers acquired private instructors in the shape of small French boys +who were only too glad to be adopted by the Americans. The typewriter in +the office was a big drawing card for children. There was always a large +bunch hanging around to watch "Abe" operate the machine. + +We received some English army trucks here and after teaching them to +"Talk American" used them as ambulances. We evacuated the sick of the +division to Field Hospital 137 at Eloyes. + +About the middle of June the division was ordered up to take over the +sector east of us in Alsace. Lieut. Siberts took a detachment with +trucks to Bussang to cover the movement, evacuating his patients to +Field Hospital 139 which went into action there. This detachment was the +first detachment of the Sanitary Train to operate in Alsace. + + + + +IN ACTION ON THE WESSERLING SECTOR + + +Late in June, 1918, the 35th Division relieved the French troops on a +portion of the front line in Alsace. Ambulance Company 139 entered +Alsace on June 24th and located in the quiet little village of Ranspach, +thus being the first company of the 110th Sanitary Train to cross the +former boundary line between French and German soil. Ranspach is near +the much larger factory town of Wesserling, and, Division Headquarters +being located at the latter place, the whole 12 or 15 kilometres of +front held by the 35th Division has come to be termed the "Wesserling +Sector". The front line itself was about ten kilometres east of +Wesserling. + +Practically the whole front in Alsace was made up of what were called +"quiet" sectors, to distinguish them from "active" sectors. Alsace is +mountainous and the mountains are usually heavily timbered. The valleys +are narrow, and the main ones run north by south. The front lines also +ran north by south, parallel to the valleys. Hence, neither side could +gain ground without paying dearly for it. By a sort of mutual +understanding, both the French and the German troops had come to regard +Alsace as a place to rest, after the strenuous campaigns on other +fronts. When our fresh troops came, they made Alsace a less quiet front, +but for the most part they merely held their ground, as the French had +done for nearly four years after having pushed the Germans back part way +through Alsace in August, 1914. It was a final training area for +American divisions that had just arrived overseas. + +Ambulance Company 139 maintained its headquarters at Ranspach for +exactly one month. During that time, however, most of the company was at +the front. Those who were left did not have to drill, for we were within +aerial observation and no formations could be stood. The trenches were +scarcely five miles away, tho by the winding road up through the +mountains it was twice that far. The main diversion during the day was +watching the anti-aircraft batteries shoot at the Boche aeroplanes. On +the morning of July 3rd we were rewarded for our patience, upon seeing +our first Boche plane fall after being hit. It must have been 5000 ft. +in the air when hit, and made a straight nose dive for the earth, but +before it landed, it righted itself and spun around like a leaf until it +hit the ground. + +Every evening we would have our supper contested. An old man and his dog +grazed a herd of goats during the day, and brought them home in the +evening, just when we were eating. They passed right by our kitchen and +tried their best to help themselves to our supper. As the goats passed +by their respective houses, the dog would separate them and run them +into their own yards. In the morning, at the sound of a horn, the goats +would run out of their houses and join the collective herd. + +Canes became the style from the buck private up, and every evening we +would go walking, Wesserling, St. Amarin, or the cherry trees on the +sides of the mountain being the chief points of interest. The canes were +a great help in climbing the hills. + +For the first time since our arrival in France we were paid, and in +French money, and that evening "vin rouge" reigned supreme in the little +village. It didn't take us long to become accustomed to francs and +centimes, instead of dimes and quarters. + +Within two days after reaching Ranspach we sent out small detachments of +litter bearers to Nennette, Duchet and Wagram, as the 35th Division was +already moving up to relieve the French. The last named detachment +returned two days later, because no American infantry was to hold that +portion of the line. Still later the detachment at Nennette moved to +Larchey. + +After studying the maps and roads of the sector, the company commander +decided to divide it into two subsectors, the one on the right centering +at Larchey, and the one on the left at Mittlach. Accordingly, on June +29th, two detachments from the company left Ranspach together. One +detachment of ten men, Lt. Bates, was to take to Larchey; the other of +seven men, Lt. Monteith, was to take to Mittlach. As the company had no +ambulances, all the men hiked, carrying their packs. One of the Sanitary +Service Units commonly known as the "S. S. U." had been attached to our +company for ambulance service, so one of its Ford ambulances started out +by another route to haul the officers' luggage and some medical supplies +to the two stations. There was a box of surgical dressings and a box of +food for each station. And herein lies one of the mysteries of the war. +The ambulance stopped at Larchey first, as it was the nearer of the two +points, but while the box of surgical dressings reached Mittlach, the +box of food never did. Was it left at Larchey or lost in transit? Before +the two detachments reached Larchey they separated, the detachment +headed for Mittlach keeping the main road. When it arrived at Mittlach +late that evening the Ford ambulance had already gone, and it left no +food box there. Sgt. Pringle accused Sgt. Knight of the theft, and +therein lies an argument to this day. + +In each of the two sectors the same plan was followed so far as the +handling of casualties was concerned. Detachments of litter bearers went +out to the different dressing stations established by the sanitary +detachments of the infantry. These dressing stations, or infirmaries, as +they are sometimes called, were located as close to the front lines as +wounded men could be collected with safety. The 138th Infantry held the +lines in front of Larchey, and the 137th Infantry in front of Mittlach. +Sgt. Wiershing had already taken one litter squad to Mittlach and from +there on out to a post called Braunkopf, where the infirmary of the +third battalion was located. + +The French had an Alpine Ambulance at Mittlach and another at Larchey. +It is well, here, to say a few words about these organizations. They in +no way resemble our American Ambulance Companies, corresponding rather +to our Field Hospitals, though even more complete than these. Alpine +Ambulances were usually within three kilometres of the front line and +often in plain view of the enemy. Hence they must be housed in dugouts. +The one at Mittlach consisted of a series of underground chambers roofed +over with heavy timbers and stone. There was a well equipped operating +room and a chamber for treating gassed patients. The whole thing was +lighted by electricity. In fact, it was a modern hospital located within +a mile and a half of the front line trenches. + +The staff of each Alpine Ambulance was permanent. It did not move away +when the French Infantry left a sector; hence the natural and logical +thing to do was to secure permission to use the Alpine Ambulance as a +dressing station. This we did at both Larchey and Mittlach. In the +former case the dressing station was operated by Lt. Vardon and a detail +from our company; in the latter case by a detachment from Ambulance +Company 138. The French willingly placed their hospital equipment at the +disposal of these detachments. + +At both Larchey and Mittlach each litter squad consisted of four men +equipped with one litter, and, where the road was suitable, a +two-wheeled litter cart. The detachment at Larchey also had a mule which +was supposed to pull the litter cart, but usually the men pulled it +rather than bother fetching the mule. Theoretically the battalion aid +stations of the infantry should be well up toward the front line trench +so that the wounded can receive prompt attention. The litter bearers of +the Ambulance Company are supposed to take the wounded after first aid +has been given, and carry them back to the ambulance dressing station, +where an ambulance takes them on back to a field hospital. In practice +this plan did not always work out while we were in the Vosges Mountains. +The front line was so irregular and good locations for battalion aid +stations so few that they were sometimes almost in the front line +trench, and at other times quite far back. As a result it was frequently +impossible to place relay posts so as to equalize the work of our litter +squads. + +In the Larchey sector there was one main road leading out toward the +front. About two kilometres from Larchey, at a point called Brun, this +road branched, the branches leading to points named Vialet, Sermet, +Fokeday and Old Colette. We had litter squads stationed at each of the +above named points. An ambulance could go from Larchey to Brun in +daylight without being seen by the Germans so when a litter squad had +carried their patient to Brun, they telephoned in to Larchey for the +ambulance. A separate road led from Larchey to a point to the northeast +called DeGalbert. Two litter squads were stationed there, and later a +mule was sent down, to be used for pulling the litter cart. Two litter +squads were also sent to Vialet and some men had to be kept in reserve +at Larchey. By July 4th we had about thirty-two men in the Larchey +sector. + +At Mittlach our territory was divided into two distinct parts by a +rather wide valley that ran straight east and west for about one +kilometre below the town, and then joined the main valley running north +and south. The German trenches were on the eastern slope of this main +valley and ours were on the western slope and in the valley itself. The +German artillery had a clear sweep at Mittlach and the side valley, +which could not be crossed in the daytime. Nor was it practical for an +ambulance to go east of Mittlach in daylight. Hence we had to establish +two distinct routes of evacuation for litter cases. The northern route +led from Mittlach out along the side of the mountain to Krantz, where a +relay squad was stationed. Further on at Braunkopf we stationed another +litter squad in the battalion aid station. About three kilometres beyond +Braunkopf, at a point called Runtz, we had another squad. This station +was at the extreme left of the sector held by the 35th Division +Infantry, and was a good eight kilometres from Mittlach. Both Runtz and +Braunkopf evacuated to Krantz, where the relay squad took the patients +and either hauled them by litter carts or carried them to Mittlach. On +the southern route the main road from Mittlach led to Camp Dubarle, +where we stationed six men as a relay. Other squads were stationed +beyond Dubarle at the ruined village of Metzeral, at D'Angeley, and at +Camp Martin, the latter being about nine kilometres southeast of +Mittlach. All patients collected on the southern route were evacuated +through Dubarle. These numerous posts required many men, so that by July +4th there were forty from the company at Mittlach. The last detachments +that left Ranspach were a disappointed lot. The company was preparing a +big dinner for the next day, and some of these men had worked helping to +prepare it--then they had to shoulder their packs late on the night of +the 3rd of July and hike to Larchey and Mittlach. + +During the month that this company had a detachment at Larchey there +were two raids in that sector. About the sixth of July, Company "H" of +the 138th Infantry made a raid. The artillery preparation began at 7:45 +in the evening and at 8:30 the raiding party of one officer and 238 men +went over the top. They were gone one-half hour, and at about the same +time that they came back to our trenches the first wounded were brought +in by the stretcher bearers from the line organizations. Meantime our +litter squads had known of the contemplated raid, so they were ready to +receive the wounded and litter them on back to Brun. The raid took place +directly in front of Vialet. From there to Brun it was nearly five +kilometres, and uphill. Litter bearing is strenuous work at best, but it +is doubly so when performed in the dark, and over strange, up-hill +trails. There were in all nineteen patients to carry that night. The +first patient, carried by Joe Barnes, Vesper, Toohey and John Crowley, +was a Boche. The job lasted nearly all night, and it was getting +daylight when the last wounded man reached Larchey next morning. The +work of the infantry had lasted not quite a half hour. + +Nearly a week later the Germans attempted a raid early one morning, but +it was easily repulsed. The work of our detachment during the remainder +of the month consisted mostly of carrying occasional patients, and +making the climbs back and forth to meals. In some cases this was no +small task. Frequently a litter squad would have to go a quarter of a +mile or more after rations, and the trails were steep and narrow. Then +there were occasional bombardments by the Germans, and the first shell +was enough to set everyone going for a dugout. During one bombardment a +large shell exploded close to a dugout occupied by three of our men, and +caved it in. Covington was one of the three men, and the event was more +or less immortalized by his song, a parody on "When you wore a tulip, +and I wore a big red rose": + + "I was sleeping in a dugout right up close to the front line, + Now I was feeling fine, when those Dutch they issued mine; + They shot some high explosives right in my dugout door, + And since that time my dugout is no more. + I grabbed my full equipment then and started back to town, + For those dirty kraut eaters had torn my play house down. + + _Chorus._ + + When they blew up my dugout, my most substantial dugout, + Then I got right on my toes; + And when that shrapnel busted, I was thoroughly disgusted + And the speed I made, no one knows. + When I started running, my feet had a yearning + To go from where the shrapnel flows; + So when he blew up my dugout, I got my clothes and tore out, + The reason--the Lord only knows." + +On another night, when Lt. Vardon and Sergeants Knight and Childs were +racing for a dugout, Lt. Vardon ran past the entrance. The glare cast by +a nearby shell explosion lighted up the dugout and, doubling back, Lt. +Vardon beat Childs into it. A man casts dignity aside and sprints when +shells begin dropping around him. + +At Mittlach there were no raids in the proper sense of the term. No +detachment of the infantry ever went over the top there. But there were +numerous casualties among our troops, due to the activity of German +snipers and to accidents. Then, too, the German artillery had such an +open sweep at the town of Mittlach and the valley below it, that several +Americans were either killed or wounded by shrapnel. In fact, the very +evening that our main detachment arrived in Mittlach, a corporal of the +137th Infantry was killed by a shell as he stood in the street reading a +letter. This was the first casualty in the regiment, so the chaplain +decided to give the man a military funeral, firing squad and all. He +made the funeral arrangements over the telephone and set the time for +the funeral at 9 o'clock the next evening. The time for the funeral came +and the procession was just leaving the Alpine Ambulance when the German +artillery again began shelling the town. There were, by actual count, +just twenty-two men in the street when the first three-inch shell came +whining towards the town. It took one of those shells about six seconds +to reach Mittlach after it could first be heard, and when the first one +exploded nearby, half of those twenty-two men had already scrambled into +the door of the nearest dugout. And it was only an average size door at +that. This was the first real shelling most of the twenty-two men had +experienced, yet they took to cover as if they were used to doing it. On +another occasion a sudden bombardment caught Lt. Speck and Lt. Martin +unawares. A three-inch shrapnel ushered them around a corner and into a +dugout in record time--the one ahead trying to keep ahead, and the one +behind, trying his best to get ahead. + +The ruined town of Metzeral was the foremost point occupied by any of +our litter squads at Mittlach. It was in the main valley to the south +and east of Mittlach. The American trenches ran zig-zag through the +town--along tumble-down walls, into old cellars and basements, through +neglected gardens, and around the corner of the ruined church itself. +One ducked instinctively as he passed some of the low places in the +walls, for the German trenches were visible a few hundred yards away on +the eastern slope of the valley. + +The ambulance work at Mittlach and Larchey was done partly by the mule +ambulances of Ambulance Company 140 and partly by the Fords of the S. S. +U. outfit. From the various advance aid stations, the patients were +transported by ambulance to a relay station called Treh, situated about +five kilos back of Larchey. Lt. Hancock, of Ambulance Company 137 was in +charge at Treh, having two motor and two mule drawn ambulances ready to +receive and transport the patients back to the various Field Hospitals, +which were located at Kruth and neighboring towns, well out of range of +the German guns. + +On the whole, the time spent in the Wesserling sector was a period of +training for our company, and in fact for the whole Sanitary Train. We +learned something about maps and trails, and especially that trails on +maps and trails on mountain sides are two very different things. We +learned also to respect our gas masks and helmets. They became our +constant companions. Indeed, the sight of school children six and eight +years old going through gas mask drill in the streets of Mittlach was +enough to make anyone think about his gas mask. All the civilians there +carried masks as they went about their daily work. We learned too, the +value of camouflage along the sides of roads, and also the wisdom of +keeping behind it. The litter bearers learned to handle patients in all +sorts of tight places, and they did their work creditably. We saw a +little example of German propaganda, also. On June 30th the Boche sent +small balloons over our lines, and to the balloons they attached cards +bearing the following message on both sides: + + "Soldiers of the U. S. A. + + As we hear from your comrades seized by us, your officers say + that we kill prisoners of war or do them some other harm. + + Don't be such Greenhorns! + + How can you smart Americans believe such a silly thing?" + +Needless to say, this sort of propaganda made no impression on the +American troops. + +We spent nearly a month in the Wesserling sector. At the end of that +time, Ambulance Company 137 relieved us at Larchey, and Ambulance +Company 140 at Mittlach. We were glad to move back across the boundary +line into France and settle in the sleepy little village of Ventron, +where we could hang up our gas masks and helmets, and almost forget +there was a war. + + + + +VENTRON + + +Ventron, a typical French village, nestles in a peaceful valley. To the +right of the town a broad green meadow stretches out, to be broken at +the foot of the mountain by a small, sparkling stream of water. The +crude stone houses, few in number, are built adjoining each other, +forming irregular lines. A large, quaint, high-steepled church, one +shop, several cafes and one hotel, probably patronized by tourists in +summer, make up the town. The prevailing cleanliness of Ventron +naturally impressed us. Without exception, it was the cleanest town in +which we were billeted during our stay in France. + +Needless to say, a sigh of satisfaction could be heard when word reached +us to the effect that we would be billeted in barracks, instead of the +usual hay mow. Having learned to adapt ourselves to the surroundings, +most of us were by this time able to carry on a speaking conversation +with all domestic animals, so this change to cleaner barracks somewhat +elated us, for we would no doubt feel more like human beings. + +Our duties were few, consisting of "setting up exercises" and perhaps a +two-hour hike in the morning, and gas mask drill (a most unpleasant +duty) in the afternoon. It was on one of our hikes that we discovered in +a secluded spot on the mountain top an old priest's hermitage. Here in a +small white stone shack lived this eccentric old man and worshipped in +his peculiar way. + +Huckleberries and other wild berries grew abundantly on the hillsides, +and oftentimes while we were there a volunteer squad issued forth with +pails, to return later with pails loaded to the brim with berries. And +each evening by the candle light, with "seven-and-a-half" in vogue, we +commented most favorably upon those delicious huckleberry pies, just +like the ones mother used to make. + +During our stay at Ventron a detail of fifteen men was sent to Kruth, 15 +kilometres away, to oversee the erecting of a field hospital. From +reports that came back, our men were the engineers, and were forced to +do most of the work, much to their dismay. + +Here also a Y. M. C. A. secretary came to our company, and through him +on several occasions we were delightfully entertained. We were now able +to purchase cigars, cigarettes, chocolate and other necessities of +soldier life. + +Bathing facilities were of the poorest--in fact, none at all, as a +bathtub is a rare luxury among the French small-town people. Few of us +were bold enough to brave the cold mountain stream for a plunge. After +things had reached a climax, in that any time during the day a man could +be seen frantically scratching himself in a dozen places at once, and +singing "They Go Wild, Simply Wild Over Me," the company marched to +Cornimont, the nearest town, where we were "decootized," that is, we +were given a bath and all of our clothing was sterilized. + +One evening at the hotel several of us ate our first "horse steak," at +least we were told that it was such, and the more we thought of it the +more we believed it true. After three weeks of this life, with plenty of +good food, sleep, exercise and entertainment, we were eager to be back +in the fray. Moving orders came, and early in August we took over our +second sector of the line. + + + + +LE COLLET + + +August 12th, the day we left Ventron, was hot, and being crowded into a +dusty truck added nothing to the enjoyment of the trip. We wound up and +up the sides of the picturesque Vosges mountains, passing many an old +Frenchman plodding along with his oxen and logging wagon. Once we pulled +into the gutter to let a long truck train pass, going down the hill. +Shortly afterwards one of our trucks, heavily loaded with litters, boxes +and men, ran into a hole and came near tipping over the steep bank. +After about two hours' work it was gotten out, although it had to be +unloaded and reloaded. No further trouble was encountered, and we +reached the top of the hill in due time. After the hustle and bustle of +unloading we had supper. After supper everyone began to look for a spot +to sleep, and most of the men ended the search by making beds on the +grass on the hillside. + +[Illustration: LOOKING NORTHWEST INTO VARENNES.] + +[Illustration: CHAUDRON EME. AND MONTREBEAU WOOD.] + +[Illustration: MEMBERS OF 139TH AMBULANCE COMPANY BEFORE UNIFORMS WERE +ISSUED.] + +[Illustration: MEMBERS OF 139TH AMBULANCE COMPANY AFTER UNIFORMS WERE +ISSUED.] + +It was dark when we arrived at Le Collet, and the next morning we had +our first view of the camp. Situated on a high range of hills, it would +have commanded a wonderful view of the surrounding country but for the +tall trees which covered the hills in every direction. The camp was +composed of several long, low French barracks, arranged in haphazard +style on one side of the road on the hilltop, and many more down the +valley, between and on both sides of the forked road leading down to the +city of Gerardmer, about twenty kilometres distant. One of the barracks +on the hilltop, just at the fork of the road, was used for a triage, our +office, supply room and sleeping quarters for several men. About one +hundred feet back of this barrack, and reached by a narrow rock road, +was a big shed used for housing Gen. McClure's limousine and one or two +Ford ambulances. To one side of this road and just in front of the shed +was our kitchen, covered by a fly tent. + +A French canteen, Red Cross, Y. M. C. A. and Major du Cantonement +occupied the remainder of the hilltop barracks. Across the road from the +triage was a large barnlike structure which served as the terminal of +the electric tramway. This tramway connected Le Collet with Gerardmer by +a steam road which came about half way. Its many cars groaning up and +down the hill was one of the most noticeable features of Le Collet. It +was used for bringing up supplies and also to evacuate patients to the +hospitals at Gerardmer. + +The 69th Infantry Brigade was ordered to take over from the French the +sector immediately north of the front being held at that time by the +70th Brigade. We were ordered to accompany the brigade and evacuate it +to Field Hospital 138, which went into action at the little summer +resort town of Gerardmer. We were to establish a triage at the camp of +Le Collet, which was perched on top of the divide which formerly marked +the boundary line between France and Germany. + +Our work in this sector, except that of the triage, was carried on at +three advanced dressing stations and a relay station. Running from south +to north, the dressing stations were Nicholas, Morlier and Richard. The +relay post was at Spitzenfels, situated on the road from Le Collet, +where it forked to go to Nicholas and Morlier. + +The work at Nicholas was taken over by Lieut. Siberts and a detachment +of twenty-five men, who established a dressing station in connection +with the French Alpine Ambulance Service. The entire detachment, with +the exception of six men who remained at the station, was sent to the +battalion aid stations to act as litter bearers, their duties consisting +of carrying patients from the battalion aid stations to the ambulance +station. Detachments were also sent out to Moriez, Miradore, Jourdan, +Eck and Amphersbach. + +The activities in this area were very small, consisting principally of +sniping by machine guns and an occasional artillery duel. The latter +sometimes became interesting to the party at Nicholas, because the +artillery was directly behind the station and the arc of fire was +overhead, both for the Boche and our own boys. Many were the times when +they all ducked for a friendly dugout door, to the tune of a screaming +shell. + +In connection with this station there was a motorcycle with litter +sidecar operated by an Englishman. He carried all single cases to +Spitzenfels thus relieving the ambulances from extra runs. This +Englishman was a good scout and was liked by all. + +Lieut. Siberts was relieved a few days after the station was established +by a lieutenant of the 162 Ambulance Company, and reported at the +company triage to operate that station. + +The detail for the dressing station at Morlier left Le Collet shortly +after dinner on August 13th, under command of Lieut. Vardon. Our program +was to go by truck to Spitzenfels, where, after dark, for much of the +road to be traveled was under enemy observation, we were to be picked up +by a supply train and taken to our destination. But the best laid plans +will sometimes go wrong, and in this case a confusion of orders stopped +the supply train before it had gone far, and there was nothing for us to +do but proceed on foot. The road was a long one, winding up the +mountainside, past the ruins of many buildings that had once been the +homes of shepherds, lighted up now and then by a brilliant star-shell, +while an occasional rifle shot, or rather a machine gun, sounding almost +underneath us, broke the silence. Finally about midnight, after +following the many twists and turns in the road, each of which it seemed +must be the last, we arrived at our destination. + +Morlier was situated about five miles north of Nicholas, on the same +ridge of hills. It was built on the opposite side of a small hill from +the lines, and about a quarter mile distant. Dugouts and small shacks +formed the principal part of the camp, and most of the best dugouts had +heavy half-circular corrugated steel ceilings. This metal was painted +white to make the interior light. Several rooms in the Alpine Ambulance +Station were fixed this way. + +The dressing station was established in the Alpine Ambulance. Lieut. +Vardon and about nine men formed the personnel of this place. The one +outpost was Barbarot, about a half mile to the north. Morlier was +approachable by night only by a rock road which wound up the hillside in +full view of the German lines. In daylight the only safe way was by a +gallery about a mile long which ran over the hill from Camp Bouquet, a +branch of which ran down to Barbarot. The gallery was a trench about six +feet deep, sided up and roofed over with branches and camouflaged. + +In the Alpine Ambulance we found such luxuries as electric lights, piano +and talking machine and furniture much better than we had been used to, +all taken from "Altenberg," the former summer home of the Kaiser, which +was near by. The French and British soldiers there proved to be +excellent companions and treated us royally. + +We were close to the lines and under constant observation, but when the +first two days passed uneventfully our boldness grew. However, just at +supper time on the third day "Jerry" woke us up by planting eight shells +in the kitchen, and from then on did not let us forget that he was near +by. Bombardments were frequent, while wandering German patrols paid our +vicinity frequent visits at night. Our work consisted mostly of handling +the sick, as there were very few wounded, this being a "quiet" sector. + +Our stay was not without its humorous incidents, such as the time when +one of our dignified "non-coms," at the sound of the first exploding +shell, dove into bed, and, pulling the blankets over his head, remarked +that "even a blanket might help some if a shell hit," and the time when +our commanding officer, deceived by a false gas alarm, wore his gas mask +for nearly three hours in the middle of the night before discovering +that we would be breathing only the purest of mountain air without it. + +Our pleasant stay at Morlier came to an end when the division was +relieved on the night of September 1st. The enemy, scenting a troop +movement, kept up a steady bombardment, and it was well towards morning +before we were able to make a getaway. The trip was an exciting one, as +it was necessary to run a gauntlet of exploding shells. Gas was also +encountered, but, in spite of it all, we all arrived safely about +daybreak at company headquarters. + +Richard was situated in a narrow gap on the bank of Lac Noir (meaning +Black Lake). The dressing station there was established by Lieut. +Monteith and a detachment of twenty-five men. The outposts were Vignal +and Pairis, and detachments of litter bearers were sent to each of those +places, which were occupied by the Infantry Battalion Aid Stations. +Later Lieut. Bates and six men arrived from Rudlin, where a station had +been established but abandoned. Relay litter squads were formed, thus +making the work lighter. + +The men on outpost duty at Pairis were billeted in an old hotel +basement, where there was running water, electric lights and real beds, +but even with these luxuries at their disposal they can hardly be said +to have had an enjoyable time. This hotel had a road running alongside, +and whenever anyone appeared in the road, the Boche immediately opened +up on the hotel with high explosives and shrapnel. The boys got to be +experts at hitting the cellar entrance on a moment's notice--in fact, +they stayed pretty close to it at all times, unless at the kitchen, +which was about three hundred yards distant. + +The outpost at Vignal was not so well situated, but was rarely shelled. +This party took part in a raid which was pulled off just before they +were relieved. They went out with the raiding party to its starting +point and remained until the raid was over, when they evacuated the +wounded to the foot of the hill below Richard, from where the litter +cases were taken to the top of the hill by squads from Richard. At +Richard there was big preparation when word of the intended raid was +received. Two spare ambulances and twelve men were ordered out from Le +Collet. When the word was telephoned up that three litter cases were on +the way, a detachment of nineteen men went to the bottom of the hill and +brought the wounded to the station, where they were dressed and sent to +the triage. + +The work of both the outposts was highly complimented by the battalion +surgeons. The Americans at Richard were relieved by French Colonials. In +coming in, the French seemed to have attracted the attention of the +Boche, and as a result they received an unmerciful shelling. One litter +case and two walking cases was the toll, and they were evacuated through +our station, much to the satisfaction of the French authorities. + +On August 13th a detachment of six men and two ambulances was sent from +Le Collet to the relay post at Spitzenfels. Ambulances and drivers from +the 162nd Ambulance Company, 41st Division, were attached to our company +to furnish motor transportation to and from the different stations, as +we had no ambulances at that time. Spitzenfels was a French Red Cross +post and an ambulance relay station. It was located on a mountain side +in the midst of a thick pine forest and at a junction of the +Paris-Strassburg road, about three kilometres inside of the +France-Alsace boundary line. The place had not been shelled by the +Germans for four years and was very quiet. The billets were comfortable +and rainproof, making it an ideal place to stay. + +Upon first taking over the station at Spitzenfels we worked with the +French medical men, but they soon left, leaving the entire station to +us. The duties were comparatively light, consisting of making a sick +call at 9 A. M. to two infantry aid stations, and transferring the sick +and wounded back to the triage. Another duty was to give out Red Cross +supplies, mostly tobacco and hot chocolate, to the passing soldiers. +Most of the Red Cross business was with the French troop, as very few of +the American forces knew of the station, and thus were unable to take +advantage of it. + +At the triage Lieut. Siberts was in charge, with the assistance of a +sergeant and three men, and their work testified that they were on the +job. They had to unload all ambulances, register all cases, sort out the +ones for the various hospitals and reload them into the ambulances, or +onto the tram car. They were compelled to work at all hours. + +One incident to be long remembered by all the company was the big fire +of the truck at Le Collet on the night all the posts were relieved. Two +men were attempting to fill a Pierce-Arrow truck with gasoline, by the +aid of a candle, when there was an explosion and the entire truck caught +fire. The blaze shot thirty feet into the air and could be seen for +miles around. It was a wonder that the place was not shelled, because it +was as light as day and crowded with soldiers. + +On September 1st the order came to move again, and the old routine of +packing and loading was on. We were not sorry to leave Le Collet, +because our stay had not been long enough to let us become attached to +the place. We were not sorry, for another reason. Rumor was, now that +our training was over, that we were to go north and take active part in +the great battles that were then raging on the western front. The term +"shock troops" came into use, and all were proud to belong to a division +so designated. With our movement came orders to turn over our dressing +stations and triage to Ambulance Company 39, of the 6th Division. This +was their first trip up to the front, and as none of them had ever heard +a Boche shell ring, we had a lot of fun yarning to them about the things +they would soon experience. + + + + +THE MARCH FROM LUNEVILLE TO BENNEY + + +After being relieved in the Vosges sector by the 6th Division, +headquarters of the 35th Division was moved from Gerardmer to Rosieres, +a rest camp in the Luneville area. In the evening of September 2nd we +left Le Collet in trucks, and arrived at Barbey-Seroux about midnight. +Pup tents were pitched in an open field, and for two days and nights +they served as our homes. + +At 9 o'clock on the morning of September 4th the entire 110th Sanitary +Train started on the march for the railhead at La Haussiere, about +fourteen kilos away. Full field equipment was carried by each man, and a +lunch, consisting of one bacon and one jam sandwich, which turned out to +be the only rations for the next twenty-eight hours. + +Arriving at La Haussiere about 1 P. M., the sanitary train boarded the +box cars. A previous train carrying troops on this route had been +attacked by Boche airplanes, so we had machine guns mounted on a flat +car to be prepared for any which might attack us. Fortunately, or +unfortunately, we saw none and so missed what would have been an +interesting experience. + +The destination of this trip was to be Benney. The trucks carrying the +kitchen and supplies went overland, and the intention was that there +should be a hot supper waiting for us on our arrival. The railroad +passed through several towns within a very short distance of Benney, and +why we didn't detrain at one of these has always been a deep, dark +mystery. At the time we were on the train we did not know what our +destination was to be, and we only found out after reaching Luneville at +8 P. M. that we were confronted with the necessity of retracing a large +part of our trip--but this time on foot, and supperless to boot. + +While we were waiting for the 140th Ambulance Company to unload its +mules and ambulances we laid down upon the muddy sidewalks and watched +the powerful flashlights searching the sky for Boche airplanes. +Luneville was a favorite visiting place for such planes, and the +shattered buildings testified to the accuracy of their aim. + +About 11 P. M. the column was formed and began to move on the long and +never-to-be-forgotten hike to Benney. Ambulance Company 139 was the last +marching company, with Ambulance Company 140 bringing up the rear. The +orders were no lights, and only men tagged sick would be allowed to ride +in the twelve mule ambulances. + +Major Salisbury was in command of the train, and at 1 A. M. ordered a +halt of two hours. Some of the men unrolled their packs and wrapped +themselves in their blankets, while others laid down in the mud and +managed to get a little sleep, covered only by their raincoats. When the +column resumed the march several of the men were left sleeping +peacefully alongside of the road, against trees or upon piles of rocks. +Here we nearly lost Lieut. Bates, who fortunately awoke just as the last +ambulance was passing by. + +It soon began to rain, and by 3:30 the men were splashing through a +regular downpour. When the orders to fall in were passed back, most of +the men would turn their backs, and give their faces a brief rest from +the stinging cuts of the rain. Others would sink down on the roadside, +regardless of mud or water. It was a weird looking lot of soldiers that +marched into Blainville, with raincoats thrown over their heads and +packs to prevent them, especially the latter, from becoming soaked with +rain. Many here found an empty hayloft and lost no time in getting to +sleep, leaving the column to struggle on without them. + +As the eastern sky was beginning to show signs of the welcome daybreak, +the rain diminished to a light but uncomfortable drizzle. Slowly but +steadily the column moved on through the towns of Rehainville, +Haussonville and Velle-sur-Meuse. Upon entering each small town every +man in the train was hoping that that would be the end of the hike. The +morning of the 5th wore away, and as the wet and weary column continued +to leave town after town behind, the men came to the conclusion that we +were "lost again," and that we were doubling back toward Bayon, through +which they had passed the day before on the train. + +Since daybreak straggling had become general. After leaving Haussonville +there was hardly a kilo that did not claim its group of stragglers. The +heavy laden plum trees along the roadside helped thin the ranks, because +the men had had nothing to eat for breakfast but a few pieces of +water-soaked bacon and bread. During one of the hourly ten-minute rest +periods Tony Cataldi, who was perched up in a plum tree enjoying the +delicious plums, was seen by a passing officer and immediately ordered +down. Unable to see who was giving the order, on account of the leaves +and rain, he inquired with true Italian curiosity, "Who in de h--l are +you?" He soon found out that the officer was in command of the column. + +As the men continued their weary way there was little talking--the men +had enough to do in keeping going. By this time the companies were +reduced to platoons, for buck privates, non-coms and even company +commanders were falling out. The only thing that kept the rest going was +pride. Pride would not allow them to drop out while others were "making +the riffle." + +The last mile told. The long hill that hid the little town of Benney was +lined with the men who had fallen out. Just twenty-eight men out of the +ninety that left Luneville with our company pulled into the town about +11:30 A. M. They had made the entire trip without dropping out or having +their packs hauled. They had marched 14 kilos, ridden seven hours in box +cars, and then marched 41 kilos more, all this on a two-sandwich ration, +and through rain and muddy roads. + +So ended the hike to Benney, a hike whose only claim to distinction is +the fact that it need never have been made. Why the companies were not +detrained at Bayon, or even Blainville, through which they had passed on +the train and thereby saving 15 hours of long and weary hiking, will +probably always remain a "military secret." From either of these towns +the march would have been only a walk. Efforts were made at both places +to have the troops detrained, but they were unavailing. + + + + +BENNEY TO FIVE TRENCHES + + +Immediately upon our arrival in the village of Benney we were billeted +in haymows, which is the customary home for the American soldier in the +country of France. These "billets," as they have been called by the men, +are usually located in the haymows of the French homes. The French +peasant's home usually consists of one large building, in which the +entire family, including horses, cattle and pigs, is housed. While it +seems strange to us, who are not accustomed to this manner of living, +they are quite comfortable compared to pup tents in a wet, soggy forest, +and especially at the end of a long hike by night with full equipment. + +Benney was, we believe, the dirtiest village we have been in to date, so +consequently the next day we had to clean up the manure piles and refuse +left by the populace of this village. The village had, at one time, been +occupied by the Hun armies, who left their customary destructive +earmarks upon it. Those who remain consist mainly of women, children and +men too old for work. It can therefore be easily understood why its +streets were dirty and conditions in general were neglected. + +We spent four days in the village, our duties being to clean up the +streets. We had become quite proficient with shovels and push-brooms, by +reason of previous experience, and strangely enough the men usually +chose this duty in preference to the daily duties of kitchen police and +guard. Most of us were badly in need of a bath, as all soldiers +generally are, and upon investigating discovered an old swimming hole +which we soon Americanized by taking a plunge every day during our short +stay there. We were entertained two evenings by the French movies while +here. + +It was evident to us that a large troop movement was taking place, and +from the many precautions taken to avoid observation, it appeared that +the movement was of more than usual importance. Troops were marched only +at night and no lights of any kind were permitted, even smoking being +barred outside of cover. Kitchens were covered and mess lines were being +divided into sections so that Boche planes could see but a few men at a +time. We were told that we must get under cover and stay there whenever +hostile planes were about. No drilling was done and every effort made to +keep every evidence of the presence of troops hidden from observation. +All this could mean but one thing--a big attack was being prepared and +we would undoubtedly be in it. We were curious to know just when and +where it would be, but we had to be content with guessing, for the +secret of the St. Mihiel drive was well kept. + +Leaving Benney, we hiked a distance of 13 kilos to a little village +called Haussonville, arriving there at 3:30 A. M. We had a very sloppy +march and passed our kitchen truck, stuck in the ditch by the roadside. +Of all trucks, this should have been the one to pull through, judging by +the yearning in the region of our stomachs. Immediately upon our arrival +in Haussonville we were billeted in a large barn and "hit the hay" for a +few hours. We were soon awakened by the glad news that our kitchen had +arrived, was in action and that we would have breakfast at 10. The name +Haussonville stands out prominently in the minds of the boys, for we +recall, with a shudder, that this is where we caught our first real +batch of cooties. + +Dinner was served at 3, and after this meal we again rolled pack and had +hopes of leaving this unwelcome company at 8 P. M., but did not until +three hours later. At last under way, we hiked 14 kilos with full packs +and reached our next destination, a salt factory a few kilos from Nancy. +Though much fatigued by our night journey, we were somewhat encouraged +to find a soft pine floor upon which to rest our weary bones, and with +the aid of a few salt sacks, which we found, soon made ourselves as +comfortable as possible under the existing conditions. After the +customary late breakfast and dinner, orders were received to resume the +hike as soon as it became dark. + +Darkness found us again trailing the rock roads amid a steady downpour +of rain. The night grew darker and darker, until it was impossible for +the men in ranks to see each other. This however, was nothing unusual +and all went well until we suddenly found ourselves lost in the streets +of Nancy. It was a fine night for ducks, which might have enjoyed the +next three hours, but as soldiers it was far from pleasant wandering +around the town aimlessly, first up one street and then down another, +with a soggy pack upon our backs. At last, righting ourselves, we left +the city just as it was getting dawn, and continued our course. + +Seemingly endless lines of artillery regiments on their way to form the +reserve for the St. Mihiel drive, passed us along the road with their +caissons and guns of all sizes. Later an impressive sight greeted us as +we marched along. Dawn was breaking in the east, but the northern +horizon was lighted by flares from the muzzles of hundreds of Allied +guns, the intermittent flashings of which indicated to us that the great +drive was in progress. Tired, hungry and foot sore, we pitched tents a +little later in the woods safely concealed from enemy observation. + +Thus ended the long-drawn-out hike. We knew now why we had been marched +every night and subjected to seemingly unnecessary hardships. Not a man +regretted the experience, and all proud that they helped form a cog in +the mighty machine which straightened the St. Mihiel salient, and marked +the first American triumph over the Hun. + + + + +FROM FIVE TRENCHES TO SENARD + + +While at Five Trenches, we were in constant readiness to move, and on +Sept. 18th, orders were received to embuss at three o'clock P. M. Where +we were going we did not know, but we prepared for a ride, which, we +were told would be a long one. A short march brought us to a large +number of French trucks which we boarded, filling each to its utmost +capacity. + +The trip was through a country of rolling hills, dotted with the +picturesque French villages with their stone houses and red tile roofs. +Late in the afternoon the Moselle was crossed and we passed through the +outskirts of the ancient city of Toul. Our journey continued throughout +the night and after passing through Bar-le-Duc, and Triacourt, we +arrived at our destination, the small village of Senard, about six +o'clock the following morning. The truck containing our kitchen had been +sent on ahead to prepare breakfast for us when we got there, but with +the usual fortune of the kitchen buss, it had been mis-instructed and so +it was afternoon before it arrived to fill the stomachs of the very +hungry soldiers. + +Our billet was a large barn, over a hundred years old, in which the +whole company was housed. Its bunks with straw mattresses were a welcome +change after sleeping on the ground in the forest. It had at one time +been quarters for German soldiers, for in 1914 when the army of the +Kaiser poured into France, Senard had been occupied for about nine days. +Although the city shows plainly the scars of battle, it was fortunate +compared to some of the neighboring villages, many of which were +complete ruins. + +The stay here was a short one. We left on the night of Sept. 18th and +marched for several hours along roads already crowded with artillery and +supply trains moving toward the front, and shortly after dark pitched +pup tents at Camp Wagon, in the heart of the Argonne Forest. The few +days spent here passed uneventfully; even pay day failing to cause its +usual enthusiasm, for what good was money in the heart of a forest? An +occasional barrage sounding nearby kept us on the alert, for we imagined +each one to be the prelude to the big drive we knew we were soon to +engage in. + +Finally, definite information came and it left us rather dazed, causing +many of us to write home letters that we thought might possibly be the +last ones. We learned that the greatest offensive of the war was about +to take place, extending from the North Sea to the Moselle river. Also, +and what was more to the point, that on that part of the front to be +taken by the American Army the position assigned to the 35th Division to +reduce was expected to be the most difficult to take. Our division had +the honor positions on the whole front. + + + + +MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE + + +Our part in the offensive began the night of the 25th of September. +Orders were received to move up to Bourelles as soon as it should become +dark. Camp was struck and supplies were stacked along side the road +before dark so that we would be able to find them when the time came. + +A vast sense of relief settled down over every one as we realized that +the time which we had enlisted for, trained for, worked and waited for +was finally at hand, and that by morning we would be doing our work over +in the Boche trenches instead of on our own side of the line. + +As soon as it was dark we got our stuff packed into the trucks and +packed ourselves in on top, mud and all, and started for Germany. The +roads were muddy and slippery and often the convoy was held up until a +truck could be pulled out of the ditch. No lights were allowed--the +roads were under shell fire and no chances were taken in showing troop +movements to the ever vigilant enemy aeroplanes. Several times we were +led astray, but finally, about midnight we arrived at Bourelles. + +Here we unloaded the trucks behind the protection of a steep bank and +the men settled down on the rocks and grass for a few hours' rest, while +the cooks borrowed a fire and began to prepare soup for breakfast. We +did not secure much sleep. Jerry was sending over a few in search of +some of our "heavies," but it was these same heavy guns that most +disturbed our rest. The crack of these guns whipped across the valley +with such a force that the hills fairly shook. They were not firing very +fast but what they lacked in speed they made up in noise. + +At 2:30 A. M. our fire opened up in earnest and the thought of being on +the receiving end of that terrific rain of steel was almost enough to +cause a little pity for the Germans--almost. With the coming of dawn the +artillery seemed to slacken and at 6:05 the doughboys went over the top. +Little could be seen through the haze and smoke by those who waited. We +could see the groups of airplanes go sailing overhead and the +elephant-shaped observation balloons move snail-like in a race to the +enemy lines. While the big guns were methodically sending over their +"messages of hate," here and there could be seen groups of horses +nibbling unconcernedly at the trampled grass, while their drivers were +wrapped up in shelter halves catching a well earned rest. + +After a reconnaissance had been made, we received the order from our +Director of Ambulances, Maj. Wm. Gist, to advance. We piled into the +trucks again and started forward. The effects of Jerry's fire could now +be seen. The large shell holes, the demolished trees, the shattered +buildings, were beginning to make us realize that we were fighting some +force that had the power to fight back. We passed through several ruined +villages and finally reached Neuvilly, which was the end of the road for +motors at that time. Here we unloaded and were heavily equipped with +litters, packs, medicine belts and extra shell wound dressings. + +The plan of operations was quite simple. The company was divided into +sections, each under an officer, and each section further divided into +litter squads of four men each. The non-coms were charged with locating +wounded and directing litter squads to them, and also with doing most of +the dressing. The wounded were to be gathered into groups located so +that ambulances could reach and evacuate them to the triage which was +established later in the day at Neuvilly, by Ambulance Company 138. The +entire company, less cooks, took to the field and the cooks, by trading +grub for transportation, managed to keep in touch with part of us part +of the time. + +Lieut. Bates with his section covered the rear of the 137th Infantry +which was on the left. Lieut. Siberts with a detachment, bore to the +right, covering the 138th Infantry, while Lieut. Monteith, with his +detachment undertook to handle some wounded who were already coming into +the old position of the 138th Infantry. Lt. Speck with Sgt. Rowland and +a few men remained at Vacquois Hill and established a collecting station +for wounded there. + +As the men marched thru the lines the evidences of the superhuman +struggle grew more and more. They could see dead horses, shattered +wagons and caissons, trampled and torn up wire entanglements, and +ambulances darting here and there. Groups of artillery were constantly +shifting about, advancing all the time. + +In places we passed the long naval guns, some of them so hot that they +seemed to be fairly panting. Every clump of trees concealed a den of +seventy-fives or larger guns, and miles of deserted trenches were passed +through. + +The work on hand was enough to keep all the men busy. Many German +prisoners were coming through by this time and each group helped by +carrying back wounded. Some of the German wounded were brought back in +this way by their comrades. By this time, also, a shortage of litters +began to be felt. The ambulances had not been able to get up owing to +the blocking of the roads by artillery which was moving forward. Towards +evening ambulances began to come in to Vacquois, and Hill No. 290. The +last load of wounded had been removed by about 4:00 A. M., the next +morning. Meanwhile, Lt. Siberts had reached Cheppy, close on the heels +of the victorious 138th Infantry and collected a large number of wounded +there. + +In crossing the German trenches, we saw the effects of our artillery +barrage and the evidences of the fierce fighting that the doughboys were +doing. The ground was fairly pulverized. There were shell holes large +enough to drop houses into, and parts of the hills were seemingly +scalped and cast aside. Concrete dugouts were crushed as if they had +been made of cardboard, trenches were leveled and barbwire entanglements +were cut to pieces. The Germans had contested the ground inch by inch, +and we could see where groups of our men had been literally blown to +pieces--scenes that the boys will never forget. As we advanced further, +the evidences of the struggle were not so ghastly, although we were +passing the lifeless forms of many Kansas and Missouri boys mixed with +those of the drab uniforms of the enemy. + +The field was sprinkled with shell holes whose burnt sides seem to have +been blasted by the touch of hell. Our artillery was crawling forward +and were blazing away from behind the shelter of clumps of bushes. The +doughboys were now moving so swiftly that the big guns could hardly keep +up. + +As we neared Cheppy, we could see where the infantry boys had charged an +almost impregnable machine gun nest. About thirty men had been mowed +down in front of this position. At a cross roads, a big shell had landed +in the center of a collection of wounded doughboys, tearing them to +pieces. Gas had been used, but nothing could stop the boys from entering +Cheppy. The fierce struggle in this town had caused heavy casualties. + +Ambulance Co. 138 having moved up the triage to Cheppy on the 28th, Lt. +Siberts started for Charpentry with his detachment. By the morning of +the second day, the entire company had reached Cheppy and we had a warm +meal, the first one in thirty-six hours. Lt. Siberts and his detachment +deserve a great deal of credit for the tremendous amount of work they +accomplished at Cheppy in an old abandoned dugout, where hundreds of +wounded were cared for under distressing and dangerous conditions. + +Mr. Wesley R. Childs of the Y. M. C. A. came up to the station here with +chocolates and was of material assistance in directing a party of +walking wounded back to Neuvilly by the road through Verennes, which we +had been unable to explore before. During this time the action was in +view of the dressing station at times and the sound of the machine guns +made it plain that there would be much more work for us. The dressing +station at Cheppy was subjected to machine gun fire from hostile +airplanes several times but no casualties resulted. Mule drawn +ambulances from Ambulance Co. 140 arrived at the Cheppy station in the +morning of the 27th. Later, motor ambulances came up and the work of +evacuating went steadily on. There was very little rest for anyone. + +On the 27th, Lt. Monteith with a detachment went forward to Very, and +established another collection point in some German dugouts there. The +next morning, evacuation of these wounded was begun by ambulances as the +congestion at Cheppy was somewhat relieved. Litter bearer squads worked +forward from Very in the direction of Charpentry and many wounded were +collected together and cared for pending the arrival of mule drawn +ambulances. In the meantime Ambulance Co. 137, and the dressing station +section of Ambulance Co. 140, had arrived by trucks at Charpentry. They +brought a large supply of dressings and other medical equipment and we +were able to replace the contents of our belts. The field from Very to +Charpentry was thus cleared, and by noon some of the advance squads had +reached Charpentry. + +All three companies worked together at Charpentry under the direction of +Maj. Gist, and shared rations and supplies in common. The dressing +stations at Charpentry were located in old French barns and buildings +set around a sort of courtyard. They had served until a couple of days +before as the headquarters of the German division holding the sector. +After the place had been examined to make sure that no German souvenirs +in the way of hand grenades and shells had been hidden within, we +started fires and soon had some warm places for dressing the wounded. At +the south end were some empty buildings evidently used as store rooms +and an arched opening into the court. On the east side was a former +dwelling house which contained several rooms on the ground floor. All of +the second story had been shot away. On the north end was a large barn +which contained a small amount of engineering stores. The other side was +open and had a garden which contained vegetables for the Germans. This +spot was later used to bury some of the men who died in the dressing +station. Back from the east side there was a steep hill which contained +several excellent dugouts, some of which were used as dressing rooms. As +soon as the wounded were dressed they were placed in these empty rooms +to await transportation to the rear. These rooms were soon filled, +however, and it became necessary to place the men in the court yard on +litters or rubber blankets. The wind and rain added nothing to the +comfort of these poor chaps, but there was no murmur of complaint from +any of them. They were so exhausted from lack of sleep and food and +constant fighting, that they were able to sleep undisturbed either by +their wounds, or by the thunder of the guns all around. + +Two batteries of seventy-fives, of the 129th Field Artillery took +position behind our station here, in such a way that their fire passed +directly over us. At each discharge, a shower of dust from the roofs of +the buildings would descend upon the wounded and workers alike. We had +some gas this day, but there were more alarms than gas. No shells fell +in our immediate vicinity as the dressing station was more or less +protected by the hill. Every one worked at top speed, as the wounded +were coming in so fast that it required the services of almost the +entire company to take care of them. Later in the afternoon a detachment +was sent to Baulney, and with the aid of some mule ambulances, cleared +the regimental station there of wounded. Later, motor ambulances began +to arrive and the wounded were started back toward the triage at Cheppy. +From this time on the evacuation was continuous, ambulances from +Ambulance Co. 41 and S. S. U. sections undertaking this work. Many +empty, returning ammunition trucks were also used. The trucks carried +the wounded, for the most part, to the old triage at Neuvilly, which had +been taken over by the field hospital companies. Those who were able to +walk, were started out on foot, as all available transportation was +required for recumbent cases. By morning of the 29th, the influx of +wounded having lessened somewhat, two bearer parties went forward, one +under Lt. Speck, and the other under Lt. Bates. Mule ambulances +accompanied these parties, the detachments coming under heavy fire and +some of the mules being killed. One of the drivers was mortally wounded. +These parties were out until about the middle of the afternoon. The work +of the bearers was the most laborious owing to the mud and the long +distances of the carries. + +Information was received that the salient created by the attack was to +be protected by establishing the first line in the area being covered by +the bearers. The parties were, therefore, withdrawn to Charpentry. It +was during this operation that Pvt. Lloyd Richmond was wounded, while +remaining with wounded at Chaudron Farm. Upon arrival of the bearers at +Charpentry, their patients were loaded into ambulances, which, by this +time, had cleared the station there, since the location was becoming a +target for gas. Orders were received to move the station back to some +more sheltered position where the wounded could be kept in more +security. Ambulance companies were now ordered to Varennes. Lt. Siberts, +with a detachment of men, proceeded to Very, joining the company at +Varennes the next day. + +In leaving Charpentry, the men were forced to run a gauntlet of high +explosives, gas and shrapnel. A rain of shells were pouring into the +valley in a desperate attempt to silence the American batteries. One of +the spectacular scenes of the drive occurred when a battery of French +artillery came crashing down the road, the gunners riding the +seventy-fives which were drawn by big trucks. The little men in blue +were leaning forward and gazing eagerly ahead to the nearby hill where +they afterwards whirled their guns into position and poured a murderous +fire, point blank, into the counter-attacking Germans. It was a little +incident that gave us a slight insight into the reason why the Germans +failed to crush France. + +On arriving at Varennes, volunteers were called for to return to +Charpentry to take care of the wounded who might be expected, and to +relieve congestion in regimental stations, which had fallen back to that +place. Lt. Bates with 15 men and an equal number from Ambulance Co. 137, +were selected. This detachment had a very exciting and strenuous +forty-eight hours of work at Charpentry. During the first night wounded +were numerous and there was much hard and tiresome work carrying wounded +and loading out ambulances. + +The 35th Division was now being relieved by the First Division, and we +received orders that we had been temporarily attached to that division +until their own Ambulance and Field Hospitals could get into action. +After being relieved from this duty, the company assembled at Neuvilly, +and left the next day for a rest. + + + + +WITH THE KITCHEN IN THE ARGONNE OFFENSIVE + + +For anyone to say that they derived any amount of happiness from being +in the Argonne, other than our complete victory over the Boche, would +probably be judged insane. According to the Mess Sergeant's version, +however, a certain amount of joy may be had in not being threatened with +one's life after serving the famous "Corn Willy" to men who were working +in the midst of this hell. + +We moved up the night before the drive and made our first stop the next +morning at about 2:00 A. M. at a place mentioned before, behind a steep +bank, where our supplies were unloaded from the trucks. These trucks +were ordered to wait until later in the morning before moving nearer the +lines. As the men were going in the drive at five o'clock that morning +we borrowed a fire, and inside of a small hut, prepared some soup for +them to have just before leaving. + +[Illustration: LOOKING NORTH INTO BAULNY.] + +[Illustration: LOOKING WEST TOWARD VACQUOIS HILL.] + +[Illustration: AMBULANCE SECTION, 110TH, SANITARY TRAIN, CAMP DONIPHAN, +OKLA.] + +They left about on time, but the trucks which were to report for our +supplies, were delayed, so it was rather late before we started moving. +When we did, however, we made fairly good time until we were held up in +the woods by trucks that were stuck in the mud. We at last made it +through, and catching up with the company that afternoon, unloaded our +supplies and equipment and established our first kitchen, right back of +Vacquois Hill. + +We managed to get coffee made before dark, and our men began to come in +a few at a time. Not all of them got there, however, but nevertheless we +were busy feeding the most of the night, as everyone who came along +wanted something to eat, and we tried to feed all who came. + +The next morning, what men were there, moved on to Cheppy and we were +told that transportation would come for us. We waited until that +afternoon, and had just about concluded that we were left, when two men +came down the road leading a couple of pack mules. We were informed that +this was our transportation. Accordingly, we loaded all that was +possible on the mules and started for Cheppy. Our kitchen now consisted +mainly of a G. I. coffee can, and such rations as we, ourselves, could +carry. + +We arrived in Cheppy in time to cook supper for the men and we continued +to cook as long as it was light, as there were scores of men to be fed +and we endeavored to feed all who came. The greatest efforts bore little +fruit, however, and most of the men received nothing hot until they came +out of the drive. Our pack mules made another trip that night, bringing +up a few rations and some food which we were very glad to get, being +almost out. + +The next morning we moved up past Very, using an ambulance for what few +supplies we had, and set up a kitchen alongside a captured six-inch +German gun which later proved to be a rather disagreeable location, as +Jerry threw over a few H. E. trying to put it out of commission. The +artillery, having come up and started a barrage, left us in a rather +noisy place, also. + +Here the supply section of our train managed to get a few rations up to +us. We cooked and served all that day and night, but were unable to take +care of all those wanting to be fed. It seemed to be impossible to +secure enough transportation. + +The company moved on to Charpentry that afternoon and we were again +informed that a transport wagon would pick up our supplies and kitchen +and for us to follow. As usual, the wagon did not arrive, and we were +again left to do the best we could. + +In the meantime part of our supplies and equipment which we left back at +Vacquois, came up in a mule drawn ambulance, which we sent on to +Charpentry that night. We waited, however, for the transportation which +was to move us from our present location and as has already been +mentioned, it never came. The next morning we divided our force, part +going on to Charpentry and the rest remaining to cook and serve the +remainder of our rations which was not hard to do. All we had was a +little coffee and bread. + +Our kitchen in Charpentry was located in a sort of a court yard, near +the buildings in which were located the dressing stations. Here we +located an iron boiler, that the Germans had left in their hasty +retreat, which helped us out quite a lot in cooking. Things were going +fine here, in fact, too good to last. We had plenty of rations and had +served two fairly good meals, when things began to happen. Jerry got it +into his head that Dressing Stations and kitchens were not essential in +a successful drive and right away started trying to eliminate them. A +short time after he had started trying to put this idea into effect, we +received orders to retire. This order probably saved a little work for +the burying squad, as far as the kitchen force was concerned, as about +fifteen minutes after leaving, a few direct hits were scored, scattering +our kitchen and supplies to the four winds. + +We now moved back to Varennes, picking up as much of our equipment at +Very as we could and taking it back with us. We stayed in Varennes for +almost two days, cooking what we could in a much dilapidated stove that +was in one of the dugouts. Our field range reached us just as we were +leaving for Bourelles. We arrived there in time to set up for supper, +but had to tear it down that night as we moved back to Neuvilly. Here we +were relieved and moved out, and back to billets and a small French +kitchen. Although small, it seemed to us all that anyone could ask for +in the kitchen line, after having put in a week of trying to cook for a +company of men with hardly anything more than two flat rocks and a +coffee can. + + + + +CITATIONS AND CASUALTIES + + +The fact that some of the men of Ambulance Company 139 were cited, does +not indicate that they were more courageous or devoted to duty than +those not so mentioned. The work of the entire company showed an +efficiency, and disregard for personal danger, of the very highest +order. Many acts of individual heroism passed unnoticed. The following +is an extract from General Order No. 82, October 14th, Hqs. 35th +Division: + +"The Division Commander takes pleasure in citing in General Orders, the +following named officers and enlisted men for effective, efficient and +courageous work during the six days' battle from September 26th to +October 1st, 1918." + +Private Glen B. Smith, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September 29th, near +Chaudron Farm. For remaining under continuous shell and machine gun +fire for a considerable time more than required by his orders, caring +for the wounded under the most intense shell and machine gun fire. + +Sergeant Junior Briggs, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September 29th, near +Chaudron Farm. For remaining under continuous shell and machine gun fire +for a considerable time more than required by his orders, caring for the +wounded under the most intense shell and machine gun fire. + +Private Lloyd Richmond, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September 29th, near +Chaudron Farm. On account of artillery and machine gun fire, Private +Richmond remained at his post and cared for the wounded until he was +himself wounded by a shell which killed two other wounded men. + +Sergeant Kenneth W. Pringle, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September 28th and +29th this non-commissioned officer, of his own accord and under +extremely heavy shell fire, found and evacuated many wounded. + +First Lieutenant Richard T. Speck, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September +30th, near Charpentry. For effective, efficient and courageous work in +collecting wounded in the field north of Charpentry with detachment of +mule drawn ambulances, under heavy artillery and machine gun fire and +repeated aeroplane attacks. + +First Lieutenant Bret V. Bates, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September 30th, +near Charpentry. For efficient, effective and courageous work in the +open field with a detachment of mule drawn ambulances under heavy +artillery and machine gun fire. + +Sergeant 1st Class Charles G. Rowland, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, +September 29th near Charpentry. While his company was on the march from +Charpentry to Varennes, Sergeant Rowland stopped to attend a truck +driver who had been struck by a shell. Disregarding all personal danger, +he passed through a curtain of artillery fire and dressed the wounded +man. During the four days at the dressing station, the work of Sergeant +Rowland was of the highest order of efficiency. + +The following men in the detachment of Ambulance Company 139, 110th +Sanitary Train, for courage and devotion to duty under intense fire +while acting as litter bearers on the morning of September 30th, 1918: + + Wagoner Jacob C. Weaverling + Pvt. Stephen F. McCormick + Pvt. 1cl. George G. Crowley + Pvt. 1cl. Fay A. Downing + Pvt. 1cl. Joe Barnes + Pvt. John J. Fisher + Pvt. Charles F. Blaker + Pvt. Harry T. Douglass + Pvt. Garland Freeman + Pvt. William W. Williams + Pvt. Louis J. Fisher + Pvt. John R. Fulmer + Pvt. Robert A. Still + Pvt. John P. Feeney + +_Casualties_--Ambulance Company 139, during the five days in the Argonne +with our own division, and the forty-eight hours attached to the First +Division, came out of battle without a death. Private Lloyd Richmond, on +the night of September 29th, while taking care of some wounded men under +intense shell and machine gun fire at Chaudron Farm, was wounded in +seven different places. + +The following named men were gassed while attached to the First Division +at Charpentry: + +Lt. George Monteith, Sgt. Clarence Falconer, Pvt. Edward DeTalent, Pvt. +Wilson Meyers, Lt. Bret V. Bates, Sgt. Ernest Stalcup, Pvt. Kenneth S. +Brown, Pvt. Jesse Dennis, Pvt. Lester A. Brogan, Pvt. Jesse Casteel, +Pvt. William Peterson, Pvt. Rollo C. Dugan. + + + + +THE STAY IN VAUBECOURT + + +On coming from the Argonne offensive on October 5th, the Sanitary Train +moved to Vaubecourt, a city whose blocks of ruins told plainer than +words the story of its bombardment in the earlier days of the war. But, +complete as was the destruction of some parts of the city other parts +escaped harm, and in this quarter we found a comfortable home in a large +barn, well equipped with bunks. + +The memory of our stay in Vaubecourt to most of us is not a pleasant +one. Sick, tired, hungry, dirty, clothing torn and stained with mud and +blood, and equipment lost, the men of our company certainly did not have +the appearance of spic and span soldiers of Uncle Sam. A few hours of +rest, with good food and plenty of soap and water did much to better +conditions, but the effects of the previous days at the front were not +at once thrown off. Sickness prevailed, hardly a man escaping it in some +degree, and the number sent each day to the hospital was probably the +largest at any time in the history of the company. Here for the first +time in months, we heard the once famous sound of the bugle, the +companies standing all calls. + +But in the midst of this, there was one day of our Vaubecourt stay that +stood out as one of the brightest in our experience. It was the day the +news arrived that Germany, surrounded by an unbreakable band of fire and +steel, and realizing the inevitable, had asked for peace terms. To us +who had just emerged from the horrors of the Argonne, the news seemed +like the first streak of morning light shining through the darkness. +However, the constant rumbling of the distant artillery and the steady +procession of aeroplanes overhead, kept us from becoming too optimistic. +Yet the feeling seemed to remain that it was the beginning of the end, +and that peace could not be far distant. + +The fact that the Hun was at last, not asking, but begging for a +cessation of hostilities, in the name of her people, gave us renewed +spirits. We were further cheered by the fact that the entire Sanitary +Train had been commended for its work in the Argonne by our own +Divisional Commander, as well as by the Commanding General of the +division that relieved us. The work in battle had been without fault, +but at this time we were informed that discipline was very lax, and +instead of the much needed rest, we were put through a period of +training which lasted until the division relieved a division of French +in a sector north of Verdun. + + + + +THE VERDUN FRONT + + +While at Vaubecourt we received word that we were to go to the front +again, and that news surprised us not a little, because of the fact that +we had only been out of the Argonne some two weeks. + +On October 15th, the division occupied a new sector east of Verdun, +extending from near Fresnes to Eix. As usual, Ambulance Company 139 took +position near the front lines, to evacuate the division. On October +16th, headquarters of the company was located at Fontaine Brilliante, a +very beautifully situated triage near Somme-Dieue. This triage evidently +had been a most busy place during the great drive on Verdun in 1916. +Immense Red Crosses were painted on the tops of the various buildings, +and two very ingenious Red Crosses were constructed upon the hillside, +of small red and white stones. These were placed there to protect the +triage from Boche airplanes. + +Immediately upon arrival at Fontaine Brilliante, Lt. Monteith, with a +detachment of twenty-six men, started to the front and established a +dressing station at Deramee. Two cooks were with the detachment, and a +kitchen was set up in the same building with the dressing station. +Rations were drawn from the first battalion of the 110th Engineers and +it was not a rare thing to have hot cakes for breakfast. In the kitchen +was a wire cage which could be locked, and which looked for all the +world like a large rat trap. One night the cooks had written several +letters to their wives and put them into this cage and locked it. The +rats, which had already carried away some very sizable articles, +including dippers, frying pans and what-nots, got the letters out of the +cage in some magic way that night, and to this day those two cooks are +marveling at the cleverness of French rats. + +Litter and ambulance posts were placed at Tunis, Bellvue Farm and +Joffre. There were a few camps near, which were merely billeting places +for soldiers in reserve, and for supply organizations of the line +troops. They were all in easy shelling distance for the Germans, in +fact, Deramee was so close to the lines that one could hear the report +of the guns an instant before the shells would come over. + +The forts around Verdun were very interesting. There were two within two +kilometres of Deramee, one named Fort Deramee, and the other Fort +Roselier. These forts were situated on points commanding a view of all +the surrounding country. They were neatly concealed from aerial +observation, and one might easily walk squarely into one before he +noticed it. They were most formidably constructed of reinforced +concrete, and were built deep into the ground. Some were encircled by a +moat over which were heavy draw bridges, and beyond the moat a mass of +barbed wire entanglements encircled the entire defense. There were over +forty of these forts around Verdun, all garrisoned by the French. A look +at these mighty bulwarks told at once why the Germans could not pass. + +On October 8th, another section to the north, extending to Vaux, was +taken over by the division, and another dressing station, in charge of +Lt. Vardon with fifteen men, was established at Vaux. At first +dependence was placed upon four G. M. C. ambulances of Ambulance Co. 138 +to do all of the evacuating, but later S. S. U. 526 was assigned for +this work. All cases were taken to Field Hospital 139, at Fontaine +Brilliante. + +Some mention of the old battlefield near Vaux must be made. Fort Vaux +was taken by the Germans after a fierce and uninterrupted cannonading +lasting from March 12th to April 9th, 1916. Fort Avocourt and the +Mort-Homme also succumbed to the terrific onslaught of the Hun on April +10th. After five months of furious fighting, in which the Germans lost +over a half million men, the French retook these important positions. +Just back from the dressing station an eighth of a mile is a famous hill +of the Verdun battle. A look at this barren hill filled one with awe, +for there isn't a tree, not even a stump, standing, and not a square +foot of ground that has not been torn by shell fire. The ground is +simply pulverized. There are helmets (French and German), old rifles, +cart wheels, unexploded shells, clothing and most everything in the line +of war equipment lying around on the ground, just as it was left after +that terrible struggle. Bones of every part of the human body could be +found in almost any numbers. One could pick up a helmet with a skull in +it, or a shoe with the bones of a foot in it. Standing at the bottom of +this hill, one could look up at the head of the valley and see a German +battery, sitting just as it had been deserted after her defeat in 1916. +The wood that was brought in from the fallen timber was literally filled +with shrapnel. + +The Vaux detail, when not busy, spent most of its time seeing the many +interesting places, even though at times it was a bit dangerous. From +the hill back of the dressing station one could see the Germans shelling +Ft. Douamont, two miles away. A very strange impression it left on one, +too. First the report of the German guns would be heard, and in an +instant the shell would burst near the fort, throwing dirt and rock high +into the air. Then the sound of the shell, which had already bursted, +could be heard going through the air. + +While there were not many casualties through Vaux, over seven hundred +came through Deramee. The division had just been filled up with men who +had not been in France over a month or so, and who had not trained +longer than that in the States. The trenches of Verdun, which were +always filled with water and mud, seemed to be too much for them, and +many cases of influenza and pneumonia developed. + +We had many gas cases, too, at Deramee. In one day a hundred and six gas +patients came through the dressing station. It was mostly mustard gas, +and the patients would come in by the ambulance load, temporarily blind +and feeling miserable. We could only bathe their eyes with a sodium +bi-carbonate solution, and use the sag-paste freely. During this rush +the only available ambulances were those of the S. S. U. 526, and the +drivers of that unit not being familiar with the roads, Corporals O'Dowd +and Bailey were kept busy guiding them around. We worked well after +midnight on that particular day before all the patients were evacuated. +The total number of gas patients numbered well over two hundred. + +A sergeant and three men were stationed at Bellevue Ferme, a relay +station between Derame and Vaux. This station was situated on a hill +only a short distance from Verdun, and one could get a splendid view of +the old battered city from this place. There were eleven big naval guns +down below Bellevue on a narrow gage railway, and they surely made some +music when they fired. They drew fire from the Germans, too, but no +sooner would the Germans locate them than they were moved along the +track to another place. + +Verdun was very close to the different stations, and many of us visited +the silent old city. One had only to take one look at that city to +realize that one of the mightiest struggles of human history took place +for its possession. Petain, the great French leader, won an immortal +place among military leaders for the defense of that city in 1916, and a +glance at the battlefield would convince one absolutely that he meant +those words "_On ne passe pas_." The cathedral in Verdun was badly +damaged; fourteen holes in one side of the building were counted and the +roof had three big gaps in it, and while the cathedral can be repaired, +yet its shell marks will be there forever. Another interesting thing +connected with Verdun is its underground city, capable of accommodating +forty-two thousand, and absolutely shell proof. The Germans shelled +Verdun regularly, dropping shells on certain crossroads and buildings at +exact intervals. One couldn't tarry in one place in that city, even if +he cared to, because an M. P. would firmly suggest "move along." + +We were on the Verdun front when Austria capitulated, and were almost +fighting for newspapers in order to get the details. The question in +everyone's mind during our last days at Verdun was "How long will +Germany hold out?" We left Deramee on November 6th, having been relieved +by the "Wildcats," a division of soldiers not soon to be forgotten, and +we little knew that we had been on our last front. + + + + +MOVE TOWARD METZ, AND THE ARMISTICE + + +After a siege of about three weeks, our company was relieved from duty +in the sector north of Verdun, and we were all preparing for a good long +rest, and best of all, a thorough delousing at the hands of the official +"Cootie-cooking-brigade." As later developments will show, we realized +none of our anticipations, at least not at Erize-la-Grande. + +The sector which we had just left was famous for at least three of the +war's most deadly weapons, viz.--Cooties (most of them wearing service +stripes), prize rats and German gas. The combined efforts of the three +made life hardly worth living at times, and a sigh of relief was +breathed when at last the task was at an end. + +The village of Erize-la-Grande compared favorably with all other +villages in which we had been billeted, especially as regards street +scenes and sleeping quarters. These had evidently been constructed +during the dark ages, but whether those who inhabited them were afraid +of light or fond of darkness remains a secret. + +On the night of November 7th, the wild cry arose that the war was over! +We were used to all manner of reports, though none quite as stunning as +this, and in a few minutes excitement was at its height. An optimistic +M. P. was heard shouting, "It's over, so help me, God!" and a little +later the same spirit was evidenced by the doughboys along the roads, +who were joyfully proclaiming the end by shooting up flares and yelling, +"_Fini la guerre_." By this time it was a settled fact that the war +really was over, that nothing remained to be done but the shouting, and +that this was the proper time to shout. What happened during the next +few hours, gentle reader, will be left to your imagination. It was a +grand and glorious feeling, and not long afterwards we found out that +just about the entire A. E. F. and practically all the folks at home +were also celebrating. + +[Illustration: AMBULANCE COMPANY 139, CAMP HOEL, KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.] + +[Illustration: WOUNDED FROM THE ARGOXNE AT CHEPPY.] + +[Illustration: DRESSING STATION AT CHEPP.] + +The next morning we awoke to the real situation, and found that the +cause of the whole thing originated from a certain German White Flag +party which was on its way to meet Marshal Foch. The German high command +had ordered the cessation of hostilities along a certain part of the +line in order that these peace plenipotentiaries might reach the great +French Marshal and learn from him, personally, how peace terms could be +had. Things began to move pretty fast now, and there was a great deal of +speculation as to what the Boche would do. The next day the official +communique reported that Foch had very generously allowed them +seventy-two hours in which to accept or reject the iron-clad terms of an +armistice. Meanwhile, the entire western front was the scene of one of +the greatest Allied offensives of the war. + +In the midst of all these things, orders were suddenly issued to move at +once toward the front, and Sunday morning, November 10th, found us +packed up and moving. All along, the roads were lined with American +troops. Mile after mile of supply wagons, artillery, machine gun +battalions and infantry were slowly but surely wending their way to +Berlin. This looked very different from peace. We learned afterwards +that the 35th Division was to make a direct frontal assault upon Metz, +while other troops were to engage in a flanking movement. As Metz was +the most strongly fortified position the Germans held, it can readily be +seen that the 35th would have had a pretty stiff job. It seemed certain +that in a day or two we would enter the offensive against this powerful +fort, and we were well aware of what this movement would call for. + +At about 2:30 Sunday afternoon we halted at a small village named +Cousances, expecting to move on at any time. Here it was reported that +the Kaiser had abdicated, and that all Germany was in a state of +revolution, but we had heard this same thing at least a dozen times +before, and so thought nothing of it. The entire front from the Channel +to the Vosges was ablaze, with the Yanks near Sedan, the capture of +which village by the Germans in 1871 marked the triumph of Bismarck. +History was about to repeat itself. The British in Flanders were rapidly +driving the Hun from Belgium, while in the Champagne the French were +making such advances as they had never made before. Apparently Foch had +chosen Berlin for the Allied objective. + +While these events were in progress, a German courier, laboring under +great difficulty, was carrying messages from the Allied Headquarters to +the German General Headquarters, at Spa, in Belgium. Only a few hours +remained for the Hun to arrange his answer. German propaganda was at an +end, and that of the Allies consisted of cold steel from the heavies. +One by one Germany's allies had deserted her, until now she stood alone +facing the ever increasing strength of the strongest and noblest armies +of the world. Her armies were almost demoralized. At home her people +were terrorized at the thought of having their Fatherland invaded, and +were demanding that the war be ended. For over four years they had +waited behind a curtain of lies and outrages, only to see it lifted and +defeat staring at them. Such were a few of the conditions which +confronted the German High Command at Spa, while Foch, with his gallant +armies smashing on, calmly waited for one of two short words--Yes or No. + +At Cousances, stowed away in an old dismantled factory, we were waiting +for this important answer. As was mentioned before, we had expected to +continue our march, but orders had evidently been changed to wait for +the German answer. On Monday morning, November 11th, the famous "drum +fire" was plainly audible, and again things didn't sound at all +peaceful. Having had a little previous experience around Cheppy and +Charpentry, we realized what the acceptance or rejection of the terms +would mean. There was no noticeable let-up in the firing. The suspense +was becoming acute. Either they would sign it or reject it. In case the +former should happen, it would only be a matter of waiting our turn at +the gang-plank; should the latter occur, the Lord only knew what would +happen. Visions of a gang-plank and tug-boats changed into visions of +litters loaded with wounded, and the loud cheers of Yanks bidding +farewell to Gallant France changed into the shriek of gas and high +explosive shells. + +But the old saying, that it is always the darkest just before dawn, +held. Almost before any of us realized it the guns were quiet. We +listened again, but not a sound could be heard. We realized that they +were advancing rapidly, but that it was hardly possible for them to be +out of sound this soon. At this time the British troops were at Mons, +the French armies were across the Belgian line from the Meuse to the +Oise, and American armies were advancing from Sedan to the eastern forts +of Metz. France was almost clear of the invader. The liberation of +Belgium had begun. The whole German army was in disorderly retreat, and +there needed only a little more time to transform that retreat into the +greatest rout of all military history. + +We were convinced of the signing of the armistice only when we read the +following memorable telegram, which, although heard the world over, +probably meant more to each one of the Allied soldiers than to the whole +world: + +"The Armistice is signed and becomes effective November 11th at 11 +o'clock. At this hour, or before, hostilities and the advance must +cease. Hold the lines reached and notify exactly the line reached at +that hour. No communication with the enemy will take place." + + + + +THE FIRST REPLACEMENTS + + +The first replacements were a part of the first replacement company +consisting of 500 officers and 2500 men, to sail overseas. While at +Ranspach, thirty-six men were received to bring the strength up to 122 +men. They all came originally from Camp Greenleaf, Ft. Oglethorpe, +Georgia, located in Chickamagua Park, near Lookout Mountain and +Missionary Ridge. It was here that the future members of Ambulance Co. +139 received their first military training, among which, too important +to forget, were the duties of kitchen police, guard duty and company +fatigue, the three delights of a soldier. The winter of '17 and '18 will +be remembered for a long time by many of the men, especially because of +the sticky mud and bitter cold nights, although the days were usually +sunshiny and warm. + +Along towards the last of May a few men were picked from each of the +Ambulance and Field Hospital companies and sent to Camp Forest, also in +Chickamagua Park, and formerly the home of the old Sixth Infantry. There +they were placed in a recruit company and after a week of daily +inspections both physical and of equipment, finally received orders to +roll packs and leave. Every man, fully equipped, left camp and marched +to the town of Lyttle, to entrain Decoration Day, May 30th, 1918. It was +an impressive scene to see all those well trained, healthy young fellows +drawn up in company front awaiting the order to climb aboard the five +comfortable Pullman trains and start for France. The regimental band was +also there, playing popular pieces as if to cheer the men up, but +judging by the looks of their clean, smiling faces, it was plain to see +that they were going forth, eagerly to do their bit. + +Leaving Lyttle on May 30th, three of the five sections started northeast +for New York and the other two sections started south, going to Atlanta +and from there to the coast, thence north on the Seaboard line to New +York. Every little town and city through which they passed greeted them +with a good luck wish and a God speed, and many a dainty from a +cigarette to candy found its way through the car windows. + +On Sunday morning, June 3rd, they left the train at the ferry dock in +Hoboken, N. J., and soon were loaded on two large ferry boats which were +drawn up to the docks to transfer the men down the river to Long Island +City. The trip down the river that fine morning was enjoyed by everyone, +as the fresh air gave them new life after being cooped up in the train +for so long. Every passing tug and ferry boat gave the men a shrieking +whistle in salute accompanied by the flutter of handkerchiefs. They +landed in Long Island a little later and after a ride of three hours, +left the train at the outskirts of Camp Mills on June 3rd. Arriving at +the camp, they were placed eight men to a tent with an iron bed apiece +but with no mattresses or bed sacks. Just the hard iron springs to sleep +upon. Here the men were re-classified, received the last of their +overseas equipment, and on June 6th had their final overseas examination +which left them ready to sail. + +At midnight they rolled their packs, filled their barrack bags and +marched slowly and silently from camp. At a small station near the camp +the bags were loaded on box cars to be seen no more until the arrival in +France. After another short trip by rail and ferry, the men were landed +at the Cunard line dock, No. 52, and through the driving rain caught a +glimpse of the gigantic ship moored there. They quietly unloaded from +the ferry and in a few minutes were inside of the huge sheltered freight +dock. Here groups of Red Cross girls with steaming coffee and sandwiches +were awaiting them. After a delay of about two hours they filed up the +gang-plank and boarded the Aquitania, the largest ship afloat. It +carried about eleven thousand officers and men, together with several +tons of mail. Its armament consisted of British manned naval guns. Once +on board the ship, after giving their names and number, they were +assigned a comfortable bunk and given a mess ticket telling them when +and where to eat. The ship remained at the dock all through the day and +night but finally, about eight o'clock on the morning of June 8th, she +swung slowly from her moorings, headed down the harbor, and about noon +the men saw the Statue of Liberty fade away into the skyline. + +The trip across the Atlantic was rather uneventful. The ship traveled +slowly in the day time, taking a zig-zag course, turning and twisting, +and leaving behind a wake like the trail of an angry serpent. As soon as +night fell, however, the ship would vibrate with the pulsing throb of +her mighty engines and would plunge through the water at full speed, +every light extinguished, for even the glow of a cigarette might make it +the target for some lurking submarine. The men were given life boat +drill every day and also a thorough physical inspection, so there was no +danger of any disease breaking out and spreading among them undetected. +The day before sighting land, two long, gray British Destroyers came +plunging through the heavy seas to meet the ship and escort it into the +harbor. On the 15th of June, about 7 o'clock in the morning the ship +dropped anchor in the harbor of Liverpool, its voyage at an end. + +Almost immediately the work of unloading was commenced and by three +o'clock in the afternoon the men were all lined up on English soil ready +for further orders. Shortly afterwards they walked through the streets +of Liverpool to the railway station, led by a band composed of English +Boy Scouts, playing national airs by which the men marched along, +keeping step to the music and being enthusiastically cheered by the +crowds that lined the streets. + +Arriving at the station, they entered day coaches and were rapidly +hauled across England to Southampton, reaching there about one o'clock +the next morning, June 16th. From the station they hiked out to a rest +camp on the outskirts of the city and were assigned long, bare wooden +barracks and inside of a few minutes the tired men were wrapped up in +their blankets and snoring in peace on the hard floor. + +On the morning of the 17th they again rolled their packs and marched +down to the docks where they were loaded into a small side wheeled boat +and by dark were being rapidly carried across the English Channel, +taking the same zig-zag course as they did coming to England, to avoid +the enemy submarines. On the morning of the 18th the ship docked at Le +Havre, France, and the men were soon unloaded and ready for another +hike, this time to a second rest camp situated on the top of a large +hill on the outskirts of the city. After staying three days in this +so-called rest camp, where twelve men slept in tents that were made to +accommodate only six, they marched back down to the railway station and +were loaded onto "side door pullmans" and third class coaches. +Twenty-four hours later they arrived at Blois and were at once taken to +the large replacement camp there. + +Here they were again inspected and re-classified and placed in different +casual companies. All their extra equipment and barrack bags were taken +away from them and they were left with only their field equipment, all +ready for active service. Three days later the following thirty-six men, +representing the first replacements of the company, reported to Train +Hqs. for duty: + + Frank M. Allen + Wm. J. Armbrustmacher + Allen L. Barris + Frank E. Bellows + Chas. F. Blaker + Joseph J. Blandford + John R. Fulmer + Michael Harriston + Ernest P. Heidel + John E. Lancaster + Walter Lebeck + Stephen McCormick + Lester A. Brogan + Francis P. Cannon + James W. Coleman + John P. Feeney + Abraham H. Feinberg + John J. Fisher + Garland Freeman + George G. Crowley + Angelo Castaldi + Clarke Ellis + James R. McDonald + John Troode + Verne F. Crawford + Harry T. Douglas + Jesse M. Casteel + Vaughn James + James E. Johnston + August Lottner + Dewey T. Barbour + Fay A. Downing + Arthur E. Jones + Parker E. Saul + +The second and last replacements to this company arrived in three +sections. The first section sailed from New York on the transport +Mongunias, Sept. 17th, 1918, landing in St. Nazaire, France, Sept. 30th. +The second section left New York on the Princess Mantoka, Sept. 23rd, +arriving at St. Nazaire on Oct. 6th, having been forced far off their +course by the equatorial storms. The third and last section started +across on the ship Walmer Castle, October 20th, and were unloaded at La +Havre, France, Oct. 31st. + +Upon arriving in France all were sent to the Medical Training School +near St. Agnon, one of the largest replacement camps in France. After +spending about three weeks there in drilling and receiving final +instruction for active duty all were sent out to ambulance companies, +Field Hospitals and Medical Detachments of different line organizations. + +The following men received orders to report to Ambulance Co. 139, for +duty, on October 27th and November 20th: + + Albert J. Daley + Andrew J. Dolak + Dennis Duffy + Lester E. Eakin + John E. Evans + Howard C. Evert + Harry W. Fowler + Cornelius A. Gallagher + Augusts Giorgi + Walter F. Hess + Benjamin W. Kline + Edward Kletecka + Thomas G. Kuntz + Charlie Lulow + Elmer F. Lutt + Jess W. McKain + Clarence T. S. Murphy + Grigory Mukansky + + + + +FURLOUGHS + +Grenoble + + +The first men to receive furloughs in this company received word on the +24th of October to be ready to take the train at Ancemont at 5 A. M. the +next morning. Only four places were given each company, and lots were +drawn to see who would go. Three places were drawn by "buck" Privates +Piatt, Smith and Wise, and Wag. Lawrence Putman was the fourth man. The +balance of the day was spent in hurried preparations for the trip. +Nobody had made one of these trips before, and no one knew what was +required. Full field equipment was the verdict from Headquarters as to +packs. + +As no alarm clocks were handy, the men took turns sitting up so that +they would leave on time in the morning. Like the small boy, they were +all up and at the station long before time for the train. First guess +was 10 A. M. for the "furlough special," but it was 7:30 P. M. before +it finally arrived. About a thousand men from the division were to make +the trip, so that it required a good-sized train. The Sanitary Train men +were lucky in loading, as they drew a second-class coach, but French +coaches, even second class, were never intended for sleeping purposes. +All of the men were loaded with rations, issued for the trip, and of +course the jam disappeared first, as it usually does under like +circumstances. + +Next morning a strangely peaceful country and welcome sunshine greeted +their vision. Hot coffee was served by a Red Cross canteen for +breakfast. Lyon was reached by noon and a short stop was made there. + +The train arrived at Grenoble at 3:30 P. M. on a beautiful Sunday +afternoon. One captain, four or five M. P.'s and the entire population +of Grenoble was at the station to welcome the train. The reception royal +was explained by the captain, who said "Grenoble has just been opened as +a leave area, and this is the first lot of Americans to arrive." When +the men were lined up outside of the station to be marched to the A. P. +M. office, they started out in a column of fours, but it wasn't long +until they were lucky to get through the crowd at all. All the people +wanted to see the Americans and shake hands with them, and not a few +wanted to kiss them. It was surprising to hear so many of the people +speak good English. They explained this, saying that Grenoble was a +popular European and American pleasure resort before the war. Arriving +at the office of the A. P. M., passes were stamped and tickets issued +for rooms and meals. The men were divided among several nearby towns and +pleasure resorts. The last four hundred, including those of the Sanitary +Train, were left in Grenoble proper. + +Grenoble is built especially for tourists' trade, and the hotels are all +large and well furnished. They seemed like palaces to the men just from +the barren wastes of northern France. Real beds with white sheets and +soft mattresses, lace curtains at the windows, polished floors, neat +little wash stands, clothing cabinets and fire places greeted the men in +the rooms they were shown to. Single or double rooms were furnished as +desired. Meals were served in the dining room of the hotel, and the men +were informed that all they had to do for seven days and nights was to +enjoy themselves--no reveille, retreat or drill calls to mar their +pleasure. Breakfast from 7:30 to 9:00 A. M., dinner at 1:00 P. M. and +supper at 6:30 P. M. were served at long tables, family style, and they +were real meals. Best of all there were no mess kits to bother with +after eating. + +Needless to say, it did not take the men long to get used to living like +white men again, and before long they were all stepping out to see the +town. The barber shops, restaurants and souvenir stores were soon doing +a rushing business. Most surprising was the fact that prices didn't +take a jump the first day and keep rising thereafter. The trades people +even made reductions for the Americans. Modern stores with plate glass +windows and electric lights at night greeted the men, and it is +gratifying to state that the word "finish" was never heard in Grenoble. + +The Y. M. C. A. had a well supplied canteen, and every day several of +the "Y" girls led a party of sightseers to nearby places of interest. +Every night some kind of an entertainment, either dances, picture shows +or vaudeville, was staged by the Y. M. C. A. The French shows were all +closed on account of the influenza, so the men had to furnish their own +entertainment. + +Grenoble is situated close to both the Swiss and Italian borders, and is +snuggled right up in the Alps. The mountains are snow-capped the year +round, and form a pretty background for the town. Some of the mountains +were close enough for a climb, and several parties took trips to them. +The town is cut in two by the river Isce and three large concrete +bridges span the water, making a pretty setting. The buildings are all +large, of modern and substantial construction, and from the top of the +nearby mountain the town makes a beautiful picture. Of the eight days +spent in Grenoble, seven were sunshiny and clear, so the men were +convinced that there actually was such a thing as a "Sunny France." + +The mademoiselles all seemed to think it an honor to show the Americans +a good time, and the men were never lonesome for feminine company. They +seemed more like American girls, as they spoke a little English, wore +good clothes, and were very good looking. As the time for departure drew +nearer, it was hard for them to think of leaving, but like everything +else that sad day rolled around. Many were the promises made to keep up +a correspondence, but how many of these promises were kept, only the +writer and the censor know. Almost as large a crowd bid them good-bye as +welcomed them. + +That the men of the 35th division made a good impression on the people +of Grenoble is evidenced in a letter from the mayor of Grenoble, +thanking our General for the good conduct of the men and asking that +more men of the 35th division be sent there. + +Whatever the impression made by the boys upon the people of Grenoble, it +is certain that the people of Grenoble made a good impression on the +boys. + + + + +LA BOURBOULE + + +The "Permissions" read La Bourboule, and no sooner were these handed to +their proper owners than sixty well-groomed "Medics," representing the +Sanitary Train were on their way to the destination specified. After +being jammed into those queer French coaches (third class) with no +thought given to comfort, the train finally picked up speed and passed +out upon the main line. The clicking of the rail-joints seemed to call +cadence for the songs from 1200 throats, all from the 35th division, +whose owners were happy to get away from bugle calls, military +discipline and slushy streets. + +After a few hours' ride--just a sample of what they were to get--the +train was sidetracked at Nancy and all enjoyed the best bath they had +ever taken, in what is said to be the largest bath-house in the world. +Here the water comes out of the ground at a temperature of 78 degrees F. +and passes direct into the pool. After this "decootieization" they +boarded the train again and were able to sit and enjoy the scenery for +the rest of the trip. + +The first day and night passed quickly, but then time began to drag, and +along toward evening of the second day some great geniuses were born to +the world. These were the men who devised the method by which nine men +could sleep in a space that only seemed large enough for half that +number. Could one have peeped into the passing coaches it would have +struck him as exceedingly humorous--some were stowed away in the +hat-racks over head, while others, with no room to lie down, were trying +to sleep in a sitting posture. So time passed for three days and two +nights. + +To step from the train and see no town of any size was the thing that +befell these men, and exclamations of dissatisfaction and disgust were +heard everywhere. Being encouraged by a Y. M. C. A. man standing nearby +that twenty-four hours in the town would change their opinion, they were +content to be assigned to their various hotels. + +The village, or town, of La Bourboule is located in the Auvergne +mountains, in the range Puy-de-Dome, and had been a very popular summer +resort for the French people up to the time the U. S. government took it +over as one of the leave areas for American troops. The altitude of this +locality varies, for the valleys are about 2800 feet, while some peaks +are 4500 feet above the sea level. But as a leave sector it was a +disappointment to everyone. There were no recreations at all except +those furnished by the Y. M. C. A. and that place was carried by storm +from morning to night. A Y. M. C. A. man spoke of the trouble and placed +the blame to the fact that the town had accommodations for 1200 men, but +there were twice that number there of the 35th and the 26th divisions. +One can easily judge why these fellows thought they were "in the wrong +pew." To see an evening's performance of vaudeville or motion pictures +at the theatre, it was necessary to take a magazine and lunch, make +yourself at home for at least two hours and stick it out in said +selected seat. + +All had the idea that their days of standing in line for everything were +"_fini_," for seven days' leave, but it was not to be; they lined up to +purchase canteen checks and "fell in" behind, sometimes, one hundred +others to buy at the wet or dry canteen. At the former could be +purchased soft drinks, sandwiches and cakes, while at the latter was an +abundant supply of tobaccos and soldiers' needs. + +One Y. M. C. A. man made a practice of taking all interested soldiers to +see the many sights that the town boasted of, that is, to those that +were within hiking distance. The most important were the Roman Baths, +which are located at a distance of about six kilometres from La +Bourboule. These baths were first built by the soldiers of Caesar about +the year 400 A. D. Afterwards the springs were found to be beneficial to +people suffering from rheumatics and bronchial troubles. There are +eleven springs, all of a temperature averaging from 98 to 100 degrees +except one cold spring, and all tasting of mineral properties very +strongly. All of these springs are said to be radio-active, and each is +famous as a "cure" for some particular ailment. The most popular is the +"Singer's Spring," so-called because most of the leading vocalists in +the country took treatment there by gargling the water from this spring. +The original building was sacked and pillaged by the Gauls and +afterwards rebuilt as nearly along former lines as knowledge would +permit. Throughout the building are scattered pieces of the former +structure; statues, arches and pillars of the old Doric, Ionic and +Corinthian designs, which were unearthed and placed on display in the +many rooms. Among these is a piece of masonry representing the she-wolf +that suckled Romulus and Remus, as the legend goes, when they were lost +in the woods prior to the founding of Rome. It is not known, however, +whether this is the original that the Romans prized so highly, or a +reproduction. + +Another thing worth visiting at La Bourboule is the subterranean city, +which was supposed to have been submerged by an earthquake in early +times. A few of the buildings were unearthed a few years ago, but the +task was never completed. All around that vicinity the ground has a +hollow sound under foot, and makes walking seem a little dangerous. + +On a large plateau, 4500 feet above the town proper, is said to have +been the camping ground for Caesar's large army at the time he attempted +to stop the advance of the Gauls from the north. The French say he was +unsuccessful, and was forced to retire to the valley below. Mont +D'Sancy, one of the highest peaks in France, is near this area, but few +have ever cared to climb to its summit. + +After enduring French menu, which could have been much improved, for +nine days, the men were not sorry to receive orders to return to their +units. Prices ranged but one way--high and higher. One soldier remarked +that every time a certain bell rang, prices in the town jumped a franc. +The bell struck every quarter-hour. But conditions returning by rail +were even worse than the trip down, for this time, instead of nine to a +compartment, there were twelve crabby, disagreeable "soldats" returning +from their bi-yearly "Permission" in the heart of France. + + + + +THE FURLOUGHS AT AIX-LES-BAINES + + +Three groups of men of Ambulance Co. 139 were fortunate in having their +permissions read "Aix-les-Bains," furloughs which will never be +forgotten by the men who went there. + +Aix-les-Bains is a famous watering place in a picturesque valley along +the French Alps, not far from the Italian border. It is situated at the +foot of Mt. Revard, and within fifteen minutes' walk of Lake Bourget, +the largest and one of the most beautiful lakes in France. Next to Monte +Carlo, it was once the most renowned gambling center in the world. + +Everything possible was done to make our vacation a happy one. The men +were quartered in the very best hotels, getting the best of service and +everything to be desired in the line of eats. There was mountain +climbing, entertainments of all kinds provided by the Y. M. C. A., and, +best of all, companionship with real, live American "Y" girls. + +"Grand Cercle," the celebrated gambling casino of Aix-le-Bains, is now +the most beautiful Y. M. C. A. hut in France. It is a large, imposing +and luxuriously appointed building, costing several million francs. Its +various saloons are ornamented with magnificent mosaics by Salviati, of +Venice. Just beyond the vestibule is the "Gallery de Glaces," from which +most of the rooms of the casino can be entered. To the right is the +beautiful writing and reading room, the library, and the theatre, which +seats over a thousand persons. There is also the "Salle de Bacchus" and +the "Royal Bar." The bar is still doing a thriving business, but in +place of the former bar maid are the attractive American girls, serving +hot chocolate and coffee. At the "Salle de Bacchus" one could buy all he +wanted to eat at extremely low prices. To the left again are the rooms +formerly used for gambling purposes. The largest is used for lectures +and informal social times, and the smaller, where the larger stakes were +played for, is the center for the religious work program. + +The men were privileged to take trips to the summit of Mt. Revard, five +thousand feet above the sea level, by means of a little cog railroad. +From there they could see the Jura Mountains, the Alps, and the +snow-covered top of Mt. Blanc, the highest peak in Europe. When the +last furlough men were at Aix-les-Bains, early in February, "skiing" was +in vogue on Mt. Revard, and many were the tumbles taken in the attempt +to learn that fine winter sport. + +Another interesting trip was the hike to Mt. Chambotte, twelve kilos +away, where the men could also enjoy skiing and tobogganing. Then there +was the bike trip to the "Gorges" where they saw deep gashes worn in the +face of the earth by the unceasing mountain streams. Twice a week there +were trips by steamboat to Hautecomb Abbey, on which they could get a +wonderful view of the lake and the mountains. There, in the historical +old Abbey, are quite a number of beautiful oil paintings and statues, +taken care of by three old Monks. On all of these trips the Y. M. C. A. +furnished a competent guide, who explained the interesting points. + +At the "Y" casino, there was some form of entertainment at almost every +hour of the day. If there wasn't a vaudeville performance in the +theatre, there was either a moving picture show in the Cinema Hall or a +band concert in the ball-room, and sometimes all three were in process +at the same time. Each Thursday night was "stunt night," when different +stunts and dances were put on in the theatre by the soldiers on leave, +assisted by the "Y" girls. + +Such entertainment as this gave the men a new lease on life. All of the +men going to Aix-le-Bains returned saying that they had one of the best +times of their lives, and regretted that they could not have stayed +longer, as it was more like home than any place they had been in France. + + + + +TRIP TO MARSEILLES + + +While at Fontaine Brilliante, on the Verdun front, orders were received +for a detail to proceed to Marseilles for the purpose of getting the +ambulances we had been longing for since our arrival in France. Aside +from eight G. M. C. cars of Ambulance Co. 138, and four broken down +Fords, the 110th Sanitary Train had had no ambulances since leaving +Doniphan. We had long since given up the idea of ever having a +transportation section again, in fact someone had even gone the length +of voicing the following lament: + + "They sent us down to Doniphan to get an ambulance + To go abroad and let 'er go and drive for sunny France, + And then it took us seven months to get a pair of pants. + Oh, there's something rotten somewhere in this blooming ambulance. + Of course to drive an ambulance you've got to learn to drill, + So every morning, afternoon, they put us through the mill. + And when this war is over you will find us at it still; + For we never saw an ambulance, and never, never will." + +The wagoners and ambulance orderlies were hastily recalled from their +work as litter bearers in the advanced posts, and on October 26th, Lt. +Speck started for Marseilles for twenty-nine G. M. C. ambulances, with a +detail of thirty-two men from Ambulance Co. 139, sixteen from Ambulance +Co. 138, and twelve from Ambulance Co. 137. There was a mad scramble to +get on this detail, which meant a trip across France, away from the +monotony of the trenches. + +We arrived at the railroad about an hour early, but in the course of +time the train arrived and then started the scramble for the best +compartments that the train afforded. Most of us found second-class +compartments, which, after more cushions had been obtained, were very +comfortable, although a little breezy. Of course no lights could be +shown, but they were much better than the customary box cars. +Seven-thirty A. M., October 27th, found us at St. Dizier. We were +escorted to Camp Tambourine by an M. P., where we spent the morning +partaking of our rations. At about noon the M. P. returned, notifying us +that the train was ready, so we were checked out of the camp, marched to +the train and packed into box cars (40 hommes or 8 chevaux). They were +better than some we had drawn formerly, as there was straw on the floor. + +The train traveled along a beautiful tree-lined canal for a long +distance. Barges on the canal were for the most part drawn by horses, +but occasionally we would see very small burros pulling them. Each barge +appeared to be a home, for family washings were hanging out on a great +many of them. + +We arrived at Dijon about 1 A. M. October 28th, and marched across the +city wheeling rations on two-wheeled baggage trucks which were +"borrowed" at the railroad station. We stayed the balance of the night +at a French Permissionares Barrack, and spent the following day looking +around the numerous parks and squares. While in the Permissionares +barracks, one of our boys inquired of another, "Who are those 'birds' in +French uniforms wearing those four-cornered caps?" Before the question +could be answered, the French-uniformed person replied, in English, "We +are of the Polish Legion. My home is in Chicago." + +That evening we entrained again, and after an uneventful ride, arrived +at Lyons at 7 A. M. the next morning. After a wait at the station of +about two hours, we marched to some barracks which were surrounded by a +high board fence. The city being quarantined on account of the +influenza, we were not allowed outside of the enclosure except to go to +the wash-house, about a hundred yards distant. Between the gate of the +enclosure and the wash-house was a "boozerie," consequently there were a +great many men who wanted to wash. + +Just before leaving Lyons that evening, a doughboy "promoted" a large +crate of grapes from a shipment on the station platform. At daylight the +following morning we were traveling through a rather sandy country, with +vineyards on both sides of the track. Then for a long distance there +were Larch trees planted along the track, so close together that it was +impossible to see beyond them. Later in the day we traveled along the +shore of Etyde Berre Sea, with its many rice plantations, and multitude +of wild ducks, then through a tunnel about two kilos long, through large +groves of fig trees, finally arriving at Marseilles about noon. + +Our packs were hauled in trucks to the Motor Reception Park while the +men marched, giving us an opportunity to see the many fruit peddlers, +the numerous fountains and squares, and the dirty, narrow streets of the +city. Upon our arrival at the Motor Reception Park we were assigned to +billets in French buildings. We spent the afternoon cleaning up, eating +fruit purchased from peddlers, and selling all kinds of little trinkets +to the S. O. S. men as German souvenirs, and explaining to them who "won +the war." In the evening we were given passes into Marseilles, good +until midnight. Some went to the theatre staging a burlesque show, which +was very similar to an American show. Others went around the town, to +the water front, and sampled all of the fruits available, none of which +are as good as the fruits which can be procured in American cities. +However, we found Marseilles a cosmopolitan city, both in regard to +civilians and soldiers. The main streets were very much like the streets +of an American city. + +Early in the afternoon of October 31st we were marched to the +ambulances, and busied ourselves looking over the machines preparing for +the start. During the evening we looked around the immediate vicinity of +the Motor Park and sampled the vintage of southern France. + +At 8:00 A. M., on November 1st, the convoy of 29 ambulances left the +park in a gentle shower, but before traveling very far it became a +regular cloudburst, with a strong wind. The first day's drive was over +very good roads, in a narrow valley, with high, rocky hills and peaks in +the distance and an occasional village at the foot of the hills. We +stopped the first night just outside of St. Aminol, a very small +village, and being the first American soldiers who had stopped near +there, we were enthusiastically received by the mademoiselles, and +invited to visit the town. + +During the next day we passed through Avignon, where we were given +flowers by French children. We crossed several suspension bridges over +streams flowing into the Rhone River, and drove for miles through +vineyards, with their beautiful red and yellow leaves. We saw many wine +presses, most of which were operated by women, in fact a greater part of +the manual labor was done by the women. We stopped for the night near +Valence, a city of many narrow crooked streets, beautiful squares and +fountains. We saw there many patterns of Val lace. + +Leaving Valence at 7 A. M. November 3rd, we passed through St. Symphone +on a market day. The farm products and animals were lined up along the +street; vegetables piled on the sidewalk, while the pigs, geese and +calves were in excelsior-lined crates and baskets. We arrived at Lyons +in the afternoon and drove down one of the main streets--and it was +agreed by all that they had never seen so many beautiful ladies in a +similar length of time, not even in America. We stopped for the night at +a French Barracks, another prison, the city still being under +quarantine. Lyons is built at the junction of the Rhone and Prome +rivers, the different parts of the city being connected by many bridges, +one the Pont du President Wilson, which was dedicated July 14th, 1918. + +It was raining when we left Lyons the next morning, and the roads were +very rough. As it was necessary to have the curtains of the ambulances +up all day, we could see very little of the country until we got to +Dijon, where we stopped for the night. From Dijon, we traveled over +fairly good roads through a rolling country similar to Kansas, stopping +on the night of November 5th at Chaumont, at which place is located +Headquarters, A. E. F. + +We left Chaumont at 7:30 A. M. on November 6th, passing through Langres +with its fort. By afternoon we had arrived back to the part of the +country which was strewn with barbed wire entanglements, trenches and +other preparations for combat, and late in the evening arrived at +Fontaine Brilliante. + +Had we never seen any of France but the northern devastated part, we +would have always wondered why the French fought so hard, but now we can +easily see the reason. + + + + +A CASUAL IN THE S. O. S. + + +Upon the conclusion of the 139th Amb. Co.'s part in the Argonne drive, +the company was assembled at Neuvilly. Here, orders were given for all +men who needed medical attention to report for examination, and the +Casual, after living on corn beef and hard tack once a day, no sleep to +speak of, and some experience with gas, concluded that he needed an +overhauling. Accordingly he went before the M. D., was sentenced to the +field hospital, and there being no field hospital in action, was sent to +Evacuation No. 9 at Vaubecourt. + +The journey was made by ambulance and, upon his arrival he was taken to +the receiving ward. Here he was given a hot cup of cocoa by the Red +Cross girls, and a new diagnosis tag in exchange for the one he was +wearing. His helmet and gas mask were discarded since they could not be +of much benefit, and he was assigned a bed in Ward No. 40. + +Here he lay for two days, waiting for his turn to go to the Base. The +bed felt good to his weary bones after months of no bed at all to speak +of. He let his mind wander to various subjects that he had been wanting +to think of for two weeks, but could not for fear of that soul +disturbing cry "gas!" He wondered why that shell that had distributed a +mule all over the landscape, had not distributed him instead, in the +same manner, and thanked the Lord that he was evidently considered of +more value than the mule. The third day found him on a French hospital +train, where he lived on French rations (including Vin Blanc) for two +days and one night. The evening of the second day found him at Neuves. +The trip was featured by the unsuccessful effort of the M. P's. to +protect the fine French vineyards from being ravaged by such of the +invalids as were not too sick to walk around. After all, it was a long +time since they had eaten grapes, for one does not pick grapes on the +front line and one used to living in that atmosphere is troubled by more +serious thoughts than property rights. When he got to Neuves he was to +be put through another receiving ward where the serious cases were +marked with a red tag, which means immediate attention. Not being so +badly off, the Casual was relieved of what clothes he still possessed +and everything else except personal articles. Next, came a bath and a +suit of pajamas and then, bed. + +When he had gotten off the train those gallant heroes, the pirates of +the S. O. S. had immediately fallen on him tooth and nail, hammer and +tongs for anything in the line of souvenirs that he was likely to have +on his person. Having risked a great deal of his future in obtaining +these little remembrances of the Hun, he was quite naturally not very +much excited over the idea of getting rid of them, and especially to +people only by risking their reputation in trying to part a war-worn +Sammie from his only reminders of the fight. So he stood his ground +until he fell into the hands of the lieutenants of the receiving ward +from whom there is no escape. Here he was separated from all his +treasures with no regard whatsoever, for even common decency. He only +hopes he will meet and recognize them on the other shore, especially if +he could come upon them relating the story of their capture. + +After the Casual was safely in bed, the ward master made a record of the +principal parts of his past life, which is called a "Clinical Record." +Next, a physical examination by the M. D. in charge who prescribed the +treatment. The man in the next car was suffering from a fractured leg +and in much pain, but he remarked to the Casual that he was glad that he +seemed to be getting reasonable treatment, for some places he would +have been given two O. D. pills and told to report for duty. + +[Illustration: LEFT TO RIGHT: LT. GEO. MONTEITH, CAPT. PAUL R. SIBERTS, +CAPT. RICHARD T. SPECK, CAPT. BRET V. BATES, LT. COLIN C. VARDON.] + +[Illustration: WEST TOWARD BAULNEY.] + +[Illustration: COMPANY INSPECTION, CAMP DONIPHAN, OKLA.] + +The Casual was put in Class C and had an in and out life of it. The food +was good but very little of it, at least, to a man with an appetite. +Occasionally there was a battle royal when enough parties had saved up +sufficient prune seeds to make an effective barrage, but when there were +no prune seeds, the time passed very slowly. The Casual went from Class +C to Class B in two weeks, and three weeks more of it found him ready to +depart for a Replacement Camp. When this time came, he was issued a new +outfit and put in a bunch of 40 men who were under the tender care of a +sergeant. That worthy one drew the rations and marched the detail to the +train. Side door Pullmans, this time. Quite different from first class. +Here the motto "Cheveaux 8, Hommes 40" was faithfully lived up to, but +the Casual thought the 40 hommes was a great deal over estimated. The +seating proved uncomfortable, so with much labor, seats were built +around the sides and through the center from stones and lumber, policed +from an American yard. Immediately after the job was done, an officer +entered and informed the sergeant that all the material policed should +be considered under the order of "As You Were." But he did not wait to +see if his orders were carried out, and the works were camouflaged with +blankets. However, the suspense proved too great, and the stuff was +returned for fear of the consequences. It is worthy of note that the car +was never inspected. + +The train started, snail fashion, after the manner of French trains and +at one of the stops, a vin barrel was tapped, to the benefit of all +concerned in the tapping. The destination proved to be Toul, where the +Casual was put in a company and given the rest of his equipment and was +on his way back to his company the next day. + +An hour and a half later, he pulled in after an eight kilo hike, glad to +be home and ready to eat some of the good old steaks. No more casual +life for him. + + + + +PERSHING REVIEWS THE 35th DIVISION + + +No day could have been more typical of France than the day of the +Divisional Review, Monday, February 17th, 1919. There was a steady fall +of rain, and the low-scudding clouds threw a dampened aspect upon the +scene. + +The Sanitary Train, led by Maj. Oliver C. Gebhart, left Aulnois at 10:00 +A. M. The distance of ten kilometers to the reviewing field between the +villages of Vignot and Boncourt was made under every disadvantage of +muddy roads and the heavy pour of rain. The field itself, located on a +broad stretch of the Meuse basin, was mush-like with mire and patched +with pools of water. + +General Pershing, with the Prince of Wales, rode onto the field at 1:30 +o'clock, while the entire division stood at attention. The salute to the +Commander-in-Chief was played by a detachment of picked buglers, and as +the General and his party rode around the entire division from right to +left, the band, stationed on the right, rendered "God Save the King," in +honor of England's young prince. + +The columns of the Division were drawn up into platoon fronts, the +Sanitary Train being stationed between the Artillery, on the left, and +the Machine Gun, Signal Corps and Infantry Regiments on the right. After +riding around the Division, General Pershing and his party personally +inspected each platoon, winding back and forth, asking questions of the +company commanders and speaking with the men. + +Having completed the personal inspection, the General and his party took +position in the reviewing stand on the right. At the command "Pass in +Review" by the Division Commander, each battalion executed successively +"Squads Right," and swept down the field in a line of platoons. It was +indeed a most impressive sight, and, although the sky was cast heavy +with low-hanging clouds, the sun, as if to lend color to an already +beautiful picture, broke through and shone for a few moments. Then, as +each column swung out upon its own way home, the rain began again. As +the last regiment passed in review, the Division was halted while the +General and Prince spoke a few words of praise for the splendid showing +of the Division, and of its work in battle. + +Although participation in this great event required that the men wear +full packs for almost nine hours without removing them, and undergo a +hike of twenty kilos in the rain, not a man regretted the experience. It +will be long remembered with pride by those who took part. + + + + +FROM COUSANCES TO AULNOIS + + +The signing of the Armistice on November 11th, left the company at +Cousances, occupying an old, dismantled factory. It was a most +unsatisfactory place and there were practically no accommodations of any +kind. Winter was upon us. The open barn lofts were too breezy for +comfort, and there existed a little feeling of uneasiness, as days +passed by and still we did not move. + +After a couple of weeks, however, we packed up and moved to the small +village of Ernecourt, situated about 12 kilos southeast of Cousances. +Remaining here for only a few days, we again moved on to Aulnois, where +the remainder of the time in this area was spent. + + + + +THE HOME GOING + + +Aulnois may have been a disappointment or the men may have thought it +satisfactory. Anyway, when the Sanitary Train moved into its area it was +a typical example of many of the other villages that they had found +over-run with dirt and French children. + +It was not long after their cow-shed and hay-loft billets were made as +comfortable as possible, until the full force was out with brooms, +shovels and trucks, and soon the village took on an altogether different +appearance. The natives no doubt imagined that these veterans were a +Brigade of White Wings, or perhaps some Convict Labor Battalion and +perhaps they failed to appreciate the work, even after their little +"burg" was transformed into a decent place in which to dwell. Well, +"san-ferrie-Anne," this was the Sanitary Train, the 110th, at that. + +Three months were the people of the village honored with the presence of +this hearty crew, and ere the end of the first month, they had decided +that the Americans were not so barbarious after all, and began to feel +content as the nice shining francs jingled in their jeans. The farmers +foresaw the necessity of doubling the next year's crop of +Pomm-de-terres, and the breweries of Commercy and Bar-le-Duc wondered at +the enormous consumption of their bottled products. + +Still, after all, the stay in this area was very different from what +those on furloughs found at Aix-les-Bains, who, upon returning, usually +suffered an attack of the blues. Each company had work to do. The Field +Hospitals occupied the buildings on the hill just above the town and +were working day and night. The ambulance companies were evacuating the +entire Division, and the efficiency with which both performed their +duties was known throughout the Divisional area. + +There are a few things that will tend to remind the men of the company +of their stay here, in the days when all incidents of the A. E. F. will +be pleasant memories. Christmas, and the dawning of the New Year were +celebrated here. These events are made more memorable because of one +fact, if no other; the cooks went out of their way to prepare the dishes +that, standing out above all else in the Christmas spirit of the Yank, +are to him ever associated with home, a full stomach and celebrations. +Colonel Wooley left the train for another command, and Madam Bon left +her establishment among the boys and was married. However, she continued +to sell a few bottles of beer after closing hours. + +It was while here in Aulnois that the Commanding General of the +A. E. F., accompanied by the Prince of Wales, reviewed the Division. +And last, but by no means least, the long expected news reached us that +the old 35th Division was ordered home. Accordingly, though sometime +later, preparations for the first move were began, and on the evening of +the 9th of March, the men bade farewell to the little village, and +climbed aboard boxcars for the long ride to the Le Mans Embarkation +Area. + + + + +FROM AULNOIS TO "CIVIES" + + +It was with a willing hand and a happy heart that we prepared to leave +Aulnois-Sous-Vertuzey, where we had spent a "weary waiting period" of +over three months, and when the evening of March 9th rolled around, we +were all packed up and "rearin' to go." All medical property, extra +clothing, etc., had been turned in, so that there was very little to +pack except the office records and our personal belongings. Of this we +were duly thankful. + +We entrained at Lerouville at 2 o'clock on the morning of March 10th, +bound for St. Corneille, in the Le Mans area, riding as usual in box +cars. The trip was characteristic of French train service--SLOW--in fact +on the second day of the trip we only made about 12 miles the whole day. +We finally arrived at St. Corneille, a clean little French village, on +the 13th, and for the next three weeks "waited" some more. The only part +of the company who were busy was the office force, and they were +exceedingly so, for there were passenger lists to be made out, besides +innumerable other rosters and reports. Of course there were the usual +physical examinations, "cootie" inspections, and a "shot in the arm," +and these things helped to occupy our time. + +Our next lap toward home started on April 5th, and the next morning +found us at the immense camp of St. Nazaire, our Port of Embarkation. +What a thrill went through us as we looked out onto the ocean again, +especially when we knew that we were soon to cross the gang-plank, "the +bridge whose western end is America!" It must be said here that St. +Nazaire is a wonderfully efficient camp. For instance, each kitchen in +the camp can feed as many as ten thousand men in a little more than an +hour's time. At this camp we were examined and de-cootieized some more, +but our stay was short, and on April 12th we glued our eyes on the +bulletin board, which read "110th Sanitary Train embarks at 11:30 A. M., +April 14th, U. S. S. Antigone." That was "the thrill that comes once +in a lifetime." + +On the dock, before embarking, we were treated to hot chocolate, cookies +and tobacco by the "Y" girls. Then the time that we had been waiting for +for eleven months came, and we crossed the gang-plank "Homeward Bound." +On account of storms just off the coast, our start was delayed until 3 +A. M. on April 16th, and when we awoke that morning we were almost out +of sight of land. Strange to say, there were no "heartaches" when "Sunny +France" faded away behind us, for ahead of us was "God's Country," the +land where mothers, fathers, wives and sweethearts were waiting for us. +That first day out was a memorable one for most of us. The sea was +rough, and that evening no one doubted but that every fish in the +vicinity of the ship went to sleep with his hunger entirely appeased. +Nothing more needs to be said. By the next morning the sea had calmed +down, and the remainder of the voyage was a delightful one, with clear +skies and bright sunshine. The "Y," Red Cross and Knights of Columbus +assisted a great deal in making the trip a pleasant one, by distributing +fruit, candy, magazines and books, and with a "movie" show every +evening. The men were allowed to take trips down into the engine room, +which was indeed an interesting and instructive sight. + +Early on the morning of Sunday, April 27th, we steamed up Hampton Roads, +at Newport News, Virginia, and at about 10:30 once more planted our feet +on the soil of "Uncle Sam." The streets of Newport News were lined with +people as we marched from the dock to Camp Stuart, about five miles +away, and as one fellow remarked, "I saw more good looking girls on that +march than during my whole time in France." Here's to the United States +and her people, for there's no others like them. + +The greater part of our four days at Camp Stuart was spent in getting +new clothing, for every soldier was newly outfitted from head to foot +before he left that camp. So it was a spic and span company that boarded +the train on Friday afternoon, May 2, bound for Camp Funston, our +demobilization camp. That is, there were about seventy of the company to +go to Camp Funston, for the company was separated at Camp Stuart, and +each man was sent to the demobilization camp nearest his home. The homes +of many of our replacements were in the East. The trip across the states +in that fast American train was an enjoyable one, especially so because +of the reception given us by the people at the cities where we stopped. +At each large city a Red Cross canteen entertained us with homemade +sandwiches, coffee and pie. Some entertainment. + +Our trip across the States took us via West Virginia, Cincinnati, +Indianapolis and Chicago. Late on the afternoon of Sunday, May 4th, we +left Chicago for Kansas City, and it was then that our hearts started to +miss a beat now and then, for we were getting close to home. What a +sight greeted our eyes as the train drew into the station at Second and +Washington, Kansas City, Kansas. The station platform was a solid mass +of people, each one trying to pour out a larger amount of "greeting" +than anyone else. When the train finally stopped and we piled out--well, +no words can tell what that reunion meant. Each fellow and his folks +know. We stayed at Kansas City about four hours, and during that time, +besides visiting our folks, our mothers gave us a delightful breakfast +at the Masonic Temple, with a dance afterwards. Then we went on to Camp +Funston, stopping several hours at Topeka, where a number of the men +lived. + +Our stay at Funston was short, but strenuous. We were not allowed to +leave our barrack, for there were a thousand and one different papers, +it seemed, that each man had to sign. Then, too, we turned in our pack, +and all other equipment except our clothing and personal effects. + +It was a wonderful feeling when, on the morning of May 9th, 1919, just a +year to the day from the time we left Camp Doniphan for overseas +service, we marched up to the Personnel Office to receive our +discharges. We could hardly believe it was true. We filed in--soldiers, +and a few minutes later came out--civilians. + +We're glad we served our country when she needed us, and we're glad +"it's over over there." It's just as many an A. E. F. man has said, "We +wouldn't take a million dollars for our experiences over there, but we +wouldn't give a nickel with a hole in it for any more like them." + + + + +FICKLE WOMEN + + +It either was Tom Keene, Henry George or some other good nickel seller +that once said, "Women thou art fickle things," and to come right down +to it the old boy was about right. Even in this war we have found that +the fair sex is not overcoming this weakness, in fact woman today is +worse than she was yesterday. + +In the days of old the men would do daring acts to win the hand of fair +lady. If he went on a crusade and brought back a string of dragon heads +she would marry him. They would live happily till some other daredevil +comes along with long wavy hair and two strings of dragon heads. Right +away friend wife drops a Sedlitz powder in his "vin-rouge." A few days +finds hubby pushing up daisies and the handsome stranger is seen playing +a guitar under the widow's window, she encouraging him by dropping +roses. + +Now today he pops the question, she says, "But we won't have the knot +tied till you come back from the war." While he was putting the half +karat on that special finger he began to figure how long it would take +him to kill off the population of Germany at the rate of five thousand a +day and get back to the ideal of his dreams. He goes across the pond and +receives his sweet weekly letter till one day he gets one that makes him +think that he is opening some other fellow's mail. + +She had not waited to see how many "Dutch" helmets and medals he would +bring home but had gone before the altar with some guy who couldn't +enlist on account of a thick head. + +It's a wonder we ever won the war with such moral support as this coming +through the mail. In this company alone, which has a strength of only +one hundred and twenty-three men, eleven per cent were jilted in this +way. All of them will probably not die old bachelors, but it will take +some pretty strong bait to get these fish to nibble again. + + + + +ROSTER + + +AMBULANCE COMPANY No. 2, KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD. + + _Lieutenants._ + + Edwin R. Tenney, 538 Oakland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Richard F. Speck, 718 Washington Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + Adam E. Adamson. + Alpheus J. Bondurant Charleston, Mo. + + _Sergeants._ + + Rowland, Chas. G., 2304 Myrtle Ave. Kansas City, Mo. + Adams, James A., 1134 Troup Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Hadley, Vernon A., 1241 Lafayette St. Lawrence, Kans. + Leady, Roscoe B., 1005 Central Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Markley, Algernon Minneapolis, Kans. + Parsons, John D., 2614 N. 13th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Thomas, Chester L., 823 N. Jackson Topeka, Kans. + Falconer, Clarence E., 535 Oakland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Carson, Edward T., Aberdeen Hotel Kansas City, Mo. + + _Corporals._ + + Hovey, Clarence E., 1136 Rowland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Ward, Clarence S., 609 Ohio Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Knight, Roger F., 12 S. Boeke St. Kansas City, Kans. + Weirshing, Guy Sedan, Kans. + Dugan, Rollo C., 606 E. 4th St. Ottawa, Kans. + Toler, Roy P., 601 E. 9th St. Kansas City, Mo. + Robinson, William, 515 Quindaro Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + O'Dowd, Hall B., 642 Everett Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Roach, Norvin M., 536 Brooklyn Ave. Kansas City, Mo. + Alleman, Neal D., 1926 N. 15th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Christian, John S., 31st and Pacific Kansas City, Kans. + + _Cooks._ + + Toohey, Paul E., 1232 Quindaro Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + Karbach, Albert R., 531 Quindaro Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + + _Musicians._ + + White, Frederick R., 1131 Rowland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Keck, Kenneth F., 606 Isett Ave. Wapello, Iowa + + _Privates._ + + Addison, James W., 1938 N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Anderson, Willard C. Partridge, Kans. + Anderson, John W., 713 Lafayette Kansas City, Kans. + Adams, Ernest T., 636 Simpson Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Bailey, Clarence E. Ramona, Okla. + Barnes, Lile Joe, City Hospital Kansas City, Mo. + Barnes, Richard A. Ottawa, Kans. + Barnett, Benjamin, 819 Southwest Blvd. Rosedale, Kans. + + Brown, Kenneth S., 646 Oakland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Baum, Earl W., 1932 Parallel Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Baum, Eldon E., 1932 Parallel Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Blackwell, Joseph F., 735 Nebraska Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Blazer, Robert T., 46 N. Tremont Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Bradbury, Claude L., 1250 Sandusky Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Brennan, Edward W., 538 Oakland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Briggs, Clarence, 609 Cornell Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Briggs, Junior, 609 Cornell Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Brown, Guy, 240 N. 16th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Brunell, Ferdinand F. C., 604 N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Buckles, Doyle L. Sedan, Kans. + Buckley, Leslie K., 13 N. Feree Kansas City, Kans. + Childs, Wesley M., 2116 N. 10th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Carter, Edward, 29 N. Valley Kansas City, Kansas + Church, Romulus B., 1228 Ohio St. Lawrence, Kans. + Cline, Ernest R. Tonganoxie, Kans. + Cole, Charles L., 1604 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City Kans. + Conquest, Victor, 1903 N. 4th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Corbett, Joseph F., 839 Ann Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Coyle, Walter E., 866 Orville Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Crowley, John J., 1233 Oread St. Lawrence, Kans. + Davidson, Vernie, 1943 N. 11th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Dennis, Jesse A., Ottawa County Pomma, Kans. + DeTalent, Edward C., 1916 E. 34th St. Kansas City, Mo. + Finley, Harold H. Turner, Kans. + Flagg, Paul E., 1320 Ohio Ave. Lawrence, Kans. + Flesher, Clarence W., 1820 N. 9th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Foster, James R., 2828 Olive St. Kansas City, Mo. + Gibson, Walter N., 329 N. Valley St. Kansas City, Kans. + Gregar, Mike G., 725 Lyons St. Kansas City, Kans. + Goff, Melvin W., 808 Missouri St. Lawrence, Kans. + Hallquist, Hugo F., 1721 Stewart Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Hamman, Albert E., 2015 Hallack St. Enid, Okla. + Hart, George M., 624 West Main St. Enid, Okla. + Hendricks, William R., 511 Armstrong Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Hinze, Edward W., 1020 Ford Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Houston, Herbert, 120 S. 17th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Heuben, Paul T., 1139 Ella St. Kansas City, Kans. + Ise, Frank H., 1125 Mississippi Lawrence, Kans. + Jackson, Dale B. Burlington, Kans. + Jenkins, Robert C., 216 N. 21st St. Kansas City, Kans. + Jenner, Clifford, 235 N. Mill St. Kansas City, Kans. + Jessen, Joseph J., 3528 S. Halstead St. Chicago, Ill. + Johnson, Andrew McFarland, Kans. + Johnson, Roy E., 918 Sandusky Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Jones, Jacobus F., 937 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Kocher, Ernest J., 620 Broadway Jefferson City, Mo. + Kemper, Eugene L. Lakin, Kans. + Locke, Lloyd B. Erie, Kans. + McClenahan, John L. Miltonvale, Kans. + McNabb, Fred R. Richmond, Kans. + Martin, William R., 1315 Madison St. Kansas City, Mo. + Miller, Samuel C., 410 "T" St. Atchison, Kans. + Minnear, John R., 2520 Alden St. Kansas City, Kans. + Moore, Chester, 714½ N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kans. + + Murray, Frank A., 407 N. 7th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Nelson, Oscar F., 1722 Stewart Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Oellerich, Clarence E., Penn Hotel Kansas City, Mo. + Parimore, Roy C., 404 W. 7th St. Larned, Kans. + Pedago, Ellis, 1240 Central Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Piatt, William C., R. F. D. No. 4 Kansas City, Kans. + Pringle, Kenneth W., 1334 Ohio Ave. Lawrence, Kans. + Putman, Lawrence A., 806 Minn. Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Rebeck, John M., 1806 N. 2nd St. Kansas City, Kans. + Reid, Alex., 2013 Water St. Kansas City, Kans. + Reid, Roderick V., 1230 Tennessee Lawrence, Kans. + Rewerts, Fred C. Garden City, Kans. + Richmond, Lloyd, 712 Ann Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Russell, Thomas C., 710 Riverview Ave. Kansas City Kans. + Schenke, Harold W., 1208 N. 9th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Siebers, Frank A., 736 Tauromee Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Sherrell, Clarence W., 1232 Minn. Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Smith, Glenn E., 701 W. 11th St. Coffeyville, Kans. + Stalcup, Ernest F. Preston, Kans. + Stewart, Chester B., 1846 N. 18th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Still, Robert P. Tonganoxie, Kans. + Stutes, Chester A., 1860 Brighton Ave. Kansas City, Mo. + Talmadge, Abram J., 720 Garfield Kansas City, Kans. + Van Cleave, Donald W., 714 Troup Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Vesper, Harold E., 730 Garfield Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Walker, John W. Jr., 231 N. 16th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Wolf, Jonathan A. Louisburg, Kans. + Weaverling, Jacob C., 2843 Mercer Ave. Kansas City, Mo. + Williams, William J., 2832 Booth Ave. Rosedale, Kans. + + +LOSSES BY TRANSFER OR DISCHARGE FROM COMPANY. + + _Captains._ + + Siberts, Paul T. Oklahoma City, Okla. + Bates, Bret V. Wheaton, Minn. + + _First Lieutenants._ + + Adamson, Adam J. Kansas City, Mo. + Bondurant, Alpheus J. Kansas City, Kans. + Tenney, Edwin R Kansas City, Kans. + Monteith, Geo. Hazleton, N. Dak. + Shelton, ---- Los Angeles, Cal. + Harwell, Wm. R. Shreveport, La. + Evers, Wm. P. V. Illinois + + _Sergeants, First Class._ + + Rowland, Chas. G., 2016 Lister Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Pringle, Kenneth W. Alma, Kans. + Parsons, John D., 1926 N. 15th St. Kansas City, Kans. + + _Sergeants._ + + Leady, Roscoe B. Kansas City, Kans. + Markley, Algernon D. Minneapolis, Kans. + Thomas, Chester L. Topeka, Kans. + Falconer, Clarence, 535 Oakland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + + Carson, Edward T. Kansas City, Mo. + Childs, Wesley M. Kansas City, Kans. + Foster, James R. Lawrence, Kans. + + _Corporals._ + + Conquest, Victor Kansas City, Kans. + Johns, Benjamin P. Kansas City, Mo. + + _Cooks._ + + Kemper, Eugene L. Lakin, Kans. + + _Privates, First Class._ + + Anderson, John W. Kansas City, Kans. + Anderson, Willard C. Lawrence, Kans. + Baum, Earl W. Kansas City, Kans. + Brennan, Edward W. Kansas City, Kans. + Brown, Kenneth S. Kansas City, Kans. + Buckles, Doyle L. Sedan, Kans. + Casteel, Jess W. Florence, Wis. + Church, Romulus B. Lawrence, Kans. + Corbett, Joseph F. Kansas City, Kans. + Covington, Van D. Kansas City, Mo. + Crawford, Verne F. Croswell, Mich. + Dennis, Jesse A. Ottawa, Kans. + Dotson, Wm. R. Unknown + Dugan, Rollo C. Ottawa, Kans. + Flagg, Paul E. Lawrence, Kans. + Flesher, Clarence W. Kansas City, Kans. + Goff, Melvin W. Lawrence, Kans. + Hallquist, Hugo Kansas City, Kans. + Hinze, Edward W. Kansas City, Kans. + Hovey, Clarence E. Kansas City, Kans. + Heuben, Paul T. Kansas City, Kans. + Ise, Frank H. Lawrence, Kans. + Jackson, Dale B. Kansas City, Kans. + Jenkins, Robt. C. Kansas City, Kans. + Jesson, Joseph J. Kansas City, Kans. + Johnson, Andrew Alma, Kans. + Johnson, Roy E. Kansas City, Kans. + Jones, Jacobus E. Clifton, Tenn. + McClenahan, John S. Miltonvale, Kans. + Martin, Wm. R. Kansas City, Kans. + Miller, Samuel C. Atchison, Kans. + Myers, Wilson Tonganoxie, Kans. + Nelson, Oscar F. Kansas City, Kans. + Patrick, Currie F. St. Louis, Mo. + Pedago, Ellis Kansas City, Kans. + Richmond, Lloyd Kansas City, Kans. + Roach, Norvin M. Kansas City, Mo. + Sherrell, Clarence W. Kansas City, Kans. + Stewart, Chester B. Kansas City, Kans. + Still, Robert A. Tonganoxie, Kans. + Toler, Roy P. Kansas City, Mo. + Van Cleave, Donald W. Kansas City, Kans. + Wolf, Jonathan A. Kansas City, Kans. + Woolery, Clyde F. Unknown + Whiles, James W. Kansas City, Mo. + + +MEN WITH AMBULANCE COMPANY 139, AT TIME OF DEMOBILIZATION. + + _Captains._ + + Speck, Richard T. (Comdg. Co.), 618 Oakland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Hartman, Ralph C., Lake Edge Park Madison, Wis. + + _First Lieutenant._ + + Vardon, Colin C., 225 Highland Ave. Detroit, Mich. + + _Sergeants, First Class._ + + Briggs, Junior, 609 Cornell Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Knight, Roger F., 12 S. Boeke St. Kansas City, Kans. + + _Mess Sergeant._ + + Hadley, Vernon A. Ridgefarm, Ill. + + _Sergeants._ + + Adams, James A., 1134 Troup Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Alleman, Neal D., 1926 N. 15th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Wiershing, Guy Sedan, Kans. + Hart, George M., 611 N. Grand St. Enid, Okla. + Stalcup, Ernest F., 417 E. 11th St. Hutchinson, Kans. + Christian, John W., 122 S. Hicks St. Los Angeles, Cal. + Hickam, Clinton J. Freedom, Ind. + Bailey, Clarence E. Ramona, Okla. + Rewerts, Fred C. Garden City, Kans. + Talmadge, Abram J., 720 Garfield Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + + _Corporals._ + + O'Dowd, Benjamin H., 642 Everett Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Barnes, Richard A. Ottawa, Kans. + Finley, Harold H. Turner, Kans. + Ellis, Clark Glenville, W. Va. + Jensen, Henry M. Concordia, Kans. + Stutes, Chester A., 1860 Brighton Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + + _Cooks._ + + Crotty, John J., 1209 Paseo Kansas City, Mo. + Carter, Edward, 1107 Riverview Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Locke, Lloyd B. Erie, Kans. + + _Mechanic._ + + Meinberg, Edwin J., 2006-A Russell Ave. St. Louis, Mo. + + _Wagoners._ + + Bellows, Frank E. Fultonville, New York + Bradbury, Claude L., 1250 Sandusky Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Briggs, Clarence, 609 Cornell Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Brunell, Ferdinand F. C., 401½ N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Ely, Clarence G. Midlothian, Texas + Feehan, Walter J., 706 Frisco Ave. Monett, Mo. + Kocher, Ernest J., 620 Broadway St. Jefferson City, Mo. + Lottner, August, 907 Townsend Ave. Detroit, Mich. + + McNabb, Fred R. Richmond, Kans. + Putman, Lawrence A., care of Harold E. Vesper, 720 Garfield Ave. + Kansas City, Kans. + Reid, Alex, 2040 Walnut St. Kansas City, Kans. + Robinson, William O., 515 Quindaro Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + Smith, Glen E. Van Buren, Ark. + Vesper, Harold E., 730 Garfield Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Ward, Clarence S., 609 Ohio Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Weaverling, Jacob C., 2843 Mercier Ave. Kansas City, Mo. + + _Privates, First Class._ + + Adams, Ernest T., 636 Simpson Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Addison, James W., 1938 N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Barbour, Dewey T. Houston, Pa. + Barnes, Joe, K. C. General Hospital, 24th and Cherry Kansas City, Mo. + Brown, Guy B., 240 N. 16th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Cataldi, Angelo, 604 Scott St. Wilmington, Del. + Coleman, James W. Le Sueur, Minn. + Coyle, Walter E., 866 Orville Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Crowley, George G., 1319 E. Market St. Akron, Ohio + DeTalent, Edward C., 1915 E. 34th St. Kansas City, Mo. + Downing, Fay A. Island Falls, Maine + Houston, Herbert S., 120 S. 17th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Jones, Arthur E., 394 W. Euclid Ave. Detroit, Mich. + Keck, Kenneth F. Wapello, Iowa + McCarthy, Bernard J., 1514 W. Benton Place Kansas City, Mo. + Moore, Chester, 610 N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Murray, Frank H., 404 N. 7th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Oellerich, Clarence G., 1425 Thurston Ave. Racine, Wis. + Rebeck, John M., 1807 N. 2nd St. Kansas City, Kans. + Saul, Parker E. R. F. D., Ava, Ill. + Schenke, Harold W., 712 Orville Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Walker, John W. Jr., 203 N. 14th St. Kansas City, Kans. + + _Privates._ + + Allen, Frank M. Oxford, Mich. + Altman, William R. Knox, Pa. + Armbrustmacher, William J. Fowler, Mich. + Barnett, Benjamin, 819 Southwest Blvd. Rosedale, Kans. + Barris, Allen L. Dougherty, Okla. + Blackwell, Joseph F., 735 Nebraska Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Blaker, Charles F., R. F. D. 2 Butler, Ind. + Blandford, Joseph J., R. R. 1 Morganfield, Ky. + Blazer, Robert T., 46 N. Tremont St. Kansas City, Kans. + Brogan, Lester A., 705 N. Spring St. St. John, Mich. + Buckley, Lee E., 13 N. Ferree St. Kansas City, Kans. + Cannon, Francis P., 1260 Lyell Ave. West Rochester, N. Y. + Cline, Ernest R. Tonganoxie, Kans. + Cole, Charles R., 1604 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Crane, Charlie, 10 N. Main St. Ft. Scott, Kans. + Crowley, John J., 2113½-B W. 16th St. Los Angeles, Calif. + Daley, Albert J., 75 Hazel Ave. Wilkes Barre, Pa. + Davidson, Vernie A., 1943 N. 11th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Dolak, Andrew J., 701 E. Ridge St. Lansford, Pa. + Duffy, Dennis, 331 W. 4th St. Hazelton, Pa. + Eakin, Laster E., 616 Buffalo St. Franklin, Pa. + + Evans, John E., East Hazard St. Summithill, Pa. + Evert, Howard C., 340 W. 4th St. Hazelton, Pa. + Feeney, John P., 10010 Pamalee Ave., N. E. Cleveland, Ohio + Feinberg, Abraham H., 1238 Chestnut St. Wilmington, Del. + Fisher, John J., 114 Pollard St. Detroit, Mich. + Fisher, Louis J., 416 N. 10th St. Reading, Pa. + Fowler, Harry W. Portage, Pa. + Freeman, Garland, 1317 Louisiana St. Little Rock, Ark. + Fulmer, John R. Cape, South Carolina + Gallagher, Cornelius A. Parker's Landing, Pa. + Gibson, Walter N., 562 Head St. Esquimalt, Victoria, B. C. + Giorgi, Auguste Mentana, Prov. Rome, Italy + Gregar, Mike G., 725 Lyons Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Harriston, Michael, 5707 Central Ave. Cleveland, Ohio + Heidel, Ernest P. Florence, Wis. + Hendricks, William R., 511 Armstrong Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Hess, Walter F., 219 Lauderburn Ave. Weatherly, Pa. + James, Vaughn F., 74 S. Martha Ave. Akron, Ohio + Karbach, Albert R., 532 Quindaro Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + Kletecka, Edward Wakita, Okla. + Kline, Benjamin W. Jr., 209 N. 11th St. Allentown, Pa. + Kuntz, Thomas G. Transfer, Pa. + Lancaster, John E. Gilmore, Maryland + Lebeck, Walter, 38 Stoner St. River Rouge, Mich. + Lulow, Charlie Rushville, Neb. + Lutt, Elmer F. Niobara, Neb. + McCormick, Stephen F., 1360 E. Market St. Akron, Ohio + McDonald, James R. Brookville, Ind. + McKain, Jess W. Minneapolis, Kans. + Mukansky Grigory, 449 3rd St. Milwaukee, Wis. + Murphy, Clarence T. S., 216 W. Pine St. Wichita, Kans. + Nicholson, Paul R., 410 Elm St. Grove City, Pa. + Peterson, William J., 19 S. 11th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Piatt, William C. Erie, Kans. + Siebers, Frank A., 736 Tauromee Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Tinklepaugh, James D., 606 Tauromee Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Toohey, Paul A., 1232 Quindaro Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + Truede, John, 514 N. Front St. Camden, New Jersey + Williams, William J., 3832 Booth St. Rosedale, Kans. + Wise, Theodore T., 545 Ann Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + + + * * * * * + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + +Normally, upper-case "A. M." and "P. M." are used; lower-case "a. m." +and "p. m." were changed to upper-case. + +The inconsistent hyphenation of the following words was not changed: +"good[-]bye", "hard[-]tack", "hay[-]loft", "passer[-]by", "up[-]hill". + +Page 5: "Misouri" changed to "Missouri". + +Page 9: "wather" changed to "water" (plenty of hot water). + +Page 11: "distzance" changed to "distance" (a short distance from the +train area). + +Page 12: "kichen" changed to "kitchen" (from the kitchen range). + +Page 13: "day-break" changed to "daybreak" (stayed until daybreak). + +Page 15: "rythmatical" changed to "rhythmetical" +(rhythmetical chug of a large engine). + +Page 23: "set" changed to "sat" (sat up all night). + +Page 26: "Franch" changed to "French" (in French money). + +Page 26: "or" changed to "of" (handling of casualties). + +Page 30: "killled" changed to "killed" (were either killed or). + +Page 36: "Paris" changed to "Pairis" (outpost duty at Pairis). + +Page 38: "downpower" changed to "downpour" (through a regular downpour). + +Page 39: "wierd" changed to "weird" (a weird looking lot). + +Page 39: "minue" changed to "minute" (ten-minute rest periods). + +Page 44: "Dirctor" changed to "Director" (Director of Ambulances). + +Page 52: "Montieth" changed to "Monteith" (Lt. George Monteith). + +Page 57: "Geramns" changed to "Germans" (by the Germans in 1871). + +Page 58: "armsitice" changed to "armistice" (signing of the armistice). + +Page 59: "Chackamagua" changed to "Chickamagua" (in Chickamagua Park). + +Page 62: "St. Naziere" changed to "St. Nazaire" (arriving at St. +Nazaire). + +Page 64: "Gernoble" changed to "Grenoble" (the mayor of Grenoble). + +Page 65: "furnishd" changed to "furnished" (except those furnished). + +Page 66: "Ionis" changed to "Ionic" (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian). + +Page 70: "madamoiselles" changed "mademoiselles" (received by the +mademoiselles). + +Page 70: "mid-night" changed to "midnight" (good until midnight). + +Page 75: "Batallion" changed to "Battalion" (Convict Labor Battalion). + +Page 76: "With" changed to "What" (What a thrill went through us). + +Page 81: "De Talent" changed to "DeTalent" (DeTalent, Edward). + +Page 82: "Montieth" changed to "Monteith" (Monteith, Geo). + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's History of Ambulance Company Number 139, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF AMBULANCE COMPANY *** + +***** This file should be named 33841-8.txt or 33841-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/8/4/33841/ + +Produced by Moti Ben-Ari and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: History of Ambulance Company Number 139 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: October 6, 2010 [EBook #33841] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF AMBULANCE COMPANY *** + + + + +Produced by Moti Ben-Ari and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h1>History of Ambulance Company Number 139</h1> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="200" height="239" alt="Cover emblem" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class='center'>PRESS OF<br/> +E. R. CALLENDER PRINTING CO<br/> +KANSAS CITY, KANSAS</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Foreword" id="Foreword"></a>Foreword</h2> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>THIS BOOK IS AN ATTEMPT TO GIVE +A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF +THE MEN OF AMBULANCE COMPANY +NUMBER 139 DURING THEIR SERVICES IN +THE GREAT WAR. IT WAS WRITTEN BY +THE MEN WHILE THEY WERE AWAITING +SAILING ORDERS FOR HOME, IN BARN-LOFT +BILLETS OF THE VILLAGE OF +AULNOIS-SOUS-VERTUZEY, FRANCE, +WHILE THE MEMORIES OF OUR EXPERIENCES +WERE STILL FRESH IN OUR MINDS.</p></blockquote> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="300" height="86" alt="Dedication" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a> CONTENTS</h2> + + + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr><td align="left">ORGANIZATION OF AMBULANCE COMPANY 139</td><td align="right">Page <a href="#Page_5">5</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">LIFE AT CAMP HOEL</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_6">6</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">TRAINING AT CAMP DONIPHAN</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_8">8</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">DEPARTURE FROM CAMP DONIPHAN</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_12">12</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">THE TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">OUR FLYING TRIP THROUGH ENGLAND</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_18">18</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">FROM SOUTHAMPTON TO LE HAVRE</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_20">20</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">OUR TRIP THROUGH FRANCE TO ELOYES</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">IN ACTION ON THE WESSERLING SECTOR</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">VENTRON</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">LE COLLET</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">THE MARCH FROM LUNEVILLE TO BENNEY</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">BENNEY TO FIVE TRENCHES</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_40">40</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">FROM FIVE TRENCHES TO SENARD</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_43">43</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">WITH THE KITCHEN IN THE ARGONNE OFFENSIVE</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_48">48</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">CITATIONS AND CASUALTIES</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_50">50</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">THE STAY IN VAUBECOURT</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_52">52</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">THE VERDUN FRONT</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_53">53</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">MOVE TOWARD METZ AND THE ARMISTICE</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">THE FIRST REPLACEMENTS</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_59">59</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">FURLOUGHS—GRENOBLE</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">LA BOURBOULE</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">THE FURLOUGHS AT AIX-LES-BAINES</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">TRIP TO MARSEILLES</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A CASUAL IN THE S. O. S.</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">PERSHING REVIEWS THE 35th DIVISION</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">FROM COUSANCES TO AULNOIS</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_74">74</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">THE HOME GOING</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">FROM AULNOIS TO "CIVIES</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">FICKLE WOMEN</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_78">78</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">COMPANY ROSTER</td><td align="right">" <a href="#Page_80">80</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span><br /></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="ORGANIZATION_OF_AMBULANCE" id="ORGANIZATION_OF_AMBULANCE"></a> +ORGANIZATION OF AMBULANCE<br/> +COMPANY 139</h2> + + +<p>When war was declared on Germany April 5th, 1917, the government +sent out calls for volunteers. The auxiliary organizations +were to be the first ones to go across, and it looked as if ambulance +companies would be among the first to get into action. Many of +the universities and colleges in the east started at once to organize +ambulance companies. These companies were quickly filled, and +the enthusiasm spread quickly to the west.</p> + +<p>Early in April Dr. Edwin R. Tenney of Kansas City, Kansas, +was appointed by the adjutant general of the State of Kansas to +organize a national guard ambulance company in that city. Until +this time there had never been a national guard ambulance company +in the State of Kansas. Dr. Tenney had been a practicing +physician in Kansas City for a number of years and before coming +to the city he served as a physician during the Spanish-American +war. For the past five years he had held a lieutenant's commission +in the U. S. Army Reserve Corps. It was through his efficient work +that this company was recruited to full strength within a month +after he received his appointment.</p> + +<p>The recruiting office in the press room at the city hall was a +very busy place during the month of April. Every one was anxious +to join some branch of the army. By April 25th the company was +recruited to its full strength of sixty-four men and the office was +closed. However, orders were received the next day to recruit the +company to eighty-four men, so again the office was opened for +business with a sign which read, "Join a motor ambulance company +and <i>ride</i>." It was in this office that so many of the men +held up their right hand and said that fatal "I do."</p> + +<p>About this time Dr. Richard T. Speck, of Kansas City, Kansas, +received a lieutenant's commission in the Kansas National Guard +and was assigned to this company. A few days later Drs. A. J. +Bondurant, of St. Margaret's Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas, and +A. H. Adamson, of the General Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, also +received commissions and were assigned to this company.</p> + +<p>On April 30th Major Seth A. Hammell, of Topeka, Kansas, +mustered the company into the state guard as Kansas Ambulance +Company No. 2. Another ambulance company, known as Kansas +Ambulance Company No. 1, was organized by Lieutenant W. L. +Rhodes, of Argentine, Kansas.</p> + +<p>After the state muster the company had two drill nights a +week. These drills often interfered with some of the men's plans, +but that made no difference as they now belonged to "Uncle Sam"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +and duty came before pleasure. It was at these semi-weekly drills +that the men learned the first principles of soldiering under the +leadership of Lieutenant R. T. Speck and Sergeant Roscoe Leady. +They were unaccustomed to regular drilling, especially on paved +streets, and many times they went home with sore feet from doing +"fours right and left" and "to the rear, march."</p> + +<p>On June 14th the company was called out for federal inspection +and was formally recognized by the federal authorities. This was +the first formation in which every one was present, as many of the +men lived out of the city and could not come to the drills. After +this inspection the men were told to be ready to leave at any time, +as it wouldn't be over two weeks at the most before they would be +called out. The days dragged slowly, and it seemed that the company +would never be called into service. The men were all anxious +to start for France and many of them had already given up their +positions, thinking that it would be but a short time until they +would leave.</p> + +<p>On Decoration Day the company was ordered out for a special +formation to march to the cemetery and to pay tribute to the heroes +of the past. However, it rained so hard that the march was called +off and instead the men were assembled in the auditorium of the +High School where they listened to an address by J. K. Cubbison.</p> + +<p>For a number of years it had been customary for all national +guard organizations to go into camp on the night of July 3rd and +stay until the 4th, when they would put on an exhibition of some +kind. Consequently this company, together with Company A, First +infantry, K. N. G., and Battery E, First Field Artillery, K. N. G., +went into camp on the night of July 3rd at the City Park. To most of +the men this was their first experience in sleeping on the ground, +and it will not be easily forgotten, for the next day found every +one with aching bones. In the afternoon of the 4th the men of +Company A, Infantry, put on a sham battle, and this company followed +them up, administering first aid to the "wounded."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="LIFE_AT_CAMP_HOEL" id="LIFE_AT_CAMP_HOEL"></a>LIFE AT CAMP HOEL</h2> + + +<p>It was on the memorable day of August 5th, 1917, that the +members of Kansas Ambulance Company No. 2 assembled at the +corner of Ninth and Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. As +the clock struck nine the order "Fall in" was given. After a few +army formalities the company was marched out to Camp Hoel, +which was situated at Twentieth Street and Washington Boulevard. +It was a spectacular scene for the outsiders and for all the men +in the company. It looked more like a parade of college chaps +before a football game, as almost all of the fellows were dressed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +in their "Sunday best." There were a few boys dressed in the +khaki, which gave the passerby the idea that we were a part of +the great American Army which was being formed. When we +reached camp a small white tent was pitched, which was to be +our office, supply room and a place of shelter for those boys of +the company who did not live in the city or who were not staying +at the homes of some of their friends.</p> + +<p>Our company was not the only one at this camp, as we had +neighbors, who were later designated as follows: Company A, +137th Infantry; Companies B and C of the 110th Regiment of Engineers; +Battery E, 130th Field Artillery, and Ambulance Company +140 of the 110th Sanitary Train. The majority of the members +of these organizations were Kansas City boys.</p> + +<p>In a few days the drills were started. Awkward squads were +formed and from all parts of the camp the command of "fours +right," "to the rear, march," etc., could be heard. Hikes were +numerous, and it was not long until our feet knew all the bumps +on every street in Kansas City, Kansas.</p> + +<p>The mess for the different companies at Camp Hoel was put +in charge of the Central Boarding Company of Kansas City, Missouri. +A large tent was erected for the kitchen and it was there +that the men were initiated into the secrets of "kitchen police."</p> + +<p>After wearing overalls, blue shirts or any other old article +that was obtainable, the company was greatly shocked one morning +when the news came that part of our equipment had arrived. Here +again another dream was shattered, for it seemed that the good +fits for the men must have been lost in transit. The large fellows +received clothing too small for them, and the small fellows received +clothes that would have looked well if they had had about fifty +more pounds of muscle upon their skeletons. But as a matter of +fact everyone was very proud of the new uniform.</p> + +<p>A few days before the uniforms arrived a proposition was laid +upon the table for the debate of the company. The great question +was, "Shall each member buy leather leggins?" Nobody knew at +that time about the uniform rules of the army. Leather leggins +looked fine and seemed to be the fashion according to posters and +magazine pictures. So the debate was closed and the whole bunch +bit on the eight and ten dollar pairs. We used them several times, +in fact we wore them in two parades, and were granted the permission +to wear them to Doniphan, were we soon sold them at the +average price of $5.00 per pair.</p> + +<p>On August 13th the boys received their physical examination. +A few were disappointed at that time to find that they could not +pass the examination and go along with the company. That afternoon +Captain Arthur L. Donan of the 3rd Kentucky Infantry placed +himself before the company and mumbled a few words. After the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +company was dismissed the main question was, "What did the +captain have to say?" It was soon found out that he had mustered +us into Federal Service.</p> + +<p>On the Saturdays of the first two weeks at camp we were +treated fine (just kidding us along). On the third Saturday we +were lined up in formation and were sent to the infirmary. There +we were told to get ready for the worst. Both arms were bared +while iodine swabs, the medics' famous panacea, were thrown around +freely. There were three doctors in one corner ready for action. +Two of them were puncturing the right arms with needles and with +a little push of a plunger our body was given some extra fluid so +that we might be able to combat that great army disease of former +years, typhoid fever. The other doctor was cutting a few nitches +in the boys' left arms so that the smallpox vaccine could do its +duty. Fainting was in order on that day, as well as on the following +three Saturdays, when the puncturing process was repeated, +and no member of the company was slighted.</p> + +<p>The mothers of Kansas City made army life, while we were +at Camp Hoel, as pleasant as possible. On different days we +received a basket dinner, a watermelon feast and an ice cream and +cake festival from them. Those days were the frequent topics of +conversation during the boys' stay in France and will never be +forgotten. Shows were always at hand in Kansas City and on certain +afternoons theatre parties were formed by the members of +the company.</p> + +<p>September 27th was the fatal day for Kansas Ambulance Company +No. 2 in Kansas City, Kansas. On that day camp was broken +and the company was formed. We left our camp and marched +to the train behind the famous Kilties Scotch Band, which led us +down Minnesota Avenue through the great crowds that had gathered +along the street to cheer us on our way. We boarded the train +at Third and Washington Boulevard, where the boys bid their dear +ones "goodbye."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="TRAINING_AT_CAMP_DONIPHAN" id="TRAINING_AT_CAMP_DONIPHAN"></a>TRAINING AT CAMP DONIPHAN</h2> + + +<p>When that Frisco troop train pulled out of Kansas City, Kansas, +on September 27th, 1917, it cannot be said that it carried a very +hilarious bunch of soldiers. The men, the majority of whom had +never been away from home before for any length of time, had just +spent a last few happy days with the home folks, sweethearts and +friends and now they were going out into a new life, into new +environments and with unknown problems and experiences ahead +of them. They were quiet at first, no doubt wondering what was +in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +store for them before they saw "home" again, but as they left +Kansas City far behind their quietness disappeared and soon little +groups were chattering at a lively rate.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 599px;"> +<img src="images/i009a.jpg" width="599" height="368" alt="GERARDMER." title="" /> +<span class="caption">GERARDMER.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 598px;"> +<br/> +<img src="images/i009b.jpg" width="598" height="403" alt="NORTHEAST TOWARD CHARPENTRY." title="" /> +<span class="caption">NORTHEAST TOWARD CHARPENTRY.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 599px;"> +<br/> +<img src="images/i010.jpg" width="599" height="304" alt="VENTRON—VOSGES." title="" /> +<span class="caption">VENTRON—VOSGES.</span> +</div> + +<p>After an uneventful trip the troop train carrying Kansas Ambulance +Companies No. 1 and 2 and one field hospital company +arrived at the Fort Sill railroad yards at about 4:30 P. M. on +September 28th. After a short delay the companies started their +march toward the area on the south side of the camp, designated +for the Sanitary Train, and right then and there they were introduced +to that for which Camp Doniphan is noted—DUST—five +or six inches of it on every road. What a hot, dirty hike that was, +unaccustomed as the men were to those ungainly, heavy packs! +And when Kansas Ambulance Company No. 2 (later designated as +Ambulance Company 139) reached camp did they find comfortable +tents or barracks to step into? They did not. True, tents +were there, but they were in wooden crates, and there was a long, +vacant space between a mess hall and a bath house on which those +tents were to stand. Fate was with the men that night, for the +moon was shining brightly, so after a supper of crackers and cheese +they soon had twelve Sibley tents pitched on the allotted space. +Tired from their trip and work litters made excellent bunks and +the men slept the sleep of the weary, their first night under real +army conditions.</p> + +<p>Army life, as experienced in those first six weeks at Camp +Doniphan, can scarcely be called a picnic. <i>If</i> there had been +floors in the tents, and <i>if</i> you could have turned a switch instead +of having to light a candle in order to have light, and <i>if</i> there +had been an adequate supply of good water, and <i>if</i> "DUST," in +vast quantities, had not been a "regular issue"—well, such was life +at Doniphan for the first few weeks.</p> + +<p>However, by Thanksgiving, many improvements had been +made. Good water was piped from a lake some distance from the +camp and no longer was moss and like substances found in the +water that came through the pipes. Nor was it necessary to watch +all the dust of Kansas blow by from the north in the morning, +with a return trip in the afternoon. The tents were floored and +sidings put on, and electric lights were installed; Sibley stoves +were issued, together with an ample supply of wood—all of which +made the life at Camp Doniphan a little more attractive. A large +boiler and tank was installed in the bath house, giving the men +plenty of hot water for bathing and washing clothes. Military +training continued, of course, consisting of drilling on the field +and lectures in the mess hall by medical officers on subjects essential +to the work of sanitary troops. This included practice in the use +of bandages and splints and litter drill.</p> + +<p>The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays brought many visitors<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +to camp—mothers, brothers, sisters and friends, all anxious +to see for themselves the Army life that the men had been writing +about. If any of the mothers had been worrying about the "beans +and hard-tack" which is supposed to be an unvarying part of a soldier's +menu, they returned home with that worry eliminated, for +on both Thanksgiving and Christmas, "John," the red-headed chef +of the company, brought forth dinners that would make the "Plantation +Grill" or the "Pompeien Room" sit up and take notice. Turkey, +all you could eat and with all the trimmings, and the dessert of +mince pie and fruit cake, made one think of "Home, Sweet Home" +and Mother's incomparable cooking. As a whole, Army feed wasn't +half as bad as it was supposed to be. How could it be, when flapjacks, +sausage, steak and pie were regular issues?</p> + +<p>The winter of 1917–18, according to the "natives," was the +worst in Oklahoma for fifteen years, and those reports will never +be questioned by the men who were at Doniphan that winter. More +than once they awoke in the morning to find three or four inches +of snow on the tent floor. However, unaccustomed as the men were +to living in tents in cold weather, there was a comparatively small +amount of sickness. True, a number of the men were sent to the +Base Hospital, with measles, influenza and pneumonia, and several +times the company was quarantined, but very few of the cases proved +serious, and sooner or later the men returned to duty.</p> + +<p>For several months, both the Base Hospital and the Isolation +Camp were in need of Medical men, and details from the Sanitary +Train were sent to relieve the situation. The men were put to work +at anything from nurse to Supply Sergeant, and this work gave them +some good, practical experience along medical lines. Just before +Christmas, the company received twelve G. M. C. Ambulances, and +for the remainder of our stay at Doniphan these ambulances were +used for evacuation work between the Base Hospital and the different +units of the Division.</p> + +<p>Not all of the training at Doniphan was along <i>medical</i> lines, +however. At regular intervals you could expect to find your name +on the Bulletin Board under the heading "Kitchen Police," and +when it wasn't that, it was probably for a tour of guard duty, and +if you were lucky enough to miss both of those details, it was seldom +that you weren't picked for company fatigue.</p> + +<p>The personnel of our officers changed somewhat at Doniphan. +Lt. Adamson soon after getting there, received his honorable discharge. +About February 1st, Lt. Tenney was transferred to a Machine +Gun Battalion, and Lt. Speck was placed in command of the +company. Lt. Paul R. "Daddy" Siberts, Lt. Bret V. Bates, and Lt. +Colin C. Vardon were assigned to the company while at Doniphan, +the latter in place of Lt. Bondurant, who was transferred to the +Casual Company at Camp Doniphan.</p> + +<p>With<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> the coming of warmer weather in the early spring, the outside +drill turned to hikes, and many is the tale that can be told +about the "strategic maneuvers" of the Sanitary Train. Ask any +of the man about the night at Buffalo Springs, when J. Pluvius +turned the faucet wide open, deluging the tent city. Ask them +about "The Lost Sanitary Train," when, in returning from Sulphur +Springs, they circled Scott Mountain before they finally bumped +into Medicine Lake, and finally arrived back to camp at 3 A. M. +But as a rule, the hikes were interesting and instructive, and furnished +excellent training. Men who had always depended on Mother +for their meals learned how to build a camp fire in the face of +a high wind and to cook their dinner of bacon, potatoes and coffee. +They learned that a great deal of territory can be covered without +the use of a street car or "flivver," and incidentally their muscles +became hardened, fitting them for the strenuous work ahead.</p> + +<p>From the very first, nothing interested the men more than +the thought of a furlough home, and almost as soon as they arrived +at Doniphan, the arguments were many as to whether it would be +nicer to be home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. But it was not +until January that any leaves at all were granted. Then the furloughs +were limited to five or seven days, and in that way almost +all of the men were able to visit the home folks for a few days +before leaving for overseas service. Putting their feet under Mother's +table again, and seeing Her for a few days, invariably put the +men in a happier and more contented spirit, and they came back +to camp with more "pep" for their work.</p> + +<p>Tho the days were filled with the routine of drill and company +duties, the social side of life at Doniphan must not be forgotten. +Not far from camp was the city of Lawton, and while it was far +from being an ideal town, it was at least a change from the monotony +of camp life. Passes to town were liberal, and the men spent +many pleasant evenings there, either at the picture shows or with +friends whom they met after going to Doniphan.</p> + +<p>The Y. M. C. A. deserves a great deal of credit for its work +at Doniphan. "Y" Bldg. No. 59, used by the Sanitary Train and +the 110th Engineers, was just a short distance from the train area, +and in the evening immediately after Retreat a stream of men +could be seen going in that direction. The "Y" furnished paper +and envelopes, pen and ink, thus encouraging the men to write +home oftener. Movies, at least twice a week, band concerts and boxing +bouts were some of the means of entertaining the men, and +there was always a full house. On Sundays the men were privileged +to attend exceptionally interesting religious services, and the +series of addresses given by Chaplain Reeder of the Engineers was +well worth hearing.</p> + +<p>Almost as soon as the company arrived at Doniphan, rumors +filled the air about the Division leaving for overseas service, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +nothing substantial developed until about the middle of March. +Then orders were received that the Division was booked to leave, +and the work preparatory to moving started in earnest. Everything, +from the kitchen range to the Pierce-Arrow trucks, had to be +prepared for shipment. Lumber was furnished, and the company +carpenters were kept busy almost to the day of departure building +crates and boxes. After being crated, each article had to be stenciled +with the company designation, together with the weight and +cubical contents, and the Division Symbol. Packing lists were prepared, +which was no small task, and the main work preparatory to +leaving was completed.</p> + +<p>Not all of the men of the company left Camp Doniphan with +the Division, for as is always the case in a large body of men, +there were a few who were physically unfit. These men, nine of +them, were left at the Casual Camp at Camp Doniphan, and were +later assigned to recruiting or military police duty in various parts +of the United States.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="DEPARTURE_FROM_CAMP_DONIPHAN" id="DEPARTURE_FROM_CAMP_DONIPHAN"></a>DEPARTURE FROM CAMP DONIPHAN</h2> + + +<p>The day of May 8th, 1918, dawned bright and fair. The morning +was spent in finishing up little odds and ends of work, and in +rolling packs. At 1 P. M. "Fall in," the last one at Doniphan, +sounded, and soon afterwards the Sanitary Train started its march +to the railroad yards. Again it was hot and dusty, just as it had +been when the company marched into camp, and it was with a feeling +of relief that the troop train came into view. Pullman cars? +No, the Sanitary Train couldn't be as fortunate as that, so the men +had to be content with chair cars.</p> + +<p>With seven months training behind them, the men of Ambulance +Company 139 left Camp Doniphan for "Somewhere in France" +with great anticipation, feeling that they were ready for any part +that they might have to play.</p> + +<p>On board the train, which left Doniphan at 3 P. M., the men +amused themselves in reading and card games. There were a few +details, such as sweeping the cars, kitchen police or serving the +meals "de luxe" to the boys, but the old beloved guard detail was +not left to the privates. It was graciously wished on the non-coms, +who were forced to carry a "45 smoke wagon" on their belts, according +to some General Order in the "blue book." We never learned +whether they were to keep the boys from getting out or to keep +the feminine sex from getting in.</p> + +<p>At our first stop, El Reno, Okla., the four ambulance companies, +which made up one train, "fell-out" for a little exercise, and +after an hour or so of maneuvering, we climbed aboard again to +journey nearer the Atlantic. We were by this time consulting time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +tables, watches and maps to decide over which route we must travel +in order to pass through Kansas City, the home of most of the boys +in the company. The first night of traveling passed slowly, and +as the first tints of dawn were spreading over the eastern sky our +train drew into Topeka. Shortly after daybreak the train left the +Capitol city of Kansas, and headed down the Kaw Valley towards +Kansas City. As the noon hour of May 9th was passing away the +train pulled into the big Union Station, where mothers, fathers, +wives, brothers, sisters, sweethearts and friends had been waiting +for hours, with baskets overflowing with delicious meats, sandwiches, +fruits and all the rarest and spiciest that a Mother's effort could put +forth.</p> + +<p>Again the "blue book" came into play, and we took a little +sightseeing trip up Main Street. The bride of a certain Sergeant in +the company tried to follow her "hero in hobs" but fell out after +the first block. We did an about-face at 12th Street and double-timed +back to the folks. After re-entering the coach, we leaned out +of the window, pulled the Mother and sweetheart up to us, and for +the time being were utterly unconscious of what went on around us +or where we were. When the train slowly moved out of the station, +we tried to smile as we said "Good-bye," and watched the handkerchiefs +still waving when we rounded the corner and were out of +sight.</p> + +<p>We arrived at St. Louis about 12:30 the next morning, and +were switched onto a siding, where we stayed until daybreak, when +we continued our journey, crossing Illinois and Indiana. At Huntington, +Ind., we again stopped and had setting-up exercises. Upon +reaching Peru, Ind., we found Pullman cars awaiting us, and from +then on we rode in style. Our next stop was at Salamanca, N. Y., +where exercise was again on the program. From there we traveled +through some of the most picturesque country of the east.</p> + +<p>While on the train a humorous incident occurred. The officers +heard from some underground source that "Snowball," our dark-complexioned +porter, had been passing "Old Evans" around to the +boys in a promiscuous fashion. And at the same time "Snowball" +heard in the same way that the officer of the guard was going to +make a search of his possessions for this precious "fire-water." The +search was made, with Snowball looking on wild-eyed, and the +officer detective was about to give it up, when he noticed a string +leading out the window, and upon investigating found the poor +half-dead soldier (bottled in bond) tied by the neck to the other +end of the string.</p> + +<p>The last night of riding brought us near to the eastern coast, +and soon after daybreak on May 12th the train stopped at Jersey +City. We slung our packs and pushed our way through the station +to a ferry boat. From this point many of us had our first view of +New York and the salt water. After loading on the ferry we were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +pulled out into the East River, where the boat remained for the +greater part of the day. At last it moved on and we landed in Long +Island City. Dragging our packs and barrack bags, we marched +wearily to a Long Island train. A few hours' ride brought us to +Garden City, and truly it was well named, for with its low, well +kept hedges, its English gardens and its wild flowers growing everywhere, +it looked like a garden city. From Garden City to Camp +Mills was a weary hike but we finally reached there, and after eating +supper, we crawled under our three O. D.s and slept.</p> + +<p>During our five days stay at Camp Mills, some of the men +were granted passes to New York City, but we left before all the +men had a chance to visit that city of bright lights. The day before +we departed we were given the last of our overseas equipment, including +the pan-shaped steel helmet.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_TRIP_ACROSS_THE_ATLANTIC" id="THE_TRIP_ACROSS_THE_ATLANTIC"></a>THE TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC</h2> + + +<p>After spending five chilly nights at Camp Mills, Long Island, +and awaiting anxiously the orders to leave for France, we did not +seem to mind the coolness of the night on May the 17th, for we +were to leave the following day on the long expected trip across +the Atlantic. Bright and early the next morning a passer-by could +plainly see that something was about to happen. All were in gay +spirits as they hurried here and there, gathering together the miscellaneous +articles and other things, which make up a soldier's +equipment. Packs were rolled, the camp tidied up, and our overseas +boxes loaded on trucks. At last after everything was ready we +fell in line and marched across the camp, to the train that would +carry us to the ferry. The old world seemed to hold a different +meaning for everyone that morning. We were about to step into +the greatest adventure of our lives, and one that would never be +forgotten. Groups of soldiers cheered us on all sides, and yelled +that they would be with us soon. Some were from our own division, +and we recognized many of our friends.</p> + +<p>On arriving at the ferry, we took our place as close to the +rail as possible, and waved to the passengers on passing boats. +The ferry, filled to its full capacity, chugged down the East River +to one of the many docks where, quietly waiting, was the big camouflaged +boat that would complete for us the trip from our training +camp in Doniphan to England.</p> + +<p>The moment that we had been looking forward to for so long +a time had at last arrived. We wound our way to the big warehouse +and stopped in front of an iron door. Stacked on the floor +were life-saving jackets and as each one passed through the door, +he received a colored tag, and one of the life-preservers. The tag +assured him a bunk and meals.</p> + +<p>Our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> expectations were fully realized as we filed by one by one +up the gang-plank and onto the boat that was to be our home for +the coming fourteen days. We were divided up and led down +stairs to our quarters. They looked more like a steam-room than +a place to sleep. It was all a jumbled-up puzzle. Water pipes +seemed to be running in all directions, and arguments could be +heard on all sides as to how we were to sleep. In the midst of it +all an officer appeared, and he told us to let down the rectangular +shaped frame, also made of water-pipe, which rested in sockets on +two other upright pipes like hinged shelves. Then he told us to +unwrap the small piece of canvas, which was wrapped to the rectangular +frame. After doing this, things began to seem clearer, for +the canvas was also rectangular in shape, and had grummets all +around it. By means of the rope it was securely laced to the framework. +This composed our bunk, and there were three of these in a +tier, and a tier on each side of the two perpendicular pipes. The +aisle between the bunks was very narrow and we crowded and +pushed in making up our beds, for everyone was more than anxious +to learn more about our boat.</p> + +<p>In the meantime several sailors came in from the engine room +and we began making friends, although they had many a laugh +while watching us prepare our bunks. They were asked for every +bit of information we could think of about the boat—"How fast it +could go," "How long it was"—and many other questions about the +sea, and their experiences. We found out that the name of the +boat was the "S. S. Louisville," formerly the "St. Louis," that it +was 564 ft. long, and carried 3500 men. On asking how many +miles the boat could make in an hour, we were assured that "it +was the speediest ship in the convoy."</p> + +<p>By this time we heard mess-call, and began to look for a line. +Men were running upstairs and down, and hurried questions flew +from everyone as to when and where the men with his color of tag +were eating. Each color had a certain time to eat. There were +four colors, two eating at one time. The men filed in to the +dining room from each side of the main deck through two large +double doors. There were four long tables and we stood up to +eat, moving along the table as the men ahead finished eating +and moved out to wash their mess-kits in large sinks, just before +leaving the room. It was very interesting to see the systematic +way in which the men moved along, taking a mouth-full as they +pushed their mess-kits up the table.</p> + +<p>As we were strolling on deck that afternoon, a low grumbling +sound met our ears, as if it came from some place far below. +Then it turned into a rythmatical chug of a large engine, and we +knew that the boat was getting up steam preparatory for the trip. +The sailor-boys, too, were making preparations for "Jerry." They +carried large shells and deposited them in cases behind the guns,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +and as we watched them work, we wondered if there would ever +be a real necessity to use them during the trip.</p> + +<p>Evening found everyone knowing the boat almost by heart, +and we began to gather in groups on deck and look about. To +the rear lay New York, the tall buildings outlined against the +sky. Numerous tug-boats were slowly winding their way in and +out of the docks. One of the sailors leaning against the rail +pointed out to us the former German ship "Vaterland," in a dock +across the river. We were entertained for awhile by watching a +bunch of negro waiters for the officers mess shooting dice, and a +quartet gave us a few songs. But night soon came, and we went +below to try our new bunks. One of the boys no sooner found +the trick that one could play, than he immediately dislodged the +man above him, by putting his feet on the bottom of the bunk +above, pushing it out of its socket, and bringing the fellow down +into the aisle below.</p> + +<p>All night the engines kept up their continuous running, and +the next morning two little tug-boats came up along side and +pulled us out and down the river. We were ordered "below +decks," out of sight, but a few borrowed sailor caps and stood on +the lower deck to get a last long look at old New York and the +Statue of Liberty. As we neared the open water, and the tall +buildings began to fade away behind us, the cold facts of the situation +began to present themselves. We were leaving a land, the +only one we had ever known, to cross the fathomless ocean to +another land, and to battle-fields with horrors unknown. But we +soon put such thoughts aside when we were permitted to go on +deck. The convoy was slowly spreading out into formation, the +battle-ship that accompanied us going ahead as our protector. As +soon as we reached the ocean, orders were given not to go on +deck without our life-preservers, and to stay on the side of the +boat which our color of tag designated. By night we were using +"sailor-terms" for every part of the boat. A detail was called +for, to stand watch in the "crows-nest" and other look-out stations. +One of the boys in the "crows-nest" said that "when we hit the +rough sea, he knew the top of that main mast touched the water +when the boat made a big heave to one side."</p> + +<p>A few days passed, uneventful except that we went through +the usual drill necessary in case there should be a fire or an attack +by submarines. Every man had his place to go in case of danger. +At the gong of a bell, every man would grab his life-preserver, +and hurry, supposedly in an orderly manner, to his portion of the +deck. One of the fellows asked John, the cook, if he expected +one little life-preserver to hold him up. Well, John didn't say +anything, but that night he had a couple of extras—"I might have +to use them," was the only excuse he would give.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a href="images/i019-big.jpg"> +<img src="images/i019.jpg" width="600" height="412" alt="CAMP DONIPHAN, JANUARY, +1917: LT. EDWIN R. TENNEY, LT. ADAM H. ADAMSON, LT. RICHARD T. SPECK, LT. ALPHEUS J. BONDURANT, +LT. PAUL R. SIBERTS." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">CAMP DONIPHAN, JANUARY, 1917: LT. EDWIN R. TENNEY, LT. ADAM H. ADAMSON, LT. RICHARD T. SPECK, LT. ALPHEUS J. BONDURANT, +LT. PAUL R. SIBERTS.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<br/> +<img src="images/i020a.jpg" width="600" height="416" alt="STARTING HOME." title="" /> +<span class="caption">STARTING HOME.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<br/> +<img src="images/i020b.jpg" width="600" height="416" alt="ARRIVAL IN KANSAS CITY, MAY 5, 1919." title="" /> +<span class="caption">ARRIVAL IN KANSAS CITY, MAY 5, 1919.</span> +</div> + +<p>After a few days out the ocean began to get rough, and the +boat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> would heave from side to side, and at the same time pitch +forward and backward. However, we soon got used to it, and +did not mind it so much. Some time that night one of the boys +who had been on deck ran in, saying "the rudder has broken"—and +apparently something <i>was</i> broken, for the boat seemed to +heave all the more, and to take a zig-zag course. Once or twice +it made a complete circle, and we began to think that they had +lost all control of it, but three sturdy sailors were sent up in the +stern to handle it by means of large pilot wheels. Our company +was quartered just beneath the officers kitchen, and during the +roughest part, the plates and other dishes began to roll from their +places on the shelves, breaking upon the floor. This made a very +unpleasant sound, above the uproar of a thousand other noises. +During the rough sea, the mess line began to thin out somewhat. +Some would come into the mess hall, but at the sight of food, +they would turn pale and make a hurried exit.</p> + +<p>Soon we ran into comparatively smooth water again, and +one day our boat's turn came for target practice. We drew away +from the convoy, and a buoy with a small flag on was dropped +overboard. The gunners took their turn shooting as the boat swung +around, and once or twice they came so close that we felt sure +they had made a direct hit. The buoy was knocked under the +water, but the little thing soon appeared again. The boys were +naturally anxious to see them handle the guns, and they crowded +around as closely as possible, but after the first shot they gave them +more room. One fellow was standing directly behind the gun, but +upon the super-deck. He was so intent upon watching the operations +that when the gun fired its concussion knocked him off his +feet. He got up, took a wild look around and immediately left. +Finally the big six-inch gun in the stern sank the buoy. After +cruising around all day, and just as night was hovering over the +sea, we again caught sight of the convoy. We were certainly glad, +too, for of course we felt more comfortable with the other ships.</p> + +<p>It was on board the ship that we first became acquainted +with the censorship rules. The officers did a slashing business +on our first letters, and only a few unconnected lines ever reached +the folks back home.</p> + +<p>It was on the morning of May 29 that the news flew over the +boat that land was in sight. Although only 2 o'clock, day was +breaking, and many went on deck to see that which we had not +seen for fourteen long days. Upon reaching the deck, we could also +see a number of little torpedo destroyers darting here and there—small +in size but powerful little "watchdogs" of the sea. The +"Mosquito Fleet" had arrived, and was tearing through the water +in all directions. We were thus escorted through the danger zone, +and had little fear of submarines. But we could now understand +why old "Chris Columbus" felt so glad upon seeing land. As the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +day grew on we drew into the Irish Sea. The water was as smooth +as glass, with only little ripples disturbing its peacefulness. Jelly +fish of every shape and size could be seen through its clearness. +Two large dirigibles, and several aeroplanes came out to greet our +convoy and protect us in the dangerous waters. At one time we +could see both Bonnie Scotland and Ireland, where the channel +was very narrow.</p> + +<p>About 10 o'clock that morning five long blasts from one of +the ships was heard—the signal for a submarine. The little sub chasers +raced around to our right and immediately began to fire +upon an object. The big dirigibles also made a nose dive, and +turned loose with its machine guns. Aroused by the shooting, we +ran up on deck to see the action, but were ordered below to await +the outcome, and if there was ever a time when we could have used +an "island," it was then. However, nothing serious developed, and +afterwards we were told that it was a broken life buoy which had +been mistaken for a periscope.</p> + +<p>We were moving slowly, so very slowly that one could hardly +feel the throbbing of the tired engines that for twelve long days +had worked untiringly. From the officers' deck we could see the +green and red guide lights, welcoming our convoy of fifteen ships +into the sheltered harbor of Liverpool, England.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="OUR_FLYING_TRIP_THROUGH_ENGLAND" id="OUR_FLYING_TRIP_THROUGH_ENGLAND"></a>OUR FLYING TRIP THROUGH ENGLAND</h2> + + +<p>We crawled out of our bunks just as dawn was breaking upon +a new world for us, and went on deck, where we saw, on a cliff, +"Spratt's Dog Food" printed in large white letters on a black +background. Unpoetic and unromantic indeed was this first sight +of England.</p> + +<p>Here was where the "weary waiting" began, as we waited +for the first transport to unload its human cargo. Old man "bon +chance" was with us for the time being, for we were the second to +dock. We stood on the deck, complying with the English boys +request "'ave you any coins" by tossing them all the pennies we +had. The men on the port side were first ordered to fall in, and +then those on the starboard side, for the purpose of finding out if +any of us had fallen overboard during our journey. Finally, half +walking and half sliding, down the gang-plank, we stood on what +was to us real land, only it was but one of the many floating docks +of England.</p> + +<p>On the side of the main street, Y. M. C. A. signs were seen, +and incidentally three live American girls, who were soon serving +the "to-be-heroes" with hot coffee, buns and cookies. Although +they were war buns and war cookies, without sugar, we enjoyed +them to the utmost.</p> + +<p>A large,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> stately policeman stood guarding the gates to the +street and the docks. Some of us, wondering what was on the +other side of the gate, climbed up and peered over on a large, +beautifully designed square, which was crowded with women and +children. But, alas, we were in a big hurry, and did not get to +parade before them, or to receive the embraces and kisses which +we were told awaited us. The R. T. O.'s (Railway Transportation +Officers) crowded us into a "miniature train," like the ones seen +in the parks in "God's Country," and we were soon on our way.</p> + +<p>We rode across streets and through buildings just like a +runaway engine might do. All the time pretty girls, dressed in +overalls, waved at us from factory windows. After numerous stops, +and more tunnels, we passed through the suburbs, traveling at a +speed which did not seem possible from the looks of the engine.</p> + +<p>We will never forget the beauty of the English villages, nestled +snugly between green hills, or the soothing effect of the winding +brooks which spread their cool waters over the well kept gardens.</p> + +<p>Three or four times the train stopped to take on water (or +perhaps at the command of the "top-cutter" in order to give the +boys a chance to open another can of "bully beef"). About midnight +we grew weary of sitting in our little compartments, and +having cosmopolitan ideas, we proceeded to make ourselves "at +home." Some were packed upon the baggage racks and managed +to get a little sleep,—being used to the bunks on the boat, it was +not difficult to adjust ourselves to this situation.</p> + +<p>Sometime early in the morning we were awakened by a pounding +at the door, and thinking it was a fire call, or submarine drill, +one chap immediately began to feel around for his life-belt. He +stuck his fist in somebody's eye, and was soon told by that unfortunate +person just where he was. We fell in at the side of our +"vest pocket edition of a train" and marched off, and just as the +sun was about to show his face, we arrived at Camp Woodley, Romsey, +England. After waiting for sometime to be assigned to tents, +which resembled a miniature Billy Sunday tabernacle, we stretched +our tired bodies on the soft pine boards and listened intently for +the "roar of cannon." Hearing nothing but the songs of the birds, +we decided that an armistice had been declared and proceeded to +make up for all the "couchey" we had lost.</p> + +<p>We had always been told that England was famous for her +bounteous feeds, and after all the bully beef we had consumed for +our "Uncle," we thought we were entitled to one of those dinners +of roast suckling pig and plum pudding. But alas, we were badly +disappointed, because in place of the former we had a piece of +cheese, the size of which wouldn't be an inducement even to a +starved rat, and in place of the latter, we ate a bit of salt pork.</p> + +<p>During our brief stay at Camp Woodley, we visited many historical +buildings and places. Among these was the old Abbey at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +Romsey, built in the eleventh century, the walls of which plainly +showed the ball marks of Oliver Cromwell's siege against it. The +pews in the Abbey were the same old benches of old, and the altar +was the work of an ancient artist. Around the walls were carved +the epitaphs and names of those who were buried in its stately +walls. Along with the tombs of the old forefathers who had fought +with the armor and lance were the tombs of the late heroes, who +fought with the methods of modern times. We signed our names +in the visitors book, along with King George and Ex-Kaiser Wilhelm.</p> + +<p>Our hikes in the morning were enjoyed by everyone, over well +kept roads shaded from the hot sun by large over-hanging trees, +the same old trees and the same old Sherwood forest that Robin +Hood knew so well. But as Roger Knight says, "You can't <i>eat</i> +scenery!"</p> + +<p>After an enjoyable five days, spent in doing nothing much, +we donned our packs again and started for the Channel, a distance +of twelve miles. While walking thru the streets of Southampton, +our throats parched and our feet sore, we were cheered time and +again by the women and children, and many ran alongside of the +marching column serving us cool water. We sighed as we had +to pass Ale Shops just as if they weren't there. About noon we +stopped at a Base Hospital to eat our picnic luncheon—(Bully beef).</p> + +<p>Our first big thrill of "La Guerre" came when we saw some +real live Boche prisoners working on the roads. We watched them +as a little boy watches the elephant at the circus. One of the boys +asked them, in German, how they liked England, and they said +they liked it much better than fighting.</p> + +<p>After our slight repast, we again took up our yoke, and did +one hundred and twenty per until we reached the docks at Southampton.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="FROM_SOUTHAMPTON_TO_LE_HAVRE" id="FROM_SOUTHAMPTON_TO_LE_HAVRE"></a>FROM SOUTHAMPTON TO LE HAVRE</h2> + + +<p>On the dock at Southampton, the British Y. M. C. A. operated +a canteen, selling hot coffee, cakes without sugar, and ginger bread +made of ginger and water. The supply lasted about fifteen minutes, +as we were one hungry bunch.</p> + +<p>We boarded the "Archangel," a small passenger boat, about +9 P. M. on the sixth of June. In peace times the "Archangel" was +used as a pleasure steamer, but was converted into a troop ship +to ply between Southampton and Le Havre. It had three decks, +which accommodated about 325 men each. We donned our life-belts, +as usual, and tried to make ourselves comfortable, but like +all troop ships, that was impossible. The men tried sleeping on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +deck, but it turned too cold, and they tried below deck. Some were +sleeping in the once "state-rooms," but they were too small to +accommodate all, so the rest slept in gang-ways, on chairs, benches +and barrack bags. We were tired in body but our spirits were +high, and we wanted to see the front, so we lay down where we +happened to be, using our life-belts as pillows. While pulling out +into the harbor, we saw ships in dry dock with large holes in +their hulls, others with nothing above water but the masts, all +caused by the submarines. And when the little speed demon raised +anchor and slipped out of the harbor, we were all fast asleep, never +dreaming of what lay before us in France, and not caring a great +deal either. We waited in the outside harbor until dark, or about +10 o'clock, and then started our trip across the channel. The boat +made very good time, and the trip was uneventful.</p> + +<p>At about 7 A. M. we were called to breakfast, which consisted +of the customary bully-beef, coffee and hard-tack, and upon coming +on deck, we discovered that we were resting safely at one of the +big docks of Le Havre. The sun was shining bright and hot, and +after unloading and having our pictures taken by a moving picture +camera, we were lined up and marched toward the city proper of +Le Havre. We were a tired, disappointed bunch of men, for instead +of the beautiful country we had expected, we saw a factory +infested city. The docks looked more like an arsenal, with cases +of ammunition everywhere, and it looked as if the whole French +and English armies were working there.</p> + +<p>On our march to the rest camp, we passed large bodies of +French and Indo-Chinese laborers unloading cars, and conveying +merchandise to the warehouses. It was a common sight to see two +or three of them pulling a large, two-wheeled cart full of ammunition. +We also passed a number of German prisoners working +on the roads, with the usual "Poilu" present, with his long rifle +and bayonet. It was strange to see the French carrying their guns +just opposite to the way the American troops do. We saw many +large caliber guns and caissons, that were back from the front +for repair, also blocks of salvaged motor trucks.</p> + +<p>We marched about five miles to American Rest Camp No. 2, +and were put into an old cow-shed to sleep. It was the first billet +we had in France, and while it was not the most desirable place +in the world to sleep, it looked mighty good to us, as we had not +had much rest since leaving Romsey, England.</p> + +<p>We were issued meal tickets, and had English tea, war bread +and cheese for breakfast, "slum" and war bread for dinner, and +English tea and cheese for supper. We had a good night's sleep, +but the next morning we were hiked up on a mountain, where we +were issued English gas-masks. We went through a gas chamber, +to see that the masks were O. K., and to give us confidence in +them. About noon trucks were brought up to take us back to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +camp, and upon arriving there, we were given orders to roll packs +and be ready to move. Every one made a trip to the Y. M. C. A. +where we could buy our first American cigarettes since coming from +the States. We did not know where we were going, or when we +could buy more.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="OUR_TRIP_THROUGH_FRANCE_TO_ELOYES" id="OUR_TRIP_THROUGH_FRANCE_TO_ELOYES"></a>OUR TRIP THROUGH FRANCE TO ELOYES</h2> + + +<p>At three P. M. on June the eighth we rolled our packs and +started on our first venture into the mysteries of France. It took +us about forty-five minutes of steady hiking through hot and dusty +streets to reach the depot where we were to entrain. We found a +long string of second and third class coaches waiting for us. Our +barrack bags and three days rations had been loaded on two box +cars by a special detail sent ahead for that purpose.</p> + +<p>We crowded into our cars and all was ready to go. A description +of a French car might help one to get a better idea of our +situation. The car is only about one-half as long as an American +coach and it is divided into five separate compartments. Each +compartment has a window and a door on each side. There is a +step on the outside running the entire length of the car. It is just +below the level of the floor and one can walk from one compartment +to the other if he is not afraid of falling off the car. The +compartment is about large enough for four persons to ride in any +degree of comfort if they have cushions to sit on; but the Railway +transport officer evidently thought that there would be more room +if the cushions were removed. There were eight of us to each compartment.</p> + +<p>We were scheduled to leave at three P. M. and by rushing a +little we were loaded by a few minutes after that hour. We lived +up to the reputation of the Sanitary Train for always being on time +and pulled out of the station only three hours late. We thought +at least that we were going to see some of the beautiful France +we had heard about. We had not gone far when we realized that +we were going to have plenty of time to look at the scenery. France +must have some very strict laws against speeding for we never +traveled faster than ten miles per hour and it was very seldom that +we ever went that fast.</p> + +<p>We ate our supper as soon as we were out of Le Havre. It +was a very hearty meal. Each man's issue was five crackers, one-eighth +of a can of "corn wooley," one-eighth of a can of tomatoes. +He didn't have much variation from that during the trip.</p> + +<p>Our next problem was, how were we going to sleep. It did +not take long to solve that. Two of the boys slept in the hat racks,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +four slept in the seats and two slept on the floor between the seats. +Part of the time we slept piled on top of each other. When we +woke up in the morning we felt like we had sat up all night.</p> + +<p>The second day we began to get our first real sight of France. +We saw soldiers guarding the bridges and tunnels. Troop trains +passed us all day long going to from the front carrying both +French and American soldiers. We saw our first real barbed wire +entanglements that day and it made us realize that we were getting +near the place where the fighting was going on. The children all +along the way attracted our attention by running along the track +crying "biskeet" and holding out their hands. They looked queer +to us. They wore a little black apron and wooden shoes. Some +of the fellows threw hard tack out the window to them just to see +them scramble for it.</p> + +<p>The rest of our trip was similar to the first day. We went by +the way of Rouen and Troyes and arrived in Epinal, a city on the +edge of the Vosges mountains, on the evening of June the tenth. +We were a very tired and hungry bunch for our rations had run +low that morning and we had eaten nothing but hard tack all day.</p> + +<p>We detrained there and marched through the town to an old +military prison of Napoleon's time. We were told that we would +spend the night there. There were several large buildings surrounded +by a high stone wall with only one gate and that was +guarded by a French soldier. There were about one hundred German +prisoners in the building next to our quarters. As we were +not permitted to go up town the French people thought that we +were prisoners also. We were given our barrack bags that night +for the first time since we left the states. We were without any +funds so some of the boys who were fortunate enough to have some +"Bull Durham" stored away in their barrack bags disposed of it +to the French soldiers for a franc a package. It was an exchange +where both parties were satisfied.</p> + +<p>We learned that the division was billeted a few miles south +and the next morning we received orders to move to Eloyes at two +P. M. Trucks were furnished to haul our barrack bags and packs +and we started out hiking with our company in the lead of the +train. We were half way there when we saw our first aeroplanes +in action along the front. There were five of them in battle formation +returning from the direction of the front. We noticed that +houses and lumber piles along the road were camouflaged. This +began to look like the war that we had heard about. We passed +through Arches, division headquarters at that time, about mess. We +thought that we were at the end of our long journey and could +almost taste our supper but we did not stop there. Just as we +came in sight of Eloyes it began to rain. It did not rain long and +the sun came out just as we were climbing the hill to our kitchen. +There was a very pretty rainbow with the end of it, so it seemed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +right at our kitchen. That was one time that there was something +better than a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, for the cooks +had supper almost ready for us. It certainly tasted good to us +after our long hike.</p> + +<p>It began raining almost immediately after supper and rained +most of the night. We stood around in the rain until almost +eleven P. M., while the Major de Cantonment was explaining +that he had no billets for us. We were tired enough to pitch our +pup tents and sleep in the streets but finally we marched about a +mile out of town and were put in a barn for the night. One of the +boys said he will always feel like a criminal for robbing a calf of its +bed and also for carrying away about a thousand "petite crawling +animals."</p> + +<p>We marched back to town the next morning about eight +A. M. and enjoyed a breakfast of bacon, hardtack and coffee. During +the day the soldiers who occupied the town moved out and by five +o'clock our company was located in fairly good billets.</p> + +<p>It rained so consistently that we did not get to drill for over +a week. We were issued our overseas caps and spiral leggins a +few days after we arrived in Eloyes. At the same time we turned +in our barrack bags and russet shoes. We were equipped for the +trenches.</p> + +<p>We began drilling by going out under some trees and practicing +with our gas masks. A few days later we received litters +and then our real drilling began. "Patients" would be sent out +and located on the sides of the steep hills and the litter bearers +were supposed to locate them and bring them safely down the +almost impassable paths.</p> + +<p>However, the boys were not worked very hard and they had +plenty of time to spend with the inhabitants learning to "parlez +Francais." Many of the soldiers acquired private instructors in +the shape of small French boys who were only too glad to be +adopted by the Americans. The typewriter in the office was a big +drawing card for children. There was always a large bunch hanging +around to watch "Abe" operate the machine.</p> + +<p>We received some English army trucks here and after teaching +them to "Talk American" used them as ambulances. We +evacuated the sick of the division to Field Hospital 137 at Eloyes.</p> + +<p>About the middle of June the division was ordered up to +take over the sector east of us in Alsace. Lieut. Siberts took a +detachment with trucks to Bussang to cover the movement, evacuating +his patients to Field Hospital 139 which went into action there. +This detachment was the first detachment of the Sanitary Train to +operate in Alsace.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="IN_ACTION_ON_THE_WESSERLING_SECTOR" id="IN_ACTION_ON_THE_WESSERLING_SECTOR"></a>IN ACTION ON THE WESSERLING SECTOR</h2> + + +<p>Late<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> in June, 1918, the 35th Division relieved the French +troops on a portion of the front line in Alsace. Ambulance Company +139 entered Alsace on June 24th and located in the quiet little +village of Ranspach, thus being the first company of the 110th +Sanitary Train to cross the former boundary line between French +and German soil. Ranspach is near the much larger factory town +of Wesserling, and, Division Headquarters being located at the +latter place, the whole 12 or 15 kilometres of front held by the +35th Division has come to be termed the "Wesserling Sector". The +front line itself was about ten kilometres east of Wesserling.</p> + +<p>Practically the whole front in Alsace was made up of what +were called "quiet" sectors, to distinguish them from "active" sectors. +Alsace is mountainous and the mountains are usually heavily +timbered. The valleys are narrow, and the main ones run north +by south. The front lines also ran north by south, parallel to the +valleys. Hence, neither side could gain ground without paying +dearly for it. By a sort of mutual understanding, both the French +and the German troops had come to regard Alsace as a place to +rest, after the strenuous campaigns on other fronts. When our +fresh troops came, they made Alsace a less quiet front, but for +the most part they merely held their ground, as the French had +done for nearly four years after having pushed the Germans back +part way through Alsace in August, 1914. It was a final training +area for American divisions that had just arrived overseas.</p> + +<p>Ambulance Company 139 maintained its headquarters at Ranspach +for exactly one month. During that time, however, most of +the company was at the front. Those who were left did not have +to drill, for we were within aerial observation and no formations +could be stood. The trenches were scarcely five miles away, tho +by the winding road up through the mountains it was twice that +far. The main diversion during the day was watching the anti-aircraft +batteries shoot at the Boche aeroplanes. On the morning +of July 3rd we were rewarded for our patience, upon seeing our +first Boche plane fall after being hit. It must have been 5000 ft. +in the air when hit, and made a straight nose dive for the earth, +but before it landed, it righted itself and spun around like a leaf +until it hit the ground.</p> + +<p>Every evening we would have our supper contested. An old +man and his dog grazed a herd of goats during the day, and brought +them home in the evening, just when we were eating. They passed +right by our kitchen and tried their best to help themselves to +our supper. As the goats passed by their respective houses, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +dog would separate them and run them into their own yards. In +the morning, at the sound of a horn, the goats would run out of +their houses and join the collective herd.</p> + +<p>Canes became the style from the buck private up, and every +evening we would go walking, Wesserling, St. Amarin, or the +cherry trees on the sides of the mountain being the chief points +of interest. The canes were a great help in climbing the hills.</p> + +<p>For the first time since our arrival in France we were paid, +and in French money, and that evening "vin rouge" reigned supreme +in the little village. It didn't take us long to become accustomed +to francs and centimes, instead of dimes and quarters.</p> + +<p>Within two days after reaching Ranspach we sent out small +detachments of litter bearers to Nennette, Duchet and Wagram, as +the 35th Division was already moving up to relieve the French. +The last named detachment returned two days later, because no +American infantry was to hold that portion of the line. Still +later the detachment at Nennette moved to Larchey.</p> + +<p>After studying the maps and roads of the sector, the company +commander decided to divide it into two subsectors, the one on +the right centering at Larchey, and the one on the left at Mittlach. +Accordingly, on June 29th, two detachments from the company +left Ranspach together. One detachment of ten men, Lt. Bates, +was to take to Larchey; the other of seven men, Lt. Monteith, was +to take to Mittlach. As the company had no ambulances, all the +men hiked, carrying their packs. One of the Sanitary Service +Units commonly known as the "S. S. U." had been attached to +our company for ambulance service, so one of its Ford ambulances +started out by another route to haul the officers' luggage and +some medical supplies to the two stations. There was a box of surgical +dressings and a box of food for each station. And herein +lies one of the mysteries of the war. The ambulance stopped at +Larchey first, as it was the nearer of the two points, but while the +box of surgical dressings reached Mittlach, the box of food never +did. Was it left at Larchey or lost in transit? Before the two +detachments reached Larchey they separated, the detachment headed +for Mittlach keeping the main road. When it arrived at Mittlach +late that evening the Ford ambulance had already gone, and it +left no food box there. Sgt. Pringle accused Sgt. Knight of the +theft, and therein lies an argument to this day.</p> + +<p>In each of the two sectors the same plan was followed so far +as the handling of casualties was concerned. Detachments of litter +bearers went out to the different dressing stations established by +the sanitary detachments of the infantry. These dressing stations, +or infirmaries, as they are sometimes called, were located as close +to the front lines as wounded men could be collected with safety. +The 138th Infantry held the lines in front of Larchey, and the +137th Infantry in front of Mittlach. Sgt. Wiershing had already<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +taken one litter squad to Mittlach and from there on out to a post +called Braunkopf, where the infirmary of the third battalion was +located.</p> + +<p>The French had an Alpine Ambulance at Mittlach and another +at Larchey. It is well, here, to say a few words about these organizations. +They in no way resemble our American Ambulance +Companies, corresponding rather to our Field Hospitals, though +even more complete than these. Alpine Ambulances were usually +within three kilometres of the front line and often in plain view +of the enemy. Hence they must be housed in dugouts. The one +at Mittlach consisted of a series of underground chambers roofed +over with heavy timbers and stone. There was a well equipped +operating room and a chamber for treating gassed patients. The +whole thing was lighted by electricity. In fact, it was a modern +hospital located within a mile and a half of the front line trenches.</p> + +<p>The staff of each Alpine Ambulance was permanent. It did +not move away when the French Infantry left a sector; hence the +natural and logical thing to do was to secure permission to use +the Alpine Ambulance as a dressing station. This we did at both +Larchey and Mittlach. In the former case the dressing station was +operated by Lt. Vardon and a detail from our company; in the +latter case by a detachment from Ambulance Company 138. The +French willingly placed their hospital equipment at the disposal +of these detachments.</p> + +<p>At both Larchey and Mittlach each litter squad consisted of +four men equipped with one litter, and, where the road was suitable, +a two-wheeled litter cart. The detachment at Larchey also +had a mule which was supposed to pull the litter cart, but usually +the men pulled it rather than bother fetching the mule. Theoretically +the battalion aid stations of the infantry should be well up +toward the front line trench so that the wounded can receive +prompt attention. The litter bearers of the Ambulance Company +are supposed to take the wounded after first aid has been given, and +carry them back to the ambulance dressing station, where an +ambulance takes them on back to a field hospital. In practice this +plan did not always work out while we were in the Vosges Mountains. +The front line was so irregular and good locations for +battalion aid stations so few that they were sometimes almost in +the front line trench, and at other times quite far back. As a +result it was frequently impossible to place relay posts so as to +equalize the work of our litter squads.</p> + +<p>In the Larchey sector there was one main road leading out +toward the front. About two kilometres from Larchey, at a +point called Brun, this road branched, the branches leading to +points named Vialet, Sermet, Fokeday and Old Colette. We had +litter squads stationed at each of the above named points. An +ambulance could go from Larchey to Brun in daylight without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +being seen by the Germans so when a litter squad had carried their +patient to Brun, they telephoned in to Larchey for the ambulance. +A separate road led from Larchey to a point to the northeast called +DeGalbert. Two litter squads were stationed there, and later a +mule was sent down, to be used for pulling the litter cart. Two +litter squads were also sent to Vialet and some men had to be +kept in reserve at Larchey. By July 4th we had about thirty-two +men in the Larchey sector.</p> + +<p>At Mittlach our territory was divided into two distinct parts +by a rather wide valley that ran straight east and west for about +one kilometre below the town, and then joined the main valley +running north and south. The German trenches were on the +eastern slope of this main valley and ours were on the western +slope and in the valley itself. The German artillery had a clear +sweep at Mittlach and the side valley, which could not be crossed +in the daytime. Nor was it practical for an ambulance to go east +of Mittlach in daylight. Hence we had to establish two distinct +routes of evacuation for litter cases. The northern route led from +Mittlach out along the side of the mountain to Krantz, where a +relay squad was stationed. Further on at Braunkopf we stationed +another litter squad in the battalion aid station. About three +kilometres beyond Braunkopf, at a point called Runtz, we had +another squad. This station was at the extreme left of the sector +held by the 35th Division Infantry, and was a good eight kilometres +from Mittlach. Both Runtz and Braunkopf evacuated to +Krantz, where the relay squad took the patients and either hauled +them by litter carts or carried them to Mittlach. On the southern +route the main road from Mittlach led to Camp Dubarle, where +we stationed six men as a relay. Other squads were stationed beyond +Dubarle at the ruined village of Metzeral, at D'Angeley, and +at Camp Martin, the latter being about nine kilometres southeast +of Mittlach. All patients collected on the southern route were +evacuated through Dubarle. These numerous posts required many +men, so that by July 4th there were forty from the company at +Mittlach. The last detachments that left Ranspach were a disappointed +lot. The company was preparing a big dinner for the +next day, and some of these men had worked helping to prepare +it—then they had to shoulder their packs late on the night of the +3rd of July and hike to Larchey and Mittlach.</p> + +<p>During the month that this company had a detachment at Larchey +there were two raids in that sector. About the sixth of July, +Company "H" of the 138th Infantry made a raid. The artillery +preparation began at 7:45 in the evening and at 8:30 the raiding +party of one officer and 238 men went over the top. They were +gone one-half hour, and at about the same time that they came +back to our trenches the first wounded were brought in by the +stretcher bearers from the line organizations. Meantime our litter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +squads had known of the contemplated raid, so they were ready +to receive the wounded and litter them on back to Brun. The +raid took place directly in front of Vialet. From there to Brun +it was nearly five kilometres, and uphill. Litter bearing is strenuous +work at best, but it is doubly so when performed in the dark, +and over strange, up-hill trails. There were in all nineteen patients +to carry that night. The first patient, carried by Joe Barnes, Vesper, +Toohey and John Crowley, was a Boche. The job lasted +nearly all night, and it was getting daylight when the last wounded +man reached Larchey next morning. The work of the infantry +had lasted not quite a half hour.</p> + +<p>Nearly a week later the Germans attempted a raid early one +morning, but it was easily repulsed. The work of our detachment +during the remainder of the month consisted mostly of carrying +occasional patients, and making the climbs back and forth to meals. +In some cases this was no small task. Frequently a litter squad +would have to go a quarter of a mile or more after rations, and +the trails were steep and narrow. Then there were occasional +bombardments by the Germans, and the first shell was enough to +set everyone going for a dugout. During one bombardment a +large shell exploded close to a dugout occupied by three of our +men, and caved it in. Covington was one of the three men, and +the event was more or less immortalized by his song, a parody on +"When you wore a tulip, and I wore a big red rose":</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"I was sleeping in a dugout right up close to the front line,<br /> +Now I was feeling fine, when those Dutch they issued mine;<br /> +They shot some high explosives right in my dugout door,<br /> +And since that time my dugout is no more.<br /> +I grabbed my full equipment then and started back to town,<br /> +For those dirty kraut eaters had torn my play house down.<br /> +</div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Chorus.</i></div> + +<div class='poem'><br /> +When they blew up my dugout, my most substantial dugout,<br /> +Then I got right on my toes;<br /> +And when that shrapnel busted, I was thoroughly disgusted<br /> +And the speed I made, no one knows.<br /> +When I started running, my feet had a yearning<br /> +To go from where the shrapnel flows;<br /> +So when he blew up my dugout, I got my clothes and tore out,<br /> +The reason—the Lord only knows."<br /> +</div> + +<p>On another night, when Lt. Vardon and Sergeants Knight and +Childs were racing for a dugout, Lt. Vardon ran past the entrance. +The glare cast by a nearby shell explosion lighted up the dugout +and, doubling back, Lt. Vardon beat Childs into it. A man casts +dignity aside and sprints when shells begin dropping around him.</p> + +<p>At<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> Mittlach there were no raids in the proper sense of the +term. No detachment of the infantry ever went over the top there. +But there were numerous casualties among our troops, due to the +activity of German snipers and to accidents. Then, too, the German +artillery had such an open sweep at the town of Mittlach and +the valley below it, that several Americans were either killed or +wounded by shrapnel. In fact, the very evening that our main +detachment arrived in Mittlach, a corporal of the 137th Infantry +was killed by a shell as he stood in the street reading a letter. This +was the first casualty in the regiment, so the chaplain decided to +give the man a military funeral, firing squad and all. He made +the funeral arrangements over the telephone and set the time for +the funeral at 9 o'clock the next evening. The time for the funeral +came and the procession was just leaving the Alpine Ambulance +when the German artillery again began shelling the town. There +were, by actual count, just twenty-two men in the street when the +first three-inch shell came whining towards the town. It took +one of those shells about six seconds to reach Mittlach after it +could first be heard, and when the first one exploded nearby, half +of those twenty-two men had already scrambled into the door of +the nearest dugout. And it was only an average size door at that. +This was the first real shelling most of the twenty-two men had +experienced, yet they took to cover as if they were used to doing +it. On another occasion a sudden bombardment caught Lt. Speck +and Lt. Martin unawares. A three-inch shrapnel ushered them +around a corner and into a dugout in record time—the one ahead +trying to keep ahead, and the one behind, trying his best to get +ahead.</p> + +<p>The ruined town of Metzeral was the foremost point occupied +by any of our litter squads at Mittlach. It was in the main valley +to the south and east of Mittlach. The American trenches ran +zig-zag through the town—along tumble-down walls, into old cellars +and basements, through neglected gardens, and around the corner +of the ruined church itself. One ducked instinctively as he passed +some of the low places in the walls, for the German trenches were +visible a few hundred yards away on the eastern slope of the +valley.</p> + +<p>The ambulance work at Mittlach and Larchey was done partly +by the mule ambulances of Ambulance Company 140 and partly +by the Fords of the S. S. U. outfit. From the various advance aid +stations, the patients were transported by ambulance to a relay +station called Treh, situated about five kilos back of Larchey. +Lt. Hancock, of Ambulance Company 137 was in charge at Treh, +having two motor and two mule drawn ambulances ready to receive +and transport the patients back to the various Field Hospitals, +which were located at Kruth and neighboring towns, well out of +range of the German guns.</p> + +<p>On<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> the whole, the time spent in the Wesserling sector was a +period of training for our company, and in fact for the whole Sanitary +Train. We learned something about maps and trails, and +especially that trails on maps and trails on mountain sides are +two very different things. We learned also to respect our gas +masks and helmets. They became our constant companions. Indeed, +the sight of school children six and eight years old going +through gas mask drill in the streets of Mittlach was enough to +make anyone think about his gas mask. All the civilians there +carried masks as they went about their daily work. We learned +too, the value of camouflage along the sides of roads, and also the +wisdom of keeping behind it. The litter bearers learned to handle +patients in all sorts of tight places, and they did their work creditably. +We saw a little example of German propaganda, also. On +June 30th the Boche sent small balloons over our lines, and to the +balloons they attached cards bearing the following message on +both sides:</p> + +<blockquote> +<div class='almostright'>"Soldiers of the U. S. A.</div> + +<p>As we hear from your comrades seized by us, your officers say +that we kill prisoners of war or do them some other harm.</p> + +<p>Don't be such Greenhorns!</p> + +<p>How can you smart Americans believe such a silly thing?"</p></blockquote> + +<p>Needless to say, this sort of propaganda made no impression +on the American troops.</p> + +<p>We spent nearly a month in the Wesserling sector. At the +end of that time, Ambulance Company 137 relieved us at Larchey, +and Ambulance Company 140 at Mittlach. We were glad to move +back across the boundary line into France and settle in the sleepy +little village of Ventron, where we could hang up our gas masks +and helmets, and almost forget there was a war.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="VENTRON" id="VENTRON"></a>VENTRON</h2> + + +<p>Ventron, a typical French village, nestles in a peaceful valley. +To the right of the town a broad green meadow stretches out, to +be broken at the foot of the mountain by a small, sparkling stream +of water. The crude stone houses, few in number, are built adjoining +each other, forming irregular lines. A large, quaint, high-steepled +church, one shop, several cafes and one hotel, probably +patronized by tourists in summer, make up the town. The prevailing +cleanliness of Ventron naturally impressed us. Without exception, +it was the cleanest town in which we were billeted during +our stay in France.</p> + +<p>Needless to say, a sigh of satisfaction could be heard when +word reached us to the effect that we would be billeted in barracks, +instead of the usual hay mow. Having learned to adapt ourselves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +to the surroundings, most of us were by this time able to carry on +a speaking conversation with all domestic animals, so this change +to cleaner barracks somewhat elated us, for we would no doubt +feel more like human beings.</p> + +<p>Our duties were few, consisting of "setting up exercises" and +perhaps a two-hour hike in the morning, and gas mask drill (a most +unpleasant duty) in the afternoon. It was on one of our hikes that +we discovered in a secluded spot on the mountain top an old priest's +hermitage. Here in a small white stone shack lived this eccentric +old man and worshipped in his peculiar way.</p> + +<p>Huckleberries and other wild berries grew abundantly on the +hillsides, and oftentimes while we were there a volunteer squad +issued forth with pails, to return later with pails loaded to the brim +with berries. And each evening by the candle light, with "seven-and-a-half" +in vogue, we commented most favorably upon those +delicious huckleberry pies, just like the ones mother used to make.</p> + +<p>During our stay at Ventron a detail of fifteen men was sent +to Kruth, 15 kilometres away, to oversee the erecting of a field +hospital. From reports that came back, our men were the engineers, +and were forced to do most of the work, much to their +dismay.</p> + +<p>Here also a Y. M. C. A. secretary came to our company, and +through him on several occasions we were delightfully entertained. +We were now able to purchase cigars, cigarettes, chocolate and other +necessities of soldier life.</p> + +<p>Bathing facilities were of the poorest—in fact, none at all, as +a bathtub is a rare luxury among the French small-town people. +Few of us were bold enough to brave the cold mountain stream for +a plunge. After things had reached a climax, in that any time +during the day a man could be seen frantically scratching himself +in a dozen places at once, and singing "They Go Wild, Simply Wild +Over Me," the company marched to Cornimont, the nearest town, +where we were "decootized," that is, we were given a bath and all +of our clothing was sterilized.</p> + +<p>One evening at the hotel several of us ate our first "horse +steak," at least we were told that it was such, and the more we +thought of it the more we believed it true. After three weeks +of this life, with plenty of good food, sleep, exercise and entertainment, +we were eager to be back in the fray. Moving orders came, +and early in August we took over our second sector of the line.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="LE_COLLET" id="LE_COLLET"></a>LE COLLET</h2> + + +<p>August 12th, the day we left Ventron, was hot, and being +crowded into a dusty truck added nothing to the enjoyment of the +trip. We wound up and up the sides of the picturesque Vosges +mountains,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> passing many an old Frenchman plodding along with +his oxen and logging wagon. Once we pulled into the gutter to +let a long truck train pass, going down the hill. Shortly afterwards +one of our trucks, heavily loaded with litters, boxes and men, ran +into a hole and came near tipping over the steep bank. After about +two hours' work it was gotten out, although it had to be unloaded +and reloaded. No further trouble was encountered, and we reached +the top of the hill in due time. After the hustle and bustle of +unloading we had supper. After supper everyone began to look +for a spot to sleep, and most of the men ended the search by +making beds on the grass on the hillside.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/i037a.jpg" width="600" height="396" alt="LOOKING NORTHWEST INTO VARENNES." title="" /> +<span class="caption">LOOKING NORTHWEST INTO VARENNES.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<br/> +<img src="images/i037b.jpg" width="600" height="406" alt="CHAUDRON EME. AND MONTREBEAU WOOD." title="" /> +<span class="caption">CHAUDRON EME. AND MONTREBEAU WOOD.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<br/> +<img src="images/i038a.jpg" width="600" height="164" alt="MEMBERS OF 139TH AMBULANCE COMPANY BEFORE UNIFORMS WERE ISSUED." title="" /> +<span class="caption">MEMBERS OF 139TH AMBULANCE COMPANY BEFORE UNIFORMS WERE ISSUED.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/i038b.jpg" width="600" height="159" alt="MEMBERS OF 139TH AMBULANCE COMPANY AFTER UNIFORMS WERE ISSUED." title="" /> +<span class="caption">MEMBERS OF 139TH AMBULANCE COMPANY AFTER UNIFORMS WERE ISSUED.</span> +</div> + +<p>It was dark when we arrived at Le Collet, and the next morning +we had our first view of the camp. Situated on a high range +of hills, it would have commanded a wonderful view of the surrounding +country but for the tall trees which covered the hills in +every direction. The camp was composed of several long, low +French barracks, arranged in haphazard style on one side of the +road on the hilltop, and many more down the valley, between and +on both sides of the forked road leading down to the city of +Gerardmer, about twenty kilometres distant. One of the barracks +on the hilltop, just at the fork of the road, was used for a triage, +our office, supply room and sleeping quarters for several men. +About one hundred feet back of this barrack, and reached by a +narrow rock road, was a big shed used for housing Gen. McClure's +limousine and one or two Ford ambulances. To one side of this +road and just in front of the shed was our kitchen, covered by a +fly tent.</p> + +<p>A French canteen, Red Cross, Y. M. C. A. and Major du Cantonement +occupied the remainder of the hilltop barracks. Across +the road from the triage was a large barnlike structure which +served as the terminal of the electric tramway. This tramway connected +Le Collet with Gerardmer by a steam road which came about +half way. Its many cars groaning up and down the hill was one +of the most noticeable features of Le Collet. It was used for bringing +up supplies and also to evacuate patients to the hospitals at +Gerardmer.</p> + +<p>The 69th Infantry Brigade was ordered to take over from the +French the sector immediately north of the front being held at that +time by the 70th Brigade. We were ordered to accompany the +brigade and evacuate it to Field Hospital 138, which went into +action at the little summer resort town of Gerardmer. We were +to establish a triage at the camp of Le Collet, which was perched +on top of the divide which formerly marked the boundary line +between France and Germany.</p> + +<p>Our work in this sector, except that of the triage, was carried +on at three advanced dressing stations and a relay station. Running +from south to north, the dressing stations were Nicholas,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +Morlier and Richard. The relay post was at Spitzenfels, situated +on the road from Le Collet, where it forked to go to Nicholas and +Morlier.</p> + +<p>The work at Nicholas was taken over by Lieut. Siberts and a +detachment of twenty-five men, who established a dressing station +in connection with the French Alpine Ambulance Service. The +entire detachment, with the exception of six men who remained at +the station, was sent to the battalion aid stations to act as litter +bearers, their duties consisting of carrying patients from the battalion +aid stations to the ambulance station. Detachments were also +sent out to Moriez, Miradore, Jourdan, Eck and Amphersbach.</p> + +<p>The activities in this area were very small, consisting principally +of sniping by machine guns and an occasional artillery duel. +The latter sometimes became interesting to the party at Nicholas, +because the artillery was directly behind the station and the arc +of fire was overhead, both for the Boche and our own boys. Many +were the times when they all ducked for a friendly dugout door, +to the tune of a screaming shell.</p> + +<p>In connection with this station there was a motorcycle with +litter sidecar operated by an Englishman. He carried all single +cases to Spitzenfels thus relieving the ambulances from extra runs. +This Englishman was a good scout and was liked by all.</p> + +<p>Lieut. Siberts was relieved a few days after the station was +established by a lieutenant of the 162 Ambulance Company, and +reported at the company triage to operate that station.</p> + +<p>The detail for the dressing station at Morlier left Le Collet +shortly after dinner on August 13th, under command of Lieut. Vardon. +Our program was to go by truck to Spitzenfels, where, after +dark, for much of the road to be traveled was under enemy observation, +we were to be picked up by a supply train and taken to +our destination. But the best laid plans will sometimes go wrong, +and in this case a confusion of orders stopped the supply train +before it had gone far, and there was nothing for us to do but +proceed on foot. The road was a long one, winding up the mountainside, +past the ruins of many buildings that had once been the +homes of shepherds, lighted up now and then by a brilliant star-shell, +while an occasional rifle shot, or rather a machine gun, +sounding almost underneath us, broke the silence. Finally about +midnight, after following the many twists and turns in the road, +each of which it seemed must be the last, we arrived at our destination.</p> + +<p>Morlier was situated about five miles north of Nicholas, on +the same ridge of hills. It was built on the opposite side of a +small hill from the lines, and about a quarter mile distant. Dugouts +and small shacks formed the principal part of the camp, and +most of the best dugouts had heavy half-circular corrugated steel +ceilings. This metal was painted white to make the interior light.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +Several rooms in the Alpine Ambulance Station were fixed this way.</p> + +<p>The dressing station was established in the Alpine Ambulance. +Lieut. Vardon and about nine men formed the personnel of this +place. The one outpost was Barbarot, about a half mile to the +north. Morlier was approachable by night only by a rock road +which wound up the hillside in full view of the German lines. In +daylight the only safe way was by a gallery about a mile long +which ran over the hill from Camp Bouquet, a branch of which +ran down to Barbarot. The gallery was a trench about six feet +deep, sided up and roofed over with branches and camouflaged.</p> + +<p>In the Alpine Ambulance we found such luxuries as electric +lights, piano and talking machine and furniture much better than +we had been used to, all taken from "Altenberg," the former summer +home of the Kaiser, which was near by. The French and +British soldiers there proved to be excellent companions and treated +us royally.</p> + +<p>We were close to the lines and under constant observation, but +when the first two days passed uneventfully our boldness grew. +However, just at supper time on the third day "Jerry" woke us up +by planting eight shells in the kitchen, and from then on did not +let us forget that he was near by. Bombardments were frequent, +while wandering German patrols paid our vicinity frequent visits +at night. Our work consisted mostly of handling the sick, as there +were very few wounded, this being a "quiet" sector.</p> + +<p>Our stay was not without its humorous incidents, such as the +time when one of our dignified "non-coms," at the sound of the +first exploding shell, dove into bed, and, pulling the blankets over +his head, remarked that "even a blanket might help some if a +shell hit," and the time when our commanding officer, deceived +by a false gas alarm, wore his gas mask for nearly three hours in +the middle of the night before discovering that we would be breathing +only the purest of mountain air without it.</p> + +<p>Our pleasant stay at Morlier came to an end when the division +was relieved on the night of September 1st. The enemy, scenting +a troop movement, kept up a steady bombardment, and it was well +towards morning before we were able to make a getaway. The +trip was an exciting one, as it was necessary to run a gauntlet of +exploding shells. Gas was also encountered, but, in spite of it all, +we all arrived safely about daybreak at company headquarters.</p> + +<p>Richard was situated in a narrow gap on the bank of Lac Noir +(meaning Black Lake). The dressing station there was established +by Lieut. Monteith and a detachment of twenty-five men. The outposts +were Vignal and Pairis, and detachments of litter bearers +were sent to each of those places, which were occupied by the +Infantry Battalion Aid Stations. Later Lieut. Bates and six men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +arrived from Rudlin, where a station had been established but +abandoned. Relay litter squads were formed, thus making the +work lighter.</p> + +<p>The men on outpost duty at Pairis were billeted in an old +hotel basement, where there was running water, electric lights and +real beds, but even with these luxuries at their disposal they can +hardly be said to have had an enjoyable time. This hotel had a +road running alongside, and whenever anyone appeared in the +road, the Boche immediately opened up on the hotel with high explosives +and shrapnel. The boys got to be experts at hitting the +cellar entrance on a moment's notice—in fact, they stayed pretty +close to it at all times, unless at the kitchen, which was about three +hundred yards distant.</p> + +<p>The outpost at Vignal was not so well situated, but was rarely +shelled. This party took part in a raid which was pulled off just +before they were relieved. They went out with the raiding party +to its starting point and remained until the raid was over, when +they evacuated the wounded to the foot of the hill below Richard, +from where the litter cases were taken to the top of the hill by +squads from Richard. At Richard there was big preparation when +word of the intended raid was received. Two spare ambulances +and twelve men were ordered out from Le Collet. When the word +was telephoned up that three litter cases were on the way, a detachment +of nineteen men went to the bottom of the hill and brought +the wounded to the station, where they were dressed and sent to +the triage.</p> + +<p>The work of both the outposts was highly complimented by +the battalion surgeons. The Americans at Richard were relieved +by French Colonials. In coming in, the French seemed to have +attracted the attention of the Boche, and as a result they received +an unmerciful shelling. One litter case and two walking cases was +the toll, and they were evacuated through our station, much to the +satisfaction of the French authorities.</p> + +<p>On August 13th a detachment of six men and two ambulances +was sent from Le Collet to the relay post at Spitzenfels. Ambulances +and drivers from the 162nd Ambulance Company, 41st +Division, were attached to our company to furnish motor transportation +to and from the different stations, as we had no ambulances +at that time. Spitzenfels was a French Red Cross post and +an ambulance relay station. It was located on a mountain side +in the midst of a thick pine forest and at a junction of the Paris-Strassburg +road, about three kilometres inside of the France-Alsace +boundary line. The place had not been shelled by the Germans for +four years and was very quiet. The billets were comfortable and +rainproof, making it an ideal place to stay.</p> + +<p>Upon first taking over the station at Spitzenfels we worked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +with the French medical men, but they soon left, leaving the entire +station to us. The duties were comparatively light, consisting of +making a sick call at 9 A. M. to two infantry aid stations, and +transferring the sick and wounded back to the triage. Another duty +was to give out Red Cross supplies, mostly tobacco and hot chocolate, +to the passing soldiers. Most of the Red Cross business was +with the French troop, as very few of the American forces knew +of the station, and thus were unable to take advantage of it.</p> + +<p>At the triage Lieut. Siberts was in charge, with the assistance +of a sergeant and three men, and their work testified that they were +on the job. They had to unload all ambulances, register all cases, +sort out the ones for the various hospitals and reload them into the +ambulances, or onto the tram car. They were compelled to work +at all hours.</p> + +<p>One incident to be long remembered by all the company was +the big fire of the truck at Le Collet on the night all the posts were +relieved. Two men were attempting to fill a Pierce-Arrow truck +with gasoline, by the aid of a candle, when there was an explosion +and the entire truck caught fire. The blaze shot thirty feet into +the air and could be seen for miles around. It was a wonder that +the place was not shelled, because it was as light as day and crowded +with soldiers.</p> + +<p>On September 1st the order came to move again, and the old +routine of packing and loading was on. We were not sorry to leave +Le Collet, because our stay had not been long enough to let us +become attached to the place. We were not sorry, for another +reason. Rumor was, now that our training was over, that we were +to go north and take active part in the great battles that were then +raging on the western front. The term "shock troops" came into +use, and all were proud to belong to a division so designated. With +our movement came orders to turn over our dressing stations and +triage to Ambulance Company 39, of the 6th Division. This was +their first trip up to the front, and as none of them had ever heard +a Boche shell ring, we had a lot of fun yarning to them about the +things they would soon experience.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_MARCH_FROM_LUNEVILLE_TO_BENNEY" id="THE_MARCH_FROM_LUNEVILLE_TO_BENNEY"></a>THE MARCH FROM LUNEVILLE TO BENNEY</h2> + + +<p>After being relieved in the Vosges sector by the 6th Division, +headquarters of the 35th Division was moved from Gerardmer to +Rosieres, a rest camp in the Luneville area. In the evening of +September 2nd we left Le Collet in trucks, and arrived at Barbey-Seroux +about midnight. Pup tents were pitched in an open field, +and for two days and nights they served as our homes.</p> + +<p>At 9 o'clock on the morning of September 4th the entire 110th<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +Sanitary Train started on the march for the railhead at La Haussiere, +about fourteen kilos away. Full field equipment was carried +by each man, and a lunch, consisting of one bacon and one jam +sandwich, which turned out to be the only rations for the next +twenty-eight hours.</p> + +<p>Arriving at La Haussiere about 1 P. M., the sanitary train +boarded the box cars. A previous train carrying troops on this +route had been attacked by Boche airplanes, so we had machine +guns mounted on a flat car to be prepared for any which might +attack us. Fortunately, or unfortunately, we saw none and so +missed what would have been an interesting experience.</p> + +<p>The destination of this trip was to be Benney. The trucks +carrying the kitchen and supplies went overland, and the intention +was that there should be a hot supper waiting for us on our arrival. +The railroad passed through several towns within a very short distance +of Benney, and why we didn't detrain at one of these has +always been a deep, dark mystery. At the time we were on the +train we did not know what our destination was to be, and we only +found out after reaching Luneville at 8 P. M. that we were confronted +with the necessity of retracing a large part of our trip—but +this time on foot, and supperless to boot.</p> + +<p>While we were waiting for the 140th Ambulance Company to +unload its mules and ambulances we laid down upon the muddy +sidewalks and watched the powerful flashlights searching the sky +for Boche airplanes. Luneville was a favorite visiting place for +such planes, and the shattered buildings testified to the accuracy +of their aim.</p> + +<p>About 11 P. M. the column was formed and began to move on +the long and never-to-be-forgotten hike to Benney. Ambulance +Company 139 was the last marching company, with Ambulance +Company 140 bringing up the rear. The orders were no lights, and +only men tagged sick would be allowed to ride in the twelve mule +ambulances.</p> + +<p>Major Salisbury was in command of the train, and at 1 A. M. +ordered a halt of two hours. Some of the men unrolled their +packs and wrapped themselves in their blankets, while others laid +down in the mud and managed to get a little sleep, covered only +by their raincoats. When the column resumed the march several +of the men were left sleeping peacefully alongside of the road, +against trees or upon piles of rocks. Here we nearly lost Lieut. +Bates, who fortunately awoke just as the last ambulance was passing +by.</p> + +<p>It soon began to rain, and by 3:30 the men were splashing +through a regular downpour. When the orders to fall in were +passed back, most of the men would turn their backs, and give +their faces a brief rest from the stinging cuts of the rain. Others<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +would sink down on the roadside, regardless of mud or water. It +was a weird looking lot of soldiers that marched into Blainville, +with raincoats thrown over their heads and packs to prevent them, +especially the latter, from becoming soaked with rain. Many here +found an empty hayloft and lost no time in getting to sleep, leaving +the column to struggle on without them.</p> + +<p>As the eastern sky was beginning to show signs of the welcome +daybreak, the rain diminished to a light but uncomfortable drizzle. +Slowly but steadily the column moved on through the towns of +Rehainville, Haussonville and Velle-sur-Meuse. Upon entering each +small town every man in the train was hoping that that would be +the end of the hike. The morning of the 5th wore away, and as +the wet and weary column continued to leave town after town +behind, the men came to the conclusion that we were "lost again," +and that we were doubling back toward Bayon, through which they +had passed the day before on the train.</p> + +<p>Since daybreak straggling had become general. After leaving +Haussonville there was hardly a kilo that did not claim its group +of stragglers. The heavy laden plum trees along the roadside +helped thin the ranks, because the men had had nothing to eat +for breakfast but a few pieces of water-soaked bacon and bread. +During one of the hourly ten-minute rest periods Tony Cataldi, who +was perched up in a plum tree enjoying the delicious plums, was +seen by a passing officer and immediately ordered down. Unable +to see who was giving the order, on account of the leaves and rain, +he inquired with true Italian curiosity, "Who in de h—l are you?" +He soon found out that the officer was in command of the column.</p> + +<p>As the men continued their weary way there was little talking—the +men had enough to do in keeping going. By this time the companies +were reduced to platoons, for buck privates, non-coms and +even company commanders were falling out. The only thing that +kept the rest going was pride. Pride would not allow them to drop +out while others were "making the riffle."</p> + +<p>The last mile told. The long hill that hid the little town of +Benney was lined with the men who had fallen out. Just twenty-eight +men out of the ninety that left Luneville with our company +pulled into the town about 11:30 A. M. They had made the entire +trip without dropping out or having their packs hauled. They had +marched 14 kilos, ridden seven hours in box cars, and then marched +41 kilos more, all this on a two-sandwich ration, and through rain +and muddy roads.</p> + +<p>So ended the hike to Benney, a hike whose only claim to distinction +is the fact that it need never have been made. Why the +companies were not detrained at Bayon, or even Blainville, through +which they had passed on the train and thereby saving 15 hours +of long and weary hiking, will probably always remain a "military<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +secret." From either of these towns the march would have been only +a walk. Efforts were made at both places to have the troops detrained, +but they were unavailing.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BENNEY_TO_FIVE_TRENCHES" id="BENNEY_TO_FIVE_TRENCHES"></a>BENNEY TO FIVE TRENCHES</h2> + + +<p>Immediately upon our arrival in the village of Benney we were +billeted in haymows, which is the customary home for the American +soldier in the country of France. These "billets," as they have +been called by the men, are usually located in the haymows of +the French homes. The French peasant's home usually consists of +one large building, in which the entire family, including horses, +cattle and pigs, is housed. While it seems strange to us, who are +not accustomed to this manner of living, they are quite comfortable +compared to pup tents in a wet, soggy forest, and especially at the +end of a long hike by night with full equipment.</p> + +<p>Benney was, we believe, the dirtiest village we have been in +to date, so consequently the next day we had to clean up the +manure piles and refuse left by the populace of this village. The +village had, at one time, been occupied by the Hun armies, who +left their customary destructive earmarks upon it. Those who +remain consist mainly of women, children and men too old for +work. It can therefore be easily understood why its streets were +dirty and conditions in general were neglected.</p> + +<p>We spent four days in the village, our duties being to clean +up the streets. We had become quite proficient with shovels and +push-brooms, by reason of previous experience, and strangely +enough the men usually chose this duty in preference to the daily +duties of kitchen police and guard. Most of us were badly in +need of a bath, as all soldiers generally are, and upon investigating +discovered an old swimming hole which we soon Americanized by +taking a plunge every day during our short stay there. We were +entertained two evenings by the French movies while here.</p> + +<p>It was evident to us that a large troop movement was taking +place, and from the many precautions taken to avoid observation, +it appeared that the movement was of more than usual importance. +Troops were marched only at night and no lights of any kind were +permitted, even smoking being barred outside of cover. Kitchens +were covered and mess lines were being divided into sections so +that Boche planes could see but a few men at a time. We were +told that we must get under cover and stay there whenever hostile +planes were about. No drilling was done and every effort made +to keep every evidence of the presence of troops hidden from +observation. All this could mean but one thing—a big attack was +being prepared and we would undoubtedly be in it. We were +curious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> to know just when and where it would be, but we had to +be content with guessing, for the secret of the St. Mihiel drive was +well kept.</p> + +<p>Leaving Benney, we hiked a distance of 13 kilos to a little +village called Haussonville, arriving there at 3:30 A. M. We had +a very sloppy march and passed our kitchen truck, stuck in the +ditch by the roadside. Of all trucks, this should have been the +one to pull through, judging by the yearning in the region of our +stomachs. Immediately upon our arrival in Haussonville we were +billeted in a large barn and "hit the hay" for a few hours. We +were soon awakened by the glad news that our kitchen had arrived, +was in action and that we would have breakfast at 10. The name +Haussonville stands out prominently in the minds of the boys, +for we recall, with a shudder, that this is where we caught our first +real batch of cooties.</p> + +<p>Dinner was served at 3, and after this meal we again rolled +pack and had hopes of leaving this unwelcome company at 8 P. M., +but did not until three hours later. At last under way, we hiked +14 kilos with full packs and reached our next destination, a salt +factory a few kilos from Nancy. Though much fatigued by our +night journey, we were somewhat encouraged to find a soft pine +floor upon which to rest our weary bones, and with the aid of a +few salt sacks, which we found, soon made ourselves as comfortable +as possible under the existing conditions. After the customary late +breakfast and dinner, orders were received to resume the hike as +soon as it became dark.</p> + +<p>Darkness found us again trailing the rock roads amid a steady +downpour of rain. The night grew darker and darker, until it was +impossible for the men in ranks to see each other. This however, +was nothing unusual and all went well until we suddenly found +ourselves lost in the streets of Nancy. It was a fine night for ducks, +which might have enjoyed the next three hours, but as soldiers +it was far from pleasant wandering around the town aimlessly, +first up one street and then down another, with a soggy pack upon +our backs. At last, righting ourselves, we left the city just as it was +getting dawn, and continued our course.</p> + +<p>Seemingly endless lines of artillery regiments on their way +to form the reserve for the St. Mihiel drive, passed us along the +road with their caissons and guns of all sizes. Later an impressive +sight greeted us as we marched along. Dawn was breaking in the +east, but the northern horizon was lighted by flares from the +muzzles of hundreds of Allied guns, the intermittent flashings of +which indicated to us that the great drive was in progress. Tired, +hungry and foot sore, we pitched tents a little later in the woods +safely concealed from enemy observation.</p> + +<p>Thus ended the long-drawn-out hike. We knew now why<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +we had been marched every night and subjected to seemingly unnecessary +hardships. Not a man regretted the experience, and all +proud that they helped form a cog in the mighty machine which +straightened the St. Mihiel salient, and marked the first American +triumph over the Hun.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="FROM_FIVE_TRENCHES_TO_SENARD" id="FROM_FIVE_TRENCHES_TO_SENARD"></a>FROM FIVE TRENCHES TO SENARD</h2> + + +<p>While at Five Trenches, we were in constant readiness to +move, and on Sept. 18th, orders were received to embuss at three +o'clock P. M. Where we were going we did not know, but we prepared +for a ride, which, we were told would be a long one. A +short march brought us to a large number of French trucks which +we boarded, filling each to its utmost capacity.</p> + +<p>The trip was through a country of rolling hills, dotted with +the picturesque French villages with their stone houses and red +tile roofs. Late in the afternoon the Moselle was crossed and +we passed through the outskirts of the ancient city of Toul. Our +journey continued throughout the night and after passing through +Bar-le-Duc, and Triacourt, we arrived at our destination, the small +village of Senard, about six o'clock the following morning. The +truck containing our kitchen had been sent on ahead to prepare +breakfast for us when we got there, but with the usual fortune of +the kitchen buss, it had been mis-instructed and so it was afternoon +before it arrived to fill the stomachs of the very hungry soldiers.</p> + +<p>Our billet was a large barn, over a hundred years old, in which +the whole company was housed. Its bunks with straw mattresses +were a welcome change after sleeping on the ground in the forest. +It had at one time been quarters for German soldiers, for in 1914 +when the army of the Kaiser poured into France, Senard had been +occupied for about nine days. Although the city shows plainly +the scars of battle, it was fortunate compared to some of the neighboring +villages, many of which were complete ruins.</p> + +<p>The stay here was a short one. We left on the night of Sept. +18th and marched for several hours along roads already crowded +with artillery and supply trains moving toward the front, and +shortly after dark pitched pup tents at Camp Wagon, in the heart +of the Argonne Forest. The few days spent here passed uneventfully; +even pay day failing to cause its usual enthusiasm, for what +good was money in the heart of a forest? An occasional barrage +sounding nearby kept us on the alert, for we imagined each one +to be the prelude to the big drive we knew we were soon to engage +in.</p> + +<p>Finally, definite information came and it left us rather dazed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +causing many of us to write home letters that we thought might +possibly be the last ones. We learned that the greatest offensive +of the war was about to take place, extending from the North Sea +to the Moselle river. Also, and what was more to the point, that +on that part of the front to be taken by the American Army the +position assigned to the 35th Division to reduce was expected to +be the most difficult to take. Our division had the honor positions +on the whole front.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="MEUSE-ARGONNE_OFFENSIVE" id="MEUSE-ARGONNE_OFFENSIVE"></a>MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE</h2> + + +<p>Our part in the offensive began the night of the 25th of September. +Orders were received to move up to Bourelles as soon as +it should become dark. Camp was struck and supplies were stacked +along side the road before dark so that we would be able to find +them when the time came.</p> + +<p>A vast sense of relief settled down over every one as we realized +that the time which we had enlisted for, trained for, worked +and waited for was finally at hand, and that by morning we would +be doing our work over in the Boche trenches instead of on our +own side of the line.</p> + +<p>As soon as it was dark we got our stuff packed into the trucks +and packed ourselves in on top, mud and all, and started for Germany. +The roads were muddy and slippery and often the convoy +was held up until a truck could be pulled out of the ditch. No +lights were allowed—the roads were under shell fire and no +chances were taken in showing troop movements to the ever vigilant +enemy aeroplanes. Several times we were led astray, but finally, +about midnight we arrived at Bourelles.</p> + +<p>Here we unloaded the trucks behind the protection of a steep +bank and the men settled down on the rocks and grass for a few +hours' rest, while the cooks borrowed a fire and began to prepare +soup for breakfast. We did not secure much sleep. Jerry was +sending over a few in search of some of our "heavies," but it was +these same heavy guns that most disturbed our rest. The crack of +these guns whipped across the valley with such a force that the +hills fairly shook. They were not firing very fast but what they +lacked in speed they made up in noise.</p> + +<p>At 2:30 A. M. our fire opened up in earnest and the thought +of being on the receiving end of that terrific rain of steel was +almost enough to cause a little pity for the Germans—almost. With +the coming of dawn the artillery seemed to slacken and at 6:05 +the doughboys went over the top. Little could be seen through +the haze and smoke by those who waited. We could see the groups +of airplanes go sailing overhead and the elephant-shaped observation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +balloons move snail-like in a race to the enemy lines. While +the big guns were methodically sending over their "messages of +hate," here and there could be seen groups of horses nibbling unconcernedly +at the trampled grass, while their drivers were wrapped +up in shelter halves catching a well earned rest.</p> + +<p>After a reconnaissance had been made, we received the order +from our Director of Ambulances, Maj. Wm. Gist, to advance. We +piled into the trucks again and started forward. The effects of +Jerry's fire could now be seen. The large shell holes, the demolished +trees, the shattered buildings, were beginning to make us +realize that we were fighting some force that had the power to +fight back. We passed through several ruined villages and finally +reached Neuvilly, which was the end of the road for motors at +that time. Here we unloaded and were heavily equipped with litters, +packs, medicine belts and extra shell wound dressings.</p> + +<p>The plan of operations was quite simple. The company was +divided into sections, each under an officer, and each section further +divided into litter squads of four men each. The non-coms +were charged with locating wounded and directing litter squads +to them, and also with doing most of the dressing. The wounded +were to be gathered into groups located so that ambulances could +reach and evacuate them to the triage which was established later +in the day at Neuvilly, by Ambulance Company 138. The entire +company, less cooks, took to the field and the cooks, by trading +grub for transportation, managed to keep in touch with part of +us part of the time.</p> + +<p>Lieut. Bates with his section covered the rear of the 137th +Infantry which was on the left. Lieut. Siberts with a detachment, +bore to the right, covering the 138th Infantry, while Lieut. Monteith, +with his detachment undertook to handle some wounded who were +already coming into the old position of the 138th Infantry. Lt. +Speck with Sgt. Rowland and a few men remained at Vacquois Hill +and established a collecting station for wounded there.</p> + +<p>As the men marched thru the lines the evidences of the superhuman +struggle grew more and more. They could see dead horses, +shattered wagons and caissons, trampled and torn up wire entanglements, +and ambulances darting here and there. Groups of artillery +were constantly shifting about, advancing all the time.</p> + +<p>In places we passed the long naval guns, some of them so +hot that they seemed to be fairly panting. Every clump of trees +concealed a den of seventy-fives or larger guns, and miles of deserted +trenches were passed through.</p> + +<p>The work on hand was enough to keep all the men busy. Many +German prisoners were coming through by this time and each group +helped by carrying back wounded. Some of the German wounded +were brought back in this way by their comrades. By this time,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +also, a shortage of litters began to be felt. The ambulances had +not been able to get up owing to the blocking of the roads by +artillery which was moving forward. Towards evening ambulances +began to come in to Vacquois, and Hill No. 290. The last load +of wounded had been removed by about 4:00 A. M., the next +morning. Meanwhile, Lt. Siberts had reached Cheppy, close on the +heels of the victorious 138th Infantry and collected a large number +of wounded there.</p> + +<p>In crossing the German trenches, we saw the effects of our +artillery barrage and the evidences of the fierce fighting that the +doughboys were doing. The ground was fairly pulverized. There +were shell holes large enough to drop houses into, and parts of +the hills were seemingly scalped and cast aside. Concrete dugouts +were crushed as if they had been made of cardboard, trenches +were leveled and barbwire entanglements were cut to pieces. The +Germans had contested the ground inch by inch, and we could see +where groups of our men had been literally blown to pieces—scenes +that the boys will never forget. As we advanced further, +the evidences of the struggle were not so ghastly, although we +were passing the lifeless forms of many Kansas and Missouri boys +mixed with those of the drab uniforms of the enemy.</p> + +<p>The field was sprinkled with shell holes whose burnt sides +seem to have been blasted by the touch of hell. Our artillery was +crawling forward and were blazing away from behind the shelter +of clumps of bushes. The doughboys were now moving so swiftly +that the big guns could hardly keep up.</p> + +<p>As we neared Cheppy, we could see where the infantry boys +had charged an almost impregnable machine gun nest. About thirty +men had been mowed down in front of this position. At a cross +roads, a big shell had landed in the center of a collection of +wounded doughboys, tearing them to pieces. Gas had been used, +but nothing could stop the boys from entering Cheppy. The fierce +struggle in this town had caused heavy casualties.</p> + +<p>Ambulance Co. 138 having moved up the triage to Cheppy on +the 28th, Lt. Siberts started for Charpentry with his detachment. +By the morning of the second day, the entire company had reached +Cheppy and we had a warm meal, the first one in thirty-six hours. +Lt. Siberts and his detachment deserve a great deal of credit for +the tremendous amount of work they accomplished at Cheppy in +an old abandoned dugout, where hundreds of wounded were cared +for under distressing and dangerous conditions.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wesley R. Childs of the Y. M. C. A. came up to the station +here with chocolates and was of material assistance in directing +a party of walking wounded back to Neuvilly by the road +through Verennes, which we had been unable to explore before. +During this time the action was in view of the dressing station<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +at times and the sound of the machine guns made it plain that +there would be much more work for us. The dressing station at +Cheppy was subjected to machine gun fire from hostile airplanes +several times but no casualties resulted. Mule drawn ambulances +from Ambulance Co. 140 arrived at the Cheppy station in the +morning of the 27th. Later, motor ambulances came up and the +work of evacuating went steadily on. There was very little rest +for anyone.</p> + +<p>On the 27th, Lt. Monteith with a detachment went forward to +Very, and established another collection point in some German +dugouts there. The next morning, evacuation of these wounded +was begun by ambulances as the congestion at Cheppy was somewhat +relieved. Litter bearer squads worked forward from Very +in the direction of Charpentry and many wounded were collected +together and cared for pending the arrival of mule drawn ambulances. +In the meantime Ambulance Co. 137, and the dressing +station section of Ambulance Co. 140, had arrived by trucks at +Charpentry. They brought a large supply of dressings and other +medical equipment and we were able to replace the contents of +our belts. The field from Very to Charpentry was thus cleared, +and by noon some of the advance squads had reached Charpentry.</p> + +<p>All three companies worked together at Charpentry under the +direction of Maj. Gist, and shared rations and supplies in common. +The dressing stations at Charpentry were located in old French +barns and buildings set around a sort of courtyard. They had +served until a couple of days before as the headquarters of the +German division holding the sector. After the place had been +examined to make sure that no German souvenirs in the way of +hand grenades and shells had been hidden within, we started fires +and soon had some warm places for dressing the wounded. At +the south end were some empty buildings evidently used as store +rooms and an arched opening into the court. On the east side was +a former dwelling house which contained several rooms on the +ground floor. All of the second story had been shot away. On +the north end was a large barn which contained a small amount +of engineering stores. The other side was open and had a garden +which contained vegetables for the Germans. This spot was later +used to bury some of the men who died in the dressing station. +Back from the east side there was a steep hill which contained +several excellent dugouts, some of which were used as dressing +rooms. As soon as the wounded were dressed they were placed +in these empty rooms to await transportation to the rear. These +rooms were soon filled, however, and it became necessary to +place the men in the court yard on litters or rubber blankets. The +wind and rain added nothing to the comfort of these poor chaps, +but there was no murmur of complaint from any of them. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +were so exhausted from lack of sleep and food and constant fighting, +that they were able to sleep undisturbed either by their wounds, +or by the thunder of the guns all around.</p> + +<p>Two batteries of seventy-fives, of the 129th Field Artillery took +position behind our station here, in such a way that their fire passed +directly over us. At each discharge, a shower of dust from the +roofs of the buildings would descend upon the wounded and workers +alike. We had some gas this day, but there were more alarms +than gas. No shells fell in our immediate vicinity as the dressing +station was more or less protected by the hill. Every one worked +at top speed, as the wounded were coming in so fast that it required +the services of almost the entire company to take care of them. +Later in the afternoon a detachment was sent to Baulney, and +with the aid of some mule ambulances, cleared the regimental +station there of wounded. Later, motor ambulances began to arrive +and the wounded were started back toward the triage at Cheppy. +From this time on the evacuation was continuous, ambulances from +Ambulance Co. 41 and S. S. U. sections undertaking this work. +Many empty, returning ammunition trucks were also used. The +trucks carried the wounded, for the most part, to the old triage at +Neuvilly, which had been taken over by the field hospital companies. +Those who were able to walk, were started out on foot, +as all available transportation was required for recumbent cases. +By morning of the 29th, the influx of wounded having lessened +somewhat, two bearer parties went forward, one under Lt. Speck, +and the other under Lt. Bates. Mule ambulances accompanied +these parties, the detachments coming under heavy fire and some +of the mules being killed. One of the drivers was mortally wounded. +These parties were out until about the middle of the afternoon. +The work of the bearers was the most laborious owing to the mud +and the long distances of the carries.</p> + +<p>Information was received that the salient created by the attack +was to be protected by establishing the first line in the area being +covered by the bearers. The parties were, therefore, withdrawn to +Charpentry. It was during this operation that Pvt. Lloyd Richmond +was wounded, while remaining with wounded at Chaudron Farm. +Upon arrival of the bearers at Charpentry, their patients were loaded +into ambulances, which, by this time, had cleared the station there, +since the location was becoming a target for gas. Orders were +received to move the station back to some more sheltered position +where the wounded could be kept in more security. Ambulance +companies were now ordered to Varennes. Lt. Siberts, with a detachment +of men, proceeded to Very, joining the company at Varennes +the next day.</p> + +<p>In leaving Charpentry, the men were forced to run a gauntlet +of high explosives, gas and shrapnel. A rain of shells were pouring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +into the valley in a desperate attempt to silence the American +batteries. One of the spectacular scenes of the drive occurred when +a battery of French artillery came crashing down the road, the +gunners riding the seventy-fives which were drawn by big trucks. +The little men in blue were leaning forward and gazing eagerly +ahead to the nearby hill where they afterwards whirled their guns +into position and poured a murderous fire, point blank, into the +counter-attacking Germans. It was a little incident that gave us a +slight insight into the reason why the Germans failed to crush +France.</p> + +<p>On arriving at Varennes, volunteers were called for to return +to Charpentry to take care of the wounded who might be expected, +and to relieve congestion in regimental stations, which had fallen +back to that place. Lt. Bates with 15 men and an equal number +from Ambulance Co. 137, were selected. This detachment had a +very exciting and strenuous forty-eight hours of work at Charpentry. +During the first night wounded were numerous and there was +much hard and tiresome work carrying wounded and loading out +ambulances.</p> + +<p>The 35th Division was now being relieved by the First Division, +and we received orders that we had been temporarily attached +to that division until their own Ambulance and Field Hospitals +could get into action. After being relieved from this duty, the +company assembled at Neuvilly, and left the next day for a rest.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="WITH_THE_KITCHEN_IN_THE_ARGONNE" id="WITH_THE_KITCHEN_IN_THE_ARGONNE"></a> +WITH THE KITCHEN IN THE ARGONNE<br/>OFFENSIVE</h2> + + +<p>For anyone to say that they derived any amount of happiness +from being in the Argonne, other than our complete victory over +the Boche, would probably be judged insane. According to the +Mess Sergeant's version, however, a certain amount of joy may be +had in not being threatened with one's life after serving the famous +"Corn Willy" to men who were working in the midst of this hell.</p> + +<p>We moved up the night before the drive and made our first +stop the next morning at about 2:00 A. M. at a place mentioned +before, behind a steep bank, where our supplies were unloaded from +the trucks. These trucks were ordered to wait until later in the +morning before moving nearer the lines. As the men were going +in the drive at five o'clock that morning we borrowed a fire, and +inside of a small hut, prepared some soup for them to have just +before leaving.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 599px;"> +<img src="images/i055a.jpg" width="599" height="407" alt="LOOKING NORTH INTO BAULNY." title="" /> +<span class="caption">LOOKING NORTH INTO BAULNY.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 596px;"> +<br/> +<img src="images/i055b.jpg" width="596" height="405" alt="LOOKING WEST TOWARD VACQUOIS HILL." title="" /> +<span class="caption">LOOKING WEST TOWARD VACQUOIS HILL.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<br/> +<img src="images/i056.jpg" width="600" height="273" alt="AMBULANCE SECTION, 110TH, SANITARY TRAIN, CAMP DONIPHAN, OKLA." title="" /> +<span class="caption">AMBULANCE SECTION, 110TH, SANITARY TRAIN, CAMP DONIPHAN, OKLA.</span> +</div> + +<p>They left about on time, but the trucks which were to report +for our supplies, were delayed, so it was rather late before we +started<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> moving. When we did, however, we made fairly good time +until we were held up in the woods by trucks that were stuck in +the mud. We at last made it through, and catching up with the +company that afternoon, unloaded our supplies and equipment and +established our first kitchen, right back of Vacquois Hill.</p> + +<p>We managed to get coffee made before dark, and our men +began to come in a few at a time. Not all of them got there, however, +but nevertheless we were busy feeding the most of the night, +as everyone who came along wanted something to eat, and we +tried to feed all who came.</p> + +<p>The next morning, what men were there, moved on to Cheppy +and we were told that transportation would come for us. We +waited until that afternoon, and had just about concluded that we +were left, when two men came down the road leading a couple of +pack mules. We were informed that this was our transportation. +Accordingly, we loaded all that was possible on the mules and +started for Cheppy. Our kitchen now consisted mainly of a G. I. +coffee can, and such rations as we, ourselves, could carry.</p> + +<p>We arrived in Cheppy in time to cook supper for the men +and we continued to cook as long as it was light, as there were +scores of men to be fed and we endeavored to feed all who came. +The greatest efforts bore little fruit, however, and most of the men +received nothing hot until they came out of the drive. Our pack +mules made another trip that night, bringing up a few rations and +some food which we were very glad to get, being almost out.</p> + +<p>The next morning we moved up past Very, using an ambulance +for what few supplies we had, and set up a kitchen alongside a +captured six-inch German gun which later proved to be a rather +disagreeable location, as Jerry threw over a few H. E. trying to put +it out of commission. The artillery, having come up and started +a barrage, left us in a rather noisy place, also.</p> + +<p>Here the supply section of our train managed to get a few +rations up to us. We cooked and served all that day and night, but +were unable to take care of all those wanting to be fed. It seemed +to be impossible to secure enough transportation.</p> + +<p>The company moved on to Charpentry that afternoon and we +were again informed that a transport wagon would pick up our +supplies and kitchen and for us to follow. As usual, the wagon +did not arrive, and we were again left to do the best we could.</p> + +<p>In the meantime part of our supplies and equipment which +we left back at Vacquois, came up in a mule drawn ambulance, +which we sent on to Charpentry that night. We waited, however, for +the transportation which was to move us from our present location +and as has already been mentioned, it never came. The next morning +we divided our force, part going on to Charpentry and the rest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +remaining to cook and serve the remainder of our rations which +was not hard to do. All we had was a little coffee and bread.</p> + +<p>Our kitchen in Charpentry was located in a sort of a court +yard, near the buildings in which were located the dressing stations. +Here we located an iron boiler, that the Germans had left +in their hasty retreat, which helped us out quite a lot in cooking. +Things were going fine here, in fact, too good to last. We had +plenty of rations and had served two fairly good meals, when things +began to happen. Jerry got it into his head that Dressing Stations +and kitchens were not essential in a successful drive and right away +started trying to eliminate them. A short time after he had started +trying to put this idea into effect, we received orders to retire. This +order probably saved a little work for the burying squad, as far as +the kitchen force was concerned, as about fifteen minutes after leaving, +a few direct hits were scored, scattering our kitchen and supplies +to the four winds.</p> + +<p>We now moved back to Varennes, picking up as much of our +equipment at Very as we could and taking it back with us. We +stayed in Varennes for almost two days, cooking what we could in +a much dilapidated stove that was in one of the dugouts. Our field +range reached us just as we were leaving for Bourelles. We arrived +there in time to set up for supper, but had to tear it down +that night as we moved back to Neuvilly. Here we were relieved +and moved out, and back to billets and a small French kitchen. +Although small, it seemed to us all that anyone could ask for in +the kitchen line, after having put in a week of trying to cook for +a company of men with hardly anything more than two flat rocks +and a coffee can.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CITATIONS_AND_CASUALTIES" id="CITATIONS_AND_CASUALTIES"></a>CITATIONS AND CASUALTIES</h2> + + +<p>The fact that some of the men of Ambulance Company 139 +were cited, does not indicate that they were more courageous or +devoted to duty than those not so mentioned. The work of the +entire company showed an efficiency, and disregard for personal +danger, of the very highest order. Many acts of individual heroism +passed unnoticed. The following is an extract from General +Order No. 82, October 14th, Hqs. 35th Division:</p> + +<p>"The Division Commander takes pleasure in citing in General +Orders, the following named officers and enlisted men for effective, +efficient and courageous work during the six days' battle +from September 26th to October 1st, 1918."</p> + +<p>Private Glen B. Smith, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September +29th, near Chaudron Farm. For remaining under continuous shell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +and machine gun fire for a considerable time more than required +by his orders, caring for the wounded under the most intense shell +and machine gun fire.</p> + +<p>Sergeant Junior Briggs, M.D., Ambulance Co. 139, September +29th, near Chaudron Farm. For remaining under continuous shell +and machine gun fire for a considerable time more than required +by his orders, caring for the wounded under the most intense shell +and machine gun fire.</p> + +<p>Private Lloyd Richmond, M.D., Ambulance Co. 139, September +29th, near Chaudron Farm. On account of artillery and machine +gun fire, Private Richmond remained at his post and cared +for the wounded until he was himself wounded by a shell which +killed two other wounded men.</p> + +<p>Sergeant Kenneth W. Pringle, M.D., Ambulance Co. 139, September +28th and 29th this non-commissioned officer, of his own +accord and under extremely heavy shell fire, found and evacuated +many wounded.</p> + +<p>First Lieutenant Richard T. Speck, M.D., Ambulance Co. 139, +September 30th, near Charpentry. For effective, efficient and courageous +work in collecting wounded in the field north of Charpentry +with detachment of mule drawn ambulances, under heavy artillery +and machine gun fire and repeated aeroplane attacks.</p> + +<p>First Lieutenant Bret V. Bates, M.D., Ambulance Co. 139, +September 30th, near Charpentry. For efficient, effective and +courageous work in the open field with a detachment of mule drawn +ambulances under heavy artillery and machine gun fire.</p> + +<p>Sergeant 1st Class Charles G. Rowland, M. D., Ambulance Co. +139, September 29th near Charpentry. While his company was +on the march from Charpentry to Varennes, Sergeant Rowland +stopped to attend a truck driver who had been struck by a shell. +Disregarding all personal danger, he passed through a curtain of +artillery fire and dressed the wounded man. During the four days +at the dressing station, the work of Sergeant Rowland was of the +highest order of efficiency.</p> + +<p>The following men in the detachment of Ambulance Company +139, 110th Sanitary Train, for courage and devotion to duty under +intense fire while acting as litter bearers on the morning of September +30th, 1918:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Citations for Litter Bearers"> +<tr><td align="left">Wagoner Jacob C. Weaverling</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. Stephen F. McCormick</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. 1cl. George G. Crowley</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. 1cl. Fay A. Downing</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. 1cl. Joe Barnes</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. John J. Fisher</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. Charles F. Blaker</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. Harry T. Douglass</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. Garland Freeman</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. William W. Williams</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. Louis J. Fisher</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. John R. Fulmer</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. Robert A. Still</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pvt. John P. Feeney</td></tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +<i>Casualties</i>—Ambulance Company 139, during the five days in +the Argonne with our own division, and the forty-eight hours attached +to the First Division, came out of battle without a death. +Private Lloyd Richmond, on the night of September 29th, while +taking care of some wounded men under intense shell and machine +gun fire at Chaudron Farm, was wounded in seven different places.</p> + +<p>The following named men were gassed while attached to the +First Division at Charpentry:</p> + +<p>Lt. George Monteith, Sgt. Clarence Falconer, Pvt. Edward DeTalent, +Pvt. Wilson Meyers, Lt. Bret V. Bates, Sgt. Ernest Stalcup, +Pvt. Kenneth S. Brown, Pvt. Jesse Dennis, Pvt. Lester A. Brogan, +Pvt. Jesse Casteel, Pvt. William Peterson, Pvt. Rollo C. Dugan.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_STAY_IN_VAUBECOURT" id="THE_STAY_IN_VAUBECOURT"></a>THE STAY IN VAUBECOURT</h2> + + +<p>On coming from the Argonne offensive on October 5th, the +Sanitary Train moved to Vaubecourt, a city whose blocks of ruins +told plainer than words the story of its bombardment in the earlier +days of the war. But, complete as was the destruction of some +parts of the city other parts escaped harm, and in this quarter we +found a comfortable home in a large barn, well equipped with +bunks.</p> + +<p>The memory of our stay in Vaubecourt to most of us is not a +pleasant one. Sick, tired, hungry, dirty, clothing torn and stained +with mud and blood, and equipment lost, the men of our company +certainly did not have the appearance of spic and span soldiers of +Uncle Sam. A few hours of rest, with good food and plenty of +soap and water did much to better conditions, but the effects of +the previous days at the front were not at once thrown off. Sickness +prevailed, hardly a man escaping it in some degree, and the +number sent each day to the hospital was probably the largest at +any time in the history of the company. Here for the first time in +months, we heard the once famous sound of the bugle, the companies +standing all calls.</p> + +<p>But in the midst of this, there was one day of our Vaubecourt +stay that stood out as one of the brightest in our experience. It +was the day the news arrived that Germany, surrounded by an +unbreakable band of fire and steel, and realizing the inevitable, +had asked for peace terms. To us who had just emerged from +the horrors of the Argonne, the news seemed like the first streak of +morning light shining through the darkness. However, the constant +rumbling of the distant artillery and the steady procession of +aeroplanes overhead, kept us from becoming too optimistic. Yet +the feeling seemed to remain that it was the beginning of the end, +and that peace could not be far distant.</p> + +<p>The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> fact that the Hun was at last, not asking, but begging for +a cessation of hostilities, in the name of her people, gave us renewed +spirits. We were further cheered by the fact that the entire +Sanitary Train had been commended for its work in the Argonne +by our own Divisional Commander, as well as by the Commanding +General of the division that relieved us. The work in battle had +been without fault, but at this time we were informed that discipline +was very lax, and instead of the much needed rest, we were put +through a period of training which lasted until the division relieved +a division of French in a sector north of Verdun.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_VERDUN_FRONT" id="THE_VERDUN_FRONT"></a>THE VERDUN FRONT</h2> + + +<p>While at Vaubecourt we received word that we were to go to +the front again, and that news surprised us not a little, because +of the fact that we had only been out of the Argonne some two +weeks.</p> + +<p>On October 15th, the division occupied a new sector east of +Verdun, extending from near Fresnes to Eix. As usual, Ambulance +Company 139 took position near the front lines, to evacuate the +division. On October 16th, headquarters of the company was located +at Fontaine Brilliante, a very beautifully situated triage near +Somme-Dieue. This triage evidently had been a most busy place +during the great drive on Verdun in 1916. Immense Red Crosses +were painted on the tops of the various buildings, and two very ingenious +Red Crosses were constructed upon the hillside, of small +red and white stones. These were placed there to protect the triage +from Boche airplanes.</p> + +<p>Immediately upon arrival at Fontaine Brilliante, Lt. Monteith, +with a detachment of twenty-six men, started to the front and established +a dressing station at Deramee. Two cooks were with the +detachment, and a kitchen was set up in the same building with +the dressing station. Rations were drawn from the first battalion +of the 110th Engineers and it was not a rare thing to have hot cakes +for breakfast. In the kitchen was a wire cage which could be +locked, and which looked for all the world like a large rat trap. +One night the cooks had written several letters to their wives and +put them into this cage and locked it. The rats, which had already +carried away some very sizable articles, including dippers, frying +pans and what-nots, got the letters out of the cage in some magic +way that night, and to this day those two cooks are marveling at +the cleverness of French rats.</p> + +<p>Litter and ambulance posts were placed at Tunis, Bellvue Farm +and Joffre. There were a few camps near, which were merely billeting +places for soldiers in reserve, and for supply organizations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +of the line troops. They were all in easy shelling distance for the +Germans, in fact, Deramee was so close to the lines that one could +hear the report of the guns an instant before the shells would come +over.</p> + +<p>The forts around Verdun were very interesting. There were +two within two kilometres of Deramee, one named Fort Deramee, +and the other Fort Roselier. These forts were situated on points +commanding a view of all the surrounding country. They were +neatly concealed from aerial observation, and one might easily +walk squarely into one before he noticed it. They were most formidably +constructed of reinforced concrete, and were built deep into +the ground. Some were encircled by a moat over which were heavy +draw bridges, and beyond the moat a mass of barbed wire entanglements +encircled the entire defense. There were over forty of these +forts around Verdun, all garrisoned by the French. A look at these +mighty bulwarks told at once why the Germans could not pass.</p> + +<p>On October 8th, another section to the north, extending to Vaux, +was taken over by the division, and another dressing station, in +charge of Lt. Vardon with fifteen men, was established at Vaux. +At first dependence was placed upon four G. M. C. ambulances of +Ambulance Co. 138 to do all of the evacuating, but later S. S. U. +526 was assigned for this work. All cases were taken to Field +Hospital 139, at Fontaine Brilliante.</p> + +<p>Some mention of the old battlefield near Vaux must be made. +Fort Vaux was taken by the Germans after a fierce and uninterrupted +cannonading lasting from March 12th to April 9th, 1916. +Fort Avocourt and the Mort-Homme also succumbed to the terrific +onslaught of the Hun on April 10th. After five months of furious +fighting, in which the Germans lost over a half million men, the +French retook these important positions. Just back from the dressing +station an eighth of a mile is a famous hill of the Verdun +battle. A look at this barren hill filled one with awe, for there +isn't a tree, not even a stump, standing, and not a square foot of +ground that has not been torn by shell fire. The ground is simply +pulverized. There are helmets (French and German), old rifles, +cart wheels, unexploded shells, clothing and most everything in +the line of war equipment lying around on the ground, just as it +was left after that terrible struggle. Bones of every part of the +human body could be found in almost any numbers. One could +pick up a helmet with a skull in it, or a shoe with the bones of a +foot in it. Standing at the bottom of this hill, one could look up +at the head of the valley and see a German battery, sitting just as +it had been deserted after her defeat in 1916. The wood that was +brought in from the fallen timber was literally filled with shrapnel.</p> + +<p>The Vaux detail, when not busy, spent most of its time seeing +the many interesting places, even though at times it was a bit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +dangerous. From the hill back of the dressing station one could +see the Germans shelling Ft. Douamont, two miles away. A very +strange impression it left on one, too. First the report of the German +guns would be heard, and in an instant the shell would burst +near the fort, throwing dirt and rock high into the air. Then the +sound of the shell, which had already bursted, could be heard going +through the air.</p> + +<p>While there were not many casualties through Vaux, over seven +hundred came through Deramee. The division had just been filled +up with men who had not been in France over a month or so, and +who had not trained longer than that in the States. The trenches +of Verdun, which were always filled with water and mud, seemed to +be too much for them, and many cases of influenza and pneumonia +developed.</p> + +<p>We had many gas cases, too, at Deramee. In one day a hundred +and six gas patients came through the dressing station. It +was mostly mustard gas, and the patients would come in by the +ambulance load, temporarily blind and feeling miserable. We +could only bathe their eyes with a sodium bi-carbonate solution, +and use the sag-paste freely. During this rush the only available +ambulances were those of the S. S. U. 526, and the drivers of that +unit not being familiar with the roads, Corporals O'Dowd and +Bailey were kept busy guiding them around. We worked well after +midnight on that particular day before all the patients were evacuated. +The total number of gas patients numbered well over two +hundred.</p> + +<p>A sergeant and three men were stationed at Bellevue Ferme, a +relay station between Derame and Vaux. This station was situated +on a hill only a short distance from Verdun, and one could get a +splendid view of the old battered city from this place. There were +eleven big naval guns down below Bellevue on a narrow gage railway, +and they surely made some music when they fired. They drew +fire from the Germans, too, but no sooner would the Germans locate +them than they were moved along the track to another place.</p> + +<p>Verdun was very close to the different stations, and many of +us visited the silent old city. One had only to take one look at that +city to realize that one of the mightiest struggles of human history +took place for its possession. Petain, the great French leader, won +an immortal place among military leaders for the defense of that +city in 1916, and a glance at the battlefield would convince one +absolutely that he meant those words "<i>On ne passe pas</i>." The +cathedral in Verdun was badly damaged; fourteen holes in one +side of the building were counted and the roof had three big gaps +in it, and while the cathedral can be repaired, yet its shell marks +will be there forever. Another interesting thing connected with +Verdun is its underground city, capable of accommodating forty-two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +thousand, and absolutely shell proof. The Germans shelled +Verdun regularly, dropping shells on certain crossroads and buildings +at exact intervals. One couldn't tarry in one place in that city, +even if he cared to, because an M. P. would firmly suggest "move +along."</p> + +<p>We were on the Verdun front when Austria capitulated, and +were almost fighting for newspapers in order to get the details. +The question in everyone's mind during our last days at Verdun +was "How long will Germany hold out?" We left Deramee on +November 6th, having been relieved by the "Wildcats," a division +of soldiers not soon to be forgotten, and we little knew that we +had been on our last front.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="MOVE_TOWARD_METZ_AND_THE_ARMISTICE" id="MOVE_TOWARD_METZ_AND_THE_ARMISTICE"></a>MOVE TOWARD METZ, AND THE ARMISTICE</h2> + + +<p>After a siege of about three weeks, our company was relieved +from duty in the sector north of Verdun, and we were all preparing +for a good long rest, and best of all, a thorough delousing at +the hands of the official "Cootie-cooking-brigade." As later developments +will show, we realized none of our anticipations, at least not +at Erize-la-Grande.</p> + +<p>The sector which we had just left was famous for at least three +of the war's most deadly weapons, viz.—Cooties (most of them wearing +service stripes), prize rats and German gas. The combined +efforts of the three made life hardly worth living at times, and a +sigh of relief was breathed when at last the task was at an end.</p> + +<p>The village of Erize-la-Grande compared favorably with all +other villages in which we had been billeted, especially as regards +street scenes and sleeping quarters. These had evidently been constructed +during the dark ages, but whether those who inhabited them +were afraid of light or fond of darkness remains a secret.</p> + +<p>On the night of November 7th, the wild cry arose that the war +was over! We were used to all manner of reports, though none +quite as stunning as this, and in a few minutes excitement was at +its height. An optimistic M. P. was heard shouting, "It's over, so +help me, God!" and a little later the same spirit was evidenced by +the doughboys along the roads, who were joyfully proclaiming the +end by shooting up flares and yelling, "<i>Fini la guerre</i>." By this +time it was a settled fact that the war really was over, that nothing +remained to be done but the shouting, and that this was the proper +time to shout. What happened during the next few hours, gentle +reader, will be left to your imagination. It was a grand and glorious +feeling, and not long afterwards we found out that just about +the entire A. E. F. and practically all the folks at home were also +celebrating.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a href="images/i065-big.jpg"> +<img src="images/i065.jpg" width="600" height="282" alt="AMBULANCE COMPANY 139, CAMP HOEL, KANSAS CITY, KANSAS." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">AMBULANCE COMPANY 139, CAMP HOEL, KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 591px;"><a href="images/i066a-big.jpg"> +<br/> +<img src="images/i066a.jpg" width="591" height="483" alt="WOUNDED FROM THE ARGOXNE AT CHEPPY." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">WOUNDED FROM THE ARGOXNE AT CHEPPY.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 580px;"> +<br/> +<img src="images/i066b.jpg" width="580" height="397" alt="DRESSING STATION AT CHEPP." title="" /> +<span class="caption">DRESSING STATION AT CHEPP.</span> +</div> + +<p>The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> next morning we awoke to the real situation, and found +that the cause of the whole thing originated from a certain German +White Flag party which was on its way to meet Marshal Foch. The +German high command had ordered the cessation of hostilities +along a certain part of the line in order that these peace plenipotentiaries +might reach the great French Marshal and learn from +him, personally, how peace terms could be had. Things began to +move pretty fast now, and there was a great deal of speculation +as to what the Boche would do. The next day the official communique +reported that Foch had very generously allowed them +seventy-two hours in which to accept or reject the iron-clad terms +of an armistice. Meanwhile, the entire western front was the scene +of one of the greatest Allied offensives of the war.</p> + +<p>In the midst of all these things, orders were suddenly issued +to move at once toward the front, and Sunday morning, November +10th, found us packed up and moving. All along, the roads were +lined with American troops. Mile after mile of supply wagons, artillery, +machine gun battalions and infantry were slowly but surely +wending their way to Berlin. This looked very different from +peace. We learned afterwards that the 35th Division was to make +a direct frontal assault upon Metz, while other troops were to +engage in a flanking movement. As Metz was the most strongly +fortified position the Germans held, it can readily be seen that the +35th would have had a pretty stiff job. It seemed certain that in +a day or two we would enter the offensive against this powerful +fort, and we were well aware of what this movement would call for.</p> + +<p>At about 2:30 Sunday afternoon we halted at a small village +named Cousances, expecting to move on at any time. Here it was +reported that the Kaiser had abdicated, and that all Germany was +in a state of revolution, but we had heard this same thing at least +a dozen times before, and so thought nothing of it. The entire +front from the Channel to the Vosges was ablaze, with the Yanks +near Sedan, the capture of which village by the Germans in 1871 +marked the triumph of Bismarck. History was about to repeat +itself. The British in Flanders were rapidly driving the Hun from +Belgium, while in the Champagne the French were making such +advances as they had never made before. Apparently Foch had +chosen Berlin for the Allied objective.</p> + +<p>While these events were in progress, a German courier, laboring +under great difficulty, was carrying messages from the Allied +Headquarters to the German General Headquarters, at Spa, in Belgium. +Only a few hours remained for the Hun to arrange his answer. +German propaganda was at an end, and that of the Allies +consisted of cold steel from the heavies. One by one Germany's +allies had deserted her, until now she stood alone facing the ever +increasing strength of the strongest and noblest armies of the world.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +Her armies were almost demoralized. At home her people were +terrorized at the thought of having their Fatherland invaded, and +were demanding that the war be ended. For over four years they +had waited behind a curtain of lies and outrages, only to see it lifted +and defeat staring at them. Such were a few of the conditions +which confronted the German High Command at Spa, while Foch, +with his gallant armies smashing on, calmly waited for one of two +short words—Yes or No.</p> + +<p>At Cousances, stowed away in an old dismantled factory, we +were waiting for this important answer. As was mentioned before, +we had expected to continue our march, but orders had evidently +been changed to wait for the German answer. On Monday morning, +November 11th, the famous "drum fire" was plainly audible, +and again things didn't sound at all peaceful. Having had a little +previous experience around Cheppy and Charpentry, we realized +what the acceptance or rejection of the terms would mean. There +was no noticeable let-up in the firing. The suspense was becoming +acute. Either they would sign it or reject it. In case the former +should happen, it would only be a matter of waiting our turn at +the gang-plank; should the latter occur, the Lord only knew what +would happen. Visions of a gang-plank and tug-boats changed +into visions of litters loaded with wounded, and the loud cheers +of Yanks bidding farewell to Gallant France changed into the shriek +of gas and high explosive shells.</p> + +<p>But the old saying, that it is always the darkest just before dawn, +held. Almost before any of us realized it the guns were quiet. We +listened again, but not a sound could be heard. We realized that +they were advancing rapidly, but that it was hardly possible for +them to be out of sound this soon. At this time the British troops +were at Mons, the French armies were across the Belgian line from +the Meuse to the Oise, and American armies were advancing from +Sedan to the eastern forts of Metz. France was almost clear of +the invader. The liberation of Belgium had begun. The whole +German army was in disorderly retreat, and there needed only a +little more time to transform that retreat into the greatest rout +of all military history.</p> + +<p>We were convinced of the signing of the armistice only when +we read the following memorable telegram, which, although heard +the world over, probably meant more to each one of the Allied soldiers +than to the whole world:</p> + +<p>"The Armistice is signed and becomes effective November 11th +at 11 o'clock. At this hour, or before, hostilities and the advance +must cease. Hold the lines reached and notify exactly the line +reached at that hour. No communication with the enemy will take +place."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_FIRST_REPLACEMENTS" id="THE_FIRST_REPLACEMENTS"></a>THE FIRST REPLACEMENTS</h2> + + +<p>The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> first replacements were a part of the first replacement +company consisting of 500 officers and 2500 men, to sail overseas. +While at Ranspach, thirty-six men were received to bring the +strength up to 122 men. They all came originally from Camp +Greenleaf, Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia, located in Chickamagua Park, +near Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. It was here that +the future members of Ambulance Co. 139 received their first military +training, among which, too important to forget, were the +duties of kitchen police, guard duty and company fatigue, the +three delights of a soldier. The winter of '17 and '18 will be remembered +for a long time by many of the men, especially because +of the sticky mud and bitter cold nights, although the days were +usually sunshiny and warm.</p> + +<p>Along towards the last of May a few men were picked from +each of the Ambulance and Field Hospital companies and sent to +Camp Forest, also in Chickamagua Park, and formerly the home +of the old Sixth Infantry. There they were placed in a recruit +company and after a week of daily inspections both physical and +of equipment, finally received orders to roll packs and leave. Every +man, fully equipped, left camp and marched to the town of Lyttle, +to entrain Decoration Day, May 30th, 1918. It was an impressive +scene to see all those well trained, healthy young fellows drawn +up in company front awaiting the order to climb aboard the five +comfortable Pullman trains and start for France. The regimental +band was also there, playing popular pieces as if to cheer the men +up, but judging by the looks of their clean, smiling faces, it was +plain to see that they were going forth, eagerly to do their bit.</p> + +<p>Leaving Lyttle on May 30th, three of the five sections started +northeast for New York and the other two sections started south, +going to Atlanta and from there to the coast, thence north on the +Seaboard line to New York. Every little town and city through +which they passed greeted them with a good luck wish and a God +speed, and many a dainty from a cigarette to candy found its way +through the car windows.</p> + +<p>On Sunday morning, June 3rd, they left the train at the ferry +dock in Hoboken, N. J., and soon were loaded on two large ferry +boats which were drawn up to the docks to transfer the men down +the river to Long Island City. The trip down the river that fine +morning was enjoyed by everyone, as the fresh air gave them new +life after being cooped up in the train for so long. Every passing +tug and ferry boat gave the men a shrieking whistle in salute accompanied +by the flutter of handkerchiefs. They landed in Long +Island a little later and after a ride of three hours, left the train<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +at the outskirts of Camp Mills on June 3rd. Arriving at the camp, +they were placed eight men to a tent with an iron bed apiece but +with no mattresses or bed sacks. Just the hard iron springs to +sleep upon. Here the men were re-classified, received the last of +their overseas equipment, and on June 6th had their final overseas +examination which left them ready to sail.</p> + +<p>At midnight they rolled their packs, filled their barrack bags +and marched slowly and silently from camp. At a small station +near the camp the bags were loaded on box cars to be seen no +more until the arrival in France. After another short trip by rail +and ferry, the men were landed at the Cunard line dock, No. 52, and +through the driving rain caught a glimpse of the gigantic ship +moored there. They quietly unloaded from the ferry and in a few +minutes were inside of the huge sheltered freight dock. Here +groups of Red Cross girls with steaming coffee and sandwiches +were awaiting them. After a delay of about two hours they filed +up the gang-plank and boarded the Aquitania, the largest ship +afloat. It carried about eleven thousand officers and men, together +with several tons of mail. Its armament consisted of British +manned naval guns. Once on board the ship, after giving their +names and number, they were assigned a comfortable bunk and +given a mess ticket telling them when and where to eat. The ship +remained at the dock all through the day and night but finally, +about eight o'clock on the morning of June 8th, she swung slowly +from her moorings, headed down the harbor, and about noon the +men saw the Statue of Liberty fade away into the skyline.</p> + +<p>The trip across the Atlantic was rather uneventful. The ship +traveled slowly in the day time, taking a zig-zag course, turning and +twisting, and leaving behind a wake like the trail of an angry serpent. +As soon as night fell, however, the ship would vibrate with +the pulsing throb of her mighty engines and would plunge through +the water at full speed, every light extinguished, for even the glow +of a cigarette might make it the target for some lurking submarine. +The men were given life boat drill every day and also a thorough +physical inspection, so there was no danger of any disease breaking +out and spreading among them undetected. The day before sighting +land, two long, gray British Destroyers came plunging through +the heavy seas to meet the ship and escort it into the harbor. On +the 15th of June, about 7 o'clock in the morning the ship dropped +anchor in the harbor of Liverpool, its voyage at an end.</p> + +<p>Almost immediately the work of unloading was commenced and +by three o'clock in the afternoon the men were all lined up on +English soil ready for further orders. Shortly afterwards they +walked through the streets of Liverpool to the railway station, led +by a band composed of English Boy Scouts, playing national airs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +by which the men marched along, keeping step to the music and +being enthusiastically cheered by the crowds that lined the streets.</p> + +<p>Arriving at the station, they entered day coaches and were +rapidly hauled across England to Southampton, reaching there +about one o'clock the next morning, June 16th. From the station +they hiked out to a rest camp on the outskirts of the city and were +assigned long, bare wooden barracks and inside of a few minutes +the tired men were wrapped up in their blankets and snoring in +peace on the hard floor.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 17th they again rolled their packs and +marched down to the docks where they were loaded into a small +side wheeled boat and by dark were being rapidly carried across +the English Channel, taking the same zig-zag course as they did +coming to England, to avoid the enemy submarines. On the morning +of the 18th the ship docked at Le Havre, France, and the men +were soon unloaded and ready for another hike, this time to a +second rest camp situated on the top of a large hill on the outskirts +of the city. After staying three days in this so-called rest +camp, where twelve men slept in tents that were made to accommodate +only six, they marched back down to the railway station +and were loaded onto "side door pullmans" and third class coaches. +Twenty-four hours later they arrived at Blois and were at once +taken to the large replacement camp there.</p> + +<p>Here they were again inspected and re-classified and placed in +different casual companies. All their extra equipment and barrack +bags were taken away from them and they were left with only their +field equipment, all ready for active service. Three days later the +following thirty-six men, representing the first replacements of the +company, reported to Train Hqs. for duty:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="First Replacements"> +<tr><td align="left">Frank M. Allen</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wm. J. Armbrustmacher</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Allen L. Barris</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Frank E. Bellows</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Chas. F. Blaker</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Joseph J. Blandford</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">John R. Fulmer</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Michael Harriston</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ernest P. Heidel</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">John E. Lancaster</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Walter Lebeck</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Stephen McCormick</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lester A. Brogan</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Francis P. Cannon</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">James W. Coleman</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">John P. Feeney</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Abraham H. Feinberg</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">John J. Fisher</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Garland Freeman</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">George G. Crowley</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Angelo Castaldi</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Clarke Ellis</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">James R. McDonald</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">John Troode</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Verne F. Crawford</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Harry T. Douglas</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jesse M. Casteel</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Vaughn James</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">James E. Johnston</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">August Lottner</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dewey T. Barbour</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fay A. Downing</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Arthur E. Jones</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Parker E. Saul</td></tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p>The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> second and last replacements to this company arrived in +three sections. The first section sailed from New York on the +transport Mongunias, Sept. 17th, 1918, landing in St. Nazaire, +France, Sept. 30th. The second section left New York on the Princess +Mantoka, Sept. 23rd, arriving at St. Nazaire on Oct. 6th, having +been forced far off their course by the equatorial storms. The third +and last section started across on the ship Walmer Castle, October +20th, and were unloaded at La Havre, France, Oct. 31st.</p> + +<p>Upon arriving in France all were sent to the Medical Training +School near St. Agnon, one of the largest replacement camps in +France. After spending about three weeks there in drilling and +receiving final instruction for active duty all were sent out to +ambulance companies, Field Hospitals and Medical Detachments of +different line organizations.</p> + +<p>The following men received orders to report to Ambulance +Co. 139, for duty, on October 27th and November 20th:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Reported for Duty"> +<tr><td align="left">Albert J. Daley</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Andrew J. Dolak</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dennis Duffy</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lester E. Eakin</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">John E. Evans</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Howard C. Evert</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Harry W. Fowler</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cornelius A. Gallagher</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Augusts Giorgi</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Walter F. Hess</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Benjamin W. Kline</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Edward Kletecka</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Thomas G. Kuntz</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Charlie Lulow</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Elmer F. Lutt</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jess W. McKain</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Clarence T. S. Murphy</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Grigory Mukansky</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="FURLOUGHS" id="FURLOUGHS"></a>FURLOUGHS</h2> + +<h3>Grenoble</h3> + + +<p>The first men to receive furloughs in this company received +word on the 24th of October to be ready to take the train at Ancemont +at 5 A. M. the next morning. Only four places were given +each company, and lots were drawn to see who would go. Three +places were drawn by "buck" Privates Piatt, Smith and Wise, and +Wag. Lawrence Putman was the fourth man. The balance of the +day was spent in hurried preparations for the trip. Nobody had +made one of these trips before, and no one knew what was required. +Full field equipment was the verdict from Headquarters as to +packs.</p> + +<p>As no alarm clocks were handy, the men took turns sitting up +so that they would leave on time in the morning. Like the small +boy, they were all up and at the station long before time for +the train. First guess was 10 A. M. for the "furlough special,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +but it was 7:30 P. M. before it finally arrived. About a thousand +men from the division were to make the trip, so that it required a +good-sized train. The Sanitary Train men were lucky in loading, +as they drew a second-class coach, but French coaches, even second +class, were never intended for sleeping purposes. All of the men +were loaded with rations, issued for the trip, and of course the +jam disappeared first, as it usually does under like circumstances.</p> + +<p>Next morning a strangely peaceful country and welcome sunshine +greeted their vision. Hot coffee was served by a Red Cross +canteen for breakfast. Lyon was reached by noon and a short +stop was made there.</p> + +<p>The train arrived at Grenoble at 3:30 P. M. on a beautiful +Sunday afternoon. One captain, four or five M. P.'s and the entire +population of Grenoble was at the station to welcome the train. +The reception royal was explained by the captain, who said "Grenoble +has just been opened as a leave area, and this is the first lot of +Americans to arrive." When the men were lined up outside of the +station to be marched to the A. P. M. office, they started out in a +column of fours, but it wasn't long until they were lucky to get +through the crowd at all. All the people wanted to see the Americans +and shake hands with them, and not a few wanted to kiss +them. It was surprising to hear so many of the people speak good +English. They explained this, saying that Grenoble was a popular +European and American pleasure resort before the war. Arriving +at the office of the A. P. M., passes were stamped and tickets issued +for rooms and meals. The men were divided among several nearby +towns and pleasure resorts. The last four hundred, including those +of the Sanitary Train, were left in Grenoble proper.</p> + +<p>Grenoble is built especially for tourists' trade, and the hotels +are all large and well furnished. They seemed like palaces to the +men just from the barren wastes of northern France. Real beds +with white sheets and soft mattresses, lace curtains at the windows, +polished floors, neat little wash stands, clothing cabinets and +fire places greeted the men in the rooms they were shown to. +Single or double rooms were furnished as desired. Meals were +served in the dining room of the hotel, and the men were informed +that all they had to do for seven days and nights was to enjoy +themselves—no reveille, retreat or drill calls to mar their pleasure. +Breakfast from 7:30 to 9:00 A. M., dinner at 1:00 P. M. and supper +at 6:30 P. M. were served at long tables, family style, and they +were real meals. Best of all there were no mess kits to bother with +after eating.</p> + +<p>Needless to say, it did not take the men long to get used to +living like white men again, and before long they were all stepping +out to see the town. The barber shops, restaurants and souvenir +stores were soon doing a rushing business. Most surprising was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +the fact that prices didn't take a jump the first day and keep +rising thereafter. The trades people even made reductions for +the Americans. Modern stores with plate glass windows and electric +lights at night greeted the men, and it is gratifying to state that the +word "finish" was never heard in Grenoble.</p> + +<p>The Y. M. C. A. had a well supplied canteen, and every day +several of the "Y" girls led a party of sightseers to nearby places +of interest. Every night some kind of an entertainment, either +dances, picture shows or vaudeville, was staged by the Y. M. C. A. +The French shows were all closed on account of the influenza, so +the men had to furnish their own entertainment.</p> + +<p>Grenoble is situated close to both the Swiss and Italian borders, +and is snuggled right up in the Alps. The mountains are +snow-capped the year round, and form a pretty background for +the town. Some of the mountains were close enough for a climb, +and several parties took trips to them. The town is cut in two by +the river Isce and three large concrete bridges span the water, +making a pretty setting. The buildings are all large, of modern +and substantial construction, and from the top of the nearby mountain +the town makes a beautiful picture. Of the eight days spent +in Grenoble, seven were sunshiny and clear, so the men were convinced +that there actually was such a thing as a "Sunny France."</p> + +<p>The mademoiselles all seemed to think it an honor to show +the Americans a good time, and the men were never lonesome for +feminine company. They seemed more like American girls, as they +spoke a little English, wore good clothes, and were very good +looking. As the time for departure drew nearer, it was hard for +them to think of leaving, but like everything else that sad day rolled +around. Many were the promises made to keep up a correspondence, +but how many of these promises were kept, only the writer +and the censor know. Almost as large a crowd bid them good-bye +as welcomed them.</p> + +<p>That the men of the 35th division made a good impression on +the people of Grenoble is evidenced in a letter from the mayor of +Grenoble, thanking our General for the good conduct of the men +and asking that more men of the 35th division be sent there.</p> + +<p>Whatever the impression made by the boys upon the people +of Grenoble, it is certain that the people of Grenoble made a good +impression on the boys.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="LA_BOURBOULE" id="LA_BOURBOULE"></a>LA BOURBOULE</h2> + + +<p>The "Permissions" read La Bourboule, and no sooner were +these handed to their proper owners than sixty well-groomed +"Medics," representing the Sanitary Train were on their way to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +the destination specified. After being jammed into those queer +French coaches (third class) with no thought given to comfort, +the train finally picked up speed and passed out upon the main +line. The clicking of the rail-joints seemed to call cadence for the +songs from 1200 throats, all from the 35th division, whose owners +were happy to get away from bugle calls, military discipline and +slushy streets.</p> + +<p>After a few hours' ride—just a sample of what they were to +get—the train was sidetracked at Nancy and all enjoyed the best +bath they had ever taken, in what is said to be the largest bath-house +in the world. Here the water comes out of the ground at a +temperature of 78 degrees F. and passes direct into the pool. After +this "decootieization" they boarded the train again and were able +to sit and enjoy the scenery for the rest of the trip.</p> + +<p>The first day and night passed quickly, but then time began +to drag, and along toward evening of the second day some great +geniuses were born to the world. These were the men who devised +the method by which nine men could sleep in a space that only +seemed large enough for half that number. Could one have peeped +into the passing coaches it would have struck him as exceedingly +humorous—some were stowed away in the hat-racks over head, +while others, with no room to lie down, were trying to sleep in a +sitting posture. So time passed for three days and two nights.</p> + +<p>To step from the train and see no town of any size was the +thing that befell these men, and exclamations of dissatisfaction and +disgust were heard everywhere. Being encouraged by a Y. M. C. A. +man standing nearby that twenty-four hours in the town would +change their opinion, they were content to be assigned to their various +hotels.</p> + +<p>The village, or town, of La Bourboule is located in the Auvergne +mountains, in the range Puy-de-Dome, and had been a very +popular summer resort for the French people up to the time the +U. S. government took it over as one of the leave areas for American +troops. The altitude of this locality varies, for the valleys +are about 2800 feet, while some peaks are 4500 feet above the sea +level. But as a leave sector it was a disappointment to everyone. +There were no recreations at all except those furnished by the Y. +M. C. A. and that place was carried by storm from morning to +night. A Y. M. C. A. man spoke of the trouble and placed the +blame to the fact that the town had accommodations for 1200 men, +but there were twice that number there of the 35th and the 26th +divisions. One can easily judge why these fellows thought they +were "in the wrong pew." To see an evening's performance of +vaudeville or motion pictures at the theatre, it was necessary to take +a magazine and lunch, make yourself at home for at least two hours +and stick it out in said selected seat.</p> + +<p>All<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> had the idea that their days of standing in line for everything +were "<i>fini</i>," for seven days' leave, but it was not to be; they +lined up to purchase canteen checks and "fell in" behind, sometimes, +one hundred others to buy at the wet or dry canteen. At the former +could be purchased soft drinks, sandwiches and cakes, while at +the latter was an abundant supply of tobaccos and soldiers' needs.</p> + +<p>One Y. M. C. A. man made a practice of taking all interested +soldiers to see the many sights that the town boasted of, that is, +to those that were within hiking distance. The most important were +the Roman Baths, which are located at a distance of about six +kilometres from La Bourboule. These baths were first built by +the soldiers of Caesar about the year 400 A. D. Afterwards the +springs were found to be beneficial to people suffering from rheumatics +and bronchial troubles. There are eleven springs, all of a +temperature averaging from 98 to 100 degrees except one cold +spring, and all tasting of mineral properties very strongly. All +of these springs are said to be radio-active, and each is famous as +a "cure" for some particular ailment. The most popular is the +"Singer's Spring," so-called because most of the leading vocalists +in the country took treatment there by gargling the water from this +spring. The original building was sacked and pillaged by the +Gauls and afterwards rebuilt as nearly along former lines as +knowledge would permit. Throughout the building are scattered +pieces of the former structure; statues, arches and pillars of the +old Doric, Ionic and Corinthian designs, which were unearthed and +placed on display in the many rooms. Among these is a piece of +masonry representing the she-wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus, +as the legend goes, when they were lost in the woods prior to the +founding of Rome. It is not known, however, whether this is the +original that the Romans prized so highly, or a reproduction.</p> + +<p>Another thing worth visiting at La Bourboule is the subterranean +city, which was supposed to have been submerged by an +earthquake in early times. A few of the buildings were unearthed a +few years ago, but the task was never completed. All around that +vicinity the ground has a hollow sound under foot, and makes +walking seem a little dangerous.</p> + +<p>On a large plateau, 4500 feet above the town proper, is said +to have been the camping ground for Caesar's large army at the +time he attempted to stop the advance of the Gauls from the north. +The French say he was unsuccessful, and was forced to retire to +the valley below. Mont D'Sancy, one of the highest peaks in +France, is near this area, but few have ever cared to climb to its +summit.</p> + +<p>After enduring French menu, which could have been much +improved, for nine days, the men were not sorry to receive orders +to return to their units. Prices ranged but one way—high and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +higher. One soldier remarked that every time a certain bell rang, +prices in the town jumped a franc. The bell struck every quarter-hour. +But conditions returning by rail were even worse than the +trip down, for this time, instead of nine to a compartment, there +were twelve crabby, disagreeable "soldats" returning from their +bi-yearly "Permission" in the heart of France.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_FURLOUGHS_AT_AIX-LES-BAINES" id="THE_FURLOUGHS_AT_AIX-LES-BAINES"></a>THE FURLOUGHS AT AIX-LES-BAINES</h2> + + +<p>Three groups of men of Ambulance Co. 139 were fortunate +in having their permissions read "Aix-les-Bains," furloughs which +will never be forgotten by the men who went there.</p> + +<p>Aix-les-Bains is a famous watering place in a picturesque valley +along the French Alps, not far from the Italian border. It is situated +at the foot of Mt. Revard, and within fifteen minutes' walk +of Lake Bourget, the largest and one of the most beautiful lakes +in France. Next to Monte Carlo, it was once the most renowned +gambling center in the world.</p> + +<p>Everything possible was done to make our vacation a happy +one. The men were quartered in the very best hotels, getting the +best of service and everything to be desired in the line of eats. +There was mountain climbing, entertainments of all kinds provided +by the Y. M. C. A., and, best of all, companionship with real, live +American "Y" girls.</p> + +<p>"Grand Cercle," the celebrated gambling casino of Aix-le-Bains, +is now the most beautiful Y. M. C. A. hut in France. It is a +large, imposing and luxuriously appointed building, costing several +million francs. Its various saloons are ornamented with magnificent +mosaics by Salviati, of Venice. Just beyond the vestibule is the +"Gallery de Glaces," from which most of the rooms of the casino +can be entered. To the right is the beautiful writing and reading +room, the library, and the theatre, which seats over a thousand +persons. There is also the "Salle de Bacchus" and the "Royal Bar." +The bar is still doing a thriving business, but in place of the former +bar maid are the attractive American girls, serving hot chocolate +and coffee. At the "Salle de Bacchus" one could buy all he +wanted to eat at extremely low prices. To the left again are the +rooms formerly used for gambling purposes. The largest is used +for lectures and informal social times, and the smaller, where the +larger stakes were played for, is the center for the religious work +program.</p> + +<p>The men were privileged to take trips to the summit of Mt. +Revard, five thousand feet above the sea level, by means of a little +cog railroad. From there they could see the Jura Mountains, the +Alps, and the snow-covered top of Mt. Blanc, the highest peak in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +Europe. When the last furlough men were at Aix-les-Bains, early +in February, "skiing" was in vogue on Mt. Revard, and many were +the tumbles taken in the attempt to learn that fine winter sport.</p> + +<p>Another interesting trip was the hike to Mt. Chambotte, twelve +kilos away, where the men could also enjoy skiing and tobogganing. +Then there was the bike trip to the "Gorges" where they saw deep +gashes worn in the face of the earth by the unceasing mountain +streams. Twice a week there were trips by steamboat to Hautecomb +Abbey, on which they could get a wonderful view of the lake and +the mountains. There, in the historical old Abbey, are quite a +number of beautiful oil paintings and statues, taken care of by +three old Monks. On all of these trips the Y. M. C. A. furnished +a competent guide, who explained the interesting points.</p> + +<p>At the "Y" casino, there was some form of entertainment at +almost every hour of the day. If there wasn't a vaudeville performance +in the theatre, there was either a moving picture show +in the Cinema Hall or a band concert in the ball-room, and sometimes +all three were in process at the same time. Each Thursday +night was "stunt night," when different stunts and dances were put +on in the theatre by the soldiers on leave, assisted by the "Y" girls.</p> + +<p>Such entertainment as this gave the men a new lease on life. +All of the men going to Aix-le-Bains returned saying that they had +one of the best times of their lives, and regretted that they could +not have stayed longer, as it was more like home than any place +they had been in France.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="TRIP_TO_MARSEILLES" id="TRIP_TO_MARSEILLES"></a>TRIP TO MARSEILLES</h2> + + +<p>While at Fontaine Brilliante, on the Verdun front, orders were +received for a detail to proceed to Marseilles for the purpose of +getting the ambulances we had been longing for since our arrival +in France. Aside from eight G. M. C. cars of Ambulance Co. 138, +and four broken down Fords, the 110th Sanitary Train had had +no ambulances since leaving Doniphan. We had long since given +up the idea of ever having a transportation section again, in fact +someone had even gone the length of voicing the following lament:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"They sent us down to Doniphan to get an ambulance<br /> +To go abroad and let 'er go and drive for sunny France,<br /> +And then it took us seven months to get a pair of pants.<br /> +Oh, there's something rotten somewhere in this blooming ambulance.<br /> +Of course to drive an ambulance you've got to learn to drill,<br /> +So every morning, afternoon, they put us through the mill.<br /> +And when this war is over you will find us at it still;<br /> +For we never saw an ambulance, and never, never will."<br /> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +The wagoners and ambulance orderlies were hastily recalled +from their work as litter bearers in the advanced posts, and on +October 26th, Lt. Speck started for Marseilles for twenty-nine G. +M. C. ambulances, with a detail of thirty-two men from Ambulance +Co. 139, sixteen from Ambulance Co. 138, and twelve from Ambulance +Co. 137. There was a mad scramble to get on this detail, +which meant a trip across France, away from the monotony of the +trenches.</p> + +<p>We arrived at the railroad about an hour early, but in the +course of time the train arrived and then started the scramble for +the best compartments that the train afforded. Most of us found +second-class compartments, which, after more cushions had been +obtained, were very comfortable, although a little breezy. Of +course no lights could be shown, but they were much better than +the customary box cars. Seven-thirty A. M., October 27th, found +us at St. Dizier. We were escorted to Camp Tambourine by an +M. P., where we spent the morning partaking of our rations. At +about noon the M. P. returned, notifying us that the train was +ready, so we were checked out of the camp, marched to the train +and packed into box cars (40 hommes or 8 chevaux). They were +better than some we had drawn formerly, as there was straw on +the floor.</p> + +<p>The train traveled along a beautiful tree-lined canal for a +long distance. Barges on the canal were for the most part drawn +by horses, but occasionally we would see very small burros pulling +them. Each barge appeared to be a home, for family washings +were hanging out on a great many of them.</p> + +<p>We arrived at Dijon about 1 A. M. October 28th, and marched +across the city wheeling rations on two-wheeled baggage trucks +which were "borrowed" at the railroad station. We stayed the +balance of the night at a French Permissionares Barrack, and spent +the following day looking around the numerous parks and squares. +While in the Permissionares barracks, one of our boys inquired of +another, "Who are those 'birds' in French uniforms wearing those +four-cornered caps?" Before the question could be answered, the +French-uniformed person replied, in English, "We are of the Polish +Legion. My home is in Chicago."</p> + +<p>That evening we entrained again, and after an uneventful ride, +arrived at Lyons at 7 A. M. the next morning. After a wait at the +station of about two hours, we marched to some barracks which +were surrounded by a high board fence. The city being quarantined +on account of the influenza, we were not allowed outside of +the enclosure except to go to the wash-house, about a hundred yards +distant. Between the gate of the enclosure and the wash-house was +a "boozerie," consequently there were a great many men who wanted +to wash.</p> + +<p>Just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> before leaving Lyons that evening, a doughboy "promoted" +a large crate of grapes from a shipment on the station platform. +At daylight the following morning we were traveling through +a rather sandy country, with vineyards on both sides of the track. +Then for a long distance there were Larch trees planted along the +track, so close together that it was impossible to see beyond them. +Later in the day we traveled along the shore of Etyde Berre Sea, +with its many rice plantations, and multitude of wild ducks, then +through a tunnel about two kilos long, through large groves of fig +trees, finally arriving at Marseilles about noon.</p> + +<p>Our packs were hauled in trucks to the Motor Reception Park +while the men marched, giving us an opportunity to see the many +fruit peddlers, the numerous fountains and squares, and the dirty, +narrow streets of the city. Upon our arrival at the Motor Reception +Park we were assigned to billets in French buildings. We spent +the afternoon cleaning up, eating fruit purchased from peddlers, +and selling all kinds of little trinkets to the S. O. S. men as German +souvenirs, and explaining to them who "won the war." In the +evening we were given passes into Marseilles, good until midnight. +Some went to the theatre staging a burlesque show, which was very +similar to an American show. Others went around the town, to the +water front, and sampled all of the fruits available, none of which +are as good as the fruits which can be procured in American cities. +However, we found Marseilles a cosmopolitan city, both in regard +to civilians and soldiers. The main streets were very much like the +streets of an American city.</p> + +<p>Early in the afternoon of October 31st we were marched to +the ambulances, and busied ourselves looking over the machines +preparing for the start. During the evening we looked around the +immediate vicinity of the Motor Park and sampled the vintage of +southern France.</p> + +<p>At 8:00 A. M., on November 1st, the convoy of 29 ambulances +left the park in a gentle shower, but before traveling very far it +became a regular cloudburst, with a strong wind. The first day's +drive was over very good roads, in a narrow valley, with high, rocky +hills and peaks in the distance and an occasional village at the +foot of the hills. We stopped the first night just outside of St. +Aminol, a very small village, and being the first American soldiers +who had stopped near there, we were enthusiastically received by +the mademoiselles, and invited to visit the town.</p> + +<p>During the next day we passed through Avignon, where we were +given flowers by French children. We crossed several suspension +bridges over streams flowing into the Rhone River, and drove for +miles through vineyards, with their beautiful red and yellow leaves. +We saw many wine presses, most of which were operated by women, +in fact a greater part of the manual labor was done by the women.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +We stopped for the night near Valence, a city of many narrow +crooked streets, beautiful squares and fountains. We saw there +many patterns of Val lace.</p> + +<p>Leaving Valence at 7 A. M. November 3rd, we passed through +St. Symphone on a market day. The farm products and animals +were lined up along the street; vegetables piled on the sidewalk, +while the pigs, geese and calves were in excelsior-lined crates and +baskets. We arrived at Lyons in the afternoon and drove down one +of the main streets—and it was agreed by all that they had never +seen so many beautiful ladies in a similar length of time, not even +in America. We stopped for the night at a French Barracks, another +prison, the city still being under quarantine. Lyons is built +at the junction of the Rhone and Prome rivers, the different parts +of the city being connected by many bridges, one the Pont du President +Wilson, which was dedicated July 14th, 1918.</p> + +<p>It was raining when we left Lyons the next morning, and the +roads were very rough. As it was necessary to have the curtains +of the ambulances up all day, we could see very little of the country +until we got to Dijon, where we stopped for the night. From Dijon, +we traveled over fairly good roads through a rolling country similar +to Kansas, stopping on the night of November 5th at Chaumont, at +which place is located Headquarters, A. E. F.</p> + +<p>We left Chaumont at 7:30 A. M. on November 6th, passing +through Langres with its fort. By afternoon we had arrived back +to the part of the country which was strewn with barbed wire entanglements, +trenches and other preparations for combat, and late +in the evening arrived at Fontaine Brilliante.</p> + +<p>Had we never seen any of France but the northern devastated +part, we would have always wondered why the French fought so +hard, but now we can easily see the reason.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="A_CASUAL_IN_THE_S_O_S" id="A_CASUAL_IN_THE_S_O_S"></a>A CASUAL IN THE S. O. S.</h2> + + +<p>Upon the conclusion of the 139th Amb. Co.'s part in the Argonne +drive, the company was assembled at Neuvilly. Here, orders +were given for all men who needed medical attention to report for +examination, and the Casual, after living on corn beef and hard +tack once a day, no sleep to speak of, and some experience with gas, +concluded that he needed an overhauling. Accordingly he went before +the M. D., was sentenced to the field hospital, and there being +no field hospital in action, was sent to Evacuation No. 9 at Vaubecourt.</p> + +<p>The journey was made by ambulance and, upon his arrival he +was taken to the receiving ward. Here he was given a hot cup of +cocoa by the Red Cross girls, and a new diagnosis tag in exchange<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +for the one he was wearing. His helmet and gas mask were discarded +since they could not be of much benefit, and he was assigned +a bed in Ward No. 40.</p> + +<p>Here he lay for two days, waiting for his turn to go to the +Base. The bed felt good to his weary bones after months of no bed +at all to speak of. He let his mind wander to various subjects that +he had been wanting to think of for two weeks, but could not for +fear of that soul disturbing cry "gas!" He wondered why that shell +that had distributed a mule all over the landscape, had not distributed +him instead, in the same manner, and thanked the Lord that +he was evidently considered of more value than the mule. The +third day found him on a French hospital train, where he lived on +French rations (including Vin Blanc) for two days and one night. +The evening of the second day found him at Neuves. The trip +was featured by the unsuccessful effort of the M. P's. to protect +the fine French vineyards from being ravaged by such of the invalids +as were not too sick to walk around. After all, it was a long +time since they had eaten grapes, for one does not pick grapes on +the front line and one used to living in that atmosphere is troubled +by more serious thoughts than property rights. When he got to +Neuves he was to be put through another receiving ward where the +serious cases were marked with a red tag, which means immediate +attention. Not being so badly off, the Casual was relieved of what +clothes he still possessed and everything else except personal +articles. Next, came a bath and a suit of pajamas and then, bed.</p> + +<p>When he had gotten off the train those gallant heroes, the +pirates of the S. O. S. had immediately fallen on him tooth and nail, +hammer and tongs for anything in the line of souvenirs that he was +likely to have on his person. Having risked a great deal of his +future in obtaining these little remembrances of the Hun, he was +quite naturally not very much excited over the idea of getting rid +of them, and especially to people only by risking their reputation in +trying to part a war-worn Sammie from his only reminders of the +fight. So he stood his ground until he fell into the hands of the +lieutenants of the receiving ward from whom there is no escape. +Here he was separated from all his treasures with no regard whatsoever, +for even common decency. He only hopes he will meet and +recognize them on the other shore, especially if he could come +upon them relating the story of their capture.</p> + +<p>After the Casual was safely in bed, the ward master made a +record of the principal parts of his past life, which is called +a "Clinical Record." Next, a physical examination by the +M. D. in charge who prescribed the treatment. The man in the next +car was suffering from a fractured leg and in much pain, but he +remarked to the Casual that he was glad that he seemed to be getting +reasonable treatment,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> for some places he would have been given +two O. D. pills and told to report for duty.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 700px;"><a href="images/i083a-big.jpg"> +<img src="images/i083a.jpg" width="600" height="400" alt="LEFT TO RIGHT: LT. GEO. MONTEITH, CAPT. PAUL R. SIBERTS, CAPT. RICHARD T. +SPECK, CAPT. BRET V. BATES, LT. COLIN C. VARDON." title="" /></a><br/> +<span class="caption">LEFT TO RIGHT: LT. GEO. MONTEITH, CAPT. PAUL R. SIBERTS, CAPT. RICHARD T. +SPECK, CAPT. BRET V. BATES, LT. COLIN C. VARDON.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<br/> +<img src="images/i083b.jpg" width="600" height="415" alt="WEST TOWARD BAULNEY." title="" /> +<span class="caption">WEST TOWARD BAULNEY.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<br/> +<img src="images/i084.jpg" width="600" height="289" alt="COMPANY INSPECTION, CAMP DONIPHAN, OKLA." title="" /> +<span class="caption">COMPANY INSPECTION, CAMP DONIPHAN, OKLA.</span> +</div> + +<p>The Casual was put in Class C and had an in and out life of it. +The food was good but very little of it, at least, to a man with +an appetite. Occasionally there was a battle royal when enough +parties had saved up sufficient prune seeds to make an effective +barrage, but when there were no prune seeds, the time passed very +slowly. The Casual went from Class C to Class B in two weeks, +and three weeks more of it found him ready to depart for a Replacement +Camp. When this time came, he was issued a new outfit and +put in a bunch of 40 men who were under the tender care of a +sergeant. That worthy one drew the rations and marched the detail +to the train. Side door Pullmans, this time. Quite different from +first class. Here the motto "Cheveaux 8, Hommes 40" was faithfully +lived up to, but the Casual thought the 40 hommes was a great deal +over estimated. The seating proved uncomfortable, so with much +labor, seats were built around the sides and through the center from +stones and lumber, policed from an American yard. Immediately +after the job was done, an officer entered and informed the sergeant +that all the material policed should be considered under the +order of "As You Were." But he did not wait to see if his orders +were carried out, and the works were camouflaged with blankets. +However, the suspense proved too great, and the stuff was returned +for fear of the consequences. It is worthy of note that the car was +never inspected.</p> + +<p>The train started, snail fashion, after the manner of French +trains and at one of the stops, a vin barrel was tapped, to the benefit +of all concerned in the tapping. The destination proved to be Toul, +where the Casual was put in a company and given the rest of his +equipment and was on his way back to his company the next day.</p> + +<p>An hour and a half later, he pulled in after an eight kilo hike, +glad to be home and ready to eat some of the good old steaks. No +more casual life for him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PERSHING_REVIEWS_THE_35th_DIVISION" id="PERSHING_REVIEWS_THE_35th_DIVISION"></a>PERSHING REVIEWS THE 35th DIVISION</h2> + + +<p>No day could have been more typical of France than the day +of the Divisional Review, Monday, February 17th, 1919. There was +a steady fall of rain, and the low-scudding clouds threw a dampened +aspect upon the scene.</p> + +<p>The Sanitary Train, led by Maj. Oliver C. Gebhart, left Aulnois +at 10:00 A. M. The distance of ten kilometers to the reviewing field +between the villages of Vignot and Boncourt was made under every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +disadvantage of muddy roads and the heavy pour of rain. The +field itself, located on a broad stretch of the Meuse basin, was mush-like +with mire and patched with pools of water.</p> + +<p>General Pershing, with the Prince of Wales, rode onto the field +at 1:30 o'clock, while the entire division stood at attention. The +salute to the Commander-in-Chief was played by a detachment of +picked buglers, and as the General and his party rode around the +entire division from right to left, the band, stationed on the right, +rendered "God Save the King," in honor of England's young prince.</p> + +<p>The columns of the Division were drawn up into platoon fronts, +the Sanitary Train being stationed between the Artillery, on the left, +and the Machine Gun, Signal Corps and Infantry Regiments on the +right. After riding around the Division, General Pershing and his +party personally inspected each platoon, winding back and forth, +asking questions of the company commanders and speaking with +the men.</p> + +<p>Having completed the personal inspection, the General and his +party took position in the reviewing stand on the right. At the command +"Pass in Review" by the Division Commander, each battalion +executed successively "Squads Right," and swept down the field in +a line of platoons. It was indeed a most impressive sight, and, +although the sky was cast heavy with low-hanging clouds, the sun, +as if to lend color to an already beautiful picture, broke through +and shone for a few moments. Then, as each column swung out +upon its own way home, the rain began again. As the last regiment +passed in review, the Division was halted while the General and +Prince spoke a few words of praise for the splendid showing of the +Division, and of its work in battle.</p> + +<p>Although participation in this great event required that the +men wear full packs for almost nine hours without removing them, +and undergo a hike of twenty kilos in the rain, not a man regretted +the experience. It will be long remembered with pride by those who +took part.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="FROM_COUSANCES_TO_AULNOIS" id="FROM_COUSANCES_TO_AULNOIS"></a>FROM COUSANCES TO AULNOIS</h2> + + +<p>The signing of the Armistice on November 11th, left the company +at Cousances, occupying an old, dismantled factory. It was +a most unsatisfactory place and there were practically no accommodations +of any kind. Winter was upon us. The open barn lofts +were too breezy for comfort, and there existed a little feeling of +uneasiness, as days passed by and still we did not move.</p> + +<p>After a couple of weeks, however, we packed up and moved to +the small village of Ernecourt, situated about 12 kilos southeast of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +Cousances. Remaining here for only a few days, we again moved +on to Aulnois, where the remainder of the time in this area was +spent.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_HOME_GOING" id="THE_HOME_GOING"></a>THE HOME GOING</h2> + + +<p>Aulnois may have been a disappointment or the men may have +thought it satisfactory. Anyway, when the Sanitary Train moved +into its area it was a typical example of many of the other villages +that they had found over-run with dirt and French children.</p> + +<p>It was not long after their cow-shed and hay-loft billets were +made as comfortable as possible, until the full force was out with +brooms, shovels and trucks, and soon the village took on an altogether +different appearance. The natives no doubt imagined that +these veterans were a Brigade of White Wings, or perhaps some +Convict Labor Battalion and perhaps they failed to appreciate the +work, even after their little "burg" was transformed into a decent +place in which to dwell. Well, "san-ferrie-Anne," this was the +Sanitary Train, the 110th, at that.</p> + +<p>Three months were the people of the village honored with the +presence of this hearty crew, and ere the end of the first month, +they had decided that the Americans were not so barbarious after +all, and began to feel content as the nice shining francs jingled in +their jeans. The farmers foresaw the necessity of doubling the next +year's crop of Pomm-de-terres, and the breweries of Commercy and +Bar-le-Duc wondered at the enormous consumption of their bottled +products.</p> + +<p>Still, after all, the stay in this area was very different from +what those on furloughs found at Aix-les-Bains, who, upon returning, +usually suffered an attack of the blues. Each company had +work to do. The Field Hospitals occupied the buildings on the hill +just above the town and were working day and night. The ambulance +companies were evacuating the entire Division, and the +efficiency with which both performed their duties was known +throughout the Divisional area.</p> + +<p>There are a few things that will tend to remind the men of the +company of their stay here, in the days when all incidents of the +A. E. F. will be pleasant memories. Christmas, and the dawning of +the New Year were celebrated here. These events are made more +memorable because of one fact, if no other; the cooks went out of +their way to prepare the dishes that, standing out above all else in +the Christmas spirit of the Yank, are to him ever associated with +home, a full stomach and celebrations. Colonel Wooley left the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +train for another command, and Madam Bon left her establishment +among the boys and was married. However, she continued to sell +a few bottles of beer after closing hours.</p> + +<p>It was while here in Aulnois that the Commanding General of +the A. E. F., accompanied by the Prince of Wales, reviewed the +Division. And last, but by no means least, the long expected news +reached us that the old 35th Division was ordered home. Accordingly, +though sometime later, preparations for the first move were +began, and on the evening of the 9th of March, the men bade farewell +to the little village, and climbed aboard boxcars for the long +ride to the Le Mans Embarkation Area.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="FROM_AULNOIS_TO_CIVIES" id="FROM_AULNOIS_TO_CIVIES"></a>FROM AULNOIS TO "CIVIES"</h2> + + +<p>It was with a willing hand and a happy heart that we prepared +to leave Aulnois-Sous-Vertuzey, where we had spent a "weary +waiting period" of over three months, and when the evening of +March 9th rolled around, we were all packed up and "rearin' to go." +All medical property, extra clothing, etc., had been turned in, so +that there was very little to pack except the office records and our +personal belongings. Of this we were duly thankful.</p> + +<p>We entrained at Lerouville at 2 o'clock on the morning of +March 10th, bound for St. Corneille, in the Le Mans area, riding +as usual in box cars. The trip was characteristic of French train +service—SLOW—in fact on the second day of the trip we only made +about 12 miles the whole day. We finally arrived at St. Corneille, +a clean little French village, on the 13th, and for the next three +weeks "waited" some more. The only part of the company who +were busy was the office force, and they were exceedingly so, for +there were passenger lists to be made out, besides innumerable other +rosters and reports. Of course there were the usual physical examinations, +"cootie" inspections, and a "shot in the arm," and these +things helped to occupy our time.</p> + +<p>Our next lap toward home started on April 5th, and the next +morning found us at the immense camp of St. Nazaire, our Port of +Embarkation. What a thrill went through us as we looked out onto +the ocean again, especially when we knew that we were soon to cross +the gang-plank, "the bridge whose western end is America!" It +must be said here that St. Nazaire is a wonderfully efficient camp. +For instance, each kitchen in the camp can feed as many as ten +thousand men in a little more than an hour's time. At this camp we +were examined and de-cootieized some more, but our stay was short, +and on April 12th we glued our eyes on the bulletin board, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +read "110th Sanitary Train embarks at 11:30 A. M., April 14th, U. +S. S. Antigone." That was "the thrill that comes once in a lifetime."</p> + +<p>On the dock, before embarking, we were treated to hot chocolate, +cookies and tobacco by the "Y" girls. Then the time that we +had been waiting for for eleven months came, and we crossed the +gang-plank "Homeward Bound." On account of storms just off the +coast, our start was delayed until 3 A. M. on April 16th, and when +we awoke that morning we were almost out of sight of land. +Strange to say, there were no "heartaches" when "Sunny France" +faded away behind us, for ahead of us was "God's Country," the +land where mothers, fathers, wives and sweethearts were waiting for +us. That first day out was a memorable one for most of us. The +sea was rough, and that evening no one doubted but that every fish +in the vicinity of the ship went to sleep with his hunger entirely +appeased. Nothing more needs to be said. By the next morning the +sea had calmed down, and the remainder of the voyage was a delightful +one, with clear skies and bright sunshine. The "Y," Red +Cross and Knights of Columbus assisted a great deal in making the +trip a pleasant one, by distributing fruit, candy, magazines and +books, and with a "movie" show every evening. The men were +allowed to take trips down into the engine room, which was indeed +an interesting and instructive sight.</p> + +<p>Early on the morning of Sunday, April 27th, we steamed up +Hampton Roads, at Newport News, Virginia, and at about 10:30 +once more planted our feet on the soil of "Uncle Sam." The streets +of Newport News were lined with people as we marched from the +dock to Camp Stuart, about five miles away, and as one fellow remarked, +"I saw more good looking girls on that march than during +my whole time in France." Here's to the United States and her +people, for there's no others like them.</p> + +<p>The greater part of our four days at Camp Stuart was spent in +getting new clothing, for every soldier was newly outfitted from +head to foot before he left that camp. So it was a spic and span +company that boarded the train on Friday afternoon, May 2, bound +for Camp Funston, our demobilization camp. That is, there were +about seventy of the company to go to Camp Funston, for the company +was separated at Camp Stuart, and each man was sent to the +demobilization camp nearest his home. The homes of many of our +replacements were in the East. The trip across the states in that +fast American train was an enjoyable one, especially so because of +the reception given us by the people at the cities where we stopped. +At each large city a Red Cross canteen entertained us with homemade +sandwiches, coffee and pie. Some entertainment.</p> + +<p>Our trip across the States took us via West Virginia, Cincinnati, +Indianapolis and Chicago. Late on the afternoon of Sunday, May<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +4th, we left Chicago for Kansas City, and it was then that our hearts +started to miss a beat now and then, for we were getting close to +home. What a sight greeted our eyes as the train drew into the +station at Second and Washington, Kansas City, Kansas. The station +platform was a solid mass of people, each one trying to pour out +a larger amount of "greeting" than anyone else. When the train +finally stopped and we piled out—well, no words can tell what that +reunion meant. Each fellow and his folks know. We stayed at +Kansas City about four hours, and during that time, besides visiting +our folks, our mothers gave us a delightful breakfast at the Masonic +Temple, with a dance afterwards. Then we went on to Camp +Funston, stopping several hours at Topeka, where a number of the +men lived.</p> + +<p>Our stay at Funston was short, but strenuous. We were not +allowed to leave our barrack, for there were a thousand and one +different papers, it seemed, that each man had to sign. Then, too, +we turned in our pack, and all other equipment except our clothing +and personal effects.</p> + +<p>It was a wonderful feeling when, on the morning of May 9th, +1919, just a year to the day from the time we left Camp Doniphan +for overseas service, we marched up to the Personnel Office to receive +our discharges. We could hardly believe it was true. We +filed in—soldiers, and a few minutes later came out—civilians.</p> + +<p>We're glad we served our country when she needed us, and +we're glad "it's over over there." It's just as many an A. E. F. man +has said, "We wouldn't take a million dollars for our experiences +over there, but we wouldn't give a nickel with a hole in it for any +more like them."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="FICKLE_WOMEN" id="FICKLE_WOMEN"></a>FICKLE WOMEN</h2> + + +<p>It either was Tom Keene, Henry George or some other good +nickel seller that once said, "Women thou art fickle things," and to +come right down to it the old boy was about right. Even in this +war we have found that the fair sex is not overcoming this weakness, +in fact woman today is worse than she was yesterday.</p> + +<p>In the days of old the men would do daring acts to win the +hand of fair lady. If he went on a crusade and brought back a +string of dragon heads she would marry him. They would live +happily till some other daredevil comes along with long wavy hair +and two strings of dragon heads. Right away friend wife drops a +Sedlitz powder in his "vin-rouge." A few days finds hubby pushing +up daisies and the handsome stranger is seen playing a guitar +under the widow's window, she encouraging him by dropping roses.</p> + +<p>Now today he pops the question, she says, "But we won't have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +the knot tied till you come back from the war." While he was +putting the half karat on that special finger he began to figure +how long it would take him to kill off the population of Germany +at the rate of five thousand a day and get back to the ideal +of his dreams. He goes across the pond and receives his sweet +weekly letter till one day he gets one that makes him think that +he is opening some other fellow's mail.</p> + +<p>She had not waited to see how many "Dutch" helmets and +medals he would bring home but had gone before the altar with +some guy who couldn't enlist on account of a thick head.</p> + +<p>It's a wonder we ever won the war with such moral support +as this coming through the mail. In this company alone, which +has a strength of only one hundred and twenty-three men, eleven +per cent were jilted in this way. All of them will probably not +die old bachelors, but it will take some pretty strong bait to get +these fish to nibble again.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="ROSTER" id="ROSTER"></a>ROSTER</h2> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></div> + + +<h3>AMBULANCE COMPANY No. 2, KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD.</h3> + +<div class='center'><i>Lieutenants.</i></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Roster-Lieutenants" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Edwin R. Tenney, 538 Oakland Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Richard F. Speck, 718 Washington Blvd.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Adam E. Adamson.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Alpheus J. Bondurant</td><td align="right">Charleston, Mo.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Sergeants.</i></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Roster-Sergeants" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Rowland, Chas. G., 2304 Myrtle Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Adams, James A., 1134 Troup Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hadley, Vernon A., 1241 Lafayette St.</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Leady, Roscoe B., 1005 Central Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Markley, Algernon</td><td align="right">Minneapolis, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Parsons, John D., 2614 N. 13th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Thomas, Chester L., 823 N. Jackson</td><td align="right">Topeka, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Falconer, Clarence E., 535 Oakland Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Carson, Edward T., Aberdeen Hotel</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Corporals.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Roster-Corporals" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Hovey, Clarence E., 1136 Rowland Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ward, Clarence S., 609 Ohio Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Knight, Roger F., 12 S. Boeke St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Weirshing, Guy</td><td align="right">Sedan, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dugan, Rollo C., 606 E. 4th St.</td><td align="right">Ottawa, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Toler, Roy P., 601 E. 9th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Robinson, William, 515 Quindaro Blvd.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">O'Dowd, Hall B., 642 Everett Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Roach, Norvin M., 536 Brooklyn Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Alleman, Neal D., 1926 N. 15th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Christian, John S., 31st and Pacific</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Cooks.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Roster-Cooks" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Toohey, Paul E., 1232 Quindaro Blvd.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Karbach, Albert R., 531 Quindaro Blvd.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Musicians.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Roster-Musicians" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">White, Frederick R., 1131 Rowland Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Keck, Kenneth F., 606 Isett Ave.</td><td align="right">Wapello, Iowa</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Privates.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Roster-Privates" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Addison, James W., 1938 N. 6th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Anderson, Willard C.</td><td align="right">Partridge, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Anderson, John W., 713 Lafayette</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Adams, Ernest T., 636 Simpson Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Bailey, Clarence E.</td><td align="right">Ramona, Okla.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Barnes, Lile Joe, City Hospital</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Barnes, Richard A.</td><td align="right">Ottawa, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Barnett, Benjamin, 819 Southwest Blvd.</td><td align="right">Rosedale, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brown, Kenneth S., 646 Oakland Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Baum, Earl W., 1932 Parallel Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Baum, Eldon E., 1932 Parallel Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Blackwell, Joseph F., 735 Nebraska Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Blazer, Robert T., 46 N. Tremont Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Bradbury, Claude L., 1250 Sandusky Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brennan, Edward W., 538 Oakland Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Briggs, Clarence, 609 Cornell Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Briggs, Junior, 609 Cornell Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brown, Guy, 240 N. 16th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brunell, Ferdinand F. C., 604 N. 6th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Buckles, Doyle L.</td><td align="right">Sedan, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Buckley, Leslie K., 13 N. Feree</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Childs, Wesley M., 2116 N. 10th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Carter, Edward, 29 N. Valley</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kansas</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Church, Romulus B., 1228 Ohio St.</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cline, Ernest R.</td><td align="right">Tonganoxie, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cole, Charles L., 1604 Minnesota Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Conquest, Victor, 1903 N. 4th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Corbett, Joseph F., 839 Ann Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Coyle, Walter E., 866 Orville Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Crowley, John J., 1233 Oread St.</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Davidson, Vernie, 1943 N. 11th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dennis, Jesse A., Ottawa County</td><td align="right">Pomma, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">DeTalent, Edward C., 1916 E. 34th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Finley, Harold H.</td><td align="right">Turner, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Flagg, Paul E., 1320 Ohio Ave.</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Flesher, Clarence W., 1820 N. 9th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Foster, James R., 2828 Olive St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Gibson, Walter N., 329 N. Valley St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Gregar, Mike G., 725 Lyons St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Goff, Melvin W., 808 Missouri St.</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hallquist, Hugo F., 1721 Stewart Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hamman, Albert E., 2015 Hallack St.</td><td align="right">Enid, Okla.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hart, George M., 624 West Main St.</td><td align="right">Enid, Okla.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hendricks, William R., 511 Armstrong Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hinze, Edward W., 1020 Ford Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Houston, Herbert, 120 S. 17th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Heuben, Paul T., 1139 Ella St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ise, Frank H., 1125 Mississippi</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jackson, Dale B.</td><td align="right">Burlington, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jenkins, Robert C., 216 N. 21st St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jenner, Clifford, 235 N. Mill St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jessen, Joseph J., 3528 S. Halstead St.</td><td align="right">Chicago, Ill.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Johnson, Andrew</td><td align="right">McFarland, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Johnson, Roy E., 918 Sandusky Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jones, Jacobus F., 937 Minnesota Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kocher, Ernest J., 620 Broadway</td><td align="right">Jefferson City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kemper, Eugene L.</td><td align="right">Lakin, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Locke, Lloyd B.</td><td align="right">Erie, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">McClenahan, John L.</td><td align="right">Miltonvale, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">McNabb, Fred R.</td><td align="right">Richmond, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Martin, William R., 1315 Madison St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Miller, Samuel C., 410 "T" St.</td><td align="right">Atchison, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Minnear, John R., 2520 Alden St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Moore, Chester, 714½ N. 6th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Murray, Frank A., 407 N. 7th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Nelson, Oscar F., 1722 Stewart Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Oellerich, Clarence E., Penn Hotel</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Parimore, Roy C., 404 W. 7th St.</td><td align="right">Larned, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pedago, Ellis, 1240 Central Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Piatt, William C., R. F. D. No. 4</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pringle, Kenneth W., 1334 Ohio Ave.</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Putman, Lawrence A., 806 Minn. Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Rebeck, John M., 1806 N. 2nd St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Reid, Alex., 2013 Water St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Reid, Roderick V., 1230 Tennessee</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Rewerts, Fred C.</td><td align="right">Garden City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Richmond, Lloyd, 712 Ann Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Russell, Thomas C., 710 Riverview Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Schenke, Harold W., 1208 N. 9th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Siebers, Frank A., 736 Tauromee Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Sherrell, Clarence W., 1232 Minn. Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Smith, Glenn E., 701 W. 11th St.</td><td align="right">Coffeyville, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Stalcup, Ernest F.</td><td align="right">Preston, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Stewart, Chester B., 1846 N. 18th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Still, Robert P.</td><td align="right">Tonganoxie, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Stutes, Chester A., 1860 Brighton Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Talmadge, Abram J., 720 Garfield</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Van Cleave, Donald W., 714 Troup Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Vesper, Harold E., 730 Garfield Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Walker, John W. Jr., 231 N. 16th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wolf, Jonathan A.</td><td align="right">Louisburg, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Weaverling, Jacob C., 2843 Mercer Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Williams, William J., 2832 Booth Ave.</td><td align="right">Rosedale, Kans.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<h3>LOSSES BY TRANSFER OR DISCHARGE FROM COMPANY.</h3> + +<div class='center'><i>Captains.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Losses-Captains" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Siberts, Paul T.</td><td align="right">Oklahoma City, Okla.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Bates, Bret V.</td><td align="right">Wheaton, Minn.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>First Lieutenants.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Losses-Lieutenants" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Adamson, Adam J.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Bondurant, Alpheus J.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Tenney, Edwin R</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Monteith, Geo.</td><td align="right">Hazleton, N. Dak.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Shelton, ——</td><td align="right">Los Angeles, Cal.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Harwell, Wm. R.</td><td align="right">Shreveport, La.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Evers, Wm. P. V.</td><td align="right">Illinois</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Sergeants, First Class.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Losses-SFC" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Rowland, Chas. G., 2016 Lister Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pringle, Kenneth W.</td><td align="right">Alma, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Parsons, John D., 1926 N. 15th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Sergeants.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Losses-Sergeants" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Leady, Roscoe B.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Markley, Algernon D.</td><td align="right">Minneapolis, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Thomas, Chester L.</td><td align="right">Topeka, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Falconer, Clarence, 535 Oakland Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Carson, Edward T.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Childs, Wesley M.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Foster, James R.</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Corporals.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Losses-Corporals" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Conquest, Victor</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Johns, Benjamin P.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Cooks.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Losses-Cooks" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Kemper, Eugene L.</td><td align="right">Lakin, Kans.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Privates, First Class.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Losses-PFC" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Anderson, John W.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Anderson, Willard C.</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Baum, Earl W.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brennan, Edward W.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brown, Kenneth S.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Buckles, Doyle L.</td><td align="right">Sedan, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Casteel, Jess W.</td><td align="right">Florence, Wis.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Church, Romulus B.</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Corbett, Joseph F.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Covington, Van D.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Crawford, Verne F.</td><td align="right">Croswell, Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dennis, Jesse A.</td><td align="right">Ottawa, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dotson, Wm. R.</td><td align="right">Unknown</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dugan, Rollo C.</td><td align="right">Ottawa, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Flagg, Paul E.</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Flesher, Clarence W.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Goff, Melvin W.</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hallquist, Hugo</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hinze, Edward W.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hovey, Clarence E.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Heuben, Paul T.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ise, Frank H.</td><td align="right">Lawrence, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jackson, Dale B.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jenkins, Robt. C.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jesson, Joseph J.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Johnson, Andrew</td><td align="right">Alma, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Johnson, Roy E.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jones, Jacobus E.</td><td align="right">Clifton, Tenn.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">McClenahan, John S.</td><td align="right">Miltonvale, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Martin, Wm. R.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Miller, Samuel C.</td><td align="right">Atchison, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Myers, Wilson</td><td align="right">Tonganoxie, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Nelson, Oscar F.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Patrick, Currie F.</td><td align="right">St. Louis, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Pedago, Ellis</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Richmond, Lloyd</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Roach, Norvin M.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Sherrell, Clarence W.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Stewart, Chester B.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Still, Robert A.</td><td align="right">Tonganoxie, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Toler, Roy P.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Van Cleave, Donald W.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wolf, Jonathan A.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Woolery, Clyde F.</td><td align="right">Unknown</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Whiles, James W.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<h3>MEN WITH AMBULANCE COMPANY 139, AT TIME OF<br/> +DEMOBILIZATION.</h3> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></div> + + +<div class='center'><i>Captains.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Demob-Captains" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Speck, Richard T. (Comdg. Co.), 618 Oakland Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hartman, Ralph C., Lake Edge Park</td><td align="right">Madison, Wis.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>First Lieutenant.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Demob-Lieutentants" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Vardon, Colin C., 225 Highland Ave.</td><td align="right">Detroit, Mich.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Sergeants, First Class.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Demob-SFC" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Briggs, Junior, 609 Cornell Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Knight, Roger F., 12 S. Boeke St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Mess Sergeant.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Demob-Mess" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Hadley, Vernon A.</td><td align="right">Ridgefarm, Ill.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Sergeants.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Demob-Sergeants" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Adams, James A., 1134 Troup Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Alleman, Neal D., 1926 N. 15th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wiershing, Guy</td><td align="right">Sedan, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hart, George M., 611 N. Grand St.</td><td align="right">Enid, Okla.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Stalcup, Ernest F., 417 E. 11th St.</td><td align="right">Hutchinson, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Christian, John W., 122 S. Hicks St.</td><td align="right">Los Angeles, Cal.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hickam, Clinton J.</td><td align="right">Freedom, Ind.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Bailey, Clarence E.</td><td align="right">Ramona, Okla.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Rewerts, Fred C.</td><td align="right">Garden City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Talmadge, Abram J., 720 Garfield Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Corporals.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Demob-Corporals" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">O'Dowd, Benjamin H., 642 Everett Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Barnes, Richard A.</td><td align="right">Ottawa, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Finley, Harold H.</td><td align="right">Turner, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ellis, Clark</td><td align="right">Glenville, W. Va.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jensen, Henry M.</td><td align="right">Concordia, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Stutes, Chester A., 1860 Brighton Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Cooks.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Demob-Cooks" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Crotty, John J., 1209 Paseo</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Carter, Edward, 1107 Riverview Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Locke, Lloyd B.</td><td align="right">Erie, Kans.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Mechanic.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Demob-Mechanic" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Meinberg, Edwin J., 2006-A Russell Ave.</td><td align="right">St. Louis, Mo.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Wagoners.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Demob-Wagoners" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Bellows, Frank E.</td><td align="right">Fultonville, New York</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Bradbury, Claude L., 1250 Sandusky Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Briggs, Clarence, 609 Cornell Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brunell, Ferdinand F. C., 401½ N. 6th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ely, Clarence G.</td><td align="right">Midlothian, Texas</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Feehan, Walter J., 706 Frisco Ave.</td><td align="right">Monett, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kocher, Ernest J., 620 Broadway St.</td><td align="right">Jefferson City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lottner, August, 907 Townsend Ave.</td><td align="right">Detroit, Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">McNabb, Fred R.</td><td align="right">Richmond, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Putman, Lawrence A., care of Harold E. Vesper, 720 Garfield Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Reid, Alex, 2040 Walnut St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Robinson, William O., 515 Quindaro Blvd.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Smith, Glen E.</td><td align="right">Van Buren, Ark.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Vesper, Harold E., 730 Garfield Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ward, Clarence S., 609 Ohio Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Weaverling, Jacob C., 2843 Mercier Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Privates, First Class.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Demob-PFC" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Adams, Ernest T., 636 Simpson Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Addison, James W., 1938 N. 6th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Barbour, Dewey T.</td><td align="right">Houston, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Barnes, Joe, K. C. General Hospital, 24th and Cherry</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brown, Guy B., 240 N. 16th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cataldi, Angelo, 604 Scott St.</td><td align="right">Wilmington, Del.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Coleman, James W.</td><td align="right">Le Sueur, Minn.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Coyle, Walter E., 866 Orville Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Crowley, George G., 1319 E. Market St.</td><td align="right">Akron, Ohio</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">DeTalent, Edward C., 1915 E. 34th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Downing, Fay A.</td><td align="right">Island Falls, Maine</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Houston, Herbert S., 120 S. 17th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Jones, Arthur E., 394 W. Euclid Ave.</td><td align="right">Detroit, Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Keck, Kenneth F.</td><td align="right">Wapello, Iowa</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">McCarthy, Bernard J., 1514 W. Benton Place</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Moore, Chester, 610 N. 6th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Murray, Frank H., 404 N. 7th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Oellerich, Clarence G., 1425 Thurston Ave.</td><td align="right">Racine, Wis.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Rebeck, John M., 1807 N. 2nd St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Saul, Parker E.</td><td align="right">R. F. D., Ava, Ill.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Schenke, Harold W., 712 Orville Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Walker, John W. Jr., 203 N. 14th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /><i>Privates.</i></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Demob-Privates" width="600"> +<tr><td align="left">Allen, Frank M.</td><td align="right">Oxford, Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Altman, William R.</td><td align="right">Knox, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Armbrustmacher, William J.</td><td align="right">Fowler, Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Barnett, Benjamin, 819 Southwest Blvd.</td><td align="right">Rosedale, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Barris, Allen L.</td><td align="right">Dougherty, Okla.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Blackwell, Joseph F., 735 Nebraska Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Blaker, Charles F., R. F. D. 2</td><td align="right">Butler, Ind.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Blandford, Joseph J., R. R. 1</td><td align="right">Morganfield, Ky.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Blazer, Robert T., 46 N. Tremont St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brogan, Lester A., 705 N. Spring St.</td><td align="right">St. John, Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Buckley, Lee E., 13 N. Ferree St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cannon, Francis P., 1260 Lyell Ave.</td><td align="right">West Rochester, N. Y.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cline, Ernest R.</td><td align="right">Tonganoxie, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cole, Charles R., 1604 Minnesota Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Crane, Charlie, 10 N. Main St.</td><td align="right">Ft. Scott, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Crowley, John J., 2113½-B W. 16th St.</td><td align="right">Los Angeles, Calif.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Daley, Albert J., 75 Hazel Ave.</td><td align="right">Wilkes Barre, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Davidson, Vernie A., 1943 N. 11th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dolak, Andrew J., 701 E. Ridge St.</td><td align="right">Lansford, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Duffy, Dennis, 331 W. 4th St.</td><td align="right">Hazelton, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Eakin, Laster E., 616 Buffalo St.</td><td align="right">Franklin, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Evans, John E., East Hazard St.</td><td align="right">Summithill, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Evert, Howard C., 340 W. 4th St.</td><td align="right">Hazelton, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Feeney, John P., 10010 Pamalee Ave., N. E.</td><td align="right">Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Feinberg, Abraham H., 1238 Chestnut St.</td><td align="right">Wilmington, Del.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fisher, John J., 114 Pollard St.</td><td align="right">Detroit, Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fisher, Louis J., 416 N. 10th St.</td><td align="right">Reading, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fowler, Harry W.</td><td align="right">Portage, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Freeman, Garland, 1317 Louisiana St.</td><td align="right">Little Rock, Ark.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fulmer, John R.</td><td align="right">Cape, South Carolina</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Gallagher, Cornelius A.</td><td align="right">Parker's Landing, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Gibson, Walter N., 562 Head St.</td><td align="right">Esquimalt, Victoria, B. C.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Giorgi, Auguste</td><td align="right">Mentana, Prov. Rome, Italy</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Gregar, Mike G., 725 Lyons Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Harriston, Michael, 5707 Central Ave.</td><td align="right">Cleveland, Ohio</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Heidel, Ernest P.</td><td align="right">Florence, Wis.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hendricks, William R., 511 Armstrong Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hess, Walter F., 219 Lauderburn Ave.</td><td align="right">Weatherly, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">James, Vaughn F., 74 S. Martha Ave.</td><td align="right">Akron, Ohio</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Karbach, Albert R., 532 Quindaro Blvd.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kletecka, Edward</td><td align="right">Wakita, Okla.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kline, Benjamin W. Jr., 209 N. 11th St.</td><td align="right">Allentown, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kuntz, Thomas G.</td><td align="right">Transfer, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lancaster, John E.</td><td align="right">Gilmore, Maryland</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lebeck, Walter, 38 Stoner St.</td><td align="right">River Rouge, Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lulow, Charlie</td><td align="right">Rushville, Neb.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lutt, Elmer F.</td><td align="right">Niobara, Neb.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">McCormick, Stephen F., 1360 E. Market St.</td><td align="right">Akron, Ohio</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">McDonald, James R.</td><td align="right">Brookville, Ind.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">McKain, Jess W.</td><td align="right">Minneapolis, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mukansky Grigory, 449 3rd St.</td><td align="right">Milwaukee, Wis.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Murphy, Clarence T. S., 216 W. Pine St.</td><td align="right">Wichita, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Nicholson, Paul R., 410 Elm St.</td><td align="right">Grove City, Pa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Peterson, William J., 19 S. 11th St.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Piatt, William C.</td><td align="right">Erie, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Siebers, Frank A., 736 Tauromee Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Tinklepaugh, James D., 606 Tauromee Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Toohey, Paul A., 1232 Quindaro Blvd.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Truede, John, 514 N. Front St.</td><td align="right">Camden, New Jersey</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Williams, William J., 3832 Booth St.</td><td align="right">Rosedale, Kans.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wise, Theodore T., 545 Ann Ave.</td><td align="right">Kansas City, Kans.</td></tr> +</table> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> + +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> + +<p>Normally, upper-case "A. M." and "P. M." are used; lower-case "a. m." and "p. m." were changed to upper-case.</p> + +<p>The inconsistent hyphenation of the following words was not changed: "good[-]bye", "hard[-]tack", hay[-]loft", "passer[-]by", "up[-]hill".</p> + +<p>High-resolution images of the photos of the soliders following pages +16, 56 and 72 can be accessed by clicking on them.</p> + +<p>Page 5: "Misouri" changed to "Missouri".</p> + +<p>Page 9: "wather" changed to "water plenty of hot water).</p> + +<p>Page 11: "distzance" changed to "distance" (a short distance from the train area).</p> + +<p>Page 12: "kichen" changed to "kitchen" (from the kitchen range).</p> + +<p>Page 13: "day-break" changed to "daybreak" (stayed until daybreak).</p> + +<p>Page 15: "rythmatical" changed to "rhythmetical" (rhythmetical chug of a large engine).</p> + +<p>Page 23: "set" changed to "sat" (sat up all night).</p> + +<p>Page 26: "Franch" changed to "French" (in French money).</p> + +<p>Page 26: "or" changed to "of" (handling of casualties).</p> + +<p>Page 30: "killled" changed to "killed" (were either killed or).</p> + +<p>Page 36: "Paris" changed to "Pairis" (outpost duty at Pairis).</p> + +<p>Page 38: "downpower" changed to "downpour" (through a regular downpour).</p> + +<p>Page 39: "wierd" changed to "weird" (a weird looking lot).</p> + +<p>Page 39: "minue" changed to "minute" (ten-minute rest periods).</p> + +<p>Page 44: "Dirctor" changed to "Director" (Director of Ambulances).</p> + +<p>Page 52: "Montieth" changed to "Monteith" (Lt. George Monteith).</p> + +<p>Page 57: "Geramns" changed to "Germans" (by the Germans in 1871).</p> + +<p>Page 58: "armsitice" changed to "armistice" (signing of the armsitice).</p> + +<p>Page 59: "Chackamagua" changed to "Chickamagua" (in Chickamagua Park).</p> + +<p>Page 62: "St. Naziere" changed to "St. Nazaire" (arriving at St. Nazaire).</p> + +<p>Page 64: "Gernoble" changed to "Grenoble" (the mayor of Grenoble).</p> + +<p>Page 65: "furnishd" changed to "furnished" (except those furnished).</p> + +<p>Page 66: "Ionis" changed to "Ionic" (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian).</p> + +<p>Page 70: "madamoiselles" changed "mademoiselles" (received by the mademoiselles).</p> + +<p>Page 70: "mid-night" changed to "midnight" (good until midnight).</p> + +<p>Page 75: "Batallion" changed to "Battalion" (Convict Labor Battalion).</p> + +<p>Page 76: "With" changed to "What" (What a thrill went through us).</p> + +<p>Page 81: "De Talent" changed to "DeTalent" (DeTalent, Edward).</p> + +<p>Page 82: "Montieth" changed to "Monteith" (Monteith, Geo).</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's History of Ambulance Company Number 139, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF AMBULANCE COMPANY *** + +***** This file should be named 33841-h.htm or 33841-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/8/4/33841/ + +Produced by Moti Ben-Ari and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Gutenberg's History of Ambulance Company Number 139, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: History of Ambulance Company Number 139 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: October 6, 2010 [EBook #33841] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF AMBULANCE COMPANY *** + + + + +Produced by Moti Ben-Ari and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + History of Ambulance + Company Number 139 + + [Illustration] + + PRESS OF + E. R. CALLENDER PRINTING CO + KANSAS CITY, KANSAS + + + + +Foreword + + + THIS BOOK IS AN ATTEMPT TO GIVE A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF + THE MEN OF AMBULANCE COMPANY NUMBER 139 DURING THEIR SERVICES + IN THE GREAT WAR. IT WAS WRITTEN BY THE MEN WHILE THEY WERE + AWAITING SAILING ORDERS FOR HOME. IN BARN-LOFT BILLETS OF THE + VILLAGE OF AULNOIS-SOUS-VERTUZEY, FRANCE, WHILE THE MEMORIES OF + OUR EXPERIENCES WERE STILL FRESH IN OUR MINDS. + +[Illustration] + + + + +CONTENTS + + + ORGANIZATION OF AMBULANCE COMPANY 139 Page 5 + + LIFE AT CAMP HOEL " 6 + + TRAINING AT CAMP DONIPHAN " 8 + + DEPARTURE FROM CAMP DONIPHAN " 12 + + THE TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC " 14 + + OUR FLYING TRIP THROUGH ENGLAND " 18 + + FROM SOUTHAMPTON TO LE HAVRE " 20 + + OUR TRIP THROUGH FRANCE TO ELOYES " 22 + + IN ACTION ON THE WESSERLING SECTOR " 25 + + VENTRON " 31 + + LE COLLET " 32 + + THE MARCH FROM LUNEVILLE TO BENNEY " 37 + + BENNEY TO FIVE TRENCHES " 40 + + FROM FIVE TRENCHES TO SENARD " 42 + + MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE " 43 + + WITH THE KITCHEN IN THE ARGONNE OFFENSIVE " 48 + + CITATIONS AND CASUALTIES " 50 + + THE STAY IN VAUBECOURT " 52 + + THE VERDUN FRONT " 53 + + MOVE TOWARD METZ AND THE ARMISTICE " 56 + + THE FIRST REPLACEMENTS " 59 + + FURLOUGHS--GRENOBLE " 62 + + LA BOURBOULE " 64 + + THE FURLOUGHS AT AIX-LES-BAINES " 67 + + TRIP TO MARSEILLES " 68 + + A CASUAL IN THE S. O. S. " 71 + + PERSHING REVIEWS THE 35th DIVISION " 73 + + FROM COUSANCES TO AULNOIS " 74 + + THE HOME GOING " 75 + + FROM AULNOIS TO "CIVIES" " 76 + + FICKLE WOMEN " 78 + + COMPANY ROSTER " 80 + + + + + +ORGANIZATION OF AMBULANCE COMPANY 139 + + +When war was declared on Germany April 5th, 1917, the government sent +out calls for volunteers. The auxiliary organizations were to be the +first ones to go across, and it looked as if ambulance companies would +be among the first to get into action. Many of the universities and +colleges in the east started at once to organize ambulance companies. +These companies were quickly filled, and the enthusiasm spread quickly +to the west. + +Early in April Dr. Edwin R. Tenney of Kansas City, Kansas, was appointed +by the adjutant general of the State of Kansas to organize a national +guard ambulance company in that city. Until this time there had never +been a national guard ambulance company in the State of Kansas. Dr. +Tenney had been a practicing physician in Kansas City for a number of +years and before coming to the city he served as a physician during the +Spanish-American war. For the past five years he had held a lieutenant's +commission in the U. S. Army Reserve Corps. It was through his efficient +work that this company was recruited to full strength within a month +after he received his appointment. + +The recruiting office in the press room at the city hall was a very busy +place during the month of April. Every one was anxious to join some +branch of the army. By April 25th the company was recruited to its full +strength of sixty-four men and the office was closed. However, orders +were received the next day to recruit the company to eighty-four men, so +again the office was opened for business with a sign which read, "Join a +motor ambulance company and _ride_." It was in this office that so many +of the men held up their right hand and said that fatal "I do." + +About this time Dr. Richard T. Speck, of Kansas City, Kansas, received a +lieutenant's commission in the Kansas National Guard and was assigned to +this company. A few days later Drs. A. J. Bondurant, of St. Margaret's +Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas, and A. H. Adamson, of the General +Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, also received commissions and were +assigned to this company. + +On April 30th Major Seth A. Hammell, of Topeka, Kansas, mustered the +company into the state guard as Kansas Ambulance Company No. 2. Another +ambulance company, known as Kansas Ambulance Company No. 1, was +organized by Lieutenant W. L. Rhodes, of Argentine, Kansas. + +After the state muster the company had two drill nights a week. These +drills often interfered with some of the men's plans, but that made no +difference as they now belonged to "Uncle Sam" and duty came before +pleasure. It was at these semi-weekly drills that the men learned the +first principles of soldiering under the leadership of Lieutenant R. T. +Speck and Sergeant Roscoe Leady. They were unaccustomed to regular +drilling, especially on paved streets, and many times they went home +with sore feet from doing "fours right and left" and "to the rear, +march." + +On June 14th the company was called out for federal inspection and was +formally recognized by the federal authorities. This was the first +formation in which every one was present, as many of the men lived out +of the city and could not come to the drills. After this inspection the +men were told to be ready to leave at any time, as it wouldn't be over +two weeks at the most before they would be called out. The days dragged +slowly, and it seemed that the company would never be called into +service. The men were all anxious to start for France and many of them +had already given up their positions, thinking that it would be but a +short time until they would leave. + +On Decoration Day the company was ordered out for a special formation to +march to the cemetery and to pay tribute to the heroes of the past. +However, it rained so hard that the march was called off and instead the +men were assembled in the auditorium of the High School where they +listened to an address by J. K. Cubbison. + +For a number of years it had been customary for all national guard +organizations to go into camp on the night of July 3rd and stay until +the 4th, when they would put on an exhibition of some kind. Consequently +this company, together with Company A, First infantry, K. N. G., and +Battery E, First Field Artillery, K. N. G., went into camp on the night +of July 3rd at the City Park. To most of the men this was their first +experience in sleeping on the ground, and it will not be easily +forgotten, for the next day found every one with aching bones. In the +afternoon of the 4th the men of Company A, Infantry, put on a sham +battle, and this company followed them up, administering first aid to +the "wounded." + + + + +LIFE AT CAMP HOEL + + +It was on the memorable day of August 5th, 1917, that the members of +Kansas Ambulance Company No. 2 assembled at the corner of Ninth and +Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. As the clock struck nine the +order "Fall in" was given. After a few army formalities the company was +marched out to Camp Hoel, which was situated at Twentieth Street and +Washington Boulevard. It was a spectacular scene for the outsiders and +for all the men in the company. It looked more like a parade of college +chaps before a football game, as almost all of the fellows were dressed +in their "Sunday best." There were a few boys dressed in the khaki, +which gave the passerby the idea that we were a part of the great +American Army which was being formed. When we reached camp a small white +tent was pitched, which was to be our office, supply room and a place of +shelter for those boys of the company who did not live in the city or +who were not staying at the homes of some of their friends. + +Our company was not the only one at this camp, as we had neighbors, who +were later designated as follows: Company A, 137th Infantry; Companies B +and C of the 110th Regiment of Engineers; Battery E, 130th Field +Artillery, and Ambulance Company 140 of the 110th Sanitary Train. The +majority of the members of these organizations were Kansas City boys. + +In a few days the drills were started. Awkward squads were formed and +from all parts of the camp the command of "fours right," "to the rear, +march," etc., could be heard. Hikes were numerous, and it was not long +until our feet knew all the bumps on every street in Kansas City, +Kansas. + +The mess for the different companies at Camp Hoel was put in charge of +the Central Boarding Company of Kansas City, Missouri. A large tent was +erected for the kitchen and it was there that the men were initiated +into the secrets of "kitchen police." + +After wearing overalls, blue shirts or any other old article that was +obtainable, the company was greatly shocked one morning when the news +came that part of our equipment had arrived. Here again another dream +was shattered, for it seemed that the good fits for the men must have +been lost in transit. The large fellows received clothing too small for +them, and the small fellows received clothes that would have looked well +if they had had about fifty more pounds of muscle upon their skeletons. +But as a matter of fact everyone was very proud of the new uniform. + +A few days before the uniforms arrived a proposition was laid upon the +table for the debate of the company. The great question was, "Shall each +member buy leather leggins?" Nobody knew at that time about the uniform +rules of the army. Leather leggins looked fine and seemed to be the +fashion according to posters and magazine pictures. So the debate was +closed and the whole bunch bit on the eight and ten dollar pairs. We +used them several times, in fact we wore them in two parades, and were +granted the permission to wear them to Doniphan, were we soon sold them +at the average price of $5.00 per pair. + +On August 13th the boys received their physical examination. A few were +disappointed at that time to find that they could not pass the +examination and go along with the company. That afternoon Captain Arthur +L. Donan of the 3rd Kentucky Infantry placed himself before the company +and mumbled a few words. After the company was dismissed the main +question was, "What did the captain have to say?" It was soon found out +that he had mustered us into Federal Service. + +On the Saturdays of the first two weeks at camp we were treated fine +(just kidding us along). On the third Saturday we were lined up in +formation and were sent to the infirmary. There we were told to get +ready for the worst. Both arms were bared while iodine swabs, the +medics' famous panacea, were thrown around freely. There were three +doctors in one corner ready for action. Two of them were puncturing the +right arms with needles and with a little push of a plunger our body was +given some extra fluid so that we might be able to combat that great +army disease of former years, typhoid fever. The other doctor was +cutting a few nitches in the boys' left arms so that the smallpox +vaccine could do its duty. Fainting was in order on that day, as well as +on the following three Saturdays, when the puncturing process was +repeated, and no member of the company was slighted. + +The mothers of Kansas City made army life, while we were at Camp Hoel, +as pleasant as possible. On different days we received a basket dinner, +a watermelon feast and an ice cream and cake festival from them. Those +days were the frequent topics of conversation during the boys' stay in +France and will never be forgotten. Shows were always at hand in Kansas +City and on certain afternoons theatre parties were formed by the +members of the company. + +September 27th was the fatal day for Kansas Ambulance Company No. 2 in +Kansas City, Kansas. On that day camp was broken and the company was +formed. We left our camp and marched to the train behind the famous +Kilties Scotch Band, which led us down Minnesota Avenue through the +great crowds that had gathered along the street to cheer us on our way. +We boarded the train at Third and Washington Boulevard, where the boys +bid their dear ones "goodbye." + + + + +TRAINING AT CAMP DONIPHAN + + +When that Frisco troop train pulled out of Kansas City, Kansas, on +September 27th, 1917, it cannot be said that it carried a very hilarious +bunch of soldiers. The men, the majority of whom had never been away +from home before for any length of time, had just spent a last few happy +days with the home folks, sweethearts and friends and now they were +going out into a new life, into new environments and with unknown +problems and experiences ahead of them. They were quiet at first, no +doubt wondering what was in store for them before they saw "home" +again, but as they left Kansas City far behind their quietness +disappeared and soon little groups were chattering at a lively rate. + +[Illustration: GERARDMER.] + +[Illustration: NORTHEAST TOWARD CHARPENTRY.] + +[Illustration: VENTRON--VOSGES.] + +After an uneventful trip the troop train carrying Kansas Ambulance +Companies No. 1 and 2 and one field hospital company arrived at the Fort +Sill railroad yards at about 4:30 P. M. on September 28th. After a short +delay the companies started their march toward the area on the south +side of the camp, designated for the Sanitary Train, and right then and +there they were introduced to that for which Camp Doniphan is +noted--DUST--five or six inches of it on every road. What a hot, dirty +hike that was, unaccustomed as the men were to those ungainly, heavy +packs! And when Kansas Ambulance Company No. 2 (later designated as +Ambulance Company 139) reached camp did they find comfortable tents or +barracks to step into? They did not. True, tents were there, but they +were in wooden crates, and there was a long, vacant space between a mess +hall and a bath house on which those tents were to stand. Fate was with +the men that night, for the moon was shining brightly, so after a supper +of crackers and cheese they soon had twelve Sibley tents pitched on the +allotted space. Tired from their trip and work litters made excellent +bunks and the men slept the sleep of the weary, their first night under +real army conditions. + +Army life, as experienced in those first six weeks at Camp Doniphan, can +scarcely be called a picnic. _If_ there had been floors in the tents, +and _if_ you could have turned a switch instead of having to light a +candle in order to have light, and _if_ there had been an adequate +supply of good water, and _if_ "DUST," in vast quantities, had not been +a "regular issue"--well, such was life at Doniphan for the first few +weeks. + +However, by Thanksgiving, many improvements had been made. Good water +was piped from a lake some distance from the camp and no longer was moss +and like substances found in the water that came through the pipes. Nor +was it necessary to watch all the dust of Kansas blow by from the north +in the morning, with a return trip in the afternoon. The tents were +floored and sidings put on, and electric lights were installed; Sibley +stoves were issued, together with an ample supply of wood--all of which +made the life at Camp Doniphan a little more attractive. A large boiler +and tank was installed in the bath house, giving the men plenty of hot +water for bathing and washing clothes. Military training continued, of +course, consisting of drilling on the field and lectures in the mess +hall by medical officers on subjects essential to the work of sanitary +troops. This included practice in the use of bandages and splints and +litter drill. + +The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays brought many visitors to +camp--mothers, brothers, sisters and friends, all anxious to see for +themselves the Army life that the men had been writing about. If any of +the mothers had been worrying about the "beans and hard-tack" which is +supposed to be an unvarying part of a soldier's menu, they returned home +with that worry eliminated, for on both Thanksgiving and Christmas, +"John," the red-headed chef of the company, brought forth dinners that +would make the "Plantation Grill" or the "Pompeien Room" sit up and take +notice. Turkey, all you could eat and with all the trimmings, and the +dessert of mince pie and fruit cake, made one think of "Home, Sweet +Home" and Mother's incomparable cooking. As a whole, Army feed wasn't +half as bad as it was supposed to be. How could it be, when flapjacks, +sausage, steak and pie were regular issues? + +The winter of 1917-18, according to the "natives," was the worst in +Oklahoma for fifteen years, and those reports will never be questioned +by the men who were at Doniphan that winter. More than once they awoke +in the morning to find three or four inches of snow on the tent floor. +However, unaccustomed as the men were to living in tents in cold +weather, there was a comparatively small amount of sickness. True, a +number of the men were sent to the Base Hospital, with measles, +influenza and pneumonia, and several times the company was quarantined, +but very few of the cases proved serious, and sooner or later the men +returned to duty. + +For several months, both the Base Hospital and the Isolation Camp were +in need of Medical men, and details from the Sanitary Train were sent to +relieve the situation. The men were put to work at anything from nurse +to Supply Sergeant, and this work gave them some good, practical +experience along medical lines. Just before Christmas, the company +received twelve G. M. C. Ambulances, and for the remainder of our stay +at Doniphan these ambulances were used for evacuation work between the +Base Hospital and the different units of the Division. + +Not all of the training at Doniphan was along _medical_ lines, however. +At regular intervals you could expect to find your name on the Bulletin +Board under the heading "Kitchen Police," and when it wasn't that, it +was probably for a tour of guard duty, and if you were lucky enough to +miss both of those details, it was seldom that you weren't picked for +company fatigue. + +The personnel of our officers changed somewhat at Doniphan. Lt. Adamson +soon after getting there, received his honorable discharge. About +February 1st, Lt. Tenney was transferred to a Machine Gun Battalion, and +Lt. Speck was placed in command of the company. Lt. Paul R. "Daddy" +Siberts, Lt. Bret V. Bates, and Lt. Colin C. Vardon were assigned to the +company while at Doniphan, the latter in place of Lt. Bondurant, who was +transferred to the Casual Company at Camp Doniphan. + +With the coming of warmer weather in the early spring, the outside drill +turned to hikes, and many is the tale that can be told about the +"strategic maneuvers" of the Sanitary Train. Ask any of the man about +the night at Buffalo Springs, when J. Pluvius turned the faucet wide +open, deluging the tent city. Ask them about "The Lost Sanitary Train," +when, in returning from Sulphur Springs, they circled Scott Mountain +before they finally bumped into Medicine Lake, and finally arrived back +to camp at 3 A. M. But as a rule, the hikes were interesting and +instructive, and furnished excellent training. Men who had always +depended on Mother for their meals learned how to build a camp fire in +the face of a high wind and to cook their dinner of bacon, potatoes and +coffee. They learned that a great deal of territory can be covered +without the use of a street car or "flivver," and incidentally their +muscles became hardened, fitting them for the strenuous work ahead. + +From the very first, nothing interested the men more than the thought of +a furlough home, and almost as soon as they arrived at Doniphan, the +arguments were many as to whether it would be nicer to be home for +Thanksgiving or Christmas. But it was not until January that any leaves +at all were granted. Then the furloughs were limited to five or seven +days, and in that way almost all of the men were able to visit the home +folks for a few days before leaving for overseas service. Putting their +feet under Mother's table again, and seeing Her for a few days, +invariably put the men in a happier and more contented spirit, and they +came back to camp with more "pep" for their work. + +Tho the days were filled with the routine of drill and company duties, +the social side of life at Doniphan must not be forgotten. Not far from +camp was the city of Lawton, and while it was far from being an ideal +town, it was at least a change from the monotony of camp life. Passes to +town were liberal, and the men spent many pleasant evenings there, +either at the picture shows or with friends whom they met after going to +Doniphan. + +The Y. M. C. A. deserves a great deal of credit for its work at +Doniphan. "Y" Bldg. No. 59, used by the Sanitary Train and the 110th +Engineers, was just a short distance from the train area, and in the +evening immediately after Retreat a stream of men could be seen going in +that direction. The "Y" furnished paper and envelopes, pen and ink, thus +encouraging the men to write home oftener. Movies, at least twice a +week, band concerts and boxing bouts were some of the means of +entertaining the men, and there was always a full house. On Sundays the +men were privileged to attend exceptionally interesting religious +services, and the series of addresses given by Chaplain Reeder of the +Engineers was well worth hearing. + +Almost as soon as the company arrived at Doniphan, rumors filled the air +about the Division leaving for overseas service, but nothing +substantial developed until about the middle of March. Then orders were +received that the Division was booked to leave, and the work preparatory +to moving started in earnest. Everything, from the kitchen range to the +Pierce-Arrow trucks, had to be prepared for shipment. Lumber was +furnished, and the company carpenters were kept busy almost to the day +of departure building crates and boxes. After being crated, each article +had to be stenciled with the company designation, together with the +weight and cubical contents, and the Division Symbol. Packing lists were +prepared, which was no small task, and the main work preparatory to +leaving was completed. + +Not all of the men of the company left Camp Doniphan with the Division, +for as is always the case in a large body of men, there were a few who +were physically unfit. These men, nine of them, were left at the Casual +Camp at Camp Doniphan, and were later assigned to recruiting or military +police duty in various parts of the United States. + + + + +DEPARTURE FROM CAMP DONIPHAN + + +The day of May 8th, 1918, dawned bright and fair. The morning was spent +in finishing up little odds and ends of work, and in rolling packs. At 1 +P. M. "Fall in," the last one at Doniphan, sounded, and soon afterwards +the Sanitary Train started its march to the railroad yards. Again it was +hot and dusty, just as it had been when the company marched into camp, +and it was with a feeling of relief that the troop train came into view. +Pullman cars? No, the Sanitary Train couldn't be as fortunate as that, +so the men had to be content with chair cars. + +With seven months training behind them, the men of Ambulance Company 139 +left Camp Doniphan for "Somewhere in France" with great anticipation, +feeling that they were ready for any part that they might have to play. + +On board the train, which left Doniphan at 3 P. M., the men amused +themselves in reading and card games. There were a few details, such as +sweeping the cars, kitchen police or serving the meals "de luxe" to the +boys, but the old beloved guard detail was not left to the privates. It +was graciously wished on the non-coms, who were forced to carry a "45 +smoke wagon" on their belts, according to some General Order in the +"blue book." We never learned whether they were to keep the boys from +getting out or to keep the feminine sex from getting in. + +At our first stop, El Reno, Okla., the four ambulance companies, which +made up one train, "fell-out" for a little exercise, and after an hour +or so of maneuvering, we climbed aboard again to journey nearer the +Atlantic. We were by this time consulting time tables, watches and maps +to decide over which route we must travel in order to pass through +Kansas City, the home of most of the boys in the company. The first +night of traveling passed slowly, and as the first tints of dawn were +spreading over the eastern sky our train drew into Topeka. Shortly after +daybreak the train left the Capitol city of Kansas, and headed down the +Kaw Valley towards Kansas City. As the noon hour of May 9th was passing +away the train pulled into the big Union Station, where mothers, +fathers, wives, brothers, sisters, sweethearts and friends had been +waiting for hours, with baskets overflowing with delicious meats, +sandwiches, fruits and all the rarest and spiciest that a Mother's +effort could put forth. + +Again the "blue book" came into play, and we took a little sightseeing +trip up Main Street. The bride of a certain Sergeant in the company +tried to follow her "hero in hobs" but fell out after the first block. +We did an about-face at 12th Street and double-timed back to the folks. +After re-entering the coach, we leaned out of the window, pulled the +Mother and sweetheart up to us, and for the time being were utterly +unconscious of what went on around us or where we were. When the train +slowly moved out of the station, we tried to smile as we said +"Good-bye," and watched the handkerchiefs still waving when we rounded +the corner and were out of sight. + +We arrived at St. Louis about 12:30 the next morning, and were switched +onto a siding, where we stayed until daybreak, when we continued our +journey, crossing Illinois and Indiana. At Huntington, Ind., we again +stopped and had setting-up exercises. Upon reaching Peru, Ind., we found +Pullman cars awaiting us, and from then on we rode in style. Our next +stop was at Salamanca, N. Y., where exercise was again on the program. +From there we traveled through some of the most picturesque country of +the east. + +While on the train a humorous incident occurred. The officers heard from +some underground source that "Snowball," our dark-complexioned porter, +had been passing "Old Evans" around to the boys in a promiscuous +fashion. And at the same time "Snowball" heard in the same way that the +officer of the guard was going to make a search of his possessions for +this precious "fire-water." The search was made, with Snowball looking +on wild-eyed, and the officer detective was about to give it up, when he +noticed a string leading out the window, and upon investigating found +the poor half-dead soldier (bottled in bond) tied by the neck to the +other end of the string. + +The last night of riding brought us near to the eastern coast, and soon +after daybreak on May 12th the train stopped at Jersey City. We slung +our packs and pushed our way through the station to a ferry boat. From +this point many of us had our first view of New York and the salt water. +After loading on the ferry we were pulled out into the East River, +where the boat remained for the greater part of the day. At last it +moved on and we landed in Long Island City. Dragging our packs and +barrack bags, we marched wearily to a Long Island train. A few hours' +ride brought us to Garden City, and truly it was well named, for with +its low, well kept hedges, its English gardens and its wild flowers +growing everywhere, it looked like a garden city. From Garden City to +Camp Mills was a weary hike but we finally reached there, and after +eating supper, we crawled under our three O. D.s and slept. + +During our five days stay at Camp Mills, some of the men were granted +passes to New York City, but we left before all the men had a chance to +visit that city of bright lights. The day before we departed we were +given the last of our overseas equipment, including the pan-shaped steel +helmet. + + + + +THE TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC + + +After spending five chilly nights at Camp Mills, Long Island, and +awaiting anxiously the orders to leave for France, we did not seem to +mind the coolness of the night on May the 17th, for we were to leave the +following day on the long expected trip across the Atlantic. Bright and +early the next morning a passer-by could plainly see that something was +about to happen. All were in gay spirits as they hurried here and there, +gathering together the miscellaneous articles and other things, which +make up a soldier's equipment. Packs were rolled, the camp tidied up, +and our overseas boxes loaded on trucks. At last after everything was +ready we fell in line and marched across the camp, to the train that +would carry us to the ferry. The old world seemed to hold a different +meaning for everyone that morning. We were about to step into the +greatest adventure of our lives, and one that would never be forgotten. +Groups of soldiers cheered us on all sides, and yelled that they would +be with us soon. Some were from our own division, and we recognized many +of our friends. + +On arriving at the ferry, we took our place as close to the rail as +possible, and waved to the passengers on passing boats. The ferry, +filled to its full capacity, chugged down the East River to one of the +many docks where, quietly waiting, was the big camouflaged boat that +would complete for us the trip from our training camp in Doniphan to +England. + +The moment that we had been looking forward to for so long a time had at +last arrived. We wound our way to the big warehouse and stopped in front +of an iron door. Stacked on the floor were life-saving jackets and as +each one passed through the door, he received a colored tag, and one of +the life-preservers. The tag assured him a bunk and meals. + +Our expectations were fully realized as we filed by one by one up the +gang-plank and onto the boat that was to be our home for the coming +fourteen days. We were divided up and led down stairs to our quarters. +They looked more like a steam-room than a place to sleep. It was all a +jumbled-up puzzle. Water pipes seemed to be running in all directions, +and arguments could be heard on all sides as to how we were to sleep. In +the midst of it all an officer appeared, and he told us to let down the +rectangular shaped frame, also made of water-pipe, which rested in +sockets on two other upright pipes like hinged shelves. Then he told us +to unwrap the small piece of canvas, which was wrapped to the +rectangular frame. After doing this, things began to seem clearer, for +the canvas was also rectangular in shape, and had grummets all around +it. By means of the rope it was securely laced to the framework. This +composed our bunk, and there were three of these in a tier, and a tier +on each side of the two perpendicular pipes. The aisle between the bunks +was very narrow and we crowded and pushed in making up our beds, for +everyone was more than anxious to learn more about our boat. + +In the meantime several sailors came in from the engine room and we +began making friends, although they had many a laugh while watching us +prepare our bunks. They were asked for every bit of information we could +think of about the boat--"How fast it could go," "How long it was"--and +many other questions about the sea, and their experiences. We found out +that the name of the boat was the "S. S. Louisville," formerly the "St. +Louis," that it was 564 ft. long, and carried 3500 men. On asking how +many miles the boat could make in an hour, we were assured that "it was +the speediest ship in the convoy." + +By this time we heard mess-call, and began to look for a line. Men were +running upstairs and down, and hurried questions flew from everyone as +to when and where the men with his color of tag were eating. Each color +had a certain time to eat. There were four colors, two eating at one +time. The men filed in to the dining room from each side of the main +deck through two large double doors. There were four long tables and we +stood up to eat, moving along the table as the men ahead finished eating +and moved out to wash their mess-kits in large sinks, just before +leaving the room. It was very interesting to see the systematic way in +which the men moved along, taking a mouth-full as they pushed their +mess-kits up the table. + +As we were strolling on deck that afternoon, a low grumbling sound met +our ears, as if it came from some place far below. Then it turned into a +rythmatical chug of a large engine, and we knew that the boat was +getting up steam preparatory for the trip. The sailor-boys, too, were +making preparations for "Jerry." They carried large shells and deposited +them in cases behind the guns, and as we watched them work, we wondered +if there would ever be a real necessity to use them during the trip. + +Evening found everyone knowing the boat almost by heart, and we began to +gather in groups on deck and look about. To the rear lay New York, the +tall buildings outlined against the sky. Numerous tug-boats were slowly +winding their way in and out of the docks. One of the sailors leaning +against the rail pointed out to us the former German ship "Vaterland," +in a dock across the river. We were entertained for awhile by watching a +bunch of negro waiters for the officers mess shooting dice, and a +quartet gave us a few songs. But night soon came, and we went below to +try our new bunks. One of the boys no sooner found the trick that one +could play, than he immediately dislodged the man above him, by putting +his feet on the bottom of the bunk above, pushing it out of its socket, +and bringing the fellow down into the aisle below. + +All night the engines kept up their continuous running, and the next +morning two little tug-boats came up along side and pulled us out and +down the river. We were ordered "below decks," out of sight, but a few +borrowed sailor caps and stood on the lower deck to get a last long look +at old New York and the Statue of Liberty. As we neared the open water, +and the tall buildings began to fade away behind us, the cold facts of +the situation began to present themselves. We were leaving a land, the +only one we had ever known, to cross the fathomless ocean to another +land, and to battle-fields with horrors unknown. But we soon put such +thoughts aside when we were permitted to go on deck. The convoy was +slowly spreading out into formation, the battle-ship that accompanied us +going ahead as our protector. As soon as we reached the ocean, orders +were given not to go on deck without our life-preservers, and to stay on +the side of the boat which our color of tag designated. By night we were +using "sailor-terms" for every part of the boat. A detail was called +for, to stand watch in the "crows-nest" and other look-out stations. One +of the boys in the "crows-nest" said that "when we hit the rough sea, he +knew the top of that main mast touched the water when the boat made a +big heave to one side." + +A few days passed, uneventful except that we went through the usual +drill necessary in case there should be a fire or an attack by +submarines. Every man had his place to go in case of danger. At the gong +of a bell, every man would grab his life-preserver, and hurry, +supposedly in an orderly manner, to his portion of the deck. One of the +fellows asked John, the cook, if he expected one little life-preserver +to hold him up. Well, John didn't say anything, but that night he had a +couple of extras--"I might have to use them," was the only excuse he +would give. + +[Illustration: CAMP DONIPHAN, JANUARY, 1917: LT. EDWIN R. TENNEY, LT. +ADAM H. ADAMSON, LT. RICHARD T. SPECK, LT. ALPHEUS J. BONDURANT, LT. +PAUL R. SIBERTS.] + +[Illustration: STARTING HOME.] + +[Illustration: ARRIVAL IN KANSAS CITY, MAY 5, 1919.] + +After a few days out the ocean began to get rough, and the boat would +heave from side to side, and at the same time pitch forward and +backward. However, we soon got used to it, and did not mind it so much. +Some time that night one of the boys who had been on deck ran in, saying +"the rudder has broken"--and apparently something _was_ broken, for the +boat seemed to heave all the more, and to take a zig-zag course. Once or +twice it made a complete circle, and we began to think that they had +lost all control of it, but three sturdy sailors were sent up in the +stern to handle it by means of large pilot wheels. Our company was +quartered just beneath the officers kitchen, and during the roughest +part, the plates and other dishes began to roll from their places on the +shelves, breaking upon the floor. This made a very unpleasant sound, +above the uproar of a thousand other noises. During the rough sea, the +mess line began to thin out somewhat. Some would come into the mess +hall, but at the sight of food, they would turn pale and make a hurried +exit. + +Soon we ran into comparatively smooth water again, and one day our +boat's turn came for target practice. We drew away from the convoy, and +a buoy with a small flag on was dropped overboard. The gunners took +their turn shooting as the boat swung around, and once or twice they +came so close that we felt sure they had made a direct hit. The buoy was +knocked under the water, but the little thing soon appeared again. The +boys were naturally anxious to see them handle the guns, and they +crowded around as closely as possible, but after the first shot they +gave them more room. One fellow was standing directly behind the gun, +but upon the super-deck. He was so intent upon watching the operations +that when the gun fired its concussion knocked him off his feet. He got +up, took a wild look around and immediately left. Finally the big +six-inch gun in the stern sank the buoy. After cruising around all day, +and just as night was hovering over the sea, we again caught sight of +the convoy. We were certainly glad, too, for of course we felt more +comfortable with the other ships. + +It was on board the ship that we first became acquainted with the +censorship rules. The officers did a slashing business on our first +letters, and only a few unconnected lines ever reached the folks back +home. + +It was on the morning of May 29 that the news flew over the boat that +land was in sight. Although only 2 o'clock, day was breaking, and many +went on deck to see that which we had not seen for fourteen long days. +Upon reaching the deck, we could also see a number of little torpedo +destroyers darting here and there--small in size but powerful little +"watchdogs" of the sea. The "Mosquito Fleet" had arrived, and was +tearing through the water in all directions. We were thus escorted +through the danger zone, and had little fear of submarines. But we could +now understand why old "Chris Columbus" felt so glad upon seeing land. +As the day grew on we drew into the Irish Sea. The water was as smooth +as glass, with only little ripples disturbing its peacefulness. Jelly +fish of every shape and size could be seen through its clearness. Two +large dirigibles, and several aeroplanes came out to greet our convoy +and protect us in the dangerous waters. At one time we could see both +Bonnie Scotland and Ireland, where the channel was very narrow. + +About 10 o'clock that morning five long blasts from one of the ships was +heard--the signal for a submarine. The little sub chasers raced around +to our right and immediately began to fire upon an object. The big +dirigibles also made a nose dive, and turned loose with its machine +guns. Aroused by the shooting, we ran up on deck to see the action, but +were ordered below to await the outcome, and if there was ever a time +when we could have used an "island," it was then. However, nothing +serious developed, and afterwards we were told that it was a broken life +buoy which had been mistaken for a periscope. + +We were moving slowly, so very slowly that one could hardly feel the +throbbing of the tired engines that for twelve long days had worked +untiringly. From the officers' deck we could see the green and red guide +lights, welcoming our convoy of fifteen ships into the sheltered harbor +of Liverpool, England. + + + + +OUR FLYING TRIP THROUGH ENGLAND + + +We crawled out of our bunks just as dawn was breaking upon a new world +for us, and went on deck, where we saw, on a cliff, "Spratt's Dog Food" +printed in large white letters on a black background. Unpoetic and +unromantic indeed was this first sight of England. + +Here was where the "weary waiting" began, as we waited for the first +transport to unload its human cargo. Old man "bon chance" was with us +for the time being, for we were the second to dock. We stood on the +deck, complying with the English boys request "'ave you any coins" by +tossing them all the pennies we had. The men on the port side were first +ordered to fall in, and then those on the starboard side, for the +purpose of finding out if any of us had fallen overboard during our +journey. Finally, half walking and half sliding, down the gang-plank, we +stood on what was to us real land, only it was but one of the many +floating docks of England. + +On the side of the main street, Y. M. C. A. signs were seen, and +incidentally three live American girls, who were soon serving the +"to-be-heroes" with hot coffee, buns and cookies. Although they were war +buns and war cookies, without sugar, we enjoyed them to the utmost. + +A large, stately policeman stood guarding the gates to the street and +the docks. Some of us, wondering what was on the other side of the gate, +climbed up and peered over on a large, beautifully designed square, +which was crowded with women and children. But, alas, we were in a big +hurry, and did not get to parade before them, or to receive the embraces +and kisses which we were told awaited us. The R. T. O.'s (Railway +Transportation Officers) crowded us into a "miniature train," like the +ones seen in the parks in "God's Country," and we were soon on our way. + +We rode across streets and through buildings just like a runaway engine +might do. All the time pretty girls, dressed in overalls, waved at us +from factory windows. After numerous stops, and more tunnels, we passed +through the suburbs, traveling at a speed which did not seem possible +from the looks of the engine. + +We will never forget the beauty of the English villages, nestled snugly +between green hills, or the soothing effect of the winding brooks which +spread their cool waters over the well kept gardens. + +Three or four times the train stopped to take on water (or perhaps at +the command of the "top-cutter" in order to give the boys a chance to +open another can of "bully beef"). About midnight we grew weary of +sitting in our little compartments, and having cosmopolitan ideas, we +proceeded to make ourselves "at home." Some were packed upon the baggage +racks and managed to get a little sleep,--being used to the bunks on the +boat, it was not difficult to adjust ourselves to this situation. + +Sometime early in the morning we were awakened by a pounding at the +door, and thinking it was a fire call, or submarine drill, one chap +immediately began to feel around for his life-belt. He stuck his fist in +somebody's eye, and was soon told by that unfortunate person just where +he was. We fell in at the side of our "vest pocket edition of a train" +and marched off, and just as the sun was about to show his face, we +arrived at Camp Woodley, Romsey, England. After waiting for sometime to +be assigned to tents, which resembled a miniature Billy Sunday +tabernacle, we stretched our tired bodies on the soft pine boards and +listened intently for the "roar of cannon." Hearing nothing but the +songs of the birds, we decided that an armistice had been declared and +proceeded to make up for all the "couchey" we had lost. + +We had always been told that England was famous for her bounteous feeds, +and after all the bully beef we had consumed for our "Uncle," we thought +we were entitled to one of those dinners of roast suckling pig and plum +pudding. But alas, we were badly disappointed, because in place of the +former we had a piece of cheese, the size of which wouldn't be an +inducement even to a starved rat, and in place of the latter, we ate a +bit of salt pork. + +During our brief stay at Camp Woodley, we visited many historical +buildings and places. Among these was the old Abbey at Romsey, built in +the eleventh century, the walls of which plainly showed the ball marks +of Oliver Cromwell's siege against it. The pews in the Abbey were the +same old benches of old, and the altar was the work of an ancient +artist. Around the walls were carved the epitaphs and names of those who +were buried in its stately walls. Along with the tombs of the old +forefathers who had fought with the armor and lance were the tombs of +the late heroes, who fought with the methods of modern times. We signed +our names in the visitors book, along with King George and Ex-Kaiser +Wilhelm. + +Our hikes in the morning were enjoyed by everyone, over well kept roads +shaded from the hot sun by large over-hanging trees, the same old trees +and the same old Sherwood forest that Robin Hood knew so well. But as +Roger Knight says, "You can't _eat_ scenery!" + +After an enjoyable five days, spent in doing nothing much, we donned our +packs again and started for the Channel, a distance of twelve miles. +While walking thru the streets of Southampton, our throats parched and +our feet sore, we were cheered time and again by the women and children, +and many ran alongside of the marching column serving us cool water. We +sighed as we had to pass Ale Shops just as if they weren't there. About +noon we stopped at a Base Hospital to eat our picnic luncheon--(Bully +beef). + +Our first big thrill of "La Guerre" came when we saw some real live +Boche prisoners working on the roads. We watched them as a little boy +watches the elephant at the circus. One of the boys asked them, in +German, how they liked England, and they said they liked it much better +than fighting. + +After our slight repast, we again took up our yoke, and did one hundred +and twenty per until we reached the docks at Southampton. + + + + +FROM SOUTHAMPTON TO LE HAVRE + + +On the dock at Southampton, the British Y. M. C. A. operated a canteen, +selling hot coffee, cakes without sugar, and ginger bread made of ginger +and water. The supply lasted about fifteen minutes, as we were one +hungry bunch. + +We boarded the "Archangel," a small passenger boat, about 9 P. M. on the +sixth of June. In peace times the "Archangel" was used as a pleasure +steamer, but was converted into a troop ship to ply between Southampton +and Le Havre. It had three decks, which accommodated about 325 men each. +We donned our life-belts, as usual, and tried to make ourselves +comfortable, but like all troop ships, that was impossible. The men +tried sleeping on deck, but it turned too cold, and they tried below +deck. Some were sleeping in the once "state-rooms," but they were too +small to accommodate all, so the rest slept in gang-ways, on chairs, +benches and barrack bags. We were tired in body but our spirits were +high, and we wanted to see the front, so we lay down where we happened +to be, using our life-belts as pillows. While pulling out into the +harbor, we saw ships in dry dock with large holes in their hulls, others +with nothing above water but the masts, all caused by the submarines. +And when the little speed demon raised anchor and slipped out of the +harbor, we were all fast asleep, never dreaming of what lay before us in +France, and not caring a great deal either. We waited in the outside +harbor until dark, or about 10 o'clock, and then started our trip across +the channel. The boat made very good time, and the trip was uneventful. + +At about 7 A. M. we were called to breakfast, which consisted of the +customary bully-beef, coffee and hard-tack, and upon coming on deck, we +discovered that we were resting safely at one of the big docks of Le +Havre. The sun was shining bright and hot, and after unloading and +having our pictures taken by a moving picture camera, we were lined up +and marched toward the city proper of Le Havre. We were a tired, +disappointed bunch of men, for instead of the beautiful country we had +expected, we saw a factory infested city. The docks looked more like an +arsenal, with cases of ammunition everywhere, and it looked as if the +whole French and English armies were working there. + +On our march to the rest camp, we passed large bodies of French and +Indo-Chinese laborers unloading cars, and conveying merchandise to the +warehouses. It was a common sight to see two or three of them pulling a +large, two-wheeled cart full of ammunition. We also passed a number of +German prisoners working on the roads, with the usual "Poilu" present, +with his long rifle and bayonet. It was strange to see the French +carrying their guns just opposite to the way the American troops do. We +saw many large caliber guns and caissons, that were back from the front +for repair, also blocks of salvaged motor trucks. + +We marched about five miles to American Rest Camp No. 2, and were put +into an old cow-shed to sleep. It was the first billet we had in France, +and while it was not the most desirable place in the world to sleep, it +looked mighty good to us, as we had not had much rest since leaving +Romsey, England. + +We were issued meal tickets, and had English tea, war bread and cheese +for breakfast, "slum" and war bread for dinner, and English tea and +cheese for supper. We had a good night's sleep, but the next morning we +were hiked up on a mountain, where we were issued English gas-masks. We +went through a gas chamber, to see that the masks were O. K., and to +give us confidence in them. About noon trucks were brought up to take us +back to camp, and upon arriving there, we were given orders to roll +packs and be ready to move. Every one made a trip to the Y. M. C. A. +where we could buy our first American cigarettes since coming from the +States. We did not know where we were going, or when we could buy more. + + + + +OUR TRIP THROUGH FRANCE TO ELOYES + + +At three P. M. on June the eighth we rolled our packs and started on our +first venture into the mysteries of France. It took us about forty-five +minutes of steady hiking through hot and dusty streets to reach the +depot where we were to entrain. We found a long string of second and +third class coaches waiting for us. Our barrack bags and three days +rations had been loaded on two box cars by a special detail sent ahead +for that purpose. + +We crowded into our cars and all was ready to go. A description of a +French car might help one to get a better idea of our situation. The car +is only about one-half as long as an American coach and it is divided +into five separate compartments. Each compartment has a window and a +door on each side. There is a step on the outside running the entire +length of the car. It is just below the level of the floor and one can +walk from one compartment to the other if he is not afraid of falling +off the car. The compartment is about large enough for four persons to +ride in any degree of comfort if they have cushions to sit on; but the +Railway transport officer evidently thought that there would be more +room if the cushions were removed. There were eight of us to each +compartment. + +We were scheduled to leave at three P. M. and by rushing a little we +were loaded by a few minutes after that hour. We lived up to the +reputation of the Sanitary Train for always being on time and pulled out +of the station only three hours late. We thought at least that we were +going to see some of the beautiful France we had heard about. We had not +gone far when we realized that we were going to have plenty of time to +look at the scenery. France must have some very strict laws against +speeding for we never traveled faster than ten miles per hour and it was +very seldom that we ever went that fast. + +We ate our supper as soon as we were out of Le Havre. It was a very +hearty meal. Each man's issue was five crackers, one-eighth of a can of +"corn wooley," one-eighth of a can of tomatoes. He didn't have much +variation from that during the trip. + +Our next problem was, how were we going to sleep. It did not take long +to solve that. Two of the boys slept in the hat racks, four slept in +the seats and two slept on the floor between the seats. Part of the time +we slept piled on top of each other. When we woke up in the morning we +felt like we had sat up all night. + +The second day we began to get our first real sight of France. We saw +soldiers guarding the bridges and tunnels. Troop trains passed us all +day long going to from the front carrying both French and American +soldiers. We saw our first real barbed wire entanglements that day and +it made us realize that we were getting near the place where the +fighting was going on. The children all along the way attracted our +attention by running along the track crying "biskeet" and holding out +their hands. They looked queer to us. They wore a little black apron and +wooden shoes. Some of the fellows threw hard tack out the window to them +just to see them scramble for it. + +The rest of our trip was similar to the first day. We went by the way of +Rouen and Troyes and arrived in Epinal, a city on the edge of the Vosges +mountains, on the evening of June the tenth. We were a very tired and +hungry bunch for our rations had run low that morning and we had eaten +nothing but hard tack all day. + +We detrained there and marched through the town to an old military +prison of Napoleon's time. We were told that we would spend the night +there. There were several large buildings surrounded by a high stone +wall with only one gate and that was guarded by a French soldier. There +were about one hundred German prisoners in the building next to our +quarters. As we were not permitted to go up town the French people +thought that we were prisoners also. We were given our barrack bags that +night for the first time since we left the states. We were without any +funds so some of the boys who were fortunate enough to have some "Bull +Durham" stored away in their barrack bags disposed of it to the French +soldiers for a franc a package. It was an exchange where both parties +were satisfied. + +We learned that the division was billeted a few miles south and the next +morning we received orders to move to Eloyes at two P. M. Trucks were +furnished to haul our barrack bags and packs and we started out hiking +with our company in the lead of the train. We were half way there when +we saw our first aeroplanes in action along the front. There were five +of them in battle formation returning from the direction of the front. +We noticed that houses and lumber piles along the road were camouflaged. +This began to look like the war that we had heard about. We passed +through Arches, division headquarters at that time, about mess. We +thought that we were at the end of our long journey and could almost +taste our supper but we did not stop there. Just as we came in sight of +Eloyes it began to rain. It did not rain long and the sun came out just +as we were climbing the hill to our kitchen. There was a very pretty +rainbow with the end of it, so it seemed, right at our kitchen. That +was one time that there was something better than a pot of gold at the +end of the rainbow, for the cooks had supper almost ready for us. It +certainly tasted good to us after our long hike. + +It began raining almost immediately after supper and rained most of the +night. We stood around in the rain until almost eleven P. M., while the +Major de Cantonment was explaining that he had no billets for us. We +were tired enough to pitch our pup tents and sleep in the streets but +finally we marched about a mile out of town and were put in a barn for +the night. One of the boys said he will always feel like a criminal for +robbing a calf of its bed and also for carrying away about a thousand +"petite crawling animals." + +We marched back to town the next morning about eight A. M. and enjoyed a +breakfast of bacon, hardtack and coffee. During the day the soldiers who +occupied the town moved out and by five o'clock our company was located +in fairly good billets. + +It rained so consistently that we did not get to drill for over a week. +We were issued our overseas caps and spiral leggins a few days after we +arrived in Eloyes. At the same time we turned in our barrack bags and +russet shoes. We were equipped for the trenches. + +We began drilling by going out under some trees and practicing with our +gas masks. A few days later we received litters and then our real +drilling began. "Patients" would be sent out and located on the sides of +the steep hills and the litter bearers were supposed to locate them and +bring them safely down the almost impassable paths. + +However, the boys were not worked very hard and they had plenty of time +to spend with the inhabitants learning to "parlez Francais." Many of the +soldiers acquired private instructors in the shape of small French boys +who were only too glad to be adopted by the Americans. The typewriter in +the office was a big drawing card for children. There was always a large +bunch hanging around to watch "Abe" operate the machine. + +We received some English army trucks here and after teaching them to +"Talk American" used them as ambulances. We evacuated the sick of the +division to Field Hospital 137 at Eloyes. + +About the middle of June the division was ordered up to take over the +sector east of us in Alsace. Lieut. Siberts took a detachment with +trucks to Bussang to cover the movement, evacuating his patients to +Field Hospital 139 which went into action there. This detachment was the +first detachment of the Sanitary Train to operate in Alsace. + + + + +IN ACTION ON THE WESSERLING SECTOR + + +Late in June, 1918, the 35th Division relieved the French troops on a +portion of the front line in Alsace. Ambulance Company 139 entered +Alsace on June 24th and located in the quiet little village of Ranspach, +thus being the first company of the 110th Sanitary Train to cross the +former boundary line between French and German soil. Ranspach is near +the much larger factory town of Wesserling, and, Division Headquarters +being located at the latter place, the whole 12 or 15 kilometres of +front held by the 35th Division has come to be termed the "Wesserling +Sector". The front line itself was about ten kilometres east of +Wesserling. + +Practically the whole front in Alsace was made up of what were called +"quiet" sectors, to distinguish them from "active" sectors. Alsace is +mountainous and the mountains are usually heavily timbered. The valleys +are narrow, and the main ones run north by south. The front lines also +ran north by south, parallel to the valleys. Hence, neither side could +gain ground without paying dearly for it. By a sort of mutual +understanding, both the French and the German troops had come to regard +Alsace as a place to rest, after the strenuous campaigns on other +fronts. When our fresh troops came, they made Alsace a less quiet front, +but for the most part they merely held their ground, as the French had +done for nearly four years after having pushed the Germans back part way +through Alsace in August, 1914. It was a final training area for +American divisions that had just arrived overseas. + +Ambulance Company 139 maintained its headquarters at Ranspach for +exactly one month. During that time, however, most of the company was at +the front. Those who were left did not have to drill, for we were within +aerial observation and no formations could be stood. The trenches were +scarcely five miles away, tho by the winding road up through the +mountains it was twice that far. The main diversion during the day was +watching the anti-aircraft batteries shoot at the Boche aeroplanes. On +the morning of July 3rd we were rewarded for our patience, upon seeing +our first Boche plane fall after being hit. It must have been 5000 ft. +in the air when hit, and made a straight nose dive for the earth, but +before it landed, it righted itself and spun around like a leaf until it +hit the ground. + +Every evening we would have our supper contested. An old man and his dog +grazed a herd of goats during the day, and brought them home in the +evening, just when we were eating. They passed right by our kitchen and +tried their best to help themselves to our supper. As the goats passed +by their respective houses, the dog would separate them and run them +into their own yards. In the morning, at the sound of a horn, the goats +would run out of their houses and join the collective herd. + +Canes became the style from the buck private up, and every evening we +would go walking, Wesserling, St. Amarin, or the cherry trees on the +sides of the mountain being the chief points of interest. The canes were +a great help in climbing the hills. + +For the first time since our arrival in France we were paid, and in +French money, and that evening "vin rouge" reigned supreme in the little +village. It didn't take us long to become accustomed to francs and +centimes, instead of dimes and quarters. + +Within two days after reaching Ranspach we sent out small detachments of +litter bearers to Nennette, Duchet and Wagram, as the 35th Division was +already moving up to relieve the French. The last named detachment +returned two days later, because no American infantry was to hold that +portion of the line. Still later the detachment at Nennette moved to +Larchey. + +After studying the maps and roads of the sector, the company commander +decided to divide it into two subsectors, the one on the right centering +at Larchey, and the one on the left at Mittlach. Accordingly, on June +29th, two detachments from the company left Ranspach together. One +detachment of ten men, Lt. Bates, was to take to Larchey; the other of +seven men, Lt. Monteith, was to take to Mittlach. As the company had no +ambulances, all the men hiked, carrying their packs. One of the Sanitary +Service Units commonly known as the "S. S. U." had been attached to our +company for ambulance service, so one of its Ford ambulances started out +by another route to haul the officers' luggage and some medical supplies +to the two stations. There was a box of surgical dressings and a box of +food for each station. And herein lies one of the mysteries of the war. +The ambulance stopped at Larchey first, as it was the nearer of the two +points, but while the box of surgical dressings reached Mittlach, the +box of food never did. Was it left at Larchey or lost in transit? Before +the two detachments reached Larchey they separated, the detachment +headed for Mittlach keeping the main road. When it arrived at Mittlach +late that evening the Ford ambulance had already gone, and it left no +food box there. Sgt. Pringle accused Sgt. Knight of the theft, and +therein lies an argument to this day. + +In each of the two sectors the same plan was followed so far as the +handling of casualties was concerned. Detachments of litter bearers went +out to the different dressing stations established by the sanitary +detachments of the infantry. These dressing stations, or infirmaries, as +they are sometimes called, were located as close to the front lines as +wounded men could be collected with safety. The 138th Infantry held the +lines in front of Larchey, and the 137th Infantry in front of Mittlach. +Sgt. Wiershing had already taken one litter squad to Mittlach and from +there on out to a post called Braunkopf, where the infirmary of the +third battalion was located. + +The French had an Alpine Ambulance at Mittlach and another at Larchey. +It is well, here, to say a few words about these organizations. They in +no way resemble our American Ambulance Companies, corresponding rather +to our Field Hospitals, though even more complete than these. Alpine +Ambulances were usually within three kilometres of the front line and +often in plain view of the enemy. Hence they must be housed in dugouts. +The one at Mittlach consisted of a series of underground chambers roofed +over with heavy timbers and stone. There was a well equipped operating +room and a chamber for treating gassed patients. The whole thing was +lighted by electricity. In fact, it was a modern hospital located within +a mile and a half of the front line trenches. + +The staff of each Alpine Ambulance was permanent. It did not move away +when the French Infantry left a sector; hence the natural and logical +thing to do was to secure permission to use the Alpine Ambulance as a +dressing station. This we did at both Larchey and Mittlach. In the +former case the dressing station was operated by Lt. Vardon and a detail +from our company; in the latter case by a detachment from Ambulance +Company 138. The French willingly placed their hospital equipment at the +disposal of these detachments. + +At both Larchey and Mittlach each litter squad consisted of four men +equipped with one litter, and, where the road was suitable, a +two-wheeled litter cart. The detachment at Larchey also had a mule which +was supposed to pull the litter cart, but usually the men pulled it +rather than bother fetching the mule. Theoretically the battalion aid +stations of the infantry should be well up toward the front line trench +so that the wounded can receive prompt attention. The litter bearers of +the Ambulance Company are supposed to take the wounded after first aid +has been given, and carry them back to the ambulance dressing station, +where an ambulance takes them on back to a field hospital. In practice +this plan did not always work out while we were in the Vosges Mountains. +The front line was so irregular and good locations for battalion aid +stations so few that they were sometimes almost in the front line +trench, and at other times quite far back. As a result it was frequently +impossible to place relay posts so as to equalize the work of our litter +squads. + +In the Larchey sector there was one main road leading out toward the +front. About two kilometres from Larchey, at a point called Brun, this +road branched, the branches leading to points named Vialet, Sermet, +Fokeday and Old Colette. We had litter squads stationed at each of the +above named points. An ambulance could go from Larchey to Brun in +daylight without being seen by the Germans so when a litter squad had +carried their patient to Brun, they telephoned in to Larchey for the +ambulance. A separate road led from Larchey to a point to the northeast +called DeGalbert. Two litter squads were stationed there, and later a +mule was sent down, to be used for pulling the litter cart. Two litter +squads were also sent to Vialet and some men had to be kept in reserve +at Larchey. By July 4th we had about thirty-two men in the Larchey +sector. + +At Mittlach our territory was divided into two distinct parts by a +rather wide valley that ran straight east and west for about one +kilometre below the town, and then joined the main valley running north +and south. The German trenches were on the eastern slope of this main +valley and ours were on the western slope and in the valley itself. The +German artillery had a clear sweep at Mittlach and the side valley, +which could not be crossed in the daytime. Nor was it practical for an +ambulance to go east of Mittlach in daylight. Hence we had to establish +two distinct routes of evacuation for litter cases. The northern route +led from Mittlach out along the side of the mountain to Krantz, where a +relay squad was stationed. Further on at Braunkopf we stationed another +litter squad in the battalion aid station. About three kilometres beyond +Braunkopf, at a point called Runtz, we had another squad. This station +was at the extreme left of the sector held by the 35th Division +Infantry, and was a good eight kilometres from Mittlach. Both Runtz and +Braunkopf evacuated to Krantz, where the relay squad took the patients +and either hauled them by litter carts or carried them to Mittlach. On +the southern route the main road from Mittlach led to Camp Dubarle, +where we stationed six men as a relay. Other squads were stationed +beyond Dubarle at the ruined village of Metzeral, at D'Angeley, and at +Camp Martin, the latter being about nine kilometres southeast of +Mittlach. All patients collected on the southern route were evacuated +through Dubarle. These numerous posts required many men, so that by July +4th there were forty from the company at Mittlach. The last detachments +that left Ranspach were a disappointed lot. The company was preparing a +big dinner for the next day, and some of these men had worked helping to +prepare it--then they had to shoulder their packs late on the night of +the 3rd of July and hike to Larchey and Mittlach. + +During the month that this company had a detachment at Larchey there +were two raids in that sector. About the sixth of July, Company "H" of +the 138th Infantry made a raid. The artillery preparation began at 7:45 +in the evening and at 8:30 the raiding party of one officer and 238 men +went over the top. They were gone one-half hour, and at about the same +time that they came back to our trenches the first wounded were brought +in by the stretcher bearers from the line organizations. Meantime our +litter squads had known of the contemplated raid, so they were ready to +receive the wounded and litter them on back to Brun. The raid took place +directly in front of Vialet. From there to Brun it was nearly five +kilometres, and uphill. Litter bearing is strenuous work at best, but it +is doubly so when performed in the dark, and over strange, up-hill +trails. There were in all nineteen patients to carry that night. The +first patient, carried by Joe Barnes, Vesper, Toohey and John Crowley, +was a Boche. The job lasted nearly all night, and it was getting +daylight when the last wounded man reached Larchey next morning. The +work of the infantry had lasted not quite a half hour. + +Nearly a week later the Germans attempted a raid early one morning, but +it was easily repulsed. The work of our detachment during the remainder +of the month consisted mostly of carrying occasional patients, and +making the climbs back and forth to meals. In some cases this was no +small task. Frequently a litter squad would have to go a quarter of a +mile or more after rations, and the trails were steep and narrow. Then +there were occasional bombardments by the Germans, and the first shell +was enough to set everyone going for a dugout. During one bombardment a +large shell exploded close to a dugout occupied by three of our men, and +caved it in. Covington was one of the three men, and the event was more +or less immortalized by his song, a parody on "When you wore a tulip, +and I wore a big red rose": + + "I was sleeping in a dugout right up close to the front line, + Now I was feeling fine, when those Dutch they issued mine; + They shot some high explosives right in my dugout door, + And since that time my dugout is no more. + I grabbed my full equipment then and started back to town, + For those dirty kraut eaters had torn my play house down. + + _Chorus._ + + When they blew up my dugout, my most substantial dugout, + Then I got right on my toes; + And when that shrapnel busted, I was thoroughly disgusted + And the speed I made, no one knows. + When I started running, my feet had a yearning + To go from where the shrapnel flows; + So when he blew up my dugout, I got my clothes and tore out, + The reason--the Lord only knows." + +On another night, when Lt. Vardon and Sergeants Knight and Childs were +racing for a dugout, Lt. Vardon ran past the entrance. The glare cast by +a nearby shell explosion lighted up the dugout and, doubling back, Lt. +Vardon beat Childs into it. A man casts dignity aside and sprints when +shells begin dropping around him. + +At Mittlach there were no raids in the proper sense of the term. No +detachment of the infantry ever went over the top there. But there were +numerous casualties among our troops, due to the activity of German +snipers and to accidents. Then, too, the German artillery had such an +open sweep at the town of Mittlach and the valley below it, that several +Americans were either killed or wounded by shrapnel. In fact, the very +evening that our main detachment arrived in Mittlach, a corporal of the +137th Infantry was killed by a shell as he stood in the street reading a +letter. This was the first casualty in the regiment, so the chaplain +decided to give the man a military funeral, firing squad and all. He +made the funeral arrangements over the telephone and set the time for +the funeral at 9 o'clock the next evening. The time for the funeral came +and the procession was just leaving the Alpine Ambulance when the German +artillery again began shelling the town. There were, by actual count, +just twenty-two men in the street when the first three-inch shell came +whining towards the town. It took one of those shells about six seconds +to reach Mittlach after it could first be heard, and when the first one +exploded nearby, half of those twenty-two men had already scrambled into +the door of the nearest dugout. And it was only an average size door at +that. This was the first real shelling most of the twenty-two men had +experienced, yet they took to cover as if they were used to doing it. On +another occasion a sudden bombardment caught Lt. Speck and Lt. Martin +unawares. A three-inch shrapnel ushered them around a corner and into a +dugout in record time--the one ahead trying to keep ahead, and the one +behind, trying his best to get ahead. + +The ruined town of Metzeral was the foremost point occupied by any of +our litter squads at Mittlach. It was in the main valley to the south +and east of Mittlach. The American trenches ran zig-zag through the +town--along tumble-down walls, into old cellars and basements, through +neglected gardens, and around the corner of the ruined church itself. +One ducked instinctively as he passed some of the low places in the +walls, for the German trenches were visible a few hundred yards away on +the eastern slope of the valley. + +The ambulance work at Mittlach and Larchey was done partly by the mule +ambulances of Ambulance Company 140 and partly by the Fords of the S. S. +U. outfit. From the various advance aid stations, the patients were +transported by ambulance to a relay station called Treh, situated about +five kilos back of Larchey. Lt. Hancock, of Ambulance Company 137 was in +charge at Treh, having two motor and two mule drawn ambulances ready to +receive and transport the patients back to the various Field Hospitals, +which were located at Kruth and neighboring towns, well out of range of +the German guns. + +On the whole, the time spent in the Wesserling sector was a period of +training for our company, and in fact for the whole Sanitary Train. We +learned something about maps and trails, and especially that trails on +maps and trails on mountain sides are two very different things. We +learned also to respect our gas masks and helmets. They became our +constant companions. Indeed, the sight of school children six and eight +years old going through gas mask drill in the streets of Mittlach was +enough to make anyone think about his gas mask. All the civilians there +carried masks as they went about their daily work. We learned too, the +value of camouflage along the sides of roads, and also the wisdom of +keeping behind it. The litter bearers learned to handle patients in all +sorts of tight places, and they did their work creditably. We saw a +little example of German propaganda, also. On June 30th the Boche sent +small balloons over our lines, and to the balloons they attached cards +bearing the following message on both sides: + + "Soldiers of the U. S. A. + + As we hear from your comrades seized by us, your officers say + that we kill prisoners of war or do them some other harm. + + Don't be such Greenhorns! + + How can you smart Americans believe such a silly thing?" + +Needless to say, this sort of propaganda made no impression on the +American troops. + +We spent nearly a month in the Wesserling sector. At the end of that +time, Ambulance Company 137 relieved us at Larchey, and Ambulance +Company 140 at Mittlach. We were glad to move back across the boundary +line into France and settle in the sleepy little village of Ventron, +where we could hang up our gas masks and helmets, and almost forget +there was a war. + + + + +VENTRON + + +Ventron, a typical French village, nestles in a peaceful valley. To the +right of the town a broad green meadow stretches out, to be broken at +the foot of the mountain by a small, sparkling stream of water. The +crude stone houses, few in number, are built adjoining each other, +forming irregular lines. A large, quaint, high-steepled church, one +shop, several cafes and one hotel, probably patronized by tourists in +summer, make up the town. The prevailing cleanliness of Ventron +naturally impressed us. Without exception, it was the cleanest town in +which we were billeted during our stay in France. + +Needless to say, a sigh of satisfaction could be heard when word reached +us to the effect that we would be billeted in barracks, instead of the +usual hay mow. Having learned to adapt ourselves to the surroundings, +most of us were by this time able to carry on a speaking conversation +with all domestic animals, so this change to cleaner barracks somewhat +elated us, for we would no doubt feel more like human beings. + +Our duties were few, consisting of "setting up exercises" and perhaps a +two-hour hike in the morning, and gas mask drill (a most unpleasant +duty) in the afternoon. It was on one of our hikes that we discovered in +a secluded spot on the mountain top an old priest's hermitage. Here in a +small white stone shack lived this eccentric old man and worshipped in +his peculiar way. + +Huckleberries and other wild berries grew abundantly on the hillsides, +and oftentimes while we were there a volunteer squad issued forth with +pails, to return later with pails loaded to the brim with berries. And +each evening by the candle light, with "seven-and-a-half" in vogue, we +commented most favorably upon those delicious huckleberry pies, just +like the ones mother used to make. + +During our stay at Ventron a detail of fifteen men was sent to Kruth, 15 +kilometres away, to oversee the erecting of a field hospital. From +reports that came back, our men were the engineers, and were forced to +do most of the work, much to their dismay. + +Here also a Y. M. C. A. secretary came to our company, and through him +on several occasions we were delightfully entertained. We were now able +to purchase cigars, cigarettes, chocolate and other necessities of +soldier life. + +Bathing facilities were of the poorest--in fact, none at all, as a +bathtub is a rare luxury among the French small-town people. Few of us +were bold enough to brave the cold mountain stream for a plunge. After +things had reached a climax, in that any time during the day a man could +be seen frantically scratching himself in a dozen places at once, and +singing "They Go Wild, Simply Wild Over Me," the company marched to +Cornimont, the nearest town, where we were "decootized," that is, we +were given a bath and all of our clothing was sterilized. + +One evening at the hotel several of us ate our first "horse steak," at +least we were told that it was such, and the more we thought of it the +more we believed it true. After three weeks of this life, with plenty of +good food, sleep, exercise and entertainment, we were eager to be back +in the fray. Moving orders came, and early in August we took over our +second sector of the line. + + + + +LE COLLET + + +August 12th, the day we left Ventron, was hot, and being crowded into a +dusty truck added nothing to the enjoyment of the trip. We wound up and +up the sides of the picturesque Vosges mountains, passing many an old +Frenchman plodding along with his oxen and logging wagon. Once we pulled +into the gutter to let a long truck train pass, going down the hill. +Shortly afterwards one of our trucks, heavily loaded with litters, boxes +and men, ran into a hole and came near tipping over the steep bank. +After about two hours' work it was gotten out, although it had to be +unloaded and reloaded. No further trouble was encountered, and we +reached the top of the hill in due time. After the hustle and bustle of +unloading we had supper. After supper everyone began to look for a spot +to sleep, and most of the men ended the search by making beds on the +grass on the hillside. + +[Illustration: LOOKING NORTHWEST INTO VARENNES.] + +[Illustration: CHAUDRON EME. AND MONTREBEAU WOOD.] + +[Illustration: MEMBERS OF 139TH AMBULANCE COMPANY BEFORE UNIFORMS WERE +ISSUED.] + +[Illustration: MEMBERS OF 139TH AMBULANCE COMPANY AFTER UNIFORMS WERE +ISSUED.] + +It was dark when we arrived at Le Collet, and the next morning we had +our first view of the camp. Situated on a high range of hills, it would +have commanded a wonderful view of the surrounding country but for the +tall trees which covered the hills in every direction. The camp was +composed of several long, low French barracks, arranged in haphazard +style on one side of the road on the hilltop, and many more down the +valley, between and on both sides of the forked road leading down to the +city of Gerardmer, about twenty kilometres distant. One of the barracks +on the hilltop, just at the fork of the road, was used for a triage, our +office, supply room and sleeping quarters for several men. About one +hundred feet back of this barrack, and reached by a narrow rock road, +was a big shed used for housing Gen. McClure's limousine and one or two +Ford ambulances. To one side of this road and just in front of the shed +was our kitchen, covered by a fly tent. + +A French canteen, Red Cross, Y. M. C. A. and Major du Cantonement +occupied the remainder of the hilltop barracks. Across the road from the +triage was a large barnlike structure which served as the terminal of +the electric tramway. This tramway connected Le Collet with Gerardmer by +a steam road which came about half way. Its many cars groaning up and +down the hill was one of the most noticeable features of Le Collet. It +was used for bringing up supplies and also to evacuate patients to the +hospitals at Gerardmer. + +The 69th Infantry Brigade was ordered to take over from the French the +sector immediately north of the front being held at that time by the +70th Brigade. We were ordered to accompany the brigade and evacuate it +to Field Hospital 138, which went into action at the little summer +resort town of Gerardmer. We were to establish a triage at the camp of +Le Collet, which was perched on top of the divide which formerly marked +the boundary line between France and Germany. + +Our work in this sector, except that of the triage, was carried on at +three advanced dressing stations and a relay station. Running from south +to north, the dressing stations were Nicholas, Morlier and Richard. The +relay post was at Spitzenfels, situated on the road from Le Collet, +where it forked to go to Nicholas and Morlier. + +The work at Nicholas was taken over by Lieut. Siberts and a detachment +of twenty-five men, who established a dressing station in connection +with the French Alpine Ambulance Service. The entire detachment, with +the exception of six men who remained at the station, was sent to the +battalion aid stations to act as litter bearers, their duties consisting +of carrying patients from the battalion aid stations to the ambulance +station. Detachments were also sent out to Moriez, Miradore, Jourdan, +Eck and Amphersbach. + +The activities in this area were very small, consisting principally of +sniping by machine guns and an occasional artillery duel. The latter +sometimes became interesting to the party at Nicholas, because the +artillery was directly behind the station and the arc of fire was +overhead, both for the Boche and our own boys. Many were the times when +they all ducked for a friendly dugout door, to the tune of a screaming +shell. + +In connection with this station there was a motorcycle with litter +sidecar operated by an Englishman. He carried all single cases to +Spitzenfels thus relieving the ambulances from extra runs. This +Englishman was a good scout and was liked by all. + +Lieut. Siberts was relieved a few days after the station was established +by a lieutenant of the 162 Ambulance Company, and reported at the +company triage to operate that station. + +The detail for the dressing station at Morlier left Le Collet shortly +after dinner on August 13th, under command of Lieut. Vardon. Our program +was to go by truck to Spitzenfels, where, after dark, for much of the +road to be traveled was under enemy observation, we were to be picked up +by a supply train and taken to our destination. But the best laid plans +will sometimes go wrong, and in this case a confusion of orders stopped +the supply train before it had gone far, and there was nothing for us to +do but proceed on foot. The road was a long one, winding up the +mountainside, past the ruins of many buildings that had once been the +homes of shepherds, lighted up now and then by a brilliant star-shell, +while an occasional rifle shot, or rather a machine gun, sounding almost +underneath us, broke the silence. Finally about midnight, after +following the many twists and turns in the road, each of which it seemed +must be the last, we arrived at our destination. + +Morlier was situated about five miles north of Nicholas, on the same +ridge of hills. It was built on the opposite side of a small hill from +the lines, and about a quarter mile distant. Dugouts and small shacks +formed the principal part of the camp, and most of the best dugouts had +heavy half-circular corrugated steel ceilings. This metal was painted +white to make the interior light. Several rooms in the Alpine Ambulance +Station were fixed this way. + +The dressing station was established in the Alpine Ambulance. Lieut. +Vardon and about nine men formed the personnel of this place. The one +outpost was Barbarot, about a half mile to the north. Morlier was +approachable by night only by a rock road which wound up the hillside in +full view of the German lines. In daylight the only safe way was by a +gallery about a mile long which ran over the hill from Camp Bouquet, a +branch of which ran down to Barbarot. The gallery was a trench about six +feet deep, sided up and roofed over with branches and camouflaged. + +In the Alpine Ambulance we found such luxuries as electric lights, piano +and talking machine and furniture much better than we had been used to, +all taken from "Altenberg," the former summer home of the Kaiser, which +was near by. The French and British soldiers there proved to be +excellent companions and treated us royally. + +We were close to the lines and under constant observation, but when the +first two days passed uneventfully our boldness grew. However, just at +supper time on the third day "Jerry" woke us up by planting eight shells +in the kitchen, and from then on did not let us forget that he was near +by. Bombardments were frequent, while wandering German patrols paid our +vicinity frequent visits at night. Our work consisted mostly of handling +the sick, as there were very few wounded, this being a "quiet" sector. + +Our stay was not without its humorous incidents, such as the time when +one of our dignified "non-coms," at the sound of the first exploding +shell, dove into bed, and, pulling the blankets over his head, remarked +that "even a blanket might help some if a shell hit," and the time when +our commanding officer, deceived by a false gas alarm, wore his gas mask +for nearly three hours in the middle of the night before discovering +that we would be breathing only the purest of mountain air without it. + +Our pleasant stay at Morlier came to an end when the division was +relieved on the night of September 1st. The enemy, scenting a troop +movement, kept up a steady bombardment, and it was well towards morning +before we were able to make a getaway. The trip was an exciting one, as +it was necessary to run a gauntlet of exploding shells. Gas was also +encountered, but, in spite of it all, we all arrived safely about +daybreak at company headquarters. + +Richard was situated in a narrow gap on the bank of Lac Noir (meaning +Black Lake). The dressing station there was established by Lieut. +Monteith and a detachment of twenty-five men. The outposts were Vignal +and Pairis, and detachments of litter bearers were sent to each of those +places, which were occupied by the Infantry Battalion Aid Stations. +Later Lieut. Bates and six men arrived from Rudlin, where a station had +been established but abandoned. Relay litter squads were formed, thus +making the work lighter. + +The men on outpost duty at Pairis were billeted in an old hotel +basement, where there was running water, electric lights and real beds, +but even with these luxuries at their disposal they can hardly be said +to have had an enjoyable time. This hotel had a road running alongside, +and whenever anyone appeared in the road, the Boche immediately opened +up on the hotel with high explosives and shrapnel. The boys got to be +experts at hitting the cellar entrance on a moment's notice--in fact, +they stayed pretty close to it at all times, unless at the kitchen, +which was about three hundred yards distant. + +The outpost at Vignal was not so well situated, but was rarely shelled. +This party took part in a raid which was pulled off just before they +were relieved. They went out with the raiding party to its starting +point and remained until the raid was over, when they evacuated the +wounded to the foot of the hill below Richard, from where the litter +cases were taken to the top of the hill by squads from Richard. At +Richard there was big preparation when word of the intended raid was +received. Two spare ambulances and twelve men were ordered out from Le +Collet. When the word was telephoned up that three litter cases were on +the way, a detachment of nineteen men went to the bottom of the hill and +brought the wounded to the station, where they were dressed and sent to +the triage. + +The work of both the outposts was highly complimented by the battalion +surgeons. The Americans at Richard were relieved by French Colonials. In +coming in, the French seemed to have attracted the attention of the +Boche, and as a result they received an unmerciful shelling. One litter +case and two walking cases was the toll, and they were evacuated through +our station, much to the satisfaction of the French authorities. + +On August 13th a detachment of six men and two ambulances was sent from +Le Collet to the relay post at Spitzenfels. Ambulances and drivers from +the 162nd Ambulance Company, 41st Division, were attached to our company +to furnish motor transportation to and from the different stations, as +we had no ambulances at that time. Spitzenfels was a French Red Cross +post and an ambulance relay station. It was located on a mountain side +in the midst of a thick pine forest and at a junction of the +Paris-Strassburg road, about three kilometres inside of the +France-Alsace boundary line. The place had not been shelled by the +Germans for four years and was very quiet. The billets were comfortable +and rainproof, making it an ideal place to stay. + +Upon first taking over the station at Spitzenfels we worked with the +French medical men, but they soon left, leaving the entire station to +us. The duties were comparatively light, consisting of making a sick +call at 9 A. M. to two infantry aid stations, and transferring the sick +and wounded back to the triage. Another duty was to give out Red Cross +supplies, mostly tobacco and hot chocolate, to the passing soldiers. +Most of the Red Cross business was with the French troop, as very few of +the American forces knew of the station, and thus were unable to take +advantage of it. + +At the triage Lieut. Siberts was in charge, with the assistance of a +sergeant and three men, and their work testified that they were on the +job. They had to unload all ambulances, register all cases, sort out the +ones for the various hospitals and reload them into the ambulances, or +onto the tram car. They were compelled to work at all hours. + +One incident to be long remembered by all the company was the big fire +of the truck at Le Collet on the night all the posts were relieved. Two +men were attempting to fill a Pierce-Arrow truck with gasoline, by the +aid of a candle, when there was an explosion and the entire truck caught +fire. The blaze shot thirty feet into the air and could be seen for +miles around. It was a wonder that the place was not shelled, because it +was as light as day and crowded with soldiers. + +On September 1st the order came to move again, and the old routine of +packing and loading was on. We were not sorry to leave Le Collet, +because our stay had not been long enough to let us become attached to +the place. We were not sorry, for another reason. Rumor was, now that +our training was over, that we were to go north and take active part in +the great battles that were then raging on the western front. The term +"shock troops" came into use, and all were proud to belong to a division +so designated. With our movement came orders to turn over our dressing +stations and triage to Ambulance Company 39, of the 6th Division. This +was their first trip up to the front, and as none of them had ever heard +a Boche shell ring, we had a lot of fun yarning to them about the things +they would soon experience. + + + + +THE MARCH FROM LUNEVILLE TO BENNEY + + +After being relieved in the Vosges sector by the 6th Division, +headquarters of the 35th Division was moved from Gerardmer to Rosieres, +a rest camp in the Luneville area. In the evening of September 2nd we +left Le Collet in trucks, and arrived at Barbey-Seroux about midnight. +Pup tents were pitched in an open field, and for two days and nights +they served as our homes. + +At 9 o'clock on the morning of September 4th the entire 110th Sanitary +Train started on the march for the railhead at La Haussiere, about +fourteen kilos away. Full field equipment was carried by each man, and a +lunch, consisting of one bacon and one jam sandwich, which turned out to +be the only rations for the next twenty-eight hours. + +Arriving at La Haussiere about 1 P. M., the sanitary train boarded the +box cars. A previous train carrying troops on this route had been +attacked by Boche airplanes, so we had machine guns mounted on a flat +car to be prepared for any which might attack us. Fortunately, or +unfortunately, we saw none and so missed what would have been an +interesting experience. + +The destination of this trip was to be Benney. The trucks carrying the +kitchen and supplies went overland, and the intention was that there +should be a hot supper waiting for us on our arrival. The railroad +passed through several towns within a very short distance of Benney, and +why we didn't detrain at one of these has always been a deep, dark +mystery. At the time we were on the train we did not know what our +destination was to be, and we only found out after reaching Luneville at +8 P. M. that we were confronted with the necessity of retracing a large +part of our trip--but this time on foot, and supperless to boot. + +While we were waiting for the 140th Ambulance Company to unload its +mules and ambulances we laid down upon the muddy sidewalks and watched +the powerful flashlights searching the sky for Boche airplanes. +Luneville was a favorite visiting place for such planes, and the +shattered buildings testified to the accuracy of their aim. + +About 11 P. M. the column was formed and began to move on the long and +never-to-be-forgotten hike to Benney. Ambulance Company 139 was the last +marching company, with Ambulance Company 140 bringing up the rear. The +orders were no lights, and only men tagged sick would be allowed to ride +in the twelve mule ambulances. + +Major Salisbury was in command of the train, and at 1 A. M. ordered a +halt of two hours. Some of the men unrolled their packs and wrapped +themselves in their blankets, while others laid down in the mud and +managed to get a little sleep, covered only by their raincoats. When the +column resumed the march several of the men were left sleeping +peacefully alongside of the road, against trees or upon piles of rocks. +Here we nearly lost Lieut. Bates, who fortunately awoke just as the last +ambulance was passing by. + +It soon began to rain, and by 3:30 the men were splashing through a +regular downpour. When the orders to fall in were passed back, most of +the men would turn their backs, and give their faces a brief rest from +the stinging cuts of the rain. Others would sink down on the roadside, +regardless of mud or water. It was a weird looking lot of soldiers that +marched into Blainville, with raincoats thrown over their heads and +packs to prevent them, especially the latter, from becoming soaked with +rain. Many here found an empty hayloft and lost no time in getting to +sleep, leaving the column to struggle on without them. + +As the eastern sky was beginning to show signs of the welcome daybreak, +the rain diminished to a light but uncomfortable drizzle. Slowly but +steadily the column moved on through the towns of Rehainville, +Haussonville and Velle-sur-Meuse. Upon entering each small town every +man in the train was hoping that that would be the end of the hike. The +morning of the 5th wore away, and as the wet and weary column continued +to leave town after town behind, the men came to the conclusion that we +were "lost again," and that we were doubling back toward Bayon, through +which they had passed the day before on the train. + +Since daybreak straggling had become general. After leaving Haussonville +there was hardly a kilo that did not claim its group of stragglers. The +heavy laden plum trees along the roadside helped thin the ranks, because +the men had had nothing to eat for breakfast but a few pieces of +water-soaked bacon and bread. During one of the hourly ten-minute rest +periods Tony Cataldi, who was perched up in a plum tree enjoying the +delicious plums, was seen by a passing officer and immediately ordered +down. Unable to see who was giving the order, on account of the leaves +and rain, he inquired with true Italian curiosity, "Who in de h--l are +you?" He soon found out that the officer was in command of the column. + +As the men continued their weary way there was little talking--the men +had enough to do in keeping going. By this time the companies were +reduced to platoons, for buck privates, non-coms and even company +commanders were falling out. The only thing that kept the rest going was +pride. Pride would not allow them to drop out while others were "making +the riffle." + +The last mile told. The long hill that hid the little town of Benney was +lined with the men who had fallen out. Just twenty-eight men out of the +ninety that left Luneville with our company pulled into the town about +11:30 A. M. They had made the entire trip without dropping out or having +their packs hauled. They had marched 14 kilos, ridden seven hours in box +cars, and then marched 41 kilos more, all this on a two-sandwich ration, +and through rain and muddy roads. + +So ended the hike to Benney, a hike whose only claim to distinction is +the fact that it need never have been made. Why the companies were not +detrained at Bayon, or even Blainville, through which they had passed on +the train and thereby saving 15 hours of long and weary hiking, will +probably always remain a "military secret." From either of these towns +the march would have been only a walk. Efforts were made at both places +to have the troops detrained, but they were unavailing. + + + + +BENNEY TO FIVE TRENCHES + + +Immediately upon our arrival in the village of Benney we were billeted +in haymows, which is the customary home for the American soldier in the +country of France. These "billets," as they have been called by the men, +are usually located in the haymows of the French homes. The French +peasant's home usually consists of one large building, in which the +entire family, including horses, cattle and pigs, is housed. While it +seems strange to us, who are not accustomed to this manner of living, +they are quite comfortable compared to pup tents in a wet, soggy forest, +and especially at the end of a long hike by night with full equipment. + +Benney was, we believe, the dirtiest village we have been in to date, so +consequently the next day we had to clean up the manure piles and refuse +left by the populace of this village. The village had, at one time, been +occupied by the Hun armies, who left their customary destructive +earmarks upon it. Those who remain consist mainly of women, children and +men too old for work. It can therefore be easily understood why its +streets were dirty and conditions in general were neglected. + +We spent four days in the village, our duties being to clean up the +streets. We had become quite proficient with shovels and push-brooms, by +reason of previous experience, and strangely enough the men usually +chose this duty in preference to the daily duties of kitchen police and +guard. Most of us were badly in need of a bath, as all soldiers +generally are, and upon investigating discovered an old swimming hole +which we soon Americanized by taking a plunge every day during our short +stay there. We were entertained two evenings by the French movies while +here. + +It was evident to us that a large troop movement was taking place, and +from the many precautions taken to avoid observation, it appeared that +the movement was of more than usual importance. Troops were marched only +at night and no lights of any kind were permitted, even smoking being +barred outside of cover. Kitchens were covered and mess lines were being +divided into sections so that Boche planes could see but a few men at a +time. We were told that we must get under cover and stay there whenever +hostile planes were about. No drilling was done and every effort made to +keep every evidence of the presence of troops hidden from observation. +All this could mean but one thing--a big attack was being prepared and +we would undoubtedly be in it. We were curious to know just when and +where it would be, but we had to be content with guessing, for the +secret of the St. Mihiel drive was well kept. + +Leaving Benney, we hiked a distance of 13 kilos to a little village +called Haussonville, arriving there at 3:30 A. M. We had a very sloppy +march and passed our kitchen truck, stuck in the ditch by the roadside. +Of all trucks, this should have been the one to pull through, judging by +the yearning in the region of our stomachs. Immediately upon our arrival +in Haussonville we were billeted in a large barn and "hit the hay" for a +few hours. We were soon awakened by the glad news that our kitchen had +arrived, was in action and that we would have breakfast at 10. The name +Haussonville stands out prominently in the minds of the boys, for we +recall, with a shudder, that this is where we caught our first real +batch of cooties. + +Dinner was served at 3, and after this meal we again rolled pack and had +hopes of leaving this unwelcome company at 8 P. M., but did not until +three hours later. At last under way, we hiked 14 kilos with full packs +and reached our next destination, a salt factory a few kilos from Nancy. +Though much fatigued by our night journey, we were somewhat encouraged +to find a soft pine floor upon which to rest our weary bones, and with +the aid of a few salt sacks, which we found, soon made ourselves as +comfortable as possible under the existing conditions. After the +customary late breakfast and dinner, orders were received to resume the +hike as soon as it became dark. + +Darkness found us again trailing the rock roads amid a steady downpour +of rain. The night grew darker and darker, until it was impossible for +the men in ranks to see each other. This however, was nothing unusual +and all went well until we suddenly found ourselves lost in the streets +of Nancy. It was a fine night for ducks, which might have enjoyed the +next three hours, but as soldiers it was far from pleasant wandering +around the town aimlessly, first up one street and then down another, +with a soggy pack upon our backs. At last, righting ourselves, we left +the city just as it was getting dawn, and continued our course. + +Seemingly endless lines of artillery regiments on their way to form the +reserve for the St. Mihiel drive, passed us along the road with their +caissons and guns of all sizes. Later an impressive sight greeted us as +we marched along. Dawn was breaking in the east, but the northern +horizon was lighted by flares from the muzzles of hundreds of Allied +guns, the intermittent flashings of which indicated to us that the great +drive was in progress. Tired, hungry and foot sore, we pitched tents a +little later in the woods safely concealed from enemy observation. + +Thus ended the long-drawn-out hike. We knew now why we had been marched +every night and subjected to seemingly unnecessary hardships. Not a man +regretted the experience, and all proud that they helped form a cog in +the mighty machine which straightened the St. Mihiel salient, and marked +the first American triumph over the Hun. + + + + +FROM FIVE TRENCHES TO SENARD + + +While at Five Trenches, we were in constant readiness to move, and on +Sept. 18th, orders were received to embuss at three o'clock P. M. Where +we were going we did not know, but we prepared for a ride, which, we +were told would be a long one. A short march brought us to a large +number of French trucks which we boarded, filling each to its utmost +capacity. + +The trip was through a country of rolling hills, dotted with the +picturesque French villages with their stone houses and red tile roofs. +Late in the afternoon the Moselle was crossed and we passed through the +outskirts of the ancient city of Toul. Our journey continued throughout +the night and after passing through Bar-le-Duc, and Triacourt, we +arrived at our destination, the small village of Senard, about six +o'clock the following morning. The truck containing our kitchen had been +sent on ahead to prepare breakfast for us when we got there, but with +the usual fortune of the kitchen buss, it had been mis-instructed and so +it was afternoon before it arrived to fill the stomachs of the very +hungry soldiers. + +Our billet was a large barn, over a hundred years old, in which the +whole company was housed. Its bunks with straw mattresses were a welcome +change after sleeping on the ground in the forest. It had at one time +been quarters for German soldiers, for in 1914 when the army of the +Kaiser poured into France, Senard had been occupied for about nine days. +Although the city shows plainly the scars of battle, it was fortunate +compared to some of the neighboring villages, many of which were +complete ruins. + +The stay here was a short one. We left on the night of Sept. 18th and +marched for several hours along roads already crowded with artillery and +supply trains moving toward the front, and shortly after dark pitched +pup tents at Camp Wagon, in the heart of the Argonne Forest. The few +days spent here passed uneventfully; even pay day failing to cause its +usual enthusiasm, for what good was money in the heart of a forest? An +occasional barrage sounding nearby kept us on the alert, for we imagined +each one to be the prelude to the big drive we knew we were soon to +engage in. + +Finally, definite information came and it left us rather dazed, causing +many of us to write home letters that we thought might possibly be the +last ones. We learned that the greatest offensive of the war was about +to take place, extending from the North Sea to the Moselle river. Also, +and what was more to the point, that on that part of the front to be +taken by the American Army the position assigned to the 35th Division to +reduce was expected to be the most difficult to take. Our division had +the honor positions on the whole front. + + + + +MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE + + +Our part in the offensive began the night of the 25th of September. +Orders were received to move up to Bourelles as soon as it should become +dark. Camp was struck and supplies were stacked along side the road +before dark so that we would be able to find them when the time came. + +A vast sense of relief settled down over every one as we realized that +the time which we had enlisted for, trained for, worked and waited for +was finally at hand, and that by morning we would be doing our work over +in the Boche trenches instead of on our own side of the line. + +As soon as it was dark we got our stuff packed into the trucks and +packed ourselves in on top, mud and all, and started for Germany. The +roads were muddy and slippery and often the convoy was held up until a +truck could be pulled out of the ditch. No lights were allowed--the +roads were under shell fire and no chances were taken in showing troop +movements to the ever vigilant enemy aeroplanes. Several times we were +led astray, but finally, about midnight we arrived at Bourelles. + +Here we unloaded the trucks behind the protection of a steep bank and +the men settled down on the rocks and grass for a few hours' rest, while +the cooks borrowed a fire and began to prepare soup for breakfast. We +did not secure much sleep. Jerry was sending over a few in search of +some of our "heavies," but it was these same heavy guns that most +disturbed our rest. The crack of these guns whipped across the valley +with such a force that the hills fairly shook. They were not firing very +fast but what they lacked in speed they made up in noise. + +At 2:30 A. M. our fire opened up in earnest and the thought of being on +the receiving end of that terrific rain of steel was almost enough to +cause a little pity for the Germans--almost. With the coming of dawn the +artillery seemed to slacken and at 6:05 the doughboys went over the top. +Little could be seen through the haze and smoke by those who waited. We +could see the groups of airplanes go sailing overhead and the +elephant-shaped observation balloons move snail-like in a race to the +enemy lines. While the big guns were methodically sending over their +"messages of hate," here and there could be seen groups of horses +nibbling unconcernedly at the trampled grass, while their drivers were +wrapped up in shelter halves catching a well earned rest. + +After a reconnaissance had been made, we received the order from our +Director of Ambulances, Maj. Wm. Gist, to advance. We piled into the +trucks again and started forward. The effects of Jerry's fire could now +be seen. The large shell holes, the demolished trees, the shattered +buildings, were beginning to make us realize that we were fighting some +force that had the power to fight back. We passed through several ruined +villages and finally reached Neuvilly, which was the end of the road for +motors at that time. Here we unloaded and were heavily equipped with +litters, packs, medicine belts and extra shell wound dressings. + +The plan of operations was quite simple. The company was divided into +sections, each under an officer, and each section further divided into +litter squads of four men each. The non-coms were charged with locating +wounded and directing litter squads to them, and also with doing most of +the dressing. The wounded were to be gathered into groups located so +that ambulances could reach and evacuate them to the triage which was +established later in the day at Neuvilly, by Ambulance Company 138. The +entire company, less cooks, took to the field and the cooks, by trading +grub for transportation, managed to keep in touch with part of us part +of the time. + +Lieut. Bates with his section covered the rear of the 137th Infantry +which was on the left. Lieut. Siberts with a detachment, bore to the +right, covering the 138th Infantry, while Lieut. Monteith, with his +detachment undertook to handle some wounded who were already coming into +the old position of the 138th Infantry. Lt. Speck with Sgt. Rowland and +a few men remained at Vacquois Hill and established a collecting station +for wounded there. + +As the men marched thru the lines the evidences of the superhuman +struggle grew more and more. They could see dead horses, shattered +wagons and caissons, trampled and torn up wire entanglements, and +ambulances darting here and there. Groups of artillery were constantly +shifting about, advancing all the time. + +In places we passed the long naval guns, some of them so hot that they +seemed to be fairly panting. Every clump of trees concealed a den of +seventy-fives or larger guns, and miles of deserted trenches were passed +through. + +The work on hand was enough to keep all the men busy. Many German +prisoners were coming through by this time and each group helped by +carrying back wounded. Some of the German wounded were brought back in +this way by their comrades. By this time, also, a shortage of litters +began to be felt. The ambulances had not been able to get up owing to +the blocking of the roads by artillery which was moving forward. Towards +evening ambulances began to come in to Vacquois, and Hill No. 290. The +last load of wounded had been removed by about 4:00 A. M., the next +morning. Meanwhile, Lt. Siberts had reached Cheppy, close on the heels +of the victorious 138th Infantry and collected a large number of wounded +there. + +In crossing the German trenches, we saw the effects of our artillery +barrage and the evidences of the fierce fighting that the doughboys were +doing. The ground was fairly pulverized. There were shell holes large +enough to drop houses into, and parts of the hills were seemingly +scalped and cast aside. Concrete dugouts were crushed as if they had +been made of cardboard, trenches were leveled and barbwire entanglements +were cut to pieces. The Germans had contested the ground inch by inch, +and we could see where groups of our men had been literally blown to +pieces--scenes that the boys will never forget. As we advanced further, +the evidences of the struggle were not so ghastly, although we were +passing the lifeless forms of many Kansas and Missouri boys mixed with +those of the drab uniforms of the enemy. + +The field was sprinkled with shell holes whose burnt sides seem to have +been blasted by the touch of hell. Our artillery was crawling forward +and were blazing away from behind the shelter of clumps of bushes. The +doughboys were now moving so swiftly that the big guns could hardly keep +up. + +As we neared Cheppy, we could see where the infantry boys had charged an +almost impregnable machine gun nest. About thirty men had been mowed +down in front of this position. At a cross roads, a big shell had landed +in the center of a collection of wounded doughboys, tearing them to +pieces. Gas had been used, but nothing could stop the boys from entering +Cheppy. The fierce struggle in this town had caused heavy casualties. + +Ambulance Co. 138 having moved up the triage to Cheppy on the 28th, Lt. +Siberts started for Charpentry with his detachment. By the morning of +the second day, the entire company had reached Cheppy and we had a warm +meal, the first one in thirty-six hours. Lt. Siberts and his detachment +deserve a great deal of credit for the tremendous amount of work they +accomplished at Cheppy in an old abandoned dugout, where hundreds of +wounded were cared for under distressing and dangerous conditions. + +Mr. Wesley R. Childs of the Y. M. C. A. came up to the station here with +chocolates and was of material assistance in directing a party of +walking wounded back to Neuvilly by the road through Verennes, which we +had been unable to explore before. During this time the action was in +view of the dressing station at times and the sound of the machine guns +made it plain that there would be much more work for us. The dressing +station at Cheppy was subjected to machine gun fire from hostile +airplanes several times but no casualties resulted. Mule drawn +ambulances from Ambulance Co. 140 arrived at the Cheppy station in the +morning of the 27th. Later, motor ambulances came up and the work of +evacuating went steadily on. There was very little rest for anyone. + +On the 27th, Lt. Monteith with a detachment went forward to Very, and +established another collection point in some German dugouts there. The +next morning, evacuation of these wounded was begun by ambulances as the +congestion at Cheppy was somewhat relieved. Litter bearer squads worked +forward from Very in the direction of Charpentry and many wounded were +collected together and cared for pending the arrival of mule drawn +ambulances. In the meantime Ambulance Co. 137, and the dressing station +section of Ambulance Co. 140, had arrived by trucks at Charpentry. They +brought a large supply of dressings and other medical equipment and we +were able to replace the contents of our belts. The field from Very to +Charpentry was thus cleared, and by noon some of the advance squads had +reached Charpentry. + +All three companies worked together at Charpentry under the direction of +Maj. Gist, and shared rations and supplies in common. The dressing +stations at Charpentry were located in old French barns and buildings +set around a sort of courtyard. They had served until a couple of days +before as the headquarters of the German division holding the sector. +After the place had been examined to make sure that no German souvenirs +in the way of hand grenades and shells had been hidden within, we +started fires and soon had some warm places for dressing the wounded. At +the south end were some empty buildings evidently used as store rooms +and an arched opening into the court. On the east side was a former +dwelling house which contained several rooms on the ground floor. All of +the second story had been shot away. On the north end was a large barn +which contained a small amount of engineering stores. The other side was +open and had a garden which contained vegetables for the Germans. This +spot was later used to bury some of the men who died in the dressing +station. Back from the east side there was a steep hill which contained +several excellent dugouts, some of which were used as dressing rooms. As +soon as the wounded were dressed they were placed in these empty rooms +to await transportation to the rear. These rooms were soon filled, +however, and it became necessary to place the men in the court yard on +litters or rubber blankets. The wind and rain added nothing to the +comfort of these poor chaps, but there was no murmur of complaint from +any of them. They were so exhausted from lack of sleep and food and +constant fighting, that they were able to sleep undisturbed either by +their wounds, or by the thunder of the guns all around. + +Two batteries of seventy-fives, of the 129th Field Artillery took +position behind our station here, in such a way that their fire passed +directly over us. At each discharge, a shower of dust from the roofs of +the buildings would descend upon the wounded and workers alike. We had +some gas this day, but there were more alarms than gas. No shells fell +in our immediate vicinity as the dressing station was more or less +protected by the hill. Every one worked at top speed, as the wounded +were coming in so fast that it required the services of almost the +entire company to take care of them. Later in the afternoon a detachment +was sent to Baulney, and with the aid of some mule ambulances, cleared +the regimental station there of wounded. Later, motor ambulances began +to arrive and the wounded were started back toward the triage at Cheppy. +From this time on the evacuation was continuous, ambulances from +Ambulance Co. 41 and S. S. U. sections undertaking this work. Many +empty, returning ammunition trucks were also used. The trucks carried +the wounded, for the most part, to the old triage at Neuvilly, which had +been taken over by the field hospital companies. Those who were able to +walk, were started out on foot, as all available transportation was +required for recumbent cases. By morning of the 29th, the influx of +wounded having lessened somewhat, two bearer parties went forward, one +under Lt. Speck, and the other under Lt. Bates. Mule ambulances +accompanied these parties, the detachments coming under heavy fire and +some of the mules being killed. One of the drivers was mortally wounded. +These parties were out until about the middle of the afternoon. The work +of the bearers was the most laborious owing to the mud and the long +distances of the carries. + +Information was received that the salient created by the attack was to +be protected by establishing the first line in the area being covered by +the bearers. The parties were, therefore, withdrawn to Charpentry. It +was during this operation that Pvt. Lloyd Richmond was wounded, while +remaining with wounded at Chaudron Farm. Upon arrival of the bearers at +Charpentry, their patients were loaded into ambulances, which, by this +time, had cleared the station there, since the location was becoming a +target for gas. Orders were received to move the station back to some +more sheltered position where the wounded could be kept in more +security. Ambulance companies were now ordered to Varennes. Lt. Siberts, +with a detachment of men, proceeded to Very, joining the company at +Varennes the next day. + +In leaving Charpentry, the men were forced to run a gauntlet of high +explosives, gas and shrapnel. A rain of shells were pouring into the +valley in a desperate attempt to silence the American batteries. One of +the spectacular scenes of the drive occurred when a battery of French +artillery came crashing down the road, the gunners riding the +seventy-fives which were drawn by big trucks. The little men in blue +were leaning forward and gazing eagerly ahead to the nearby hill where +they afterwards whirled their guns into position and poured a murderous +fire, point blank, into the counter-attacking Germans. It was a little +incident that gave us a slight insight into the reason why the Germans +failed to crush France. + +On arriving at Varennes, volunteers were called for to return to +Charpentry to take care of the wounded who might be expected, and to +relieve congestion in regimental stations, which had fallen back to that +place. Lt. Bates with 15 men and an equal number from Ambulance Co. 137, +were selected. This detachment had a very exciting and strenuous +forty-eight hours of work at Charpentry. During the first night wounded +were numerous and there was much hard and tiresome work carrying wounded +and loading out ambulances. + +The 35th Division was now being relieved by the First Division, and we +received orders that we had been temporarily attached to that division +until their own Ambulance and Field Hospitals could get into action. +After being relieved from this duty, the company assembled at Neuvilly, +and left the next day for a rest. + + + + +WITH THE KITCHEN IN THE ARGONNE OFFENSIVE + + +For anyone to say that they derived any amount of happiness from being +in the Argonne, other than our complete victory over the Boche, would +probably be judged insane. According to the Mess Sergeant's version, +however, a certain amount of joy may be had in not being threatened with +one's life after serving the famous "Corn Willy" to men who were working +in the midst of this hell. + +We moved up the night before the drive and made our first stop the next +morning at about 2:00 A. M. at a place mentioned before, behind a steep +bank, where our supplies were unloaded from the trucks. These trucks +were ordered to wait until later in the morning before moving nearer the +lines. As the men were going in the drive at five o'clock that morning +we borrowed a fire, and inside of a small hut, prepared some soup for +them to have just before leaving. + +[Illustration: LOOKING NORTH INTO BAULNY.] + +[Illustration: LOOKING WEST TOWARD VACQUOIS HILL.] + +[Illustration: AMBULANCE SECTION, 110TH, SANITARY TRAIN, CAMP DONIPHAN, +OKLA.] + +They left about on time, but the trucks which were to report for our +supplies, were delayed, so it was rather late before we started moving. +When we did, however, we made fairly good time until we were held up in +the woods by trucks that were stuck in the mud. We at last made it +through, and catching up with the company that afternoon, unloaded our +supplies and equipment and established our first kitchen, right back of +Vacquois Hill. + +We managed to get coffee made before dark, and our men began to come in +a few at a time. Not all of them got there, however, but nevertheless we +were busy feeding the most of the night, as everyone who came along +wanted something to eat, and we tried to feed all who came. + +The next morning, what men were there, moved on to Cheppy and we were +told that transportation would come for us. We waited until that +afternoon, and had just about concluded that we were left, when two men +came down the road leading a couple of pack mules. We were informed that +this was our transportation. Accordingly, we loaded all that was +possible on the mules and started for Cheppy. Our kitchen now consisted +mainly of a G. I. coffee can, and such rations as we, ourselves, could +carry. + +We arrived in Cheppy in time to cook supper for the men and we continued +to cook as long as it was light, as there were scores of men to be fed +and we endeavored to feed all who came. The greatest efforts bore little +fruit, however, and most of the men received nothing hot until they came +out of the drive. Our pack mules made another trip that night, bringing +up a few rations and some food which we were very glad to get, being +almost out. + +The next morning we moved up past Very, using an ambulance for what few +supplies we had, and set up a kitchen alongside a captured six-inch +German gun which later proved to be a rather disagreeable location, as +Jerry threw over a few H. E. trying to put it out of commission. The +artillery, having come up and started a barrage, left us in a rather +noisy place, also. + +Here the supply section of our train managed to get a few rations up to +us. We cooked and served all that day and night, but were unable to take +care of all those wanting to be fed. It seemed to be impossible to +secure enough transportation. + +The company moved on to Charpentry that afternoon and we were again +informed that a transport wagon would pick up our supplies and kitchen +and for us to follow. As usual, the wagon did not arrive, and we were +again left to do the best we could. + +In the meantime part of our supplies and equipment which we left back at +Vacquois, came up in a mule drawn ambulance, which we sent on to +Charpentry that night. We waited, however, for the transportation which +was to move us from our present location and as has already been +mentioned, it never came. The next morning we divided our force, part +going on to Charpentry and the rest remaining to cook and serve the +remainder of our rations which was not hard to do. All we had was a +little coffee and bread. + +Our kitchen in Charpentry was located in a sort of a court yard, near +the buildings in which were located the dressing stations. Here we +located an iron boiler, that the Germans had left in their hasty +retreat, which helped us out quite a lot in cooking. Things were going +fine here, in fact, too good to last. We had plenty of rations and had +served two fairly good meals, when things began to happen. Jerry got it +into his head that Dressing Stations and kitchens were not essential in +a successful drive and right away started trying to eliminate them. A +short time after he had started trying to put this idea into effect, we +received orders to retire. This order probably saved a little work for +the burying squad, as far as the kitchen force was concerned, as about +fifteen minutes after leaving, a few direct hits were scored, scattering +our kitchen and supplies to the four winds. + +We now moved back to Varennes, picking up as much of our equipment at +Very as we could and taking it back with us. We stayed in Varennes for +almost two days, cooking what we could in a much dilapidated stove that +was in one of the dugouts. Our field range reached us just as we were +leaving for Bourelles. We arrived there in time to set up for supper, +but had to tear it down that night as we moved back to Neuvilly. Here we +were relieved and moved out, and back to billets and a small French +kitchen. Although small, it seemed to us all that anyone could ask for +in the kitchen line, after having put in a week of trying to cook for a +company of men with hardly anything more than two flat rocks and a +coffee can. + + + + +CITATIONS AND CASUALTIES + + +The fact that some of the men of Ambulance Company 139 were cited, does +not indicate that they were more courageous or devoted to duty than +those not so mentioned. The work of the entire company showed an +efficiency, and disregard for personal danger, of the very highest +order. Many acts of individual heroism passed unnoticed. The following +is an extract from General Order No. 82, October 14th, Hqs. 35th +Division: + +"The Division Commander takes pleasure in citing in General Orders, the +following named officers and enlisted men for effective, efficient and +courageous work during the six days' battle from September 26th to +October 1st, 1918." + +Private Glen B. Smith, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September 29th, near +Chaudron Farm. For remaining under continuous shell and machine gun +fire for a considerable time more than required by his orders, caring +for the wounded under the most intense shell and machine gun fire. + +Sergeant Junior Briggs, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September 29th, near +Chaudron Farm. For remaining under continuous shell and machine gun fire +for a considerable time more than required by his orders, caring for the +wounded under the most intense shell and machine gun fire. + +Private Lloyd Richmond, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September 29th, near +Chaudron Farm. On account of artillery and machine gun fire, Private +Richmond remained at his post and cared for the wounded until he was +himself wounded by a shell which killed two other wounded men. + +Sergeant Kenneth W. Pringle, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September 28th and +29th this non-commissioned officer, of his own accord and under +extremely heavy shell fire, found and evacuated many wounded. + +First Lieutenant Richard T. Speck, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September +30th, near Charpentry. For effective, efficient and courageous work in +collecting wounded in the field north of Charpentry with detachment of +mule drawn ambulances, under heavy artillery and machine gun fire and +repeated aeroplane attacks. + +First Lieutenant Bret V. Bates, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, September 30th, +near Charpentry. For efficient, effective and courageous work in the +open field with a detachment of mule drawn ambulances under heavy +artillery and machine gun fire. + +Sergeant 1st Class Charles G. Rowland, M. D., Ambulance Co. 139, +September 29th near Charpentry. While his company was on the march from +Charpentry to Varennes, Sergeant Rowland stopped to attend a truck +driver who had been struck by a shell. Disregarding all personal danger, +he passed through a curtain of artillery fire and dressed the wounded +man. During the four days at the dressing station, the work of Sergeant +Rowland was of the highest order of efficiency. + +The following men in the detachment of Ambulance Company 139, 110th +Sanitary Train, for courage and devotion to duty under intense fire +while acting as litter bearers on the morning of September 30th, 1918: + + Wagoner Jacob C. Weaverling + Pvt. Stephen F. McCormick + Pvt. 1cl. George G. Crowley + Pvt. 1cl. Fay A. Downing + Pvt. 1cl. Joe Barnes + Pvt. John J. Fisher + Pvt. Charles F. Blaker + Pvt. Harry T. Douglass + Pvt. Garland Freeman + Pvt. William W. Williams + Pvt. Louis J. Fisher + Pvt. John R. Fulmer + Pvt. Robert A. Still + Pvt. John P. Feeney + +_Casualties_--Ambulance Company 139, during the five days in the Argonne +with our own division, and the forty-eight hours attached to the First +Division, came out of battle without a death. Private Lloyd Richmond, on +the night of September 29th, while taking care of some wounded men under +intense shell and machine gun fire at Chaudron Farm, was wounded in +seven different places. + +The following named men were gassed while attached to the First Division +at Charpentry: + +Lt. George Monteith, Sgt. Clarence Falconer, Pvt. Edward DeTalent, Pvt. +Wilson Meyers, Lt. Bret V. Bates, Sgt. Ernest Stalcup, Pvt. Kenneth S. +Brown, Pvt. Jesse Dennis, Pvt. Lester A. Brogan, Pvt. Jesse Casteel, +Pvt. William Peterson, Pvt. Rollo C. Dugan. + + + + +THE STAY IN VAUBECOURT + + +On coming from the Argonne offensive on October 5th, the Sanitary Train +moved to Vaubecourt, a city whose blocks of ruins told plainer than +words the story of its bombardment in the earlier days of the war. But, +complete as was the destruction of some parts of the city other parts +escaped harm, and in this quarter we found a comfortable home in a large +barn, well equipped with bunks. + +The memory of our stay in Vaubecourt to most of us is not a pleasant +one. Sick, tired, hungry, dirty, clothing torn and stained with mud and +blood, and equipment lost, the men of our company certainly did not have +the appearance of spic and span soldiers of Uncle Sam. A few hours of +rest, with good food and plenty of soap and water did much to better +conditions, but the effects of the previous days at the front were not +at once thrown off. Sickness prevailed, hardly a man escaping it in some +degree, and the number sent each day to the hospital was probably the +largest at any time in the history of the company. Here for the first +time in months, we heard the once famous sound of the bugle, the +companies standing all calls. + +But in the midst of this, there was one day of our Vaubecourt stay that +stood out as one of the brightest in our experience. It was the day the +news arrived that Germany, surrounded by an unbreakable band of fire and +steel, and realizing the inevitable, had asked for peace terms. To us +who had just emerged from the horrors of the Argonne, the news seemed +like the first streak of morning light shining through the darkness. +However, the constant rumbling of the distant artillery and the steady +procession of aeroplanes overhead, kept us from becoming too optimistic. +Yet the feeling seemed to remain that it was the beginning of the end, +and that peace could not be far distant. + +The fact that the Hun was at last, not asking, but begging for a +cessation of hostilities, in the name of her people, gave us renewed +spirits. We were further cheered by the fact that the entire Sanitary +Train had been commended for its work in the Argonne by our own +Divisional Commander, as well as by the Commanding General of the +division that relieved us. The work in battle had been without fault, +but at this time we were informed that discipline was very lax, and +instead of the much needed rest, we were put through a period of +training which lasted until the division relieved a division of French +in a sector north of Verdun. + + + + +THE VERDUN FRONT + + +While at Vaubecourt we received word that we were to go to the front +again, and that news surprised us not a little, because of the fact that +we had only been out of the Argonne some two weeks. + +On October 15th, the division occupied a new sector east of Verdun, +extending from near Fresnes to Eix. As usual, Ambulance Company 139 took +position near the front lines, to evacuate the division. On October +16th, headquarters of the company was located at Fontaine Brilliante, a +very beautifully situated triage near Somme-Dieue. This triage evidently +had been a most busy place during the great drive on Verdun in 1916. +Immense Red Crosses were painted on the tops of the various buildings, +and two very ingenious Red Crosses were constructed upon the hillside, +of small red and white stones. These were placed there to protect the +triage from Boche airplanes. + +Immediately upon arrival at Fontaine Brilliante, Lt. Monteith, with a +detachment of twenty-six men, started to the front and established a +dressing station at Deramee. Two cooks were with the detachment, and a +kitchen was set up in the same building with the dressing station. +Rations were drawn from the first battalion of the 110th Engineers and +it was not a rare thing to have hot cakes for breakfast. In the kitchen +was a wire cage which could be locked, and which looked for all the +world like a large rat trap. One night the cooks had written several +letters to their wives and put them into this cage and locked it. The +rats, which had already carried away some very sizable articles, +including dippers, frying pans and what-nots, got the letters out of the +cage in some magic way that night, and to this day those two cooks are +marveling at the cleverness of French rats. + +Litter and ambulance posts were placed at Tunis, Bellvue Farm and +Joffre. There were a few camps near, which were merely billeting places +for soldiers in reserve, and for supply organizations of the line +troops. They were all in easy shelling distance for the Germans, in +fact, Deramee was so close to the lines that one could hear the report +of the guns an instant before the shells would come over. + +The forts around Verdun were very interesting. There were two within two +kilometres of Deramee, one named Fort Deramee, and the other Fort +Roselier. These forts were situated on points commanding a view of all +the surrounding country. They were neatly concealed from aerial +observation, and one might easily walk squarely into one before he +noticed it. They were most formidably constructed of reinforced +concrete, and were built deep into the ground. Some were encircled by a +moat over which were heavy draw bridges, and beyond the moat a mass of +barbed wire entanglements encircled the entire defense. There were over +forty of these forts around Verdun, all garrisoned by the French. A look +at these mighty bulwarks told at once why the Germans could not pass. + +On October 8th, another section to the north, extending to Vaux, was +taken over by the division, and another dressing station, in charge of +Lt. Vardon with fifteen men, was established at Vaux. At first +dependence was placed upon four G. M. C. ambulances of Ambulance Co. 138 +to do all of the evacuating, but later S. S. U. 526 was assigned for +this work. All cases were taken to Field Hospital 139, at Fontaine +Brilliante. + +Some mention of the old battlefield near Vaux must be made. Fort Vaux +was taken by the Germans after a fierce and uninterrupted cannonading +lasting from March 12th to April 9th, 1916. Fort Avocourt and the +Mort-Homme also succumbed to the terrific onslaught of the Hun on April +10th. After five months of furious fighting, in which the Germans lost +over a half million men, the French retook these important positions. +Just back from the dressing station an eighth of a mile is a famous hill +of the Verdun battle. A look at this barren hill filled one with awe, +for there isn't a tree, not even a stump, standing, and not a square +foot of ground that has not been torn by shell fire. The ground is +simply pulverized. There are helmets (French and German), old rifles, +cart wheels, unexploded shells, clothing and most everything in the line +of war equipment lying around on the ground, just as it was left after +that terrible struggle. Bones of every part of the human body could be +found in almost any numbers. One could pick up a helmet with a skull in +it, or a shoe with the bones of a foot in it. Standing at the bottom of +this hill, one could look up at the head of the valley and see a German +battery, sitting just as it had been deserted after her defeat in 1916. +The wood that was brought in from the fallen timber was literally filled +with shrapnel. + +The Vaux detail, when not busy, spent most of its time seeing the many +interesting places, even though at times it was a bit dangerous. From +the hill back of the dressing station one could see the Germans shelling +Ft. Douamont, two miles away. A very strange impression it left on one, +too. First the report of the German guns would be heard, and in an +instant the shell would burst near the fort, throwing dirt and rock high +into the air. Then the sound of the shell, which had already bursted, +could be heard going through the air. + +While there were not many casualties through Vaux, over seven hundred +came through Deramee. The division had just been filled up with men who +had not been in France over a month or so, and who had not trained +longer than that in the States. The trenches of Verdun, which were +always filled with water and mud, seemed to be too much for them, and +many cases of influenza and pneumonia developed. + +We had many gas cases, too, at Deramee. In one day a hundred and six gas +patients came through the dressing station. It was mostly mustard gas, +and the patients would come in by the ambulance load, temporarily blind +and feeling miserable. We could only bathe their eyes with a sodium +bi-carbonate solution, and use the sag-paste freely. During this rush +the only available ambulances were those of the S. S. U. 526, and the +drivers of that unit not being familiar with the roads, Corporals O'Dowd +and Bailey were kept busy guiding them around. We worked well after +midnight on that particular day before all the patients were evacuated. +The total number of gas patients numbered well over two hundred. + +A sergeant and three men were stationed at Bellevue Ferme, a relay +station between Derame and Vaux. This station was situated on a hill +only a short distance from Verdun, and one could get a splendid view of +the old battered city from this place. There were eleven big naval guns +down below Bellevue on a narrow gage railway, and they surely made some +music when they fired. They drew fire from the Germans, too, but no +sooner would the Germans locate them than they were moved along the +track to another place. + +Verdun was very close to the different stations, and many of us visited +the silent old city. One had only to take one look at that city to +realize that one of the mightiest struggles of human history took place +for its possession. Petain, the great French leader, won an immortal +place among military leaders for the defense of that city in 1916, and a +glance at the battlefield would convince one absolutely that he meant +those words "_On ne passe pas_." The cathedral in Verdun was badly +damaged; fourteen holes in one side of the building were counted and the +roof had three big gaps in it, and while the cathedral can be repaired, +yet its shell marks will be there forever. Another interesting thing +connected with Verdun is its underground city, capable of accommodating +forty-two thousand, and absolutely shell proof. The Germans shelled +Verdun regularly, dropping shells on certain crossroads and buildings at +exact intervals. One couldn't tarry in one place in that city, even if +he cared to, because an M. P. would firmly suggest "move along." + +We were on the Verdun front when Austria capitulated, and were almost +fighting for newspapers in order to get the details. The question in +everyone's mind during our last days at Verdun was "How long will +Germany hold out?" We left Deramee on November 6th, having been relieved +by the "Wildcats," a division of soldiers not soon to be forgotten, and +we little knew that we had been on our last front. + + + + +MOVE TOWARD METZ, AND THE ARMISTICE + + +After a siege of about three weeks, our company was relieved from duty +in the sector north of Verdun, and we were all preparing for a good long +rest, and best of all, a thorough delousing at the hands of the official +"Cootie-cooking-brigade." As later developments will show, we realized +none of our anticipations, at least not at Erize-la-Grande. + +The sector which we had just left was famous for at least three of the +war's most deadly weapons, viz.--Cooties (most of them wearing service +stripes), prize rats and German gas. The combined efforts of the three +made life hardly worth living at times, and a sigh of relief was +breathed when at last the task was at an end. + +The village of Erize-la-Grande compared favorably with all other +villages in which we had been billeted, especially as regards street +scenes and sleeping quarters. These had evidently been constructed +during the dark ages, but whether those who inhabited them were afraid +of light or fond of darkness remains a secret. + +On the night of November 7th, the wild cry arose that the war was over! +We were used to all manner of reports, though none quite as stunning as +this, and in a few minutes excitement was at its height. An optimistic +M. P. was heard shouting, "It's over, so help me, God!" and a little +later the same spirit was evidenced by the doughboys along the roads, +who were joyfully proclaiming the end by shooting up flares and yelling, +"_Fini la guerre_." By this time it was a settled fact that the war +really was over, that nothing remained to be done but the shouting, and +that this was the proper time to shout. What happened during the next +few hours, gentle reader, will be left to your imagination. It was a +grand and glorious feeling, and not long afterwards we found out that +just about the entire A. E. F. and practically all the folks at home +were also celebrating. + +[Illustration: AMBULANCE COMPANY 139, CAMP HOEL, KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.] + +[Illustration: WOUNDED FROM THE ARGOXNE AT CHEPPY.] + +[Illustration: DRESSING STATION AT CHEPP.] + +The next morning we awoke to the real situation, and found that the +cause of the whole thing originated from a certain German White Flag +party which was on its way to meet Marshal Foch. The German high command +had ordered the cessation of hostilities along a certain part of the +line in order that these peace plenipotentiaries might reach the great +French Marshal and learn from him, personally, how peace terms could be +had. Things began to move pretty fast now, and there was a great deal of +speculation as to what the Boche would do. The next day the official +communique reported that Foch had very generously allowed them +seventy-two hours in which to accept or reject the iron-clad terms of an +armistice. Meanwhile, the entire western front was the scene of one of +the greatest Allied offensives of the war. + +In the midst of all these things, orders were suddenly issued to move at +once toward the front, and Sunday morning, November 10th, found us +packed up and moving. All along, the roads were lined with American +troops. Mile after mile of supply wagons, artillery, machine gun +battalions and infantry were slowly but surely wending their way to +Berlin. This looked very different from peace. We learned afterwards +that the 35th Division was to make a direct frontal assault upon Metz, +while other troops were to engage in a flanking movement. As Metz was +the most strongly fortified position the Germans held, it can readily be +seen that the 35th would have had a pretty stiff job. It seemed certain +that in a day or two we would enter the offensive against this powerful +fort, and we were well aware of what this movement would call for. + +At about 2:30 Sunday afternoon we halted at a small village named +Cousances, expecting to move on at any time. Here it was reported that +the Kaiser had abdicated, and that all Germany was in a state of +revolution, but we had heard this same thing at least a dozen times +before, and so thought nothing of it. The entire front from the Channel +to the Vosges was ablaze, with the Yanks near Sedan, the capture of +which village by the Germans in 1871 marked the triumph of Bismarck. +History was about to repeat itself. The British in Flanders were rapidly +driving the Hun from Belgium, while in the Champagne the French were +making such advances as they had never made before. Apparently Foch had +chosen Berlin for the Allied objective. + +While these events were in progress, a German courier, laboring under +great difficulty, was carrying messages from the Allied Headquarters to +the German General Headquarters, at Spa, in Belgium. Only a few hours +remained for the Hun to arrange his answer. German propaganda was at an +end, and that of the Allies consisted of cold steel from the heavies. +One by one Germany's allies had deserted her, until now she stood alone +facing the ever increasing strength of the strongest and noblest armies +of the world. Her armies were almost demoralized. At home her people +were terrorized at the thought of having their Fatherland invaded, and +were demanding that the war be ended. For over four years they had +waited behind a curtain of lies and outrages, only to see it lifted and +defeat staring at them. Such were a few of the conditions which +confronted the German High Command at Spa, while Foch, with his gallant +armies smashing on, calmly waited for one of two short words--Yes or No. + +At Cousances, stowed away in an old dismantled factory, we were waiting +for this important answer. As was mentioned before, we had expected to +continue our march, but orders had evidently been changed to wait for +the German answer. On Monday morning, November 11th, the famous "drum +fire" was plainly audible, and again things didn't sound at all +peaceful. Having had a little previous experience around Cheppy and +Charpentry, we realized what the acceptance or rejection of the terms +would mean. There was no noticeable let-up in the firing. The suspense +was becoming acute. Either they would sign it or reject it. In case the +former should happen, it would only be a matter of waiting our turn at +the gang-plank; should the latter occur, the Lord only knew what would +happen. Visions of a gang-plank and tug-boats changed into visions of +litters loaded with wounded, and the loud cheers of Yanks bidding +farewell to Gallant France changed into the shriek of gas and high +explosive shells. + +But the old saying, that it is always the darkest just before dawn, +held. Almost before any of us realized it the guns were quiet. We +listened again, but not a sound could be heard. We realized that they +were advancing rapidly, but that it was hardly possible for them to be +out of sound this soon. At this time the British troops were at Mons, +the French armies were across the Belgian line from the Meuse to the +Oise, and American armies were advancing from Sedan to the eastern forts +of Metz. France was almost clear of the invader. The liberation of +Belgium had begun. The whole German army was in disorderly retreat, and +there needed only a little more time to transform that retreat into the +greatest rout of all military history. + +We were convinced of the signing of the armistice only when we read the +following memorable telegram, which, although heard the world over, +probably meant more to each one of the Allied soldiers than to the whole +world: + +"The Armistice is signed and becomes effective November 11th at 11 +o'clock. At this hour, or before, hostilities and the advance must +cease. Hold the lines reached and notify exactly the line reached at +that hour. No communication with the enemy will take place." + + + + +THE FIRST REPLACEMENTS + + +The first replacements were a part of the first replacement company +consisting of 500 officers and 2500 men, to sail overseas. While at +Ranspach, thirty-six men were received to bring the strength up to 122 +men. They all came originally from Camp Greenleaf, Ft. Oglethorpe, +Georgia, located in Chickamagua Park, near Lookout Mountain and +Missionary Ridge. It was here that the future members of Ambulance Co. +139 received their first military training, among which, too important +to forget, were the duties of kitchen police, guard duty and company +fatigue, the three delights of a soldier. The winter of '17 and '18 will +be remembered for a long time by many of the men, especially because of +the sticky mud and bitter cold nights, although the days were usually +sunshiny and warm. + +Along towards the last of May a few men were picked from each of the +Ambulance and Field Hospital companies and sent to Camp Forest, also in +Chickamagua Park, and formerly the home of the old Sixth Infantry. There +they were placed in a recruit company and after a week of daily +inspections both physical and of equipment, finally received orders to +roll packs and leave. Every man, fully equipped, left camp and marched +to the town of Lyttle, to entrain Decoration Day, May 30th, 1918. It was +an impressive scene to see all those well trained, healthy young fellows +drawn up in company front awaiting the order to climb aboard the five +comfortable Pullman trains and start for France. The regimental band was +also there, playing popular pieces as if to cheer the men up, but +judging by the looks of their clean, smiling faces, it was plain to see +that they were going forth, eagerly to do their bit. + +Leaving Lyttle on May 30th, three of the five sections started northeast +for New York and the other two sections started south, going to Atlanta +and from there to the coast, thence north on the Seaboard line to New +York. Every little town and city through which they passed greeted them +with a good luck wish and a God speed, and many a dainty from a +cigarette to candy found its way through the car windows. + +On Sunday morning, June 3rd, they left the train at the ferry dock in +Hoboken, N. J., and soon were loaded on two large ferry boats which were +drawn up to the docks to transfer the men down the river to Long Island +City. The trip down the river that fine morning was enjoyed by everyone, +as the fresh air gave them new life after being cooped up in the train +for so long. Every passing tug and ferry boat gave the men a shrieking +whistle in salute accompanied by the flutter of handkerchiefs. They +landed in Long Island a little later and after a ride of three hours, +left the train at the outskirts of Camp Mills on June 3rd. Arriving at +the camp, they were placed eight men to a tent with an iron bed apiece +but with no mattresses or bed sacks. Just the hard iron springs to sleep +upon. Here the men were re-classified, received the last of their +overseas equipment, and on June 6th had their final overseas examination +which left them ready to sail. + +At midnight they rolled their packs, filled their barrack bags and +marched slowly and silently from camp. At a small station near the camp +the bags were loaded on box cars to be seen no more until the arrival in +France. After another short trip by rail and ferry, the men were landed +at the Cunard line dock, No. 52, and through the driving rain caught a +glimpse of the gigantic ship moored there. They quietly unloaded from +the ferry and in a few minutes were inside of the huge sheltered freight +dock. Here groups of Red Cross girls with steaming coffee and sandwiches +were awaiting them. After a delay of about two hours they filed up the +gang-plank and boarded the Aquitania, the largest ship afloat. It +carried about eleven thousand officers and men, together with several +tons of mail. Its armament consisted of British manned naval guns. Once +on board the ship, after giving their names and number, they were +assigned a comfortable bunk and given a mess ticket telling them when +and where to eat. The ship remained at the dock all through the day and +night but finally, about eight o'clock on the morning of June 8th, she +swung slowly from her moorings, headed down the harbor, and about noon +the men saw the Statue of Liberty fade away into the skyline. + +The trip across the Atlantic was rather uneventful. The ship traveled +slowly in the day time, taking a zig-zag course, turning and twisting, +and leaving behind a wake like the trail of an angry serpent. As soon as +night fell, however, the ship would vibrate with the pulsing throb of +her mighty engines and would plunge through the water at full speed, +every light extinguished, for even the glow of a cigarette might make it +the target for some lurking submarine. The men were given life boat +drill every day and also a thorough physical inspection, so there was no +danger of any disease breaking out and spreading among them undetected. +The day before sighting land, two long, gray British Destroyers came +plunging through the heavy seas to meet the ship and escort it into the +harbor. On the 15th of June, about 7 o'clock in the morning the ship +dropped anchor in the harbor of Liverpool, its voyage at an end. + +Almost immediately the work of unloading was commenced and by three +o'clock in the afternoon the men were all lined up on English soil ready +for further orders. Shortly afterwards they walked through the streets +of Liverpool to the railway station, led by a band composed of English +Boy Scouts, playing national airs by which the men marched along, +keeping step to the music and being enthusiastically cheered by the +crowds that lined the streets. + +Arriving at the station, they entered day coaches and were rapidly +hauled across England to Southampton, reaching there about one o'clock +the next morning, June 16th. From the station they hiked out to a rest +camp on the outskirts of the city and were assigned long, bare wooden +barracks and inside of a few minutes the tired men were wrapped up in +their blankets and snoring in peace on the hard floor. + +On the morning of the 17th they again rolled their packs and marched +down to the docks where they were loaded into a small side wheeled boat +and by dark were being rapidly carried across the English Channel, +taking the same zig-zag course as they did coming to England, to avoid +the enemy submarines. On the morning of the 18th the ship docked at Le +Havre, France, and the men were soon unloaded and ready for another +hike, this time to a second rest camp situated on the top of a large +hill on the outskirts of the city. After staying three days in this +so-called rest camp, where twelve men slept in tents that were made to +accommodate only six, they marched back down to the railway station and +were loaded onto "side door pullmans" and third class coaches. +Twenty-four hours later they arrived at Blois and were at once taken to +the large replacement camp there. + +Here they were again inspected and re-classified and placed in different +casual companies. All their extra equipment and barrack bags were taken +away from them and they were left with only their field equipment, all +ready for active service. Three days later the following thirty-six men, +representing the first replacements of the company, reported to Train +Hqs. for duty: + + Frank M. Allen + Wm. J. Armbrustmacher + Allen L. Barris + Frank E. Bellows + Chas. F. Blaker + Joseph J. Blandford + John R. Fulmer + Michael Harriston + Ernest P. Heidel + John E. Lancaster + Walter Lebeck + Stephen McCormick + Lester A. Brogan + Francis P. Cannon + James W. Coleman + John P. Feeney + Abraham H. Feinberg + John J. Fisher + Garland Freeman + George G. Crowley + Angelo Castaldi + Clarke Ellis + James R. McDonald + John Troode + Verne F. Crawford + Harry T. Douglas + Jesse M. Casteel + Vaughn James + James E. Johnston + August Lottner + Dewey T. Barbour + Fay A. Downing + Arthur E. Jones + Parker E. Saul + +The second and last replacements to this company arrived in three +sections. The first section sailed from New York on the transport +Mongunias, Sept. 17th, 1918, landing in St. Nazaire, France, Sept. 30th. +The second section left New York on the Princess Mantoka, Sept. 23rd, +arriving at St. Nazaire on Oct. 6th, having been forced far off their +course by the equatorial storms. The third and last section started +across on the ship Walmer Castle, October 20th, and were unloaded at La +Havre, France, Oct. 31st. + +Upon arriving in France all were sent to the Medical Training School +near St. Agnon, one of the largest replacement camps in France. After +spending about three weeks there in drilling and receiving final +instruction for active duty all were sent out to ambulance companies, +Field Hospitals and Medical Detachments of different line organizations. + +The following men received orders to report to Ambulance Co. 139, for +duty, on October 27th and November 20th: + + Albert J. Daley + Andrew J. Dolak + Dennis Duffy + Lester E. Eakin + John E. Evans + Howard C. Evert + Harry W. Fowler + Cornelius A. Gallagher + Augusts Giorgi + Walter F. Hess + Benjamin W. Kline + Edward Kletecka + Thomas G. Kuntz + Charlie Lulow + Elmer F. Lutt + Jess W. McKain + Clarence T. S. Murphy + Grigory Mukansky + + + + +FURLOUGHS + +Grenoble + + +The first men to receive furloughs in this company received word on the +24th of October to be ready to take the train at Ancemont at 5 A. M. the +next morning. Only four places were given each company, and lots were +drawn to see who would go. Three places were drawn by "buck" Privates +Piatt, Smith and Wise, and Wag. Lawrence Putman was the fourth man. The +balance of the day was spent in hurried preparations for the trip. +Nobody had made one of these trips before, and no one knew what was +required. Full field equipment was the verdict from Headquarters as to +packs. + +As no alarm clocks were handy, the men took turns sitting up so that +they would leave on time in the morning. Like the small boy, they were +all up and at the station long before time for the train. First guess +was 10 A. M. for the "furlough special," but it was 7:30 P. M. before +it finally arrived. About a thousand men from the division were to make +the trip, so that it required a good-sized train. The Sanitary Train men +were lucky in loading, as they drew a second-class coach, but French +coaches, even second class, were never intended for sleeping purposes. +All of the men were loaded with rations, issued for the trip, and of +course the jam disappeared first, as it usually does under like +circumstances. + +Next morning a strangely peaceful country and welcome sunshine greeted +their vision. Hot coffee was served by a Red Cross canteen for +breakfast. Lyon was reached by noon and a short stop was made there. + +The train arrived at Grenoble at 3:30 P. M. on a beautiful Sunday +afternoon. One captain, four or five M. P.'s and the entire population +of Grenoble was at the station to welcome the train. The reception royal +was explained by the captain, who said "Grenoble has just been opened as +a leave area, and this is the first lot of Americans to arrive." When +the men were lined up outside of the station to be marched to the A. P. +M. office, they started out in a column of fours, but it wasn't long +until they were lucky to get through the crowd at all. All the people +wanted to see the Americans and shake hands with them, and not a few +wanted to kiss them. It was surprising to hear so many of the people +speak good English. They explained this, saying that Grenoble was a +popular European and American pleasure resort before the war. Arriving +at the office of the A. P. M., passes were stamped and tickets issued +for rooms and meals. The men were divided among several nearby towns and +pleasure resorts. The last four hundred, including those of the Sanitary +Train, were left in Grenoble proper. + +Grenoble is built especially for tourists' trade, and the hotels are all +large and well furnished. They seemed like palaces to the men just from +the barren wastes of northern France. Real beds with white sheets and +soft mattresses, lace curtains at the windows, polished floors, neat +little wash stands, clothing cabinets and fire places greeted the men in +the rooms they were shown to. Single or double rooms were furnished as +desired. Meals were served in the dining room of the hotel, and the men +were informed that all they had to do for seven days and nights was to +enjoy themselves--no reveille, retreat or drill calls to mar their +pleasure. Breakfast from 7:30 to 9:00 A. M., dinner at 1:00 P. M. and +supper at 6:30 P. M. were served at long tables, family style, and they +were real meals. Best of all there were no mess kits to bother with +after eating. + +Needless to say, it did not take the men long to get used to living like +white men again, and before long they were all stepping out to see the +town. The barber shops, restaurants and souvenir stores were soon doing +a rushing business. Most surprising was the fact that prices didn't +take a jump the first day and keep rising thereafter. The trades people +even made reductions for the Americans. Modern stores with plate glass +windows and electric lights at night greeted the men, and it is +gratifying to state that the word "finish" was never heard in Grenoble. + +The Y. M. C. A. had a well supplied canteen, and every day several of +the "Y" girls led a party of sightseers to nearby places of interest. +Every night some kind of an entertainment, either dances, picture shows +or vaudeville, was staged by the Y. M. C. A. The French shows were all +closed on account of the influenza, so the men had to furnish their own +entertainment. + +Grenoble is situated close to both the Swiss and Italian borders, and is +snuggled right up in the Alps. The mountains are snow-capped the year +round, and form a pretty background for the town. Some of the mountains +were close enough for a climb, and several parties took trips to them. +The town is cut in two by the river Isce and three large concrete +bridges span the water, making a pretty setting. The buildings are all +large, of modern and substantial construction, and from the top of the +nearby mountain the town makes a beautiful picture. Of the eight days +spent in Grenoble, seven were sunshiny and clear, so the men were +convinced that there actually was such a thing as a "Sunny France." + +The mademoiselles all seemed to think it an honor to show the Americans +a good time, and the men were never lonesome for feminine company. They +seemed more like American girls, as they spoke a little English, wore +good clothes, and were very good looking. As the time for departure drew +nearer, it was hard for them to think of leaving, but like everything +else that sad day rolled around. Many were the promises made to keep up +a correspondence, but how many of these promises were kept, only the +writer and the censor know. Almost as large a crowd bid them good-bye as +welcomed them. + +That the men of the 35th division made a good impression on the people +of Grenoble is evidenced in a letter from the mayor of Grenoble, +thanking our General for the good conduct of the men and asking that +more men of the 35th division be sent there. + +Whatever the impression made by the boys upon the people of Grenoble, it +is certain that the people of Grenoble made a good impression on the +boys. + + + + +LA BOURBOULE + + +The "Permissions" read La Bourboule, and no sooner were these handed to +their proper owners than sixty well-groomed "Medics," representing the +Sanitary Train were on their way to the destination specified. After +being jammed into those queer French coaches (third class) with no +thought given to comfort, the train finally picked up speed and passed +out upon the main line. The clicking of the rail-joints seemed to call +cadence for the songs from 1200 throats, all from the 35th division, +whose owners were happy to get away from bugle calls, military +discipline and slushy streets. + +After a few hours' ride--just a sample of what they were to get--the +train was sidetracked at Nancy and all enjoyed the best bath they had +ever taken, in what is said to be the largest bath-house in the world. +Here the water comes out of the ground at a temperature of 78 degrees F. +and passes direct into the pool. After this "decootieization" they +boarded the train again and were able to sit and enjoy the scenery for +the rest of the trip. + +The first day and night passed quickly, but then time began to drag, and +along toward evening of the second day some great geniuses were born to +the world. These were the men who devised the method by which nine men +could sleep in a space that only seemed large enough for half that +number. Could one have peeped into the passing coaches it would have +struck him as exceedingly humorous--some were stowed away in the +hat-racks over head, while others, with no room to lie down, were trying +to sleep in a sitting posture. So time passed for three days and two +nights. + +To step from the train and see no town of any size was the thing that +befell these men, and exclamations of dissatisfaction and disgust were +heard everywhere. Being encouraged by a Y. M. C. A. man standing nearby +that twenty-four hours in the town would change their opinion, they were +content to be assigned to their various hotels. + +The village, or town, of La Bourboule is located in the Auvergne +mountains, in the range Puy-de-Dome, and had been a very popular summer +resort for the French people up to the time the U. S. government took it +over as one of the leave areas for American troops. The altitude of this +locality varies, for the valleys are about 2800 feet, while some peaks +are 4500 feet above the sea level. But as a leave sector it was a +disappointment to everyone. There were no recreations at all except +those furnished by the Y. M. C. A. and that place was carried by storm +from morning to night. A Y. M. C. A. man spoke of the trouble and placed +the blame to the fact that the town had accommodations for 1200 men, but +there were twice that number there of the 35th and the 26th divisions. +One can easily judge why these fellows thought they were "in the wrong +pew." To see an evening's performance of vaudeville or motion pictures +at the theatre, it was necessary to take a magazine and lunch, make +yourself at home for at least two hours and stick it out in said +selected seat. + +All had the idea that their days of standing in line for everything were +"_fini_," for seven days' leave, but it was not to be; they lined up to +purchase canteen checks and "fell in" behind, sometimes, one hundred +others to buy at the wet or dry canteen. At the former could be +purchased soft drinks, sandwiches and cakes, while at the latter was an +abundant supply of tobaccos and soldiers' needs. + +One Y. M. C. A. man made a practice of taking all interested soldiers to +see the many sights that the town boasted of, that is, to those that +were within hiking distance. The most important were the Roman Baths, +which are located at a distance of about six kilometres from La +Bourboule. These baths were first built by the soldiers of Caesar about +the year 400 A. D. Afterwards the springs were found to be beneficial to +people suffering from rheumatics and bronchial troubles. There are +eleven springs, all of a temperature averaging from 98 to 100 degrees +except one cold spring, and all tasting of mineral properties very +strongly. All of these springs are said to be radio-active, and each is +famous as a "cure" for some particular ailment. The most popular is the +"Singer's Spring," so-called because most of the leading vocalists in +the country took treatment there by gargling the water from this spring. +The original building was sacked and pillaged by the Gauls and +afterwards rebuilt as nearly along former lines as knowledge would +permit. Throughout the building are scattered pieces of the former +structure; statues, arches and pillars of the old Doric, Ionic and +Corinthian designs, which were unearthed and placed on display in the +many rooms. Among these is a piece of masonry representing the she-wolf +that suckled Romulus and Remus, as the legend goes, when they were lost +in the woods prior to the founding of Rome. It is not known, however, +whether this is the original that the Romans prized so highly, or a +reproduction. + +Another thing worth visiting at La Bourboule is the subterranean city, +which was supposed to have been submerged by an earthquake in early +times. A few of the buildings were unearthed a few years ago, but the +task was never completed. All around that vicinity the ground has a +hollow sound under foot, and makes walking seem a little dangerous. + +On a large plateau, 4500 feet above the town proper, is said to have +been the camping ground for Caesar's large army at the time he attempted +to stop the advance of the Gauls from the north. The French say he was +unsuccessful, and was forced to retire to the valley below. Mont +D'Sancy, one of the highest peaks in France, is near this area, but few +have ever cared to climb to its summit. + +After enduring French menu, which could have been much improved, for +nine days, the men were not sorry to receive orders to return to their +units. Prices ranged but one way--high and higher. One soldier remarked +that every time a certain bell rang, prices in the town jumped a franc. +The bell struck every quarter-hour. But conditions returning by rail +were even worse than the trip down, for this time, instead of nine to a +compartment, there were twelve crabby, disagreeable "soldats" returning +from their bi-yearly "Permission" in the heart of France. + + + + +THE FURLOUGHS AT AIX-LES-BAINES + + +Three groups of men of Ambulance Co. 139 were fortunate in having their +permissions read "Aix-les-Bains," furloughs which will never be +forgotten by the men who went there. + +Aix-les-Bains is a famous watering place in a picturesque valley along +the French Alps, not far from the Italian border. It is situated at the +foot of Mt. Revard, and within fifteen minutes' walk of Lake Bourget, +the largest and one of the most beautiful lakes in France. Next to Monte +Carlo, it was once the most renowned gambling center in the world. + +Everything possible was done to make our vacation a happy one. The men +were quartered in the very best hotels, getting the best of service and +everything to be desired in the line of eats. There was mountain +climbing, entertainments of all kinds provided by the Y. M. C. A., and, +best of all, companionship with real, live American "Y" girls. + +"Grand Cercle," the celebrated gambling casino of Aix-le-Bains, is now +the most beautiful Y. M. C. A. hut in France. It is a large, imposing +and luxuriously appointed building, costing several million francs. Its +various saloons are ornamented with magnificent mosaics by Salviati, of +Venice. Just beyond the vestibule is the "Gallery de Glaces," from which +most of the rooms of the casino can be entered. To the right is the +beautiful writing and reading room, the library, and the theatre, which +seats over a thousand persons. There is also the "Salle de Bacchus" and +the "Royal Bar." The bar is still doing a thriving business, but in +place of the former bar maid are the attractive American girls, serving +hot chocolate and coffee. At the "Salle de Bacchus" one could buy all he +wanted to eat at extremely low prices. To the left again are the rooms +formerly used for gambling purposes. The largest is used for lectures +and informal social times, and the smaller, where the larger stakes were +played for, is the center for the religious work program. + +The men were privileged to take trips to the summit of Mt. Revard, five +thousand feet above the sea level, by means of a little cog railroad. +From there they could see the Jura Mountains, the Alps, and the +snow-covered top of Mt. Blanc, the highest peak in Europe. When the +last furlough men were at Aix-les-Bains, early in February, "skiing" was +in vogue on Mt. Revard, and many were the tumbles taken in the attempt +to learn that fine winter sport. + +Another interesting trip was the hike to Mt. Chambotte, twelve kilos +away, where the men could also enjoy skiing and tobogganing. Then there +was the bike trip to the "Gorges" where they saw deep gashes worn in the +face of the earth by the unceasing mountain streams. Twice a week there +were trips by steamboat to Hautecomb Abbey, on which they could get a +wonderful view of the lake and the mountains. There, in the historical +old Abbey, are quite a number of beautiful oil paintings and statues, +taken care of by three old Monks. On all of these trips the Y. M. C. A. +furnished a competent guide, who explained the interesting points. + +At the "Y" casino, there was some form of entertainment at almost every +hour of the day. If there wasn't a vaudeville performance in the +theatre, there was either a moving picture show in the Cinema Hall or a +band concert in the ball-room, and sometimes all three were in process +at the same time. Each Thursday night was "stunt night," when different +stunts and dances were put on in the theatre by the soldiers on leave, +assisted by the "Y" girls. + +Such entertainment as this gave the men a new lease on life. All of the +men going to Aix-le-Bains returned saying that they had one of the best +times of their lives, and regretted that they could not have stayed +longer, as it was more like home than any place they had been in France. + + + + +TRIP TO MARSEILLES + + +While at Fontaine Brilliante, on the Verdun front, orders were received +for a detail to proceed to Marseilles for the purpose of getting the +ambulances we had been longing for since our arrival in France. Aside +from eight G. M. C. cars of Ambulance Co. 138, and four broken down +Fords, the 110th Sanitary Train had had no ambulances since leaving +Doniphan. We had long since given up the idea of ever having a +transportation section again, in fact someone had even gone the length +of voicing the following lament: + + "They sent us down to Doniphan to get an ambulance + To go abroad and let 'er go and drive for sunny France, + And then it took us seven months to get a pair of pants. + Oh, there's something rotten somewhere in this blooming ambulance. + Of course to drive an ambulance you've got to learn to drill, + So every morning, afternoon, they put us through the mill. + And when this war is over you will find us at it still; + For we never saw an ambulance, and never, never will." + +The wagoners and ambulance orderlies were hastily recalled from their +work as litter bearers in the advanced posts, and on October 26th, Lt. +Speck started for Marseilles for twenty-nine G. M. C. ambulances, with a +detail of thirty-two men from Ambulance Co. 139, sixteen from Ambulance +Co. 138, and twelve from Ambulance Co. 137. There was a mad scramble to +get on this detail, which meant a trip across France, away from the +monotony of the trenches. + +We arrived at the railroad about an hour early, but in the course of +time the train arrived and then started the scramble for the best +compartments that the train afforded. Most of us found second-class +compartments, which, after more cushions had been obtained, were very +comfortable, although a little breezy. Of course no lights could be +shown, but they were much better than the customary box cars. +Seven-thirty A. M., October 27th, found us at St. Dizier. We were +escorted to Camp Tambourine by an M. P., where we spent the morning +partaking of our rations. At about noon the M. P. returned, notifying us +that the train was ready, so we were checked out of the camp, marched to +the train and packed into box cars (40 hommes or 8 chevaux). They were +better than some we had drawn formerly, as there was straw on the floor. + +The train traveled along a beautiful tree-lined canal for a long +distance. Barges on the canal were for the most part drawn by horses, +but occasionally we would see very small burros pulling them. Each barge +appeared to be a home, for family washings were hanging out on a great +many of them. + +We arrived at Dijon about 1 A. M. October 28th, and marched across the +city wheeling rations on two-wheeled baggage trucks which were +"borrowed" at the railroad station. We stayed the balance of the night +at a French Permissionares Barrack, and spent the following day looking +around the numerous parks and squares. While in the Permissionares +barracks, one of our boys inquired of another, "Who are those 'birds' in +French uniforms wearing those four-cornered caps?" Before the question +could be answered, the French-uniformed person replied, in English, "We +are of the Polish Legion. My home is in Chicago." + +That evening we entrained again, and after an uneventful ride, arrived +at Lyons at 7 A. M. the next morning. After a wait at the station of +about two hours, we marched to some barracks which were surrounded by a +high board fence. The city being quarantined on account of the +influenza, we were not allowed outside of the enclosure except to go to +the wash-house, about a hundred yards distant. Between the gate of the +enclosure and the wash-house was a "boozerie," consequently there were a +great many men who wanted to wash. + +Just before leaving Lyons that evening, a doughboy "promoted" a large +crate of grapes from a shipment on the station platform. At daylight the +following morning we were traveling through a rather sandy country, with +vineyards on both sides of the track. Then for a long distance there +were Larch trees planted along the track, so close together that it was +impossible to see beyond them. Later in the day we traveled along the +shore of Etyde Berre Sea, with its many rice plantations, and multitude +of wild ducks, then through a tunnel about two kilos long, through large +groves of fig trees, finally arriving at Marseilles about noon. + +Our packs were hauled in trucks to the Motor Reception Park while the +men marched, giving us an opportunity to see the many fruit peddlers, +the numerous fountains and squares, and the dirty, narrow streets of the +city. Upon our arrival at the Motor Reception Park we were assigned to +billets in French buildings. We spent the afternoon cleaning up, eating +fruit purchased from peddlers, and selling all kinds of little trinkets +to the S. O. S. men as German souvenirs, and explaining to them who "won +the war." In the evening we were given passes into Marseilles, good +until midnight. Some went to the theatre staging a burlesque show, which +was very similar to an American show. Others went around the town, to +the water front, and sampled all of the fruits available, none of which +are as good as the fruits which can be procured in American cities. +However, we found Marseilles a cosmopolitan city, both in regard to +civilians and soldiers. The main streets were very much like the streets +of an American city. + +Early in the afternoon of October 31st we were marched to the +ambulances, and busied ourselves looking over the machines preparing for +the start. During the evening we looked around the immediate vicinity of +the Motor Park and sampled the vintage of southern France. + +At 8:00 A. M., on November 1st, the convoy of 29 ambulances left the +park in a gentle shower, but before traveling very far it became a +regular cloudburst, with a strong wind. The first day's drive was over +very good roads, in a narrow valley, with high, rocky hills and peaks in +the distance and an occasional village at the foot of the hills. We +stopped the first night just outside of St. Aminol, a very small +village, and being the first American soldiers who had stopped near +there, we were enthusiastically received by the mademoiselles, and +invited to visit the town. + +During the next day we passed through Avignon, where we were given +flowers by French children. We crossed several suspension bridges over +streams flowing into the Rhone River, and drove for miles through +vineyards, with their beautiful red and yellow leaves. We saw many wine +presses, most of which were operated by women, in fact a greater part of +the manual labor was done by the women. We stopped for the night near +Valence, a city of many narrow crooked streets, beautiful squares and +fountains. We saw there many patterns of Val lace. + +Leaving Valence at 7 A. M. November 3rd, we passed through St. Symphone +on a market day. The farm products and animals were lined up along the +street; vegetables piled on the sidewalk, while the pigs, geese and +calves were in excelsior-lined crates and baskets. We arrived at Lyons +in the afternoon and drove down one of the main streets--and it was +agreed by all that they had never seen so many beautiful ladies in a +similar length of time, not even in America. We stopped for the night at +a French Barracks, another prison, the city still being under +quarantine. Lyons is built at the junction of the Rhone and Prome +rivers, the different parts of the city being connected by many bridges, +one the Pont du President Wilson, which was dedicated July 14th, 1918. + +It was raining when we left Lyons the next morning, and the roads were +very rough. As it was necessary to have the curtains of the ambulances +up all day, we could see very little of the country until we got to +Dijon, where we stopped for the night. From Dijon, we traveled over +fairly good roads through a rolling country similar to Kansas, stopping +on the night of November 5th at Chaumont, at which place is located +Headquarters, A. E. F. + +We left Chaumont at 7:30 A. M. on November 6th, passing through Langres +with its fort. By afternoon we had arrived back to the part of the +country which was strewn with barbed wire entanglements, trenches and +other preparations for combat, and late in the evening arrived at +Fontaine Brilliante. + +Had we never seen any of France but the northern devastated part, we +would have always wondered why the French fought so hard, but now we can +easily see the reason. + + + + +A CASUAL IN THE S. O. S. + + +Upon the conclusion of the 139th Amb. Co.'s part in the Argonne drive, +the company was assembled at Neuvilly. Here, orders were given for all +men who needed medical attention to report for examination, and the +Casual, after living on corn beef and hard tack once a day, no sleep to +speak of, and some experience with gas, concluded that he needed an +overhauling. Accordingly he went before the M. D., was sentenced to the +field hospital, and there being no field hospital in action, was sent to +Evacuation No. 9 at Vaubecourt. + +The journey was made by ambulance and, upon his arrival he was taken to +the receiving ward. Here he was given a hot cup of cocoa by the Red +Cross girls, and a new diagnosis tag in exchange for the one he was +wearing. His helmet and gas mask were discarded since they could not be +of much benefit, and he was assigned a bed in Ward No. 40. + +Here he lay for two days, waiting for his turn to go to the Base. The +bed felt good to his weary bones after months of no bed at all to speak +of. He let his mind wander to various subjects that he had been wanting +to think of for two weeks, but could not for fear of that soul +disturbing cry "gas!" He wondered why that shell that had distributed a +mule all over the landscape, had not distributed him instead, in the +same manner, and thanked the Lord that he was evidently considered of +more value than the mule. The third day found him on a French hospital +train, where he lived on French rations (including Vin Blanc) for two +days and one night. The evening of the second day found him at Neuves. +The trip was featured by the unsuccessful effort of the M. P's. to +protect the fine French vineyards from being ravaged by such of the +invalids as were not too sick to walk around. After all, it was a long +time since they had eaten grapes, for one does not pick grapes on the +front line and one used to living in that atmosphere is troubled by more +serious thoughts than property rights. When he got to Neuves he was to +be put through another receiving ward where the serious cases were +marked with a red tag, which means immediate attention. Not being so +badly off, the Casual was relieved of what clothes he still possessed +and everything else except personal articles. Next, came a bath and a +suit of pajamas and then, bed. + +When he had gotten off the train those gallant heroes, the pirates of +the S. O. S. had immediately fallen on him tooth and nail, hammer and +tongs for anything in the line of souvenirs that he was likely to have +on his person. Having risked a great deal of his future in obtaining +these little remembrances of the Hun, he was quite naturally not very +much excited over the idea of getting rid of them, and especially to +people only by risking their reputation in trying to part a war-worn +Sammie from his only reminders of the fight. So he stood his ground +until he fell into the hands of the lieutenants of the receiving ward +from whom there is no escape. Here he was separated from all his +treasures with no regard whatsoever, for even common decency. He only +hopes he will meet and recognize them on the other shore, especially if +he could come upon them relating the story of their capture. + +After the Casual was safely in bed, the ward master made a record of the +principal parts of his past life, which is called a "Clinical Record." +Next, a physical examination by the M. D. in charge who prescribed the +treatment. The man in the next car was suffering from a fractured leg +and in much pain, but he remarked to the Casual that he was glad that he +seemed to be getting reasonable treatment, for some places he would +have been given two O. D. pills and told to report for duty. + +[Illustration: LEFT TO RIGHT: LT. GEO. MONTEITH, CAPT. PAUL R. SIBERTS, +CAPT. RICHARD T. SPECK, CAPT. BRET V. BATES, LT. COLIN C. VARDON.] + +[Illustration: WEST TOWARD BAULNEY.] + +[Illustration: COMPANY INSPECTION, CAMP DONIPHAN, OKLA.] + +The Casual was put in Class C and had an in and out life of it. The food +was good but very little of it, at least, to a man with an appetite. +Occasionally there was a battle royal when enough parties had saved up +sufficient prune seeds to make an effective barrage, but when there were +no prune seeds, the time passed very slowly. The Casual went from Class +C to Class B in two weeks, and three weeks more of it found him ready to +depart for a Replacement Camp. When this time came, he was issued a new +outfit and put in a bunch of 40 men who were under the tender care of a +sergeant. That worthy one drew the rations and marched the detail to the +train. Side door Pullmans, this time. Quite different from first class. +Here the motto "Cheveaux 8, Hommes 40" was faithfully lived up to, but +the Casual thought the 40 hommes was a great deal over estimated. The +seating proved uncomfortable, so with much labor, seats were built +around the sides and through the center from stones and lumber, policed +from an American yard. Immediately after the job was done, an officer +entered and informed the sergeant that all the material policed should +be considered under the order of "As You Were." But he did not wait to +see if his orders were carried out, and the works were camouflaged with +blankets. However, the suspense proved too great, and the stuff was +returned for fear of the consequences. It is worthy of note that the car +was never inspected. + +The train started, snail fashion, after the manner of French trains and +at one of the stops, a vin barrel was tapped, to the benefit of all +concerned in the tapping. The destination proved to be Toul, where the +Casual was put in a company and given the rest of his equipment and was +on his way back to his company the next day. + +An hour and a half later, he pulled in after an eight kilo hike, glad to +be home and ready to eat some of the good old steaks. No more casual +life for him. + + + + +PERSHING REVIEWS THE 35th DIVISION + + +No day could have been more typical of France than the day of the +Divisional Review, Monday, February 17th, 1919. There was a steady fall +of rain, and the low-scudding clouds threw a dampened aspect upon the +scene. + +The Sanitary Train, led by Maj. Oliver C. Gebhart, left Aulnois at 10:00 +A. M. The distance of ten kilometers to the reviewing field between the +villages of Vignot and Boncourt was made under every disadvantage of +muddy roads and the heavy pour of rain. The field itself, located on a +broad stretch of the Meuse basin, was mush-like with mire and patched +with pools of water. + +General Pershing, with the Prince of Wales, rode onto the field at 1:30 +o'clock, while the entire division stood at attention. The salute to the +Commander-in-Chief was played by a detachment of picked buglers, and as +the General and his party rode around the entire division from right to +left, the band, stationed on the right, rendered "God Save the King," in +honor of England's young prince. + +The columns of the Division were drawn up into platoon fronts, the +Sanitary Train being stationed between the Artillery, on the left, and +the Machine Gun, Signal Corps and Infantry Regiments on the right. After +riding around the Division, General Pershing and his party personally +inspected each platoon, winding back and forth, asking questions of the +company commanders and speaking with the men. + +Having completed the personal inspection, the General and his party took +position in the reviewing stand on the right. At the command "Pass in +Review" by the Division Commander, each battalion executed successively +"Squads Right," and swept down the field in a line of platoons. It was +indeed a most impressive sight, and, although the sky was cast heavy +with low-hanging clouds, the sun, as if to lend color to an already +beautiful picture, broke through and shone for a few moments. Then, as +each column swung out upon its own way home, the rain began again. As +the last regiment passed in review, the Division was halted while the +General and Prince spoke a few words of praise for the splendid showing +of the Division, and of its work in battle. + +Although participation in this great event required that the men wear +full packs for almost nine hours without removing them, and undergo a +hike of twenty kilos in the rain, not a man regretted the experience. It +will be long remembered with pride by those who took part. + + + + +FROM COUSANCES TO AULNOIS + + +The signing of the Armistice on November 11th, left the company at +Cousances, occupying an old, dismantled factory. It was a most +unsatisfactory place and there were practically no accommodations of any +kind. Winter was upon us. The open barn lofts were too breezy for +comfort, and there existed a little feeling of uneasiness, as days +passed by and still we did not move. + +After a couple of weeks, however, we packed up and moved to the small +village of Ernecourt, situated about 12 kilos southeast of Cousances. +Remaining here for only a few days, we again moved on to Aulnois, where +the remainder of the time in this area was spent. + + + + +THE HOME GOING + + +Aulnois may have been a disappointment or the men may have thought it +satisfactory. Anyway, when the Sanitary Train moved into its area it was +a typical example of many of the other villages that they had found +over-run with dirt and French children. + +It was not long after their cow-shed and hay-loft billets were made as +comfortable as possible, until the full force was out with brooms, +shovels and trucks, and soon the village took on an altogether different +appearance. The natives no doubt imagined that these veterans were a +Brigade of White Wings, or perhaps some Convict Labor Battalion and +perhaps they failed to appreciate the work, even after their little +"burg" was transformed into a decent place in which to dwell. Well, +"san-ferrie-Anne," this was the Sanitary Train, the 110th, at that. + +Three months were the people of the village honored with the presence of +this hearty crew, and ere the end of the first month, they had decided +that the Americans were not so barbarious after all, and began to feel +content as the nice shining francs jingled in their jeans. The farmers +foresaw the necessity of doubling the next year's crop of +Pomm-de-terres, and the breweries of Commercy and Bar-le-Duc wondered at +the enormous consumption of their bottled products. + +Still, after all, the stay in this area was very different from what +those on furloughs found at Aix-les-Bains, who, upon returning, usually +suffered an attack of the blues. Each company had work to do. The Field +Hospitals occupied the buildings on the hill just above the town and +were working day and night. The ambulance companies were evacuating the +entire Division, and the efficiency with which both performed their +duties was known throughout the Divisional area. + +There are a few things that will tend to remind the men of the company +of their stay here, in the days when all incidents of the A. E. F. will +be pleasant memories. Christmas, and the dawning of the New Year were +celebrated here. These events are made more memorable because of one +fact, if no other; the cooks went out of their way to prepare the dishes +that, standing out above all else in the Christmas spirit of the Yank, +are to him ever associated with home, a full stomach and celebrations. +Colonel Wooley left the train for another command, and Madam Bon left +her establishment among the boys and was married. However, she continued +to sell a few bottles of beer after closing hours. + +It was while here in Aulnois that the Commanding General of the +A. E. F., accompanied by the Prince of Wales, reviewed the Division. +And last, but by no means least, the long expected news reached us that +the old 35th Division was ordered home. Accordingly, though sometime +later, preparations for the first move were began, and on the evening of +the 9th of March, the men bade farewell to the little village, and +climbed aboard boxcars for the long ride to the Le Mans Embarkation +Area. + + + + +FROM AULNOIS TO "CIVIES" + + +It was with a willing hand and a happy heart that we prepared to leave +Aulnois-Sous-Vertuzey, where we had spent a "weary waiting period" of +over three months, and when the evening of March 9th rolled around, we +were all packed up and "rearin' to go." All medical property, extra +clothing, etc., had been turned in, so that there was very little to +pack except the office records and our personal belongings. Of this we +were duly thankful. + +We entrained at Lerouville at 2 o'clock on the morning of March 10th, +bound for St. Corneille, in the Le Mans area, riding as usual in box +cars. The trip was characteristic of French train service--SLOW--in fact +on the second day of the trip we only made about 12 miles the whole day. +We finally arrived at St. Corneille, a clean little French village, on +the 13th, and for the next three weeks "waited" some more. The only part +of the company who were busy was the office force, and they were +exceedingly so, for there were passenger lists to be made out, besides +innumerable other rosters and reports. Of course there were the usual +physical examinations, "cootie" inspections, and a "shot in the arm," +and these things helped to occupy our time. + +Our next lap toward home started on April 5th, and the next morning +found us at the immense camp of St. Nazaire, our Port of Embarkation. +What a thrill went through us as we looked out onto the ocean again, +especially when we knew that we were soon to cross the gang-plank, "the +bridge whose western end is America!" It must be said here that St. +Nazaire is a wonderfully efficient camp. For instance, each kitchen in +the camp can feed as many as ten thousand men in a little more than an +hour's time. At this camp we were examined and de-cootieized some more, +but our stay was short, and on April 12th we glued our eyes on the +bulletin board, which read "110th Sanitary Train embarks at 11:30 A. M., +April 14th, U. S. S. Antigone." That was "the thrill that comes once +in a lifetime." + +On the dock, before embarking, we were treated to hot chocolate, cookies +and tobacco by the "Y" girls. Then the time that we had been waiting for +for eleven months came, and we crossed the gang-plank "Homeward Bound." +On account of storms just off the coast, our start was delayed until 3 +A. M. on April 16th, and when we awoke that morning we were almost out +of sight of land. Strange to say, there were no "heartaches" when "Sunny +France" faded away behind us, for ahead of us was "God's Country," the +land where mothers, fathers, wives and sweethearts were waiting for us. +That first day out was a memorable one for most of us. The sea was +rough, and that evening no one doubted but that every fish in the +vicinity of the ship went to sleep with his hunger entirely appeased. +Nothing more needs to be said. By the next morning the sea had calmed +down, and the remainder of the voyage was a delightful one, with clear +skies and bright sunshine. The "Y," Red Cross and Knights of Columbus +assisted a great deal in making the trip a pleasant one, by distributing +fruit, candy, magazines and books, and with a "movie" show every +evening. The men were allowed to take trips down into the engine room, +which was indeed an interesting and instructive sight. + +Early on the morning of Sunday, April 27th, we steamed up Hampton Roads, +at Newport News, Virginia, and at about 10:30 once more planted our feet +on the soil of "Uncle Sam." The streets of Newport News were lined with +people as we marched from the dock to Camp Stuart, about five miles +away, and as one fellow remarked, "I saw more good looking girls on that +march than during my whole time in France." Here's to the United States +and her people, for there's no others like them. + +The greater part of our four days at Camp Stuart was spent in getting +new clothing, for every soldier was newly outfitted from head to foot +before he left that camp. So it was a spic and span company that boarded +the train on Friday afternoon, May 2, bound for Camp Funston, our +demobilization camp. That is, there were about seventy of the company to +go to Camp Funston, for the company was separated at Camp Stuart, and +each man was sent to the demobilization camp nearest his home. The homes +of many of our replacements were in the East. The trip across the states +in that fast American train was an enjoyable one, especially so because +of the reception given us by the people at the cities where we stopped. +At each large city a Red Cross canteen entertained us with homemade +sandwiches, coffee and pie. Some entertainment. + +Our trip across the States took us via West Virginia, Cincinnati, +Indianapolis and Chicago. Late on the afternoon of Sunday, May 4th, we +left Chicago for Kansas City, and it was then that our hearts started to +miss a beat now and then, for we were getting close to home. What a +sight greeted our eyes as the train drew into the station at Second and +Washington, Kansas City, Kansas. The station platform was a solid mass +of people, each one trying to pour out a larger amount of "greeting" +than anyone else. When the train finally stopped and we piled out--well, +no words can tell what that reunion meant. Each fellow and his folks +know. We stayed at Kansas City about four hours, and during that time, +besides visiting our folks, our mothers gave us a delightful breakfast +at the Masonic Temple, with a dance afterwards. Then we went on to Camp +Funston, stopping several hours at Topeka, where a number of the men +lived. + +Our stay at Funston was short, but strenuous. We were not allowed to +leave our barrack, for there were a thousand and one different papers, +it seemed, that each man had to sign. Then, too, we turned in our pack, +and all other equipment except our clothing and personal effects. + +It was a wonderful feeling when, on the morning of May 9th, 1919, just a +year to the day from the time we left Camp Doniphan for overseas +service, we marched up to the Personnel Office to receive our +discharges. We could hardly believe it was true. We filed in--soldiers, +and a few minutes later came out--civilians. + +We're glad we served our country when she needed us, and we're glad +"it's over over there." It's just as many an A. E. F. man has said, "We +wouldn't take a million dollars for our experiences over there, but we +wouldn't give a nickel with a hole in it for any more like them." + + + + +FICKLE WOMEN + + +It either was Tom Keene, Henry George or some other good nickel seller +that once said, "Women thou art fickle things," and to come right down +to it the old boy was about right. Even in this war we have found that +the fair sex is not overcoming this weakness, in fact woman today is +worse than she was yesterday. + +In the days of old the men would do daring acts to win the hand of fair +lady. If he went on a crusade and brought back a string of dragon heads +she would marry him. They would live happily till some other daredevil +comes along with long wavy hair and two strings of dragon heads. Right +away friend wife drops a Sedlitz powder in his "vin-rouge." A few days +finds hubby pushing up daisies and the handsome stranger is seen playing +a guitar under the widow's window, she encouraging him by dropping +roses. + +Now today he pops the question, she says, "But we won't have the knot +tied till you come back from the war." While he was putting the half +karat on that special finger he began to figure how long it would take +him to kill off the population of Germany at the rate of five thousand a +day and get back to the ideal of his dreams. He goes across the pond and +receives his sweet weekly letter till one day he gets one that makes him +think that he is opening some other fellow's mail. + +She had not waited to see how many "Dutch" helmets and medals he would +bring home but had gone before the altar with some guy who couldn't +enlist on account of a thick head. + +It's a wonder we ever won the war with such moral support as this coming +through the mail. In this company alone, which has a strength of only +one hundred and twenty-three men, eleven per cent were jilted in this +way. All of them will probably not die old bachelors, but it will take +some pretty strong bait to get these fish to nibble again. + + + + +ROSTER + + +AMBULANCE COMPANY No. 2, KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD. + + _Lieutenants._ + + Edwin R. Tenney, 538 Oakland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Richard F. Speck, 718 Washington Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + Adam E. Adamson. + Alpheus J. Bondurant Charleston, Mo. + + _Sergeants._ + + Rowland, Chas. G., 2304 Myrtle Ave. Kansas City, Mo. + Adams, James A., 1134 Troup Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Hadley, Vernon A., 1241 Lafayette St. Lawrence, Kans. + Leady, Roscoe B., 1005 Central Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Markley, Algernon Minneapolis, Kans. + Parsons, John D., 2614 N. 13th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Thomas, Chester L., 823 N. Jackson Topeka, Kans. + Falconer, Clarence E., 535 Oakland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Carson, Edward T., Aberdeen Hotel Kansas City, Mo. + + _Corporals._ + + Hovey, Clarence E., 1136 Rowland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Ward, Clarence S., 609 Ohio Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Knight, Roger F., 12 S. Boeke St. Kansas City, Kans. + Weirshing, Guy Sedan, Kans. + Dugan, Rollo C., 606 E. 4th St. Ottawa, Kans. + Toler, Roy P., 601 E. 9th St. Kansas City, Mo. + Robinson, William, 515 Quindaro Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + O'Dowd, Hall B., 642 Everett Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Roach, Norvin M., 536 Brooklyn Ave. Kansas City, Mo. + Alleman, Neal D., 1926 N. 15th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Christian, John S., 31st and Pacific Kansas City, Kans. + + _Cooks._ + + Toohey, Paul E., 1232 Quindaro Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + Karbach, Albert R., 531 Quindaro Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + + _Musicians._ + + White, Frederick R., 1131 Rowland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Keck, Kenneth F., 606 Isett Ave. Wapello, Iowa + + _Privates._ + + Addison, James W., 1938 N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Anderson, Willard C. Partridge, Kans. + Anderson, John W., 713 Lafayette Kansas City, Kans. + Adams, Ernest T., 636 Simpson Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Bailey, Clarence E. Ramona, Okla. + Barnes, Lile Joe, City Hospital Kansas City, Mo. + Barnes, Richard A. Ottawa, Kans. + Barnett, Benjamin, 819 Southwest Blvd. Rosedale, Kans. + + Brown, Kenneth S., 646 Oakland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Baum, Earl W., 1932 Parallel Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Baum, Eldon E., 1932 Parallel Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Blackwell, Joseph F., 735 Nebraska Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Blazer, Robert T., 46 N. Tremont Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Bradbury, Claude L., 1250 Sandusky Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Brennan, Edward W., 538 Oakland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Briggs, Clarence, 609 Cornell Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Briggs, Junior, 609 Cornell Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Brown, Guy, 240 N. 16th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Brunell, Ferdinand F. C., 604 N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Buckles, Doyle L. Sedan, Kans. + Buckley, Leslie K., 13 N. Feree Kansas City, Kans. + Childs, Wesley M., 2116 N. 10th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Carter, Edward, 29 N. Valley Kansas City, Kansas + Church, Romulus B., 1228 Ohio St. Lawrence, Kans. + Cline, Ernest R. Tonganoxie, Kans. + Cole, Charles L., 1604 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City Kans. + Conquest, Victor, 1903 N. 4th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Corbett, Joseph F., 839 Ann Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Coyle, Walter E., 866 Orville Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Crowley, John J., 1233 Oread St. Lawrence, Kans. + Davidson, Vernie, 1943 N. 11th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Dennis, Jesse A., Ottawa County Pomma, Kans. + DeTalent, Edward C., 1916 E. 34th St. Kansas City, Mo. + Finley, Harold H. Turner, Kans. + Flagg, Paul E., 1320 Ohio Ave. Lawrence, Kans. + Flesher, Clarence W., 1820 N. 9th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Foster, James R., 2828 Olive St. Kansas City, Mo. + Gibson, Walter N., 329 N. Valley St. Kansas City, Kans. + Gregar, Mike G., 725 Lyons St. Kansas City, Kans. + Goff, Melvin W., 808 Missouri St. Lawrence, Kans. + Hallquist, Hugo F., 1721 Stewart Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Hamman, Albert E., 2015 Hallack St. Enid, Okla. + Hart, George M., 624 West Main St. Enid, Okla. + Hendricks, William R., 511 Armstrong Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Hinze, Edward W., 1020 Ford Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Houston, Herbert, 120 S. 17th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Heuben, Paul T., 1139 Ella St. Kansas City, Kans. + Ise, Frank H., 1125 Mississippi Lawrence, Kans. + Jackson, Dale B. Burlington, Kans. + Jenkins, Robert C., 216 N. 21st St. Kansas City, Kans. + Jenner, Clifford, 235 N. Mill St. Kansas City, Kans. + Jessen, Joseph J., 3528 S. Halstead St. Chicago, Ill. + Johnson, Andrew McFarland, Kans. + Johnson, Roy E., 918 Sandusky Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Jones, Jacobus F., 937 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Kocher, Ernest J., 620 Broadway Jefferson City, Mo. + Kemper, Eugene L. Lakin, Kans. + Locke, Lloyd B. Erie, Kans. + McClenahan, John L. Miltonvale, Kans. + McNabb, Fred R. Richmond, Kans. + Martin, William R., 1315 Madison St. Kansas City, Mo. + Miller, Samuel C., 410 "T" St. Atchison, Kans. + Minnear, John R., 2520 Alden St. Kansas City, Kans. + Moore, Chester, 714-1/2 N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kans. + + Murray, Frank A., 407 N. 7th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Nelson, Oscar F., 1722 Stewart Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Oellerich, Clarence E., Penn Hotel Kansas City, Mo. + Parimore, Roy C., 404 W. 7th St. Larned, Kans. + Pedago, Ellis, 1240 Central Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Piatt, William C., R. F. D. No. 4 Kansas City, Kans. + Pringle, Kenneth W., 1334 Ohio Ave. Lawrence, Kans. + Putman, Lawrence A., 806 Minn. Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Rebeck, John M., 1806 N. 2nd St. Kansas City, Kans. + Reid, Alex., 2013 Water St. Kansas City, Kans. + Reid, Roderick V., 1230 Tennessee Lawrence, Kans. + Rewerts, Fred C. Garden City, Kans. + Richmond, Lloyd, 712 Ann Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Russell, Thomas C., 710 Riverview Ave. Kansas City Kans. + Schenke, Harold W., 1208 N. 9th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Siebers, Frank A., 736 Tauromee Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Sherrell, Clarence W., 1232 Minn. Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Smith, Glenn E., 701 W. 11th St. Coffeyville, Kans. + Stalcup, Ernest F. Preston, Kans. + Stewart, Chester B., 1846 N. 18th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Still, Robert P. Tonganoxie, Kans. + Stutes, Chester A., 1860 Brighton Ave. Kansas City, Mo. + Talmadge, Abram J., 720 Garfield Kansas City, Kans. + Van Cleave, Donald W., 714 Troup Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Vesper, Harold E., 730 Garfield Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Walker, John W. Jr., 231 N. 16th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Wolf, Jonathan A. Louisburg, Kans. + Weaverling, Jacob C., 2843 Mercer Ave. Kansas City, Mo. + Williams, William J., 2832 Booth Ave. Rosedale, Kans. + + +LOSSES BY TRANSFER OR DISCHARGE FROM COMPANY. + + _Captains._ + + Siberts, Paul T. Oklahoma City, Okla. + Bates, Bret V. Wheaton, Minn. + + _First Lieutenants._ + + Adamson, Adam J. Kansas City, Mo. + Bondurant, Alpheus J. Kansas City, Kans. + Tenney, Edwin R Kansas City, Kans. + Monteith, Geo. Hazleton, N. Dak. + Shelton, ---- Los Angeles, Cal. + Harwell, Wm. R. Shreveport, La. + Evers, Wm. P. V. Illinois + + _Sergeants, First Class._ + + Rowland, Chas. G., 2016 Lister Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Pringle, Kenneth W. Alma, Kans. + Parsons, John D., 1926 N. 15th St. Kansas City, Kans. + + _Sergeants._ + + Leady, Roscoe B. Kansas City, Kans. + Markley, Algernon D. Minneapolis, Kans. + Thomas, Chester L. Topeka, Kans. + Falconer, Clarence, 535 Oakland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + + Carson, Edward T. Kansas City, Mo. + Childs, Wesley M. Kansas City, Kans. + Foster, James R. Lawrence, Kans. + + _Corporals._ + + Conquest, Victor Kansas City, Kans. + Johns, Benjamin P. Kansas City, Mo. + + _Cooks._ + + Kemper, Eugene L. Lakin, Kans. + + _Privates, First Class._ + + Anderson, John W. Kansas City, Kans. + Anderson, Willard C. Lawrence, Kans. + Baum, Earl W. Kansas City, Kans. + Brennan, Edward W. Kansas City, Kans. + Brown, Kenneth S. Kansas City, Kans. + Buckles, Doyle L. Sedan, Kans. + Casteel, Jess W. Florence, Wis. + Church, Romulus B. Lawrence, Kans. + Corbett, Joseph F. Kansas City, Kans. + Covington, Van D. Kansas City, Mo. + Crawford, Verne F. Croswell, Mich. + Dennis, Jesse A. Ottawa, Kans. + Dotson, Wm. R. Unknown + Dugan, Rollo C. Ottawa, Kans. + Flagg, Paul E. Lawrence, Kans. + Flesher, Clarence W. Kansas City, Kans. + Goff, Melvin W. Lawrence, Kans. + Hallquist, Hugo Kansas City, Kans. + Hinze, Edward W. Kansas City, Kans. + Hovey, Clarence E. Kansas City, Kans. + Heuben, Paul T. Kansas City, Kans. + Ise, Frank H. Lawrence, Kans. + Jackson, Dale B. Kansas City, Kans. + Jenkins, Robt. C. Kansas City, Kans. + Jesson, Joseph J. Kansas City, Kans. + Johnson, Andrew Alma, Kans. + Johnson, Roy E. Kansas City, Kans. + Jones, Jacobus E. Clifton, Tenn. + McClenahan, John S. Miltonvale, Kans. + Martin, Wm. R. Kansas City, Kans. + Miller, Samuel C. Atchison, Kans. + Myers, Wilson Tonganoxie, Kans. + Nelson, Oscar F. Kansas City, Kans. + Patrick, Currie F. St. Louis, Mo. + Pedago, Ellis Kansas City, Kans. + Richmond, Lloyd Kansas City, Kans. + Roach, Norvin M. Kansas City, Mo. + Sherrell, Clarence W. Kansas City, Kans. + Stewart, Chester B. Kansas City, Kans. + Still, Robert A. Tonganoxie, Kans. + Toler, Roy P. Kansas City, Mo. + Van Cleave, Donald W. Kansas City, Kans. + Wolf, Jonathan A. Kansas City, Kans. + Woolery, Clyde F. Unknown + Whiles, James W. Kansas City, Mo. + + +MEN WITH AMBULANCE COMPANY 139, AT TIME OF DEMOBILIZATION. + + _Captains._ + + Speck, Richard T. (Comdg. Co.), 618 Oakland Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Hartman, Ralph C., Lake Edge Park Madison, Wis. + + _First Lieutenant._ + + Vardon, Colin C., 225 Highland Ave. Detroit, Mich. + + _Sergeants, First Class._ + + Briggs, Junior, 609 Cornell Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Knight, Roger F., 12 S. Boeke St. Kansas City, Kans. + + _Mess Sergeant._ + + Hadley, Vernon A. Ridgefarm, Ill. + + _Sergeants._ + + Adams, James A., 1134 Troup Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Alleman, Neal D., 1926 N. 15th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Wiershing, Guy Sedan, Kans. + Hart, George M., 611 N. Grand St. Enid, Okla. + Stalcup, Ernest F., 417 E. 11th St. Hutchinson, Kans. + Christian, John W., 122 S. Hicks St. Los Angeles, Cal. + Hickam, Clinton J. Freedom, Ind. + Bailey, Clarence E. Ramona, Okla. + Rewerts, Fred C. Garden City, Kans. + Talmadge, Abram J., 720 Garfield Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + + _Corporals._ + + O'Dowd, Benjamin H., 642 Everett Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Barnes, Richard A. Ottawa, Kans. + Finley, Harold H. Turner, Kans. + Ellis, Clark Glenville, W. Va. + Jensen, Henry M. Concordia, Kans. + Stutes, Chester A., 1860 Brighton Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + + _Cooks._ + + Crotty, John J., 1209 Paseo Kansas City, Mo. + Carter, Edward, 1107 Riverview Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Locke, Lloyd B. Erie, Kans. + + _Mechanic._ + + Meinberg, Edwin J., 2006-A Russell Ave. St. Louis, Mo. + + _Wagoners._ + + Bellows, Frank E. Fultonville, New York + Bradbury, Claude L., 1250 Sandusky Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Briggs, Clarence, 609 Cornell Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Brunell, Ferdinand F. C., 401-1/2 N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Ely, Clarence G. Midlothian, Texas + Feehan, Walter J., 706 Frisco Ave. Monett, Mo. + Kocher, Ernest J., 620 Broadway St. Jefferson City, Mo. + Lottner, August, 907 Townsend Ave. Detroit, Mich. + + McNabb, Fred R. Richmond, Kans. + Putman, Lawrence A., care of Harold E. Vesper, 720 Garfield Ave. + Kansas City, Kans. + Reid, Alex, 2040 Walnut St. Kansas City, Kans. + Robinson, William O., 515 Quindaro Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + Smith, Glen E. Van Buren, Ark. + Vesper, Harold E., 730 Garfield Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Ward, Clarence S., 609 Ohio Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Weaverling, Jacob C., 2843 Mercier Ave. Kansas City, Mo. + + _Privates, First Class._ + + Adams, Ernest T., 636 Simpson Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Addison, James W., 1938 N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Barbour, Dewey T. Houston, Pa. + Barnes, Joe, K. C. General Hospital, 24th and Cherry Kansas City, Mo. + Brown, Guy B., 240 N. 16th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Cataldi, Angelo, 604 Scott St. Wilmington, Del. + Coleman, James W. Le Sueur, Minn. + Coyle, Walter E., 866 Orville Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Crowley, George G., 1319 E. Market St. Akron, Ohio + DeTalent, Edward C., 1915 E. 34th St. Kansas City, Mo. + Downing, Fay A. Island Falls, Maine + Houston, Herbert S., 120 S. 17th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Jones, Arthur E., 394 W. Euclid Ave. Detroit, Mich. + Keck, Kenneth F. Wapello, Iowa + McCarthy, Bernard J., 1514 W. Benton Place Kansas City, Mo. + Moore, Chester, 610 N. 6th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Murray, Frank H., 404 N. 7th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Oellerich, Clarence G., 1425 Thurston Ave. Racine, Wis. + Rebeck, John M., 1807 N. 2nd St. Kansas City, Kans. + Saul, Parker E. R. F. D., Ava, Ill. + Schenke, Harold W., 712 Orville Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Walker, John W. Jr., 203 N. 14th St. Kansas City, Kans. + + _Privates._ + + Allen, Frank M. Oxford, Mich. + Altman, William R. Knox, Pa. + Armbrustmacher, William J. Fowler, Mich. + Barnett, Benjamin, 819 Southwest Blvd. Rosedale, Kans. + Barris, Allen L. Dougherty, Okla. + Blackwell, Joseph F., 735 Nebraska Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Blaker, Charles F., R. F. D. 2 Butler, Ind. + Blandford, Joseph J., R. R. 1 Morganfield, Ky. + Blazer, Robert T., 46 N. Tremont St. Kansas City, Kans. + Brogan, Lester A., 705 N. Spring St. St. John, Mich. + Buckley, Lee E., 13 N. Ferree St. Kansas City, Kans. + Cannon, Francis P., 1260 Lyell Ave. West Rochester, N. Y. + Cline, Ernest R. Tonganoxie, Kans. + Cole, Charles R., 1604 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Crane, Charlie, 10 N. Main St. Ft. Scott, Kans. + Crowley, John J., 2113-1/2-B W. 16th St. Los Angeles, Calif. + Daley, Albert J., 75 Hazel Ave. Wilkes Barre, Pa. + Davidson, Vernie A., 1943 N. 11th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Dolak, Andrew J., 701 E. Ridge St. Lansford, Pa. + Duffy, Dennis, 331 W. 4th St. Hazelton, Pa. + Eakin, Laster E., 616 Buffalo St. Franklin, Pa. + + Evans, John E., East Hazard St. Summithill, Pa. + Evert, Howard C., 340 W. 4th St. Hazelton, Pa. + Feeney, John P., 10010 Pamalee Ave., N. E. Cleveland, Ohio + Feinberg, Abraham H., 1238 Chestnut St. Wilmington, Del. + Fisher, John J., 114 Pollard St. Detroit, Mich. + Fisher, Louis J., 416 N. 10th St. Reading, Pa. + Fowler, Harry W. Portage, Pa. + Freeman, Garland, 1317 Louisiana St. Little Rock, Ark. + Fulmer, John R. Cape, South Carolina + Gallagher, Cornelius A. Parker's Landing, Pa. + Gibson, Walter N., 562 Head St. Esquimalt, Victoria, B. C. + Giorgi, Auguste Mentana, Prov. Rome, Italy + Gregar, Mike G., 725 Lyons Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Harriston, Michael, 5707 Central Ave. Cleveland, Ohio + Heidel, Ernest P. Florence, Wis. + Hendricks, William R., 511 Armstrong Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Hess, Walter F., 219 Lauderburn Ave. Weatherly, Pa. + James, Vaughn F., 74 S. Martha Ave. Akron, Ohio + Karbach, Albert R., 532 Quindaro Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + Kletecka, Edward Wakita, Okla. + Kline, Benjamin W. Jr., 209 N. 11th St. Allentown, Pa. + Kuntz, Thomas G. Transfer, Pa. + Lancaster, John E. Gilmore, Maryland + Lebeck, Walter, 38 Stoner St. River Rouge, Mich. + Lulow, Charlie Rushville, Neb. + Lutt, Elmer F. Niobara, Neb. + McCormick, Stephen F., 1360 E. Market St. Akron, Ohio + McDonald, James R. Brookville, Ind. + McKain, Jess W. Minneapolis, Kans. + Mukansky Grigory, 449 3rd St. Milwaukee, Wis. + Murphy, Clarence T. S., 216 W. Pine St. Wichita, Kans. + Nicholson, Paul R., 410 Elm St. Grove City, Pa. + Peterson, William J., 19 S. 11th St. Kansas City, Kans. + Piatt, William C. Erie, Kans. + Siebers, Frank A., 736 Tauromee Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Tinklepaugh, James D., 606 Tauromee Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + Toohey, Paul A., 1232 Quindaro Blvd. Kansas City, Kans. + Truede, John, 514 N. Front St. Camden, New Jersey + Williams, William J., 3832 Booth St. Rosedale, Kans. + Wise, Theodore T., 545 Ann Ave. Kansas City, Kans. + + + * * * * * + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + +Normally, upper-case "A. M." and "P. M." are used; lower-case "a. m." +and "p. m." were changed to upper-case. + +The inconsistent hyphenation of the following words was not changed: +"good[-]bye", "hard[-]tack", "hay[-]loft", "passer[-]by", "up[-]hill". + +Page 5: "Misouri" changed to "Missouri". + +Page 9: "wather" changed to "water" (plenty of hot water). + +Page 11: "distzance" changed to "distance" (a short distance from the +train area). + +Page 12: "kichen" changed to "kitchen" (from the kitchen range). + +Page 13: "day-break" changed to "daybreak" (stayed until daybreak). + +Page 15: "rythmatical" changed to "rhythmetical" +(rhythmetical chug of a large engine). + +Page 23: "set" changed to "sat" (sat up all night). + +Page 26: "Franch" changed to "French" (in French money). + +Page 26: "or" changed to "of" (handling of casualties). + +Page 30: "killled" changed to "killed" (were either killed or). + +Page 36: "Paris" changed to "Pairis" (outpost duty at Pairis). + +Page 38: "downpower" changed to "downpour" (through a regular downpour). + +Page 39: "wierd" changed to "weird" (a weird looking lot). + +Page 39: "minue" changed to "minute" (ten-minute rest periods). + +Page 44: "Dirctor" changed to "Director" (Director of Ambulances). + +Page 52: "Montieth" changed to "Monteith" (Lt. George Monteith). + +Page 57: "Geramns" changed to "Germans" (by the Germans in 1871). + +Page 58: "armsitice" changed to "armistice" (signing of the armistice). + +Page 59: "Chackamagua" changed to "Chickamagua" (in Chickamagua Park). + +Page 62: "St. Naziere" changed to "St. Nazaire" (arriving at St. +Nazaire). + +Page 64: "Gernoble" changed to "Grenoble" (the mayor of Grenoble). + +Page 65: "furnishd" changed to "furnished" (except those furnished). + +Page 66: "Ionis" changed to "Ionic" (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian). + +Page 70: "madamoiselles" changed "mademoiselles" (received by the +mademoiselles). + +Page 70: "mid-night" changed to "midnight" (good until midnight). + +Page 75: "Batallion" changed to "Battalion" (Convict Labor Battalion). + +Page 76: "With" changed to "What" (What a thrill went through us). + +Page 81: "De Talent" changed to "DeTalent" (DeTalent, Edward). + +Page 82: "Montieth" changed to "Monteith" (Monteith, Geo). + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's History of Ambulance Company Number 139, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF AMBULANCE COMPANY *** + +***** This file should be named 33841.txt or 33841.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/8/4/33841/ + +Produced by Moti Ben-Ari and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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