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+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: 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 ***
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