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Sept 18 1917 I went into services of the United States Army. At 2 Pm I reported to the Draft board at Clearfield. I was left go back home again.
Guy Ogden and I went over to the park. The county Fair was gone on at the time
We stayed there till late in the afternoon. I went home to get my supper and then I went and got my girl friend which happen to be Alethia Luzier. We went to the park for the evening.
And the next morning at 8:00 Oclock I was to report to the board again and I did.
John Bain was chief cook and bottle washer for the board. Well he called the roll two or three times and told us to report again at Eleven Oclock. At 11 Oclock we reported and John Bain called the roll a couple more time and he took us over to the Dimeling Hotel. We had dinner there.
After dinner he took us over to court house called the roll again. Then he took us down to the Penna Station. There were a special train waiting for us. We got on the train. He called the roll again.
At 1:30 PM We started Petersburg Va. enrouted to Camp Lee Va.
Well we got to Tyrone at 3:30 PM John Bain loaded us on another train and we losted John Bain And no one cryed about it either. He reminded me of one of those hard shavetail which wear gold bar on thier shoulder straps.
We got to Harrisburg at 6 Oclock had our supper handed in a car windor to us which composed of sandwich and bananas. At 6:30 PM we left for Baltimore MD. Arrived between 9 and 10 Oclock. We left there for Washington D.C. at 10 Oclock. We arrived there at 11 Oclock. we layed in the Washington yards till between 12 and 1 Oclock and we left Richmond Va got there about 5 Oclock in the morning. At 5:30 we left for Petersburg Va got there at 7 Oclock arrived in Camp Lee at 7:30
There were some soldiers came down and got us and took us to Division Headquarter and they called the roll first time since J.Bain left us.
They took us from there down to some barracks and told us to stay there awhile. So they came around and got us took us up to some other barracks and we got some breakfast at 9 Oclock. After we eat we went back down to the first barracks. Then we had dinner. After dinner we got our examination and a shot in under the shoulder blade. Well I was so sore I couldn't sleep.
In the morning we got a mess of burnt roll oats for breakfast. Some meal. But we soon got use to that. We started to drill in forenoon and every day it got worse. Every ten day we got a shot in the arm till we got three.
We drilled and done gaurd duty and trained horses and on the 5th day of Feb 1918 I got a 5 day pass to come home. Well when I got back again it was the same drilling every day only on wednesday afternoon and Sat afternoon and all day Sunday if you happen not to be on gaurd it was a half holy day.
Well along about May 10 1918 Gleen Jaun and I started to crated wagon for HDQT. They were for the A.E.F. We know we would sail before long.
Sunday 19 1918 We were quarntine. that was so everybody would be back to the company before we would sail for France. That evening we had a little parade. The officer of the day arrested us but he couldn't find the Commanding Officer so he left us go on good behavior.
We put in the time till Friday 24 of May when we packed our belonging in our barracks bags and went out to a field and had a inspection and they check our equipment. About 4 Oclock in the afternoon I was on a detail to haul barracks bags down to box car.
I worked till about six Oclock when I began to get hunger. I ask Joe Berry to work in my place till I got something to eat. I got my supper and I forgot about Berry. They work till 3 Oclock in the morning.
We had quite a time that night. It was the last on america soil for some of the poor boys.
Sat May 25 1918 We got up at 4:30 AM. We had breakfast at 5 Oclock in the morning. The mess Sgt. Allgood had the cooks to make us a couple of sandwich to eat at the port. At 7 Oclock the band started to play and 5 co's of us started for the station to get on the trains to get to the port.
The trains left at 8:30. We arrived at Norfolk Va at 12 Oclock.
We layed around on the docks for about one and half hours then we started go up the gang plank of the good ship Siboney. This is it second trip across. Lambert Point Va was the name of the port we loaded at.
There were 3500 soldiers on the ship. It was an oil burner. Along in the afternoon an oil tanker pull up along side of it. They connect a 2 in pipe to the ship. They pumped oil into our ship for about 2-1/2 hours and they were still loading soldiers yet. We layed in harbor all night and it was get pretty hot down in Va by this time. We couldn't sleep much that night.
Sunday May 26 1918 About 10:00 Oclock in the morning a tugboat came up along side of us and they took a rope and pull us out into the harbor aways. We lay there till 6 Oclock in the evening. The orders came. We steamed down the bay. By 7:30 we lose sight of land.
We had boat drill that evening and the morning at 3:30 the bell rang. We had to go to our station at the lifeboats so if any would happen we would be allready there. At sunrise and sunset were most dangerous time for U boats.
Everything went OK. Wed May 29 1918 we joined the rest of our convoy which was coming from N.Y. There were 11 transport and 1 battleship. June 2nd i got a little seasick. It didn't last long. I would go out on the deck and look at the fish. They were about three feet long. They would jump over the waves like little pigs jumping a fence.
Sat June 8th 1918 About 3 PM we saw land of France just a week to the day since we went on board of ship. I was pretty well please even if I was in France for a person could put his feet on dry land again.
We sailed up a river by the name of Garonne. we came to Bordeaux the seaport which landed at. We down the gang plank June the 9 1918 at 10:30. Here was my first surprise. I always thought France was a beauty spot but soon change my mind about and it a good thing I had a mind so I could change it to.
We layed in the shade for awhile for this seaport is in southern France and the 9 day of June wasn't the coolest. we watched the French people walking around there. they were some sight. The men wore wooden shoes and about 10 feet of sash wound around them and the women they were the worst looking thing I ever layed eye on, Just a skirt on the waist the bear body out to the sun and they sure were sunburnt to.
We march up through the town and up a hill three mile long. The men began to fall out like flys so hot for them.
We arrived at camp Jennie Car at 2 P.M. hot tired and hunger. I fell in an old bunk and panted like a good dog for awhile. I got up after while and went got some water. Pretty soon I felt better. Then I got some dinner. Which I will never forget it sure did taste good. It was good bacon fryed potatoes and good white bread.
We stayed there about one week. Sat June 15 we went up to the railroad station at about 8 Oclock got on the train. It was some train. It look like our old stage couch use to look like. They were in compartment and 9 men to the compt and the French designer of those mush have been a very small man. and his brain was limited. 4 wheel on them cars the never borke the joints in the rail on the roads. We were packed in them sardine boxes. it was some mess.
We rode all day and all night. the next morning we arrive in Redon. they us up to a little spot in the middle of the city. We pitch tents for the day. I pitch tents with Blair Ogden. The people look at us as if we were wild animal. I guess we were alright. That was Sun June 16. Mon June 17 at 5 Oclock we got on the train again and went up to a town by the name of Langon. They split us up. the bunch I was with went out over the hill to a French farmer barn. they throw some straw down on the ground floor. we layed down there a while. I was thinking about the States and wondering what the Germans wanted France for. I am sure I didn't want any of it. Ha Ha. Pretty soon my buddie sayes what smell so. I told him it was that old hog on the other side of the fence. He told me to chase it out of there. I poke it in the ribs awhile till I got tired and went to sleep. I look the next morning all that was between that hog and was a fence made out boards with six in crack in it. June 19 1918 there were a bunch of us put on a horse detail. we went back to Redon in a truck. we got a train there. I was more lucky this. there were 40 of us put in a Frog box car about half as large as our box cars. we rode till the evening of June 21. at 5 Oclock we pitched tent 30 kilo back of the British front. the next morning we got in a truck and went up to Namport. Well an other week in an old barn again. It sure is awful to be a tramp I tell you. The first sunday there were a bunch of us went up to Hesden to get some horse. we got back at sundown. the next week we moved out in an old orchard in our tents again. We got started to get the horse's to move. the German airplane would bomb us by shells. Our cahiaty 2 train load a week. we took them back to the coast for new divisions coming across. We got a lot of travel out of it. we were all over northern and western France dozens of times.
July 10 1918 I got the Flu. the hospital was an old king palace 700 years old. The King of France lived in there when the wild tribes over run France.
It was built of stone. all the buildings in france are built of stone or mud.
To get back to my story about the king palace. It was built square. the windor all face in to center and there were a big heavy gate to come through to get in. it would take six to open it after to bar was taken down. I stayed in there till July 18 when I was left out on light duty. The were a big pile of hay. I got some of this hay to put under the edges of my tent to keep the cold wind out and the old French seen it. he told Capt Tweddle about it. he arrest in quarter. Tweddle didn't like me very well and I didn't like him any better so there were no love lose (If I ever get back in the army I want to Col and Tweddle my Orderly). for the old French frog I would sooner shot him then I would a German
On July 24 I got sick again and went back to the hospital with the Dysentery. I was in there till July 30. From then on I help tend to the horse. we had 600 horse tied to a picket line one night and the Germans bombed us with airoplane but they didn't do any damage.
Aug 12 1918 We got to go back to our old outfit which I forgot about mentioning before. It is Co E 305 Amm Train.
We arrived there on the 15th day of Aug. It was stationed at Camp De Meugon. It was an artillery training camp. We grome horses till we were black in the face. I was arrested here again for a dirty gain at gaurd mount but they couldn't do any thing with us so the Major said so. Capt Tweddle gave us one and a half day's in the kitchen. I suppose Tweddle was sorry for all he thought about was Court Marshal. But they spite us any for we were almost starve to death and we got our fill in the kitchen. Ha Ha. One on you Tweddle.
Well left the one morning on the 11 of Sept. We went down to Vannes and got on box cars again horses wagons and all and started for the western front. We rode till Sat Sept 17 and got off the train at 5 Oclock in the evening. we started to unload horses and wagon. we were thru by 7 Oclock. we started to march right away. we march till 10 Oclock that night and got lose up on a hillside. We came back down the hill and went up another road. about 2 Oclock in the morning we stopped for the night. Sgt Meagher and I layed under an apple tree between two horse blanket till about 8 Oclock next morning. we had to get up and tend to our horses till 3 P.M. We started to march again. we march till 7:30. just got started to eat and orders came for us to march again without one minute delay. some had to throw away there meal. Which were some potatoes with the skin on.
I didn't throw my away. I filled both pockets full and eat them after while. We march all night till 7 A.M. next morning. We rested till noon. after we got the horse tended to I got two blankets and layed down in the shade about 9 Oclock. I got awake about 12:30. the sweat was just pouring out of me. the shade move while I sleep I guess. We I got my dinner and worked with the horses till about 5 Oclock. we started to move again. Marched till 2 Oclock i the morning and I guess the officer got lose. at last we pull up thru an old field up a hill and make camp for the night. well early in the morning they got us up to hide the horses and wagon so the Germans would not see us. I was already up for was detail to watch my horses. when day light came I discovered we were among a black berry patch so went to helping my self to the desert.
We got the wagon hide and picket lines up the horses tied to them. we clean harness all day. I guess they afraid we would sleep to much so the kept busy marching all night and clean harness all day when we didn't have nothing else to do.
We stayed here till the 20 of Sept 1918. We started to march again at 5 Oclock in the afternoon and march till 2 Oclock the next afternoon. They say join the artillery and ride. they tell storys for we walk every step that trip. only the driver and officers the rode horse back. That afternoon we drove up in the woods and unhitch. I was tired. I could hardly step and we had to clean harness and carry water and one thing or other till night came. Then we pitch our tent. the next morning we tend to horse and walk around awhile. not so bad this time for we had one nights sleep. Sept 23 1918 an order came for Co E and Co F to turn thier horse over to Co G. So that left us free Ha Ha. no horses to tend to. I throw my old tin hat up among the trees and hollowed. They said they would transfer us into the infantry. I said I didn't care just so there were no horses attached to us. The next day Sept 24 we found out what we were to do. Co F were made M.P. and Co E was to go out as pioneers for the 313 Field Artillery and three battery of it were to support infantry. on the 26 we got our inf packs. then that night we march up to pretty near of jump off place. got there about mid night. layed down and sleep till 10 Oclock the fore noon. no horses no more sleep. we got something to eat and sleep all afternoon. that evening they call us together and the Capt gave us a little talk on what work would be. the next few days we were to follow the inf and open the roads up so the art get thru and to us not to get scared for there would be an awful noise when the barrage started. as soon as it was a little dark Mess Sgt Allgood gave our three day rations and started out. we got to our jumping off place at 11 Oclock that night. the whole Co all but 16 men were left back with the mess Sgt later known as the fighting 16. we layed down and waited for the zero hour to come at 4 Oclock. we woke each other up and eat some rations. so sat around there in the darkness watching big gun shooting around us everywhere. There were 1400 cannon set up to commence the rolling barrage at 5:30 (H hour). well it came at last and we started out brave enough but sort of downhearted for we know some of us would never get back again. such a noise I neve heard and never want to hear again. everything went alright. we mened the road in a couple a places. pretty soon we came to the Forges River. no bridge over it. the engineers soon put one over it. right on the other side of river a town by the name of Bethencourt once stood. all there was now was a few stone piles and barbed wire tangle up. we clean it up and started up dead man hill. pretty I saw the Dutch tin hats and a lot of prisoners coming in. 4 day the 80th Div was fighting here. the enemy engage 7th Res Div 117 Div 5th Bav Res Div Various Landstrum Bns. Our Div advance 9 kilometers. took 35 Officers and 815 OR.
Material Taken
77 machine gun German 7 Minenwerfers
537 German Rifles 16 Pieces Artillery
5025 Boxee Grenades 5,005,000 Rounds S.A.A.
Casualties Sept 26 Oct 4 incl in Action
|
O |
M |
| Killed |
6 |
117 |
| Severe |
5 |
291 |
| Slight |
11 |
496 |
| Unknown |
1 |
38 |
| Missing |
0 |
110 |
Other Causes
|
O |
M |
| Died |
0 |
2 |
| Wounded |
4 |
82 |
| Total |
27 |
1037 |
We went that forenoon till afterdinner. then we stopped for awhile. Old Jerry open with his cannon on us but didn't make a score. after while we went over the hill and sat a 3 inch cannon up and shot a church stepple off.
Then our 1st Lt said he was gone back to get us some water and he never show up till 10 Oclock the next morning. we stayed waiting for him to come back. pretty soon a German aeroplane came along about 50 feet above the ground and drop a bomb. it killed a horse and hurt a man leg. he flew back a little ways and throw out come kind of light. in about two minutes the German were just pouring thier shells in on us. We layed there and hug the road alnight. a fellow was out look around. he came to an dugout. he heard someone making a fuse in it. He tried to talk to him and couldn't get no answer. Well got him to come up afterwhile and it was a German Soldier. he took him prisoner. The next morning it was raining to beat the band. we hunch up under trees for a while. about 10 Oclock our Lt came back again. He told us to go down the road aways and go up on top of a hill and take up a position and fire on the Germans. we did alright but we came a blame sight faster then we went up for the German were still on that hill. we went around a bend in the road and sat up a position fiered for awhile then rested again. That evening we join the rest of Battery C and went up on a hill above Gercourt. On our way up two Sqt got shot with a hand grenades. One came back a few days before Xmas and the other one I don't know what happen to him. we got in an old trench for the night.
The next I went after water and was getting back alright till Jerry open up on me. a big shell went into the ground a little ways to the left of me. a big pices of mud hit me on the side of the head and knock me down. a piece of the shell hit me of the little finger drawed the blood and something hit me on the knee. I roll into that old trench quite rapidly. That afternoon Irwin Lindsay and I built a little lean too to sleep in. that night just as we got layed down we had to get up and help moved the gun to a position around the point of the woods. It was dark and raining. there were a little bridge over the trench and one wheel of the piece drop into the trench. we got a lot of rope and pulled it up out of there. they thought they had took all the rope off. But the didn't. they left one on for us to steady in and there were another one on it and I happen to be standing on it. When the piece went over the trench it jerk the slake up on that one and throw me for 15 feet head first into the old man muddy trench. we got the piece moved. we went back and layed down for the rest of the night and it just poured the rain down. we were wet and cold laying right out in it. our leanto fell down while we were gone (Ha Ha).
Sept 29 1918 we layed around the biggest part of the day till evening and we started to move after dark (The reason for that is so the German wouldn't see us). we march till 1 Oclock and layed down. I hunted around for a quite awhile to find a high place so the water wouldn't drown me out. at last I layed down. they told me would haft to get up a day light and hide our belongings. about 5 Oclock I drempt the Amm detail which I belong to had move on so I got up made my pack up. just about that time I discovered they hadn't. I was to cold and wet to lay down again so I started for a walk to get warm. I went up a little railroad to some old gun pit. who do I see but Capt Tweddle between two privates. back in camp he would have had them shot at sunrise for that but on the front he was no better then a private. Well I walk around awhile and got warm. I got back at 8:30 A.M. and a mess wagon had drove up with good fried bacon oatmeal and beans and coffee. I eat awhile and then took another walk. When I got back our Top Sgt was up hunting the Amm Train detail to take them back to the old Co which is Co E 305 A.T. We were glad of that.
That was on the 30th day of Sept 1918. we got back in time for dinner. they told us after dinner to pitch our tent and make ourselves comfortable that we would be here a week or 10 days anyhow. Charley Mcquean Allgret Johnson Irwin Lindsay and I pitched our tents together. we made our bed in there for the night. we were still on the Front yet only not quite so near the front lines that old Jerry would shell us once in a while.
That night the gas alarm rang and Johnson grab my gas mask. we had an augment for awhile at I said it might be his but didn't so I gave it to him. he was gone to put it on when he found his own tied to his chest. He hand it back again. I made up my mind that I would never give up my mask again then. there were no gas anyhow that time. We hadn't more then went to sleep again when the gas alarm sounded again. Johnson grab my haversack out under my head and tryed to put that on for a gas mask. It a wonder he was kill. he was always complaining about getting kill anyhow.
The day Jack Hass was out scouting around and found a dandy dugout left by the Jerry so eight of us took it over for our use.
We stayed here till the 10 of Oct and was sent out to the 315 F.A. That I was mad at the Y.M.C.A. I wish there had a been a big shell come along and whip it off the face of the earth. I went down to it early after dinner to get tobacco. There were an awful line there. I steped into line. I followed that line till almost 4 Oclock that afternoon. I was about 4 fellows from the window were they were selling supplys and they close window. They had the excuse that they run out of change and had to close and we had change in our hands. They told us to come back after supper and we moved out at 6 Oclock so we had a fat chance of coming back after supper. We march till at midnight. we went back Bethencourt then to Malancourt then in below Montfaucan and and stopped for the night. we were standing waiting for the guides to take us to our battery of F.A. when our 1st Lt Landers took a scare. I guess he thought the Germans were gone to get us all. 2 or 3 week later Pat Shiner had a detail back taking up wire. Landers happen to be long when a big naval gun went off. Landers made a dive for the ditch in the road. Someone said gas. Landers dug the mud out of his eyes and put on his gas mask. pretty soon someone said no gas. Landers to his mask off and said What was that anyhow? then I said I wish the D war was over. I am getting sick and tired of it (Ha).
They got in some truck and was gone back to beat the band and Jerry got to shelling them pretty good. Landers went to jump out of the truck and his foot catch some of the leaver and he fell off broke his knee. Goodbye Landers.
To get back to my story the guides came at last and took to where we belong. Young Brown from Utah and hunted around for a place to lay down. at last we found it. we took of shelter halfs put one under and then we put & blankets down then a shelter on top and crawl in. Hadn't more then got in till Jerry started to shell us. We layed still and grin till morning when we got up and had our breakfast. then we started out to our battery. the one we were to go too was Battery F 315 Field Artillery. our own div artillery. we got there by 10 Oclock. got settle by dinner time. I jemp around the rest of the day under shell between time. I like that they only weigh 92 and 96 lbs each.
The next day at noon we moved over to a new position. We went by the way of Septsarges. it is located North east of Montfaucon. when we went thru Septsarges they were shell it to beat the car. there were a bunch of us hiding behind a little building and old Jerry cracked one in to a building right across the street. meable there were some winking and blinking. then we started out one every fifty feet apart. we only went a short ways till we came to were our new position was to be.
We dug hole and sat up pieces till morning. we were to lay a rolling barrage. But no amm came. we went down to the road. it was about one hundred yards from the gun and waited for amm to come. at last I went to sleep. lay on an old wagon. when I woke up I was sneezeing my head off. the Inf that was go over the top in the morning was there in foxhole. they started to sneeze to. the German sent sneezeing gas over on us while we lay there sleeping.
Morning came at last. the Inf went over the top. we got a few shells and laid sort of a barrage and Jerry laid one to. he caught our Inf with it. he sure slaughter them for a while. I look. awful men dieing and dead everywhere. Pretty soon shells began to come up and we laid the barrage. Jerry shot all kind of gases in there he had. I wore a gas mask all forenoon that day. the pieces got to plowing into the ground to far so they sent some of us over to an old dutch kitchen to get some lumber. I got my boards and I was half ways back when he open again. there were a shell just past my head and went in the mud. it throw mud all over me. I dives into a little hole there. hadn't more then hit it till another went right over me. I laid in there for a spell then got out and gather my lumber up again. I just got and there and layed it down and big shell lit right in front of the gun. throw mud all over us. the fellows all dive into a trench. it was full. I couldn't get in so I leg bale in to another hole. Macarow was down at the kitchen. a big shell past over the kitchen into the ground and a big piece of mud pet Max on the back knock him down. he jump up ran a quarter of a mile to a first ade station. jerk off his coat and wanted them to dress his wound. the Doc look and couldn't find. then he look at his coat. there were a big muddy spot on it. we got Jerry conquased a long toward night.
I dug myself a hole to sleep in that night. the next day we got a lot of amm ready. that night I sleep in a little place I made out of shell box and rain to bet the band. The next night we moved back away. got there by day light.
We burnt powder to kept ourselves warm. Gleen Jaarn and I pitched our pup tent. Just got it made up nicely and moveing orders came. Well there were one thousand shell that had to be carried up to road and put into truck which we did after we got the pieces out on the solid road. we had to take them out thru a swamp. we couldn't get the horses in there so we put ropes on them and wooled them out thru the mud. we were wet and mud all over when we got them out.
We went back and carried shell up to the road. about 5 Oclock we got thru. I was tierd cold and hunger. I lean up against an apple tree there and went to sleep. pretty soon I was down over the bank. that woke me up. about 7 Oclock some truck took us up to the new position. It was the one one we use two days before so that move was no good. we arrived there at 8 Oclock. went up to the kitchen to get something to eat. What do you think I got? two little cold potatoes with the skin on. some meal after work all night and we didn't have much for supper the night before. Well it was still raining when I got those two potatoes eaten. We fixed up an old shack to stay in. it had no roof on so it wasn't so comfortable after all. we were there a few days when we went up to Nantillios to dig some pits to put our pieces in for the next position. we dug till it got dark then we hike back to the battery for supper. the next morning we started out to finish them. we dug till dark without anything to eat. about on hour after dark the battery move up but didn't unhitch because the German had broke the lines right in front of us. the Inf couldn't held them. we got our rifles to support them when other troops rush in and close the gap and captured the Germans. It started to rain. We went to bed hungry that night. hadn't had anything to eat since morning and it didn't look as if we would get anything to eat soon again. But layed in the rain all night hoping to get something in the morning and we did about 10 Oclock. they told us to dig ourselvs in for there was gone to be a hard fight of it. this time Gleen Jaun and went down below the road to run. it had washed a gutter out. we dug a hole in the side of this. it look like a young coal bank. We carried tin roofing down form some old building in the town. we got it fixed up just about right when we had to leave it and go back about 5 kilometers to guard some shells and didn't send no rations along withe us. we got back at dark and put up our pup tent and layed down and talk thing over. mind we didn't have anything to eat since morning about 10 Oclock and no supper. went to bed hungry. We decided to dig no more dugout then half to leave them some one else to lazy to dig his own.
We didn't get any breakfast that morning. found to turnip patch out over the hill. we eat turnip awhile.
The next morning started to hunt up a kitchen. we hunted quite awhile before we found me but was award at last with good bacon fried potatoes bread and butter and a cup of hot coffee. we got some grease and an old tin pail. we went back and when we got hungry we would fried turnips. we lived that way for 5 days and went back to the usher line and got fed up. We stayed here till the 31st day of Oct 1918. When our Top Sgt came around and gathed us up and took us over to were the fighting. It were we had it pretty good for 4 day when there 50 of us attached to G Co. old mother Bingham was in command he. and he sure was an old fuss cat. We tended to horses and loaded wagon till Nov 10 when of Top Sgt gather us up again. Capt Tweddle was useing German artillery. we were put with him. It was so bad here I guess he was tamed down. We hike up the Meause river at the heels of the Jerrys to Mousau and stayed here all night.
The next day we got up and look after Jerry and about 10 Oclock we were told the Armistice was signed and took affect at 11 Oclock. We sure was please to hear that. we were expecting it right along but not so soon. that afternoon we moved up to Staney. we stayed in a rich lady house that night. slept on a spring bed that night but I couldn't sleep so I got out on the hard floor and slept pretty good. Well this house was to good for enlisted men to stayed. some officer chased us out. They getting brave again war over I guess (but the German were in the other end of the town). we moved to and other building. I was on the top floor. had to climp four pair staired to get to it. We stayed here one week and moved to barracks about 1/2 mile from there. We stayed there till Dec 9 1918. On Monday at noon we got in some trucks and the took till it got dark. we got out of them and slept in an old Catholic church all night. the next mornig we got up at 4 Oclock eat our mess and started again. about 3 Oclock arrived in Verdun. we still had 2 mile to go. we got there alright. we rested three days and started again. we only went a short way and they change there minds about marching on foot. we march back to Baleicourt then on back to Verdun and got on a train. they put us off at the edge of St Menehounld. My brother was on the same train. we didn't anything about it till he got home almost one year later. the next morning we march into St Menehounld and got and other train for St Dizier and from there to Dijon. from there to Ancy La France. arrived here on the 16th day of Dec 1918. I was on gaurd Dec 25-26 1918. Dec 27 was the day I drew 100 Franc. Jan 4 1919 I was on gaurd. Jan 11 we had a big inspection. Jan 17 I was on Stable gaurd. Jan 23 1919 we moved from Ancy La France Cusy to Villiers Les Hauts. Jan 29 I was on Regt Gaurd. Jan 31 I was room orderly. I had a bealed tooth some sore. Feb 2 1919 I was on Regt gaurd. Feb 3 I worked on the road in the forenoon and went over to Cusy to take a bath in the afternoon. Feb 5 the dope is we are gone home right away.
Feb 5 1919 we got a new Capt. Feb 6 1919 I was appointed mechanic. Feb 11 was pay day. The dope is we are gone to LaMans Mar 5. Feb 15 I heard that the Germans wouldn't live up to armatice agreement and they were gone to fight again. I was on Stable gaurd and kitchen gaurd that night and some one stole the pie and it made the mess Sgt mad as and old wet hen. I thought it was me but he was mistake that time. I was suppose to do gaurd duty but they Co was busy and we had to do it Feb 19. I got my hair cut and there were a dance at the Co mess hall that night. Feb 21 I was on Stable gaurd again. Mar 6 was pay day. Mar 8 we got ready for a big inspection. the Col was coming over to look it was but he didn't show up. he said he would slip in some day unexpected. So let him roar. Mar 11 we moved for Villiers Les Hauts to Chassignellis. the same night I was on stable gaurd. my last night I was on gaurd. Mar 15 1919 we arrived in the LaMans area. we went Ecommoy and stayed all night. Mar 31 we marches to a farm house. Apr 1 we layed around all day. Apr 3 we march to remount Station out of Ecommoy and got a lot of horses and took them to LaMans. Stayed all night at LaMans then next morning we got in some trucks and went to Leteil to get some more horses.
But they were ready to go yet so we stayed there till they were ready to go. Apr 4 we slept on bed sack filled with straw. Apr 5 we layed around town. Apr 6 we left Leteil. at 7 Oclock went up to the remount Station got 3 horses to the man. I was lucky enough to get 3 mules. we march all day. that evening we got to Connerre. we stayed there all night. Some Y.w.C.A. girls entertain us for awhile. the next morning we started again. we got to LaMans at 3 Oclock in the afternoon with 300 horses and mules. April 10 we moved from LaMans to La Grand Luce and got hayed the same day. April 11 we took a bath and cleaned up for inspection. April 12 we had inspection in line and Billets and also had cootie inspection. we also got a shot in the arm 3 in 1 overseas shot. April 13 slept all day till evening. April 14 I worked a little in the forenoon and had cootie inspection at 10 Oclock. layed around all afternoon. April 15 We had field inspection which didn't please the Officers. we have another one tommorow. April 18 My 19th month in the Army. We had Emportnation inspection and pass OK. Apr 19 I went to the dentist and got a tooth filled in the forenoon and wrote letters in the afternoon. April 20 we had Venereal and cootie inspection in the forenoon and went to the ball game in afternoon. Co E vee Co A. I rooted till I couldn't speak the next morning. Apr 21 I went to the dentist. didn't get any work done gone back next Thursday. Afternoon I went to the ball game. Co E vee Co C. score 3 to 10 Co C favor. evening turn in my shoes. went to Y to the movies. Apr 22 we boxed up hardtack and monkey meat in the forenoon and built a latrine in the afternoon. went to movies in evening. Apr 23 worked a little in AM and layed in the afternoon. Apr 24 I was to the dentist. got a tooth filled in the forenoon. in the afternoon I layed around and slept till evening. they were having messkit inspection and I fainted. Apr 25 I drilled in the AM and Billet. Venereal and cootie in PM. Apr 29 Snowed and rained in the forenoon. Some country. we are to leave here Sat which I hope we do. for every move we make it is one move closer home. Apr 30 we had Venereal cootie inspection out in the drill field. It was cold with a person clothes off.
May 1 We drilled a little in the forenoon. I was to a frog drug store and got some medicine for the tooth ach. it help my tooth alright. We are delayed 5 days on account of the 89 Div running around us at Brest. Some downhearted boys that night. May 2 It rained all day. may 3 And rained today. May 4 we had inspection at 9 Oclock. May 5 We drilled a little. May 6 We drilled in the forenoon and went to the ball game in the afternoon. May 7 we drilled. May 8th We drilled in the forenoon and Pass in review for Gen Cronkhite at 1 PM. had our picture taken in the afternoon. May 12 we had Venreal and cootie inspection of the field. The LeMans Officers. May 16 we left La Grand Luce at 2 PM. went to Ecommoy and got a train. for Brest at 706 PM. May 18 we arrive in Brest at 6 Oclock PM. had supper and march up to camp.May 18 we went thru the mad house in the forenoon. May 19 we had pack inspection. we left the camp for the boat. got on one and had to off again. Slept on pier no 4 all night. May 20 Went on board of USS Candanqua. Sailed May 20 1919 at 445 Oclock PM. May 21 advance time 1 hour and 50 minutes. June 1 1919 We arrived Pier 78 Phila. we got on a train and arrived at camp Dix NJ the same day. June 3 went thru the delouzier and moved up to the upper end of camp. June 7 we were discharge But have to wait till monday June 9th to get our money. June 9 I got paid off and went home to stay. arrived at Clearfield June 10 1919 at 1115 AM. Married June 18 1920. went to housekeeping Sept 28 1920. Finis.
PAGE BY PAGE IMAGES
The above is my best intrepretation of my grandfather's diary. To the best of my ability, I left spelling and punctuation alone and only added periods to make it a bit more readable. For the scholars among you, the following links are page-by-page scanned images of the diary from beginning to end. The only pages not represented here are blank pages of the original diary.
Front Cover
Inside Front Cover Left
Inside Front Cover Right
Page 1 Diary Begins
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Page 47 Diary Ends
Page 48 Battle Reports
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Page 51 Material Captured
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Page 53 Soldier's Equipment
Page 54 Pay Accounts
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Page 61 French Towns
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Page 63 Soldier Names/Addresses
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Page 68 Veteran Association
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