The World War I diary of
Clarence Rhebergen
Supply Co. 305th Infantry,
submitted by Calvin Srock of Taylor, Michigan
with the consent of Winnie Lewellen,
daughter of Clarence Rhebergen
P1.
Clymer NY 1917
Feb 25, 1918
Westfield 70
Dunkirk 60
Niagara Falls 185
Land Costerband 175
Rechester 1 p.m.
Lyons 1:52 some snow
Bluegrass near
Popular trees
real level and
low swampy
hills very pretty Lycruze 2:30 pm
timber small left 3:00 pm
New York State
Fair Grounds
sleighing
lots of ice
I make out Syracuse.
P2.
Breakfast Buffalo 10AM
15 Minutes time Laura Nacher
I have ?? Mrs .G. Wandesrcoff ? candy
P.3
Fine barns and houses, all painted. It looks
like a pretty good farm country, especially for hay. Most of the new
farm houses are in the bungalow style, most all place between syracuse
and utica where the regular train stop the building are long and narrow
with the roof projecting about 5 feet. The sides are shingled with green
stained shingles, and the platform ----.
P.4
such place, but don't stop us say are ? where
the barn and large silo pig pen and house were all built of cement
block ?? roof same place the soil seems red and sandy land seems very
level.wet above ? road ?? utica at 4:00 pm Erie Canal at 5:45 it is
within 4 rods of the ? NYCR
Amsterdam at 5:55pm 5 minute stop
P5
missing
P6
missing
P7
crossed erie canal Mohawk river at 6:12 we stopped on the bridge and
waited for the flock, pissed in the erie canal Mohawk river. Started up
again at 6:50 Got dark, then Hudson River, crossed at 8:40 PM Electric
lights on the bottom of the bridge. Johnsonville at 9:15, it is 150
miles yet to Camp Devens and we still have about 20 miles in New York
state yet.
P8
struck the ? through the tunnel across the Hudson river.. Supper at
Greenfield, Mass. 1:25
Baldenville at 3:25 AM
Feb 26, 1918 Fitchburg at 4:50 AM
Mar 3, 1918 St. John 15, text Isiah
arrived at Camp Devens Feb 26, 1918 at 5:30 AM.
Left Camp Devens March 18, 1918
P.9
inoculation
squad leader reviley
Nettie Hagenborn
Minnie Hagenborn
Minnie Rheberger
Gertrude Rheberger
Laura Nectors
Ruth Nectors
Mable Nectors
Mrs. G. Vanfderscoff
Miss Nettie Damcott
Esther Ton
Mable Ton
Denise Habint
Lena Habint
Lena Gravink
Mable Gravink
Laura Slatform
? Ricker
Nellie Rickers
? Rickers
P.10
Edward Ton
Ganett Habint
Jess Tressler
Earl Store
C R.
Supply Co. 305th Inf.
Amex Force Via NY
P.11
Camp Devens
30th Co. 8th Batalion
Depot Bridge
Mass.
3rd squad corpal
1st platoon
St. John 15
Mar. 3 Isahiah 11:12:14
Mar. 10 " 55
Mar. 17
283 Linden Ave.
Oil City, Penn.
Mrs. Grace Hippwell
P. 12
blank
P.13.
Colonel James B. Kemper
1st call 5:45
March and Reveille 5:55
Assembly at 6:00
Mess or B. 6:15
Fatigue 6:45
Drill 1st Call 6:50
Assembly 8:15
Recall 11:45
Drill 1st call 10:35
Assembly 10:45
Recall 11:45
Mess or Dinner 12:00
Mess or Supper 6:00 retreat
Call to quarters 9:00
Taps 10:00
P.14
blank
P. 15
Boston 8 man train Left Camp Devens, Mass. March 18, 1918 at 2 PM
Got on train at 3:55 PM Left the Ayrs Junction
at 4:00 A fine new car, everything very clean. Got to Ayrs at 4:20
Shirley at 4:25mPM Awful hilly, no large timber.
First crow? railroad through the big rocks.
Not much of any farming. Lots of stone fences. Fitchburg at 4:50 PM
Railroad center this was 10 minute stop 5:00 PM.
Comb & hairpin factory, lots of girls, big
plant.
D. M. Dillon mfg. steam B make parts hill
mill company....
P.16
big New England power house paper mill Awful rough country, I wouldn't
live there.
East Gardner 5:40 small place Gardner at 5:45 Baldwinville 6:00 PM
They passed our supper mts at 6:20 pm Aldon at 6:30 Starret Tool
Company
Grange at 6:35, small place. Beginning to get dark Irvin at 6:40,
allmost dark.
Mohawk River at 6:57, pitch dark This is the same place we crossed
when we came.
North Hampton 7:40 PM Holyoke 8:00 PM so....
P.17
We were put on an other track changed routes
Red Cross served coffee.
First coffee we have had since we left Clymer, beautiful park
Hartford, Conn at 9:25 PM New Haven, Conn at 10:20 PM Lights out.
Whistle blowed at 4:45 Wake up. got off at 6:00
Breakfast at 7:45. Eggs, bacon, grape nuts.
15 Co. 152th D.B. Camp Upton New York. 308 Co. B. Johnn Dancott.
P. 18
blank
P.19
April 14,1918 Our boat is the Canopic. We started from Camp Upton at 11
o'clock. Got in Long Island City and at 5 20: AM April 15,1918, fine
weather. unloaded 14 carloads afraid 12:20 , then we got on the tug
boat and went to New York City. Arrived at 3:30 and unloaded it again,
at Dock. 60 and we got off at dock 61 where our boat was i****. at 9
o'clock. got our supper at 10:00 PM Hadn't found Blain W. yet at this
time, That was some week,4 men killed, 38 wounded. One Lieutenant broke
his leg, and there was a leg wrapped up in a quilt. The other man were
all bruised up. On our way from Camp Upton....
P. 20
Because there wasn't room for us on the seats, they picked out 15 of us
men in our company for guard, and engineer the transporting from the
ship onto the dock, and I was guard on the tugboat from 2:30 PM until
about 6 PM. Easy work. One boat load of soldiers left at 11:15. War
vessel ahead, some swell boats. Got up at 7:15 AM 16th. Eat our
breakfast, then we got our bags, made our bed, and the rest of the
forenoon we layed around.
P.21
Found Blain W. and the other boys after breakfast. Our bunks are good.
We have side boards on the side so the rocking of the boat won't let us
fall out of bed. These side boards are taken off when we get in bed and
out. We each have a life preserver at the head of our bed. Left New York
Harbor at 4:15 PM 16,1918. We were all driven to our rooms 4:15 PM and
we have back on the deck again at 6:15. At 6:45 we were out of.....
P. 22
lTime was changed this morning. One hour ahead of New York time. April
17, 1918
Got up at 5:45 AM Revelie at 6:00AM breakfast at 7:00 AM dinner at
12:00 AM.
After dinner we had roll call then we had rest until 2:30 PM. Then we
were called out with life preserver on, rest again until 4:15 PM. Some
fine ride at 11:20 PM April 16. A few of us saw the coast signal,
telling our boat that the other boats were started and that meant that
our boat should send out signals every 15 minutes so they
P. 23
could keep track of us, and on the April 17, they sent signals by the
blow of the whistle, because it was too foggy to send signal by the cemi-floral
(ed.semaphore). The waves are not very rough yet, moving very slow at
the rate of 12 miles an hour. Bery few sick men yet. April 18, 1918
Some storm, awful rough, can’t hardly walk on the deck. Water sweeping
from one side to the other . We expect to pick up some more convoyes
tonight. Life boat drill at 1:30 ....
P.24
Lots of sick men now, we have changed our eating room. We see our first
boat at 3:30 soon after that we saw 5 more and at 5:45 we were near
enough so that they could give the zig zag signal. This is sure some
interesting trip. We expect to have more ships with us before morning.
There is only one gun boat in sight yet now. We can see the soldiers on
the other boats now. At 6:50 we saw the 7th boat. The waves are coming
right up on the deck now. Some waves. But I like it very much. I am
getting all of the ...
P25
I can look way over. April 19, 1918 Friday Got up at 5:45 revilee.
This is a fine morning. We are out on deck without a coat or cap on. We
have 7 other ships with us, we didn't pick uo any more during the night,
but expect to today. I am not a bit sick yet and I don't think I will
get sick either, because this is the 4th day sailing. Our first
physical training on boat every day now at 2:15 PM. Good exercising all
right. It puts life in a man The water is awful rough, can't hardly walk
on deck, lots of sick .
P26
poison in his finger, and now he is sea sick. I ia an awful sickness. We
see 8 more battle ships tonight. We saw them first at 6:01 PM. 2 more at
6:10 PM. This begins to look more incorrigan when we see these battle
ships. These are the boats that we have been looking for for 2 days.
April 29, 1918 Saturday. We have 12 ships in all now. We expect to see
some more before night. For our physical training today we have boxing.
Take 2 men about a size and weight . I didn't see a ....
P 27 missing
P28 missing
P29
Captain James was pretty ugly. Time is coming soon. I hope they will
give me some easy fellow. We met a boat coming from England to New
York. This is 6:10 PM
we are getting pretty near the war zone now. I
am just ready to go to bed. I read the bulletin board and I am on for
guard for ship for Sunday. April 21,1918 Sunday 2 more ships at 1:30 PM
. I didn't see much of the outside world today because I was on guard on
post no. 13.
P30
staterooms and to the upper and lower decks, so you see I was inside
most of the time. It sure is a fine moonlight night tonight. The moon
is shining awful bright on the water, and it certainly is a great sight,
and also to look at the ships that are on both sides of us. But the
sailors say that they rather sail in the dark at night than by
because.....
P31
pretty near the war zone now, After tonight, we will have to sleep with
our clothes on and our life preservers on also. We have sailed 1780
miles and we still have 1640 miles more to sail So you see we're a
little over half way. And I am not sea sick yet, I am feeling fine.
Monday, April 22, 1918. I was on guard until 9 AM this forenoon., and
after that I was off until 11 AM ,and then the whistle blew and we had
to all come on deck with our....
P32
We got up there and they said that we had just entered in the war zone
and that we must always keep our life preservers on, so we went to
dinner with them on. And I was looking at the bulletin board and they
have me picked out for one to watch out for submarines, and I guess I
will have to get up in the crow's nest. That's about 80 feet from the
top deck. Some height. The sea is pretty rough, the waves are washing
across the deck.
P33
what is making the men sick. It's getting pretty cold. Tonight we
received a wireless that there were some icebergs floating out from the
shore, and that we should be on the lookout for them. They seem to be
about 100 miles away yet, but this isn't very much on a rough sea.
April 23,1918, Tuesday. We met another British boat going to New York
city at 10:00 AM. We expect to meet the rest of our boats sometime
today. We saw a whale at 1115 AM. This was some sight. We saw 5....
P34
land because these birds don't go more than three days boat sailing away
from land. These birds are called (sea gulls) and another bird that
looks like a sparrow. It looks as if it lights on he water. The sea is
getting pretty rough again tonight. April 24, 1918 Monday. Got up as
usual. Didn't rest very well, because we slept with our clothes on.
Raining, and an awful rough sea, and there's an awful fog also. We
didn't have any ...
P35
because the weather was bad, and the waves were washing across the deck
all day, and it's impossible to do anything. We met another British
vessel today going to New York. I think this was at 4:15 PM. We are
out of danger of the submarines when it is so rough ff because they
can't stay on the water to range for a shot. This is our gain. We met
another British boat again tonight and 5:.40 This makes two that we met
today. April 25, 1918 Thursday. Got up at 5:45 AM didn't have revilee
because the weather was too bad....
P36
across the deck. We won't have any formation today on account of the
rough weather. April 26, 1918 Friday This is a fine morning. The
water is very smooth again, and we will have our formation again today.
We met four submarine chasers this morning and they are going back with
us. Say, but these little boats can sail fast. First submarine at 3:45
PM got one submarine at 4:00. We picked up 4 more submarine chasers this
afternoon, We saw....
P37
saw another whale and 6:40 PM. This is some exciting time. April
27,1918, Saturday - feeling better, got up at 5:00 AM. Today we are
getting our baggage out of the hole and putting it up on deck, so when
we get in harbor we will be all ready for unloading. This has been a
fine day and the sea is very smooth. I think this is our last day at
sea. Seen the island shore at 4:30 PM, and the Wales Island at 6:10 PM.
This has been one busy day. We also had to pack our boxes for one days
rations. This box contains 1 Apple .....
P 38
good feed for one day. April 28,1918 - Sunday - Arrived at Liverpool
at 2:30 AM. Got up at 4:45 AM. Got in dock at 6:30 AM. All feeling fine
and had a fine trip. We transferred our baggage from the boat on to the
train and got through at 11:20 AM. Ate our dinner and then went to the
place they call Dover.
April 29, 1918, Monday - Arrived at Dover and
3:30 AM. Unloaded our baggage again on the boat to sail across the
English Channel to France where he landed was Calias.
P39
man got sick. April 30,1918 Tuesday - ----England shore on Tuesday--2
hours sailing time to Calais. -- We were ill treated by the English,
they robbed us on our American money. Hold up a handful of money for a
piece of candy and they would take most of it, the French I think used
us much better. May 1,918, Wensday - In rest camp No. 6 sleeping in
small tents, 12 men in1 tent. Tents are 30 inches in the ground with
sand bags around the outside. This tent is 12 feet in diameter.
P40
May 2, 1918, Thursday - ---fine. We had a 15 mile hyke, we got on our
helmets, and some new --- again. These rifles are much lighter. May 3,
1918 Friday - started from Calias at 9:10 AM and walked until
10:30.Got on a freight train and rode until 11:00 AM. The we started to
walk again and didn't stop until 7 PM. We marched through a good many
small places. On our march I saw Grant Norton in the 308th Infantry.
These places are all old stone and brick buildings. The place where we
stopped was called Licques.
P41
We sleep right in the haymow. This trip was an awful hard one, about 20
miles we carried our packs. Only about one-fourth of the way and then
the auto trucks came and took them. May 4, 1918, Saturday - Got up at
8:15 AM. Breakfast at 10:00 AM. I saw a farmer butcher a pig. They
burned off the hair instead of scalding them off. The lay them in the
straw and the light a match to it and keep a brushing to the head of
the pig. Then they scrub off the burnt hair and then they take the
insides out. This is much different than we do it in America. ---------
P42
We take the British home horses and mules and wagons. Some fine outfit
to.
Go to bed before dark because we havn't any
lamps. May 5,1928 - Sunday Got up at 7:30 AM. Had our breakfast, it
rained most all night and it's raining yet. We are lucky it doesn't
leak in our barn. The buildings certainly are old and some of them were
built in 1700. The roofs are made of mud and straw. And tile red. I
bought 11 nails for 4c = 8 penny nails. Bought a wash dish for 29c. Lots
of fun trying to tell the French what we want. May 6, 1918 Monday - Got
up at 4:30 AM Moved up the road about a mile.
P43
and found a better place. We have had to build a crap house. The supply
Co. is now divided into 4 companies. gin mill the next door. Rained
again today. Eating with Co. K. May 7, 1918 Tuesday - Got up at 6:00 AM
ate our breakfast and went to the dump house (store house). Most of the
day I was ordley (ed. orderly) boy The roar of the cannon are awful.
You hear them all night long. We expect to move again Wednesday morning
May 8, 1918 Wensday - Got up at 6:00 AM Were ready to move at 7:00 AM.
Up the road 2 1/2 miles, good place. Washed and painted wagons today,
Some of the boys got ----
P44
today. Fine weather today. Eating with company M now. May 9,1918
Thursday Got up as usual. The weather is fine. I got a team of mules
this morning to drive. They rode the mule, instead of driving him. This
is something new to us. The cannons certainly do roar. Last night we
couldn't hardly sleep. The British captured 18,000 men.and 3 big guns.
Went down and fed mules at 8:30 PM. May 10 ,1918 Friday - Got up as
usual. I got a new team of horses. They sure are a fine pair. Black. I
went down and drove them. This is sure a
P45
new way of driving horses. Ride one and lead the other. Feed them oats
at 4:30 PM Got supper at 6:00 PM and feed horses hay at 8 PM. Cleaned
part of my harness. We clean and polish them every day, wagons also.
May 11,1918 Saturday - Got up at usual time. Fed my team 6:00 AM, Ate
my breakfast at 6:45AM. I don't have to go at out with my team today.
Fed at 4:30 oats. Hay at 8:30. Got orders to take my team out and draw
ammunition. Left at 10:30 AM. Took dinner and feed along, also feed for
supper. Got back again at 7:30 PM. This was along drive. I was the only
one who went.
P46
Some excitement when the wheels run off of (Aunis) limber. He went
right into the ditch with my team I have got the corpral team. They sure
are a fine pair. Fast riding for about two miles. May 12,1918 Sunday -
30 airplanes. Fed my team at 6:00 AM . Cleaned my team ,watered them,
cleaned stall, and then started to clean and polish my harness. Don't
have to work this afternoon until 4:30 PM when we feed again. We got 15
more new me. These men help wash wagons and run behind the limber and
put on the brake. May 13, 1918 Monday - Got up at 2:00 AM. Was on guard.
I saw 2 German airplanes and then droped 4 bombs right near our team.
This caused some excitement. The horses and men were certainly scared
and some----
P47
I wasn't out with my team and all but cleaned horses and harnesses. Our
old men have come back in this company again, and the men that came
yesterday were discharged again. They were no good at all. it rained
all they again. The battlefield was pretty quiet today. When the
airplanes when over last night their search light made it as light as
day. Scared Perry, and he told us to keep inside until they were gone.
May 14,1918 Tuesday - Got up at 5:30 AM Fed my team and cleaned them up.
Hitched them up at 7:00 AM Drawed rations until 2 PM 1 1/2 hour
nooning. then I hitched them up again and delivered---
P48
to Co. K and L. Got home again 4:30 PM. Fed them oats and cleaned off
my team. Then took my harnesses apart. Ate supper at 6:00 PM and was off
until 5:30 PM, when I fed them hay. I saw the biggest stallion ever saw
this afternoon. It was a dample gray weight 1900 pounds. There were 40
airplanes going over at 6:00 PM tonight. Some sight. May15,1918 Wensday
- Got up at 6:00 AM. The weather is fine. Cleaned off my team and ate my
breakfast. Went out with my team at 11:00 AM. Got home again at 12:30
PM. Clean harness and packed up ? limber for morning, we -----another
place.
P49
his water cart. May 16, 1918 Thursday - Got up
at 4:00 AM. Ready for another move. We moved from Clergues to Brassion
10 miles. The places we passed through Gueny,Tournham, Bonnigues,
Brassion, we got there3:00 PM. We drawed 2 loads rations and when we got
in with the last load it was 10:00 PM. Hadn't had any supper yet. May
17, 1918 Friday - Got up at 2:00 AM, had ----
P 50
was ready for the other move again at 5:30 AM.
The weather is fine. One of my horses got corked during the night. We
have had some hyke, 3 of the boys died on the way up. We passed through
a good many small places, some of them were Estamito, Boucherie, This
all I can remember just now. We expect to camp along the roadside until
morning and we will move on again. This is 5:30 PM We thought we were
set for the night but we found out we were too near the lines. So we
must move again .this is 6:30 PM We moved about 3 miles away from the
lines, got our supper at 10:00 PM. We slept on the ground, it was pretty
good. May 18, 1918 Saturday - got up at 6:00 AM ---
deck.
P51
cleaned harnesses and at 4:00 PM I was called to
one side and the Lieutenant and sergeant Sherman made me a corporal.
This was some surprise I'll say. I went to the trench tonight at 8:00
PM. we do all of our traveling in the night. The English boys leave
tomorrow. On our way back we had a close call. The bombs dropped all
around us, but didn't do any harm to the transports. Got home at 1:00
AM. May 19, 1918 Sunday - got up at 6:00 AM. Fed team and started to
clean harnesses. Went up to the trenches again. Got home at 6:00 PM.
Orders were to move at once. We were ready at 7:00 PM and at 10:00 pm
Johnnie seen us and we had to pull in the woods, and we will stay there
until morning. The place we were at was attend Ramed st-----
P52
last night, we had a close call too. We were up
to the front line trenches. We had to gert in the woods there too. We
stayed there for two hours. I like my new work very much. The woods we
stayed in during the night are called Appleck. We got there at 11
o'clock. May 20, 1918 Monday At 1:30 AM we fed our teams and were ready
to move out again at 4:30 AM. We did not have much sleep . We got in
the place called Tournham at 8:00 AM. Ate our breakfast and rested
until 2:00 PM. Then we cleaned off our horses, and we got orders to
move again tonight. but we don't know where we are going. May 21,1918
Tuesday - Got up at 6 AM, weather is ...we didn’t move fast...
P53
another regiment in the place where we were
going. I only had my team out about three hours today, it was an easy
day, but being a lands corporal makes a lot more work for me, but we
have an awful good sergeant so that is the reason I do much for him. May
22, 1918 Wednesday - Got up as usual. The weather is fine. Sleeping
outdoors on the ground. I had my team out working in the city. This is a
snap job. I had just had my wagon washed and harness cleaned. Went to
bed at 12:00. May 23, 1918 Monday -Got Weather fine. We have to put ....
P54
P55
May 25, 1918 Saturday - the ground. But I had
a new ? canvas over me. I didn't have to go out t with my team I
haven't had my team out for 2 days, but today I let one of the other men
take them out. We changed our picket line because the mud was getting
pretty deep where they were. This afternoon our sergeant broken. It
certainly hurt my feeling. I wasn't out with my team, but i let another
good man drive them. His name is Wantassel. I think I will let him have
my team when I take charge of my corporal place. May 26, 1918 Sunday
weather is fine.We had to work all-day washing wagons and cleaning
harnesses. We are to have inspection on horses, harnesses and wagons
Monday morning at 9:00 AM. We will have a parade. I worked at my
harnesses and horses until 8:30 PM. I haven't been to church since I
have been in France. Went to bed at 10:30 PM. May 27, 1918 Monday -
Got up at 6:00 AM. Orders came in to send a limber to Co. L. At 6:45 so
Igot ready and took my team. We went to the rifle range. This is about 8
kilometers from Tournham.
P56
We passed through Nordegue, St. Marc, Manflance,
LaBalance. Crossed the quarry railroad, got to the range at 11:00AM.
Had not had any breakfast yet and don't know about any dinner yet. No
dinner .Left the field at 5:30 PM. Got home at 8:30 PM. Ate my supper
and when I had my team taken care of it was dark. May 28, 1918 Tuesday
Got up at usual time. Felling fine. I didn't go out with my team today,
Just then we made a Farrier so I have to drive team ??.I certainly will
miss my horses which I took a lot of interest in.
P58
May 29,1918 Wednesday - Got up at usual time.
Got 2 limbers out at 6:30 AM. I got orders to act as corporal. At 10:00
AM we went to Epplex. I rode a saddle horse and was in charge of the
limbers. Got there at 12:45. Fed my horse and loaded up at 2:00 PM. This
was a long drive, got home again at 4:30 PM. May 30, 1918 Thursday -
Got up at usual time, fed my team, and at 8:30 AM they told me that I
had to be acting corporal again. I put the saddle on little ginger pony
and took 3 g.s. wagons to the dump and drawed rations. Got home again
at 11:00 AM. After dinner I used my team and drawed 7 loads of
ammunition and got through at 9:00 PM.
P59
work in this outfit. Went to bed at 12 o'clock
P. M. I also had to help engineer the loading of the limbers for the
hyke for the next day. May 31, 1918 Friday - Got up at 3:30 AM. Fed our
team ate our breakfast at 5:00 A. M.. Ready to move at 7:30 AM. The
place we are at is Tournham. We pass through Bonnique, Clereques,
Licques, Schankye, and the place we are at now is Alembon. We got there
at 2:00 PM, fed teams, ate our lunch and then we went back with 3 g.s.
wagons for tomorrow's rations. I went and acted as corporal again. We
got home at 11:00 PM then I had to get 3 limbers to go to Schankye. We
got home
P60
at 2:00 AM. When they reached here at 11:00 PM,
there wasn't a sergeant for lieutenant to be found so I had to do it
myself. Some work. June 1, 1918 Saturday - Got up at 6:00 AM, fed
teams, ate breakfast. and I am acting corporal again today on the ration
wagons. I drive a saddle horse we start at 8:00 AM. Just ready to
start they change me to a different trip. Now I am going to Tournham
after ammunition. Started at 9:00 AM, passed through these places.
Shankye . Licque, Croques, Clerques, LeMamel and Guermy. The distance
between Alembon and Tournham is 13 killimeters. Got home at 3:30 PM, ate
my supper and at 8:30 had to get 3 limbers out to deliver rations. The
saddle horse that I had hadn't been rode for 2 two weeks
P61
because he bucks and it was impossible to ride
him, so I thought I would try him. It went pretty good. June 2, 1918
Sunday - Got up at 5:00 AM, hitched up 3 teams and went to Tournham.
again. I acted as corporal again. They want me to be a full corporal
but I won't take it. This is the second time they tried to make se a
corporal. Started at 8:00 AM . Got home again at 3:00 PM I drove my own
team and acted corporal again. Now I must wash my harnesses. June 3,1918
Monday - Got up as usual time, 5:45 AM. Acted corporal, went to
Tournham with 3 limbers after ammunition. We got the hull of it now. Got
home at 3 ;00 PM. When I got home they wanted me to go to Licque to see
Capt.
P62
Butler. Got home again at 8:00 PM, the I took a
g.s. wagon back again to Licque after supplies. It was pretty late
then. I had to help load the limbers for the manover for Tuesday
morning at 4:30 AM. The lieutenant Maher told me that he would give me
till Tuesday morning to sew my strips on, but Il haven't done it yet,
nor do I intend to. Jun 4,1918 Tuesday - Got up at 4:00 AM, fed teams,
ate my breakfast, at 4:15 AM. Ready to pull out at 6 AM, traveled until
12:00 PM. Ate our dinner and rested until 1:00 PM. Had to change horses.
My horse lost a shoe. Put it back on when we ate dinner I shod horses
until 12:30 AM. This is the first shoeing I have done while
P63
I have been in the Army. I have got so I can do
most anything going.
June 4, 1918 Wednesday - Got up at 3:30 AM, fed
our team, ate our breakfast, started out for rifle range at 4:30 AM. Got
there a t2 ;00 PM, ate our dinner and on the way up. At noon I shod 2
horses. One pulled his shoe on the picket line and mine lost it on the
way up. June 6,1918. Thursday - Got up at 4:30 AM and fed team, ate
breakfast, and took f5 teams and drawed ammunition from Allembon to
Licque. When I got there they put Elliott and myself in the headquarters
transport for this long hike. We started at 11:00 AM, got there at ?.
P64
we went 18 miles the first day. We sleep in a
two wheel cart, this was some hard bunk. June 7, 1918 Friday - Got up
4:30 AM, fed team, ate breakfast, and started out againat7:30. These
are some of the places we passed through. Wriques, Brunebert, Selles,
Velinchem, Lottingham, Ergny. We got to Lifiez at 7:30 . Fed team and
rested until next morning. June 8.1918 Saturday - got up at 5:00 AM
ready to start at 7:30 AM. We had an awful hard day we traveled until
noon and could see the city where we stayed overnight. It was climbing
up the mountain. The road keep a winding from right to left, and at
12:15 PM we stopped
P65
for dinner and we could look down on the city.
Our horses were all most tired out, We took one hour nooning, and
started out again. We passed through these places, I must have forgotten
the names of the places. We got to the place they ----At 4:30PM we
drove 2 miles to water our horses we fed our team at 5:00PM, ate our
supper. We had corn, milk, cheese, marmalade, coffee, bread. This is
what we have lived on since we have been in France, hard tack also.
June 9, 1918 Sunday - Got up at 6:00 AM, fed team, ate our breakfast and
had half-day. After dinner we washed wagons until 5 PM, fed team, ate
supper, and are going to leave for the station at 2 :00 PM . Shipping
horses and wagons to American base. We are going there also, this is a
P66
job.This is 7:00PM, ready to go to bed until
1:00 PM. The I feed my team and be ready to go. Got new orders, we are
going at 10:00 PM now. W started at this time and got there at 1:30 AM.
We put our horses and limbers right on the cars..6 horses in a small
car. The drivers sleep with their horses. I had to take my team out of
the first car because they began to crowd and my best horse got down and
hurt his legs. I put them in with 4 other mules, they seem to be all
right now. We had our cars loaded at 3:30 AM. Started at 3:45 AM. June
10, 1918 Monday- Sleep with my team, 4 men in this car. There was only
about 5 feet for us to sleep on, then the horses keep hitting us with
their front feet. I got steped on
P67
during the night, but noting very serious. We
fed our team at 6:15 AM, ate our breakfast, then we road on until 12:00
AM. Then we fed again. We had to hold the hay up for the horse because
they couldn't get their head down because they had their head tied up so
they couldn't lay down. Stopped again at 4:15PM, met a train with french,
belgium, and english soldiers going to paris on furlough. They had their
wives and sweethearts with them, going for a good time. I am still with
the
Hqs. Battalion until the march is over with. The
place we took the train was Hesdon June 11, 1918 Tuesday - Sleep with
the horses again and about 12:00 AM the train made an awful stop and the
horses and mules clashed
P68
right together. Say, but this made some
excitement I'll say. We all got a hit from the horses, but no bones
broken. Just knocked a little skin off my of my left hip where my horse
stepped over me. We fed oats at 6:30 AM, ate our breakfast and laid
down and slept again.This sure is some life, but I am feeling pretty
good. I have lost about 18 pounds since I've left Camp Upton. June 12,
1918 Wensday - Sleep with the horses again. We are getting use to it
now. Some of the palces we have passed through are these. We started
from Hesdon, Lifieq. Melun, Bos De Louiey, Thomery, Marret de Saint
Mannes, Montereau. Ate dinner here.
P69
port sur yomma sens, Etigan, Veron,Tunil. De
Saul.cejy, Buvett,Jaingny, Brsenn,Auxon,,Jeuny, Brevonney, Mathaux,
Nancy. This is some big city,we apssed througha good many more places
but I didn't get time to put them down. We got off at - June 13, 1918
Thursday Sleep with horses again.We fed at 6:30 AM not much oats or food
left for the men. We got off at Choctel. We are at ---oyment this is
aplace where lots of wood is shipped from.
P70
June 14, 1918 Saturday - Got up at 6:30 AM. No feed for horses. This
makes three weeks that our horses haven't had any oats. They only had
one feed of hay a day, I haven't had the harness on them since we landed
here. They looked awful gant. I don't know why we can't get any oats or
hay. June 15, 1918 Saturday - Got up at 6:15 AM. No feed yet. so I took
my team out in a Frenchman field and let them eat grass. No feed for
dinner and they are beginning to get crazy. The flies are something
awful out here. The nearly make you wild. I am cleaning harnesses for
today. I expect to go back to my own battalion again in a few days. I
hope so because I am better
P71
there, we had an awful close call of being shot
this morning. Someone fired a shot in the picket line and it came pretty
near 4 or 5 fellows. They sure were scared and we don't know where the
shot came from I heard the shot and the bullet whip past me, but don't
know what direction it came from. Had to steal for our horses. going
some, we also caught a cow and milked for another bright stunt. This is
the real army life. I had one of my horses shod today and will have the
other shod tomorrow. June 16, 1918 Sunday - Got up at 6:30 AM, fed
team. didn't do any work all day. After dinner
P72
... and myself went saddle riding and got back
at 4:30 PM. We went to a lumber camp that was about two miles back in
the woods. The people there lived in small huts made of logs. They were
sure surprised to see American soldiers. They didn't seem to know what
we were up to. So we told them that we were just joy riding. This
certainly was a fine trip. .I had one of my team horses, and Erb had
one of his team mules. June 17, 1918 Monday - When we got up it was
raining. After breakfast we looked for barns to put our horses in. After
that we our bunks in the barn where our horses were, and ... place where
I keep my harnesses. The Frenchman was trying to...
P73
is open, so I motioned to him and told him that
I would make him one, so I when at it. There was about 8 of the other
teamsters looking on, but this didn't seem to affect me any. I got
through about 3:30. Had it all ready to put on the wagon. This pole was
hued out of a small tree or pole. I got 2 eggs for my pay Ha Ha.
That's the average Frenchman wages per day. June 18, 1918 Tuesday - The
weather was fine again but not much work today. After dinner I was put
on wood detail , three teams - Augustine, Erb, and myself. This was in
a swamp. Some mud, I'll say.We put 4 horses on one wagon until we got in
the road, but I pulled out alone. Got in at 6:00 PM.
P74
The order was then that we had to hand to pull
right out for the front trenches, so we loaded up and were ready at
7:00 PM, but the other companies didn't get ready until 9:30 PM so we
had to wait for them. June 19, 1918 Wensday -At midnight we reached a
big hill and it took us 2 1/2 hrs. to get the whole transport up the
hill. I pulled my load up all alone without any trouble, but I had to
take my team back to the foot of the hill and help the others up. This
certainly made my team tired and one of the machine gun g.s.wagons got
hung up and they put on 6 horses on it and couldn't pull it out of the
ditch. I told them that if would take their 6 off I would put ....
P75
at me, and my captain he will surprise you
fellows. So I put my team on and I pulled it out of the ditch alone,
and when I got it in the road they put on one team ahead of mine and we
pulled it up the hill. This time ahead was Augustine, he had a good
team also. We got to the next team the next morning at 5:15 AM. On our
way every village had been boomed. This sure was some sight to see. Q
whoe city ruined with shells. June 20, 1918 Thursday - This was a fine
morning. Didn't do much work all day. Went to bed at 7:30 PM. June 21,
1918 Friday - . Got up at 6:15 AM The weather is pretty wet again.
Didn't do anything this forenoon.
P76
dinner I drawed water. Got done at 5:00 PM.
cleaned my team off after supper. Not much work in this battalion H.D.8
June 22, 1918 Saturday - Got up at 6 AM. The weather is still wet, it
rains 15 minutes and then the sun shines again. Very changeable. All of
the regiment supplies are confined again today. Some change I'll say.
but I think it's for the best. I gave my team some wet grass this
morning and he had a touch of the colic, but it didn't last very long.
This afternoon I started after mail at 2:30 PM and it was 14 kilimeters.
Got home again at 8:00 PM. This was some drive, believe me. In this trip
Igot one letter from N. H. This paid for the whole trip.
P77
June 23, 1918 Sunday - Got up at 5:30 AM. Got
ready to move up to the front line trenches. We started at 1230. Got
there at 6:00 PM. Fed team, ate supper and started out again. This means
all night again for me. Yesterday Guy Smith lost one of his horses with
bowl trouble. Got home at 3:00 AM. June 24, 1918 Monday - Got up at
6:00 AM, fed team, ate my breakfast and laid down a couple of hours. A
German airplane has been sailing over us this morning. This is some
excitement. They have shot at him a good many times, but he still keep
sailing on. This must be a ticklish feeling up there when they are
shooting night at him.
P78
After dinner I hitched up my team and drawed 5
loads of rations from the dump, got through at 5:30. Fed my team and ate
my supper. I hitched up again and delivered rations to Co. B up to the
front trenches. This is the first trip up the lines for the 305th
Infantry Supply. We started at 6:30 PM. Had some excitement, we had 2
gas attacks and a little shell fire. No one was hurt. Got home again at
6:20. This makes 3 nights that I haven't had much sleep. One night it
was 2:00 o'clock, one 3:00 o'clock and last night I was out all night.
I sleep from 9:30 AM until 12 noon. it seems funny to try and sleep in
the daytime.
P79
June 25, 1918 Tuesday - Got home at 5:20 AM, fed
team, ate breakfast, and went to bunk at 9:30 AM. Sleep until 12:00 AM.
Got up again at 12:00 AM. Hitched up my team and and went to Baccarrat
after ammunition. Got back at 7:15 PM, fed team, ate supper, and then
took the ammunition up to the front lines again. I got back at 3:15,
this is a life without any sleep. June 26,1918 Wensday - Got up at 6:00
AM, fed team ate my breakfast and I'm getting ready to hitch up again.
This is 8:30 AM. I was not out very long this time, I went to bed at
9:00. I seems pretty good to. We were issued a new outfit today. This
will get rid of the cooties I hope.
P80
June 27, 1918 Thursday - Got up at 6:00 A. M.,
fed team, as usual. This morning I took a good bath in the creek, put on
my new uniform. It feels much better to. Hitched up my team and drawed
rations to the 3rd Battalion This is 5:20 PM and tonight I drawed
rations to the front lines again. This means another long day again.
Started for the lines at 8:00 PM. There was some bombarding again
tonight. Our Leutenant got scared out, he went down the line like a
scart rat.
Shells dropped within forty feet of the road.
This is getting pretty close I'll say. June 28, 1918 Friday , Got home
at 3:20 AM and
P81 - P84 missing
P85
got up again at 8:00 AM. Not a very long sleep.
I have been signed to a new wagon. It's a French wagon and there's only
2 wheels, but we put on 2 horses. This is some rig When these wagons
were sent here, the Lieut. Captain and the top sargent wanted me to
help them hitch one of the horses to one of them. Captain picked out a
white horse and said lets hitch this one up. so we did, some fun. Well
first we had a time rigging up the harness and after we had the horse
hitched up it wouldn't go. The Lieut was driving it and pretty soon be
used the whip and the horse went in a circle.
P86
himself and we had some time getting him
unhitched. After the horse got up, the lieutenants says Let's put it
away, and the Captain nearly This was the night I was the corporal of
the guard. These Lieutenants. names where Barlow and Bradley,. Captain
Butler and Sgt. Kanana. June 29,1918 Saturday - Got up at usual time,
fed as usual, went and drawed rations again. Then I help rig up 12 of
these French harnesses and wagons ,,and tonight I go to the front lines
again. We also have another such horse, this is Sullivan's horse. I
think he will make it ....
P87
sets in now, it's nearly dark now and must start
for the front lines with rations. June 30, 1918 Sunday - Got home at
2:15 AM, not very much excitement. We had one gas attack but not very
heavy. Went to bed at 2:45 AM. got up again at 6:00 AM, stood reveille,
fed my team, ate breakfast, and then went back to bed until 11:00 AM.
Got up again, watered team, ate dinner and got my wagon ready to go to
the lines again. Started away at 8:30 p.m. not much doing tonight. They
tried to do some shelling but it didn't do much damage. Got home at 3:00
AM and went to bed and the weather was..
P88
does every since the warm weather has set in.
July 1, 1918 - Monday - Got up at 6 AM, fed team ate breakfast and went
to bed at 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM got up, fed team dinner, got my harness
fixed, I broke one of my traces on my new set of harnesses. This was the
third time I used it. I am going to the front lines again tonight with
officers packs. The f1st battalion move out of the first-line trenches
back to the reserve trench and the 2nd battalion move up to the 1st line
and the 3rd move up to the 2nd line trench. I got home at 2:30 AM went
to bed, got up at 7:00 AM. Late to Revile. This is the first morning at
that. there wasn't anything said about it
P89
Go to bed again, I am going to go up to the 1st
line again tonight, I am sure getting more than my share of the night
work, I'll say. July 2, 1918 Tuesday - got up at 6 AM revilea at 6:15
AM, cleaned up my wagon and harnesses, laid down until 1:15 PM. Fed team
ate dinner, and got orders that every team had to go out again tonight.
I am going to draw rations I guess. The German airplane dropped a bom
near our picket line and the pieces of the shell went clear over my
wagon where I was sleeping. I had just got in my wagon to go to sleep
when the bom fell The guard on the picket line came running over
P90
scared half to pieces .... says to him duck
before he dropped another one, but the machine guns made it pretty hot
for him so he didn't stay long. This shell dropped within 30 feet of
the storehouse where the French gas shells are kept. Pretty close call,
I'll say. Got home at ..July 3, 1918 Wednesday - got up at 5:30 AM, fed
team ate my breakfast, the weather is fine. The lieutenant called off
some names who might go back to bed until 1:15 PM , my name happens to
be one of them. When I got up again the lieutenant said to me I am going
to give you a rest now for a while, so you drive Co. L. kitchen, this
is the company that moved up ....
P91
The place is .....horses, I hitch up at 5:30 AM
and take the kitchen up to the line, and get back again at 7:00 AM. The
I hitch up again 11:30 to take the dinner up to the boys in the
trenches, and then again at 4:30 to take their supper up to them. July
4, Thursday - Got up to 4:30 AM fed my team and ready to hitch up at
5:15 AM to take the boys breakfast to them in the trench. Again at t
11:30 AM and 4:30 PM. I get through work at about 8:30 PM. I gave my
team a soap bath again today. This sure makes a lot of difference on my
team. I sure have a fine team, but they are a little afraid of bom
shells. The road that we travel, are all shelled to pieces, one of the
kitchen teams fell in one of the bom holes today and skinned...
P92
his head and 2 hind legs. This horse happens to
be a blind one, and the driver was a poor driver at that. We were gassed
again last night. We also had to get up at 2:15 AM, and fall out with
rifle, ammunition, steel helmet, and gas mask. The report came from the
front line that every man should fall out and be ready to help because
the Germans were trying to break the line. We went to bed again at 3:15
AM. Our celebration for today wasn't very much. We had a football game
between the French and a American boys. The Americans won. Also a
baseball game between the 305th machine guns and the 305th engineers.
The machine guns won the game. The score was 7 to 6 This sure was
P93
a fine game. The YMCA man was the referee. July
5, 1918 FRIDAY - got up at 4:30 AM fed all of the kitchen and water
cart horses, and was ready to hitch on the kitchen and 5:45 AM. Got back
from the Lines at 8:15 AM, then I went to the place they call Montingy.
This is 8 killimeters from here. (Vaxainville). Got back again at 11:00
AM, then I hitched on the kitchen and went to the trenches again. Got
back at 2:00 PM, fed my team and ate my dinner, Then I hitched up again
and went to Pettonville. Got back at 4:00 PM, waited until 5:00 PM took
supper to the Lines again and got back at 6:15 PM, and when I got back,
Elber's mule pulled a shoe and I had to nail it back on.
P94
I am a Jack at all trades in this Army. This
makes 4 shoes I have put on in the last three days. I am also a
veterinary when we are away from the regimental transport. There are
four of us fellows here in this place, 2 kitchens, 2 water carts, Elber
mules, Aunis mules, little heavy drafts, Rhebergen heavy drafts. July
6, 1918 Saturday - Got up at 4:30 fed team, hitched up at 5:45 AM went
to the Lines again, got back at 7:45 AM. Then I went to Pettonville
after some bombs or hand grenades, Got back at 10:00 AM ,put my team in
the until 11:00 AM ,aThen I hitched up again to go to the trenches
again. Got home again at 1:30 PM, hitched in until 4:30, then I went to
the trenches again. Got home at 6:00 PM.
P95
Last night at 1:45 AM the gas alarm rang and we
had to put on our gas masks and then run down stairs and put on 8 horse
gas masks. This was some job in a dark. One mule went to fighting with
his front feet, but we got it on all right. We had to leave them on for
about 30 minutes. We sure had some fun with one of the cooks of Co. K.
He said he couldn't breathe and it was because he had got so excited he
forgot to put on his nose piece. It tickled me so that I had to take
off my mask for a second, but the gas didn't effect me any. July 7, 1918
Sunday - Got up at 5:15 AM over slept a little on account of being
gassed 3 times during the night. 11:45 PM, 1:30 AM and 3:00 AM. This
sure spoils a man's sleep, I'll say.
P96
July 8, 1918 Monday - Got up at 430 A. M. Fed
team and took the breakfast up to the boys in the trenches. They moved
up about 2 kilimeters during the night. At 11:00 AM I went up to the
lines again. Got back at 3:00 PM The Germans shelled the road that we
had to travel. They shelled about one mile of it. The Americans and
French fired over100 big shells during the day. They also brought down
an airplane. This is a good day's work, I'll say. Delivered supper again
to the boys. Started at 4:30 PM Got back at 7:15 PM. This was another
fine day again. I also had to shoe one of the Littles horses tonight.
They all seem to want me to do the shoeing whenever...
P97(recorded on P 190)
July 9, 1918 Tuesday - Got up at 5:00 AM, fed
my team, ate my breakfast and took the breakfast up to the boys in the
trenches, got back at 8:15 AM. Put my team in and laid down until 10:30
AM fed my team for dinner, took dinner to boys at 11:00 AM . Got back at
2:00 PM. rested until 3:30, fed team again. Started with supper to boys
at 4:15 PM, Got back at 7:00 PM. The 3 and 4 platoon releave the 1 and 2
platoon at tonight at 8:30 PM. I sure had some fun with some small kids
here. I was fooling with them and they had three doll carriages with
dolls and after I had fooled with them a while, I put on my gas mask
when they were not looking, and when they saw this,they left their dolls
and carriages behind, and pretty soon an old French lady came running
out the back door and talked at the rate of 240 clip, but I don't know
what she said ....
P98
July 10, 1918 Wensday - The weather is fine and
am feeling fine also. Made my 3 regular trips to the boys in the
trenches. On my trip this noon I had an accident. My horse fell through
the bridge going across a large trench. This trench was about 10 feet
wide and about 4 feet deep. The horse that I was riding had some time
getting out. It was because I was on his back and i didn't dare
P99
jump off because the other horse would loose his
balance, and fall back in the trench, but we soo got them out without
many bruises. It's funny they don't get bruised up more than they do,
the way we drive through woods, and across trenches and through crooked
wire entanglements. I also had a fast ride on a pair of mules. I drove a
pair that wouldn't go for the driver who draws the water wagon. They
were about 1 1/2 hour trying to get one mile away from the barn, so when
I got back the driver says Corpral you try and drive that team down to
the water fountain, so I was fool enough to help him out so I got on the
big mule..
P100
and the fun began. Well he tries to throw me off
first, and he didn't make out at all, then he tried to kick but nothing
doing. I fooled with him for straight 30 minutes and I didn't get more
than 3 rods away from the barn, and all of a sudden he started and say,
how they did run but I let them run and when I stopped them everything
was fine. I started them off and they filled w. carts and took it up to
the trenches, and took another load up to kitchen without any trouble at
all. By this time it was time for me to go with my kitchen up to the
boys again. Got back at 1:45 PM shaved and put another bandage on my
foot again.
P101
July 11, 1918 - Thursday Got up at 4:30 AM .
Went to the trench with breakfast at 5:00 AM. Got home at 7:45 AM
hitched up again at 11:00 AM. Not much news today. Again at 5:00 PM
supper to boys again Got home at 7:00 PM. This is the last trip in this
line of trenches, they move up a line closer again and 9:30 PM tonight
I drew kitchen up to the lines. Got there at 2:00 AM stayed with boys
overnight. July 12, 1918 Friday - Got up at 7:00 AM fed team, and was
just ready to eat my breakfast, and the captain said to me you pull your
horses out of here as soon as you can get them out. This is no place for
your horses. So I pulled to the town they called Pettonville. the place
I left the kitchen.
P102
This is the foot my horse stepped on about three
days ago and almost broke the arch of my right foot, but it hasn't laid
me off yet. The Sargent said that I should not work because it gets
worse and I would have a broken arch anyway, but I am still working and
expect to keep on. Took supper up to the boys at 4:45 PM. Got home at
6:15 PM. Went to a YMCA moving picture show. is sure was fine. Got home
at 9:45 PM. This is the first moving picture show I've went to since I
left camp Upton. It was run by the French. we had six reals. they were
most all love pictures where a fellow had an awful job getting the girl
he wanted. That's often the case, I'll say.
P103
is called Minginville. This place is all blown
to pieces. hardly a place to leave the kitchen. The place I am at now,
there isn't anything to do at all, except to take care of my team and
myself . I have been put in charge of all the horses on this picket
line. There are 32 horses here, these are saddle horses and kitchen and
water cart horses, this isn't much extra work tho. July 13, 1918
Saturday - got up at 6:00 AM, feeling fine. Jerry sent over a few shells
during the night and shelled our road near the town. He was trying to
hit our picket line, But he didn't make out. This afternoon he started
to shell again at 4:30 PM
P104
to us the shaprils came right in the picket
line, we could hear the shell coming. He dropped about 20 shells right
near the next city where the reg. headquarters is. One shell dropped
right on the roof and blew the building all to pieces while we were
looking at the building. This caused a little excitement for us. July
14, 1918 Sunday - This is a holiday for the French. This is to celebrate
the day when France became a republic in18?? July 14. The French are
sending shells over all day in celebration. Some day for them. the
German started bombing this place again this afternoon at 4:00PM
.......
P105 - P108 missing
P109
every day we walk around here with helmet, gas
mask, rifle, bayonet, and belt and ammunition. If he keeps this up the
305 transport boys will kick the living gas out of him. We are called
the dizzy supply and fighters, because any one tries to start an
argument we fly into them. Capt. Butler said he would put his men
against any infantry and stand them 2 to1 and they could lick them. He
said he would bet his one year's wages. He says he doesn't dare argue
with them himself, but he said that they've done the most work of any
transport unit. He felt proud of them that they were such men .....
P110
Ha, Ha, some opinion.
what do you say they also have the best teamsters in this outfit. July
15, 1918 Monday - Got up at 6:30 AM fed team and help make breakfast. We
boys are doing our own cooking while we are in this place Pettonville.
Some fun I'll say. Jerry didn't send any shells over today, but the
French and Americans sent over about 35 or 40 shells, but no respond
from the (Bus) (ed. Boche) as the French call them. I went to the
infirmey tonight to have my foot dressed where I got stepped on about
two weeks ago. This cut was about 3 inches long it with healing up fine,
but about 1 1/2 inches of it seemed to be poisoned and it pained me an
awful lot, but they fixed it up now so I guess it will come all right.
P111
Now a little fight was pulled off this morning
between two drivers, Murphy and John Reinard. Murphy hit John and he
went over on his back in the creek. He bled like a stuck hog, and he was
pretty quiet too, I'll say. He is a good fellow to. July 16, 1918
Tuesday - In the night they done some shelling from both sides, but no
damage done to us over here. I had little argument with Major Medcalph
about keeping water trough clean, he was supposed to have a guard at the
tough to keep it clean, so we could water our horses there, because they
wouldn't let us water them in the creek. I went to him 4 times the last
time I went up and told him that I couldn't get any results from him and
that I was
P112
going to someone who could give me some results.
Say that that started him off, I'll say. But I won out, he had a guard
out there within 20 minutes, and have had every since. I told him that I
was held responsible for the these horses, and I didn't have the money
to buy a horse if he died on this account. July 17,1918 Wenesday - Got
up at 5:30 AM, fed all the and got shaved up and was ready to go to
Asariel to to see our new bunch of horses, 41 mules and 44 horses and
get my mail We sure have a good looking bunch. The leutenant told me
that I should come down tomorrow and help pair them up, and fit
harnesses to them. This will be some business, I'll say.
P113
three horses shod today when I went to Aszarel
and I got home at 5:15 PM. This sure was one hot day in France. The
Germans sure lost very heavily in this drive on the strong front. July
18, 1918 Thursday - This front is called the Vogses Mts. front. This
morning when we got up it was raining and I left my ammunition belt and
steel helmet just outside the tent.This is the first time I ever left
anything outside of my tent and it had to rain. But this is a warning
for me again. I didn't do very much work today. It rained more or less
all-day. At 5:30 PM there came a rumer that Co. L kitchen was going to
be moved. This was my kitchen, I waited until 9:00 PM and I didn't get
any
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word to go up there, so I went up to the ordley
room to find out, and sure enough ,I had to go up, but the ordley boy
had forgotten to deliver the order to me, so I harnessed my team and
went up there. I got there at 11:30 PM, I moved Co. L. kitchen to Co. M.
and Co. M. kitchen to Co. L. So Co. L. has got an American kitchen now.
This was the first time that my team was ever hitched to a doubletree
and they sure cut up some funny capers, but they soon cooled down to
business when they found out that they had to pull it anyway. Got home
at 2:30 AM. Just as I got my team hitched on the picket line the air
raid began. Say but this was some noise. they kept this up until about
3:30 AM, and the heavy artillery started.
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Well, this was the most noise I have ever heard.
Everything seemed to shake. The shells were dropping all around us, but
none of them dropped in our picket line. July 19, 1918 Friday - Got up
at 6:30 AM, fed team, ate breakfast, water my team, and laid down again
until 11:30. Got ready for dinner. After dinner, Arnas, Smith, Delpersio,
Little and myself went swimming. we sure had some fun. Got back at 4:20
PM. Laid down again until 5:00 PM. We go swimming two or three times a
week. This place where we go now is a river that comes from the Vosges
mountains. This is also called the Vosges front. This is the front that
we are holding. This mts. is where the Germans are fighting for it.
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It contains iron, coal, gold, and steel. This is
the main place where they get their war supplies. July 20, 1918
Saturday - This morning at about 2:30 AM they began to use their
artillery and machine guns. Say but this sure was some noise. It nearly
made some of our men wild. The Germans only sent back about 10 shots all
night. I am beginning to think that they are nearly done with. I hope so
anyway. The first battalion move out of the first line, and the second
battalion move up in their place. And the 3rd move up in the 2nd line.
We start this move at 9:00 PM. I went swimming again today. The water
sure was fine. Smith, Raymond, Garnis, myself
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Got back at 3:30 PM. Got back to Azarial after
the moving at 3:00 AM. This makes about 20 days as I've been away from
this picket. They want me to drive 4 in hand teams now, but I told them
that I didn't want to, unless they gave me some good horses. I don't
know what they will do yet. Jul. 21, 1918 Sunday - Got up at 10:15 AM.
Didn't do any work all day except pitch my tent with Edward Arnas . July
22, 1918 Monday - Got up at 5:30 AM. Revilea at 6:00AM. Took team to
water. I rode one of them bare back and they run away with me right in
the creek up to their backs. This is where I got wet to, I'll say. This
is the way I like to have my team feel.
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Went swimming again. Wallice, Erb, E. Arnos, the
officer's cook , and myself. Started at 6:00 PM , got back at 7:15 PM.
This sure was some sport, we won't be able to do this here very much
longe(r), because the whole regiment moves about Saturday. The rumer is
that we are going to the Italian front. After we come back from swimming
we went to the Y.M.C.A. doings. Say but this was fine. It was made up of
funny songs, speaches, and the old southern donkey songs. One fellow was
painted like a negro, there were 3 men, 2 of them made the funny
speaches, and one plaid the piano. Say but those 3 men could sure sing.
We got home at 9:15 PM. July 23, 1918 Tuesday - Revilea ay 6:00 AM The
same thing over again, but it was raining when we got
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up this morning. And it has rained most all day,
this afternoon I hitched up and drawed limber g.s. and ration carts down
to the dump to get ready to take to the trenches. Got through at 4:30PM
hitched up again at 9:00 PM, went up to the lines. Had some fun coming
home, I'll say. I run horses with Barrett, he had a pair of mules on a
ration cart, and I had my team on a limber ,we run them from Hafenville
to Aserail hill. After we have started in good speed, we caught up with
the Lt. Bershal, Corpral Mearbe, and Sgt Bready, We didn't know that
there were on the at all, but we didn't stop. We pulled right by them as
fast as our horses could gallop, and I won the race. Say but this was
some race.This is the fastest ride I ever had. The Lt. never said a word
to me about it
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July 24, 1918 Wednesday - A few changes have
been made again. We are divided in battalions again, and I am in the
same battalion that I was before, but this time Idon't have any horses
to drive. I've been made a corporal in this battalion. This makes the
second time that they have tried to make me be a corporal. The first
time I turned it flat down. and this time there isn't any chance to
turn it down. July 25, 1918 Thursday - I was corporal over the 3rd
battalion kitchen. Getting ng American kitchen in the place of the
English, and I am having some time getting them. Today I went to
Baccarat and got one for a company I. Got home and 11:45 PM, we hitched
4 mules on it and say but this was some
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excitement. Only had one driver after we got on
the main road. Going downhill, the mules started to run away. The way we
stopped them was I took my saddle horse and drove crosswise ahead of
the leaders and keep swaying my whip in ther faces. This as the only
way we could stop them. Say but the driver sure was scart some. His name
is (cook). July 26, 1918 Friday - corporal and I took 12 horses and one
ration cart to get 3 kitchens, and when I got there I couldn't get any
at all, so this trip was no good to me.Got home at 7:45 PM. July 27
Saturday - Took 4 mules, one ration cart and went 5 miles beyond
Merville. Tthis is about 10 miles from Gollinard and Gallincan is 1 1/2
mile from
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Azerial. So this makes about 11 1/2 mile
one-way. We got one kitchen from the 302nd Engineer Co. B. Started at
7:00, and got home at 4:00 AM. This was a hard night's work and I nearly
fell asleep on my horse. The worst of it was when I got to Merviller, I
had no password , so the guard called the corporal of the guard, and he
called the Sgt. of the guard, and they had to take my name, position in
rank, and what rank i was from, and who my superior officers and where
I was from , before I can get through. After it was straightened out,
they gave me the password and it was (Nelson). July 29, 1918 looking
after different things to get ready to...
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again went to bed at 11:45 PM. July 30, 1918
Monday - Took 12 wagons and went ahead to the place where we are going
to get billets for the kitchens and cooks, and a billet for the
ammunition dump, and a picket line for the horses and men. Passed
through 6 different towns. These are the main places Glonville, Dumptall,
Lt. Piermont. The place where we are at is called Bayon 14 killimeters
from Azerial. The place where we landed is called ( ) The train that
I had with me is called the ammunition train, and I had to take them
back to Azerail again tonight and we got back at 2:00 AM . I met my
Lieut. on the way back. He sure is a fine man.
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July 31, 1918 Tuesday - took 4 ration carts and
2 g.s. wagons to Azerail for rations.This is 14 miles from the place we
are at just now. Got to Azerail at 9:15 AM and started back at 1 PM.
Got home at 6:45 PM. August 1, 1918 Wednesday - Got up at 6:00 AM
started for Azerail again at 7:30 AM. Got there at 10:15 AM. started
from here again at 3:00 PM got to Bayon at 6:30 PM. This is a pretty
long ride for one fellow to take every day, but there are different
wagons that go everyday. But I've went every day so far yet. Augest
2, 1918 Thursday - Got up at 6:00 AM Started for Azerail again at 7:30
got there at 9:45 AM. Left here at 3:15 PM got home at 7:00 PM
Some excitement, 2 fellows got into a
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a fight during the day, and at night one of
these fellows got sick and they had to give him a hypodermic to keep him
going. August 3, 1918 Friday - Started for Azerail again at 7:30. On my
way down they sent an orderly down to tell me that we were to move again
tonight. This means a double dose for us. Got to Azerail at 9:15 AM
started back again at 4:00 PM Got to Bayon at 7:15 PM, fed team and
started out again for the place they call Xermanenil. This is 15
kilometers from Bayonne and Bayon is 14 kilometers from Azerail , so
this makes tme 29 kilometers that I rode my horse, including the trip
from Bayon tp Azerail . This makes 43 kilometers and I wasn't the only
one that was tired, but my horse was also.
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pretty tired to, I'll say. We got there at4:00
PM. I didn't go to bed at all, because the Leutenant didn't come along
with us, and I had to take three g.s. and 3 limbers back to Bayon to get
the baggage that was left behind with The Leutenant, we started out at
8:30 AM, Got to Bayon at 12:15 PM . Met the Leutenant and loaded up
our wagon and started back. I rode the Leutenant's horse and he rode on
one of the g.s. wagons. We got home at 6:15 PM and I am all in now, and
my bunk for the night is in a horse manger, not very good bunk at that.
We are ready to move again in the morning. August 4, Saturday - G,ot
up at 6:38 AM thinking of moving again Cpl. David and myself to 12 of
the rigs to
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the next place they call ------. We got there
at 3:45 PM. I stayed here and corpral David went back and I stayed with
the boys at this place. The other transport got there at 11:00 PM. this
transport is composed of kitchens, water carts, company carts. I got
back to bed at 11:45 PM. Sleept under the wagon with (Or nas) my old
bedfellow. August 5, 1918 Sunday - Got up at 7:00 AM Fed our horses,
ate breakfast. Didn't do any work all day except I run across a pretty
nice girl here in a hotel. The nicest girl I've seen since I've been in
France. I am in charge of the transport today because of the other
fellow's day off ,so I can't stay away very long at a time. But the boys
are all pretty good about
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it. August 6, 1918 Monday - Got up at 6:00 AM.
The order was changed again. We are not moving today. I'm glad of it. We
had to go about 6 killimeters for rations today. I don't know the name
of the place. Started away at 8:30 AM. Got home at 7:30 PM, some wait
for rations, I'll say. We are all ready to move tomorrow, we expect to
go in two trains. The first train leaves at 12:00 PM ,the second train
at 1 PM unless the orders are changed. Corpral David and myself had
conference with our Leutenant doping out how to make this move without
any trouble.
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August 7, 1918 Got up at 4:45 AM Fed teams, and
was ready for chow at 5:30 AM. We got ready to move and ready to start
the first train at 10:30 AM. dinner last and horses harnessed. Lt
Austin, and corpral David take the first train and I take the second
train all alone. The time was changed in moving. The first train leaves
at 11:30 AM and my train don't leave until 7 PM. We are about 5
killimeters from the loading place. About 1 1/2 hour move was a large
train. We expect to be on the train about 2 days and 2 nights. I don't
like it very well, to be left alone with this train alone, but the
lieutenant seems to think that I can handle it all myself, so must be I
can. The old corpral is never left alone with
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the transport. I guess it's because he gets
excited pretty easy, and he seems to forget what he has got to do. The
way I remember my orders is I always write it down and work from that.
I think it's a good way at that. I maybe won't see the rest of the first
train for a week or two. The leutenant how and where to draw rations for
the transport and for the infintry and for my drivers. I sure like my
new work very much. I don't know how much longer I will be Cpl. it's
much easier to be a driver than to be N.C.O. Got to the depot at 8:00
PM. Had our train all loaded at 10:30 PM everything worked out. We put 6
horses in each car. We roamed around town from 10:30 AM until 11:45 PM.
This is the time the train pulled out. The name of the
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place is called Segamel. Here is some of the
places we passed through. I couldn't see any of the places during the
night, but these are the ones I saw the next day. August 8, 1918 Wensday
- Ponvang, Heurquer,Joyiselle, Melliery, Selehorsey, Laert-Gaugher.
304th Division are located here. St. Semon, Chailly-Bossey, Sortie,
Crecy. Stopped here for dinner. I got the places mixed up a little.
These are the first places. This place is where we got on the train.
Blainville, Goncaust, Danage-aux, Ligny, Nelanies, Dofamet, Reuigny,
Lumpasum, Hassunmont, Linthes. The name of the depot we got off at is
called --------. We Hiked from here to Crecy. Got there at 5:00 AM.
Slept until 9:30 AM. And I called the rest of the men at 11:00 AM
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ate dinner, fed teams and then we moved to the
next town. We got there at 2:30 PM, then we went back to depot which is
12 killimeters and drawed 4 days rations. Got home again at 10:00 PM.
We were on the train one night and one day until 12:00 AM the next day.
We stayed in this place 1 1/2 days Aug. 8, 1918 Wensday - I took one
of my limbers and went 10 killimeters to get a horse collar and a few
other articles to repair my train, and I found the rest of our train.Lt.
Austin and corporal David. They were waiting for me, because the order
had been changed. Now the order is that it is a hurry up case, so the
auto trucks are taking the infintry with them and we're coming along
later with our train of horses and wagons
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August 9, 1918 Thursday - Got up at 6:00 AM,
thinking of moving again. The infintry goes tonight and we're going to
start at 8:00 PM. This afternoon I supplied the infantry with
ammunition. Each man is to have 100 rounds in his belt, and one
bandiller on his shoulder which holds 60 rounds, so you see, this took a
lot of ammunition. Got back again at 9:00 PM. ready to move out, we got
all 4 of the co. lined up and we're ready to start moving at 11 PM. We
went 23 kilometers to the place they call Caulinniers. This is the
prettiest place I ever saw and my life. I can't begin to explain it.
Little pond, tame fish, artificial trees, great lawns ,marble floors in
barn, all kinds of rigs, steel fence around the place, beautiful park,
hothouse ......
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place, this is all one farm, some sight, I'll
say. August 10, 1918 Friday - We hit this place at 5, bells this
morning, sleep until 9:00 AM. Ate breakfast, took one of horses, ate
dinner at 12:00 bells. The order is that we move again at 9:00 PM this
evening, don't know where we are going yet. I haven't seen the map We
started out at 9 PM, moved all night. August 11,1918 Saturday - We
didn't stop until this noon at 1:00 PM not even to eat or drink. This
was some train, the whole 77 Division. This train was around 10
kilometers long, so you can imagine the excitement I feel. It is a
great honor that I was a corpral in this great train. We lost on this
day's march X horses, 2 kitchens, and...
P135
10 horses. I think this is pretty good for such
a long march, 28 killimeters. I have 2 saddle horses. Ride one half way,
the other one the rest of the way. Blaine W. is with us to. He rode on a
g.s. wagon, and doesn't lose any sleep much. This place is called ----.
Just before we reached this place we crossed the river ----. where the
Germans were driven across and blown up on the 18th of July, 1918. They
sure have damaged the country in awful shape wherever they have been.
August 12, 1918 Sunday - We slept 2 hours, and got ready to move again
We're ready at 9:00 PM Lt Austin left it to me to get the train out that
we belong to. This was just my hobby because I had figured on it most of
the afternoon how to arrange the train and it sure worked fine.
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August 13, 1918 Monday - We are moving up to the
western front now. This is the strongest German frontl there is. This is
called the Chateau-Thierry front. The Americans have captured this
place, and also Cugny and Grand Rosery, which lie not less than a
kilometer to the east of the highway from Soissons to Chateau-Thierry.
August 14, 1918 Tuesday - We reach these woods during the night, but
don't know how long we will stay here. At 8:30 Lt Austin says to me I
want you to be corpral over the advance guard, and I am sending 2
cavalry men with you. In other words, it is called scouting, we are to
move again, this is why they need an advance guard.
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August 15,1918 Wednesday - We moved again last
night. We only moved about 4 killmieters. The Germans sure are doing
some damage here all right, but the Americans have got them on the run.
They have them in a side hill and it's an awful hard job to drive them
over, they haven't dirven them over yet, but they expect to into a few
days. August 15, 1918 Thursday - The American causilities is great on
account of gas. This is the greatest enemy to content with. We get
gassed at least three times a night. This spoils a man's rest. Mustard
gas is the worst gas there is. It seems to burn right through your
clothes. I was up to the line today hunting up one of air....
P138
is nothing, but today anyway I found him at 8:15
PM.Got home at 10:00 PM. Got ready to go with the Lt. to the line again
with rations. August 17, 1918 Friday - I am on the sick list now. I
don't just know what is the matter with me, one thing is that I have a
awful dyrea, was in bed all day. August 18, 1918 Saturday - Not feeling
any better yet. Got a letter from home saying that father and mother
were both sick a bed. The doctor came up to see me tonight. He says I'm
working too hard, and that I must rest up for a while. He gave me some
pills to take every hour. August 19, 1918 Sunday - am feeling a
little....
P139
up again this morning, he thought I was some
better, this is the first real rest I've had since I've been in France.
The casualties of the 305th is about 3590. This is just the infantry,
and the supply co. not any yet, although there are 3 men missing. We
don't know where they are at. We have lost about 6 or 7 horses,so you
see ,we are doing pretty well. I got a letter from brother Willie today,
he says he's feeling fine, and that he is driving mules also. August
20, 1918 Monday - Feeling a little better again this morning. but the
doctor says not to do any work until he says so. The leutenant says he
misses me very much and hopes that they won't take me to the hospital.
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Well, I don't think I'll give them a chance
either. We lost another horse today. The French and Americans are
pushing the Germans back at a good speed. One ration cart came home this
morning with 2 German prisoners. Pretty good night's work, what do you
say. And they still have them on the run, so everything is coming our
way just yet. August 21, 1918 Tuesday - Feeling better this morning,
made up my mind, I've laid around long enough for me. Stood Revilea and
pitched in as usual, saddled my horse again, the first time for 5 days.
Went out with the kitchen train. Got back at 1:40 AM. This nearly killed
me because the weather is so awful hot during the day, there are 3 of..
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us sleeping together, Jim Reynolds, Phillip
Enright , and myself. They were sure good to me while I was sick. Thi
meant a whole lot to me, I'll say. I sure haven't had any trouble with
the men yet, and I don't want to anyway, getting along with the men is
half of the work. We are going to move again tonight, we are getting
ready to go quick as possible so we can get out before dark .this means
another hard night for the N.C.O. We don't know what time we will move
yet. Started out 9:00 PM, Got there at 12:00 AM. I got to bed at 1:30
AM. sleep until 5:30 AM. Next morning we had some time moving. August
22, 1918 Wednesday Sometime settling, I'llsay. Had to cut down trees for
a picket line.
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and we have to lay down side of them. This woods
is where so many Germans were killed and didn't have time to burry them,
so you can imagine how it smells. Dead horses and men. August 23, 1918
Thursday - Got up again at 5:30 AM. Some of our men went up to the lines
again last night, we lost 3 Horses, two of them were killed right and
one had a broken leg and we had to kill him. They got home at 4:30 AM.
The boys were sure some excited. Blew one wagon all to pieces, and one
kitchen, but no one was hurt very much. This is some life, I went up
there by day light, but this was to fast a life for me. I was up there
looking after a team of horses and a driver, and I found them too. They
were all right, I found them in a dugout nearly starved to death, but I
didn't dare leave them.
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August 24, 1918 Friday - Got up at 5:30 AM,
feeling time. ... a poor report on roll call, some men missing yet, 5
more horses killed, and some wagons, but the boys drove the Germans over
the big hill. They left their packs laying in the woods and went over
the hill in their shirt sleeves, with the American cavalry, 500 of
them. The cavalry sure is doing good work, their swords are shining
bright, and sharp like a butcher knife. They also have all kinds of side
arms. Most of our drivers are sick with dyrea. Our Leutenant is sick in
the hospital, but is coming out tonight, I hope so, anyway. The weather
is sure hot out here. August 25, 1918 Saturday - Battalions change in
the lines again. The1st Bat go in, and the 2nd
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battalion move out. This will make another
exciting evening. Our leutenant not come out of the hospital yet. Some
of our men are getting better, but there 4 of them that are pretty sick.
One has such a backache that he can't get half way up... , and 2 of them
have such cramps that they can't hardly stand. And one I think has been
rupured. He had a bag of oats thrown over his shoulder and it was too
heavy, and it strained his side. He has had it for 4 days now. The bag
weighed 200 pounds.We lost another horse again last night, but no men
hurt. Say, but this is a very active front. I got two letters today,
one from (M.A., N.H.) I wrote 4 letters for (H.A.)(M.R.)(F.R.)(N.H.) I
don't get much time to write because we are pretty near the front line,
and there is lots of work to do
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especially when you loose a horse or 2 every
night. This means rig up another team. August 26, 1918 Sunday - Got up
an hour later this morning because it's Sunday. This seems like a half a
day. Not much work today, They left it all corpral what they wanted the
men to do, So you know how much work our men did. We cleaned our picket
line, and took care of our horses, and slept the rest of the day. Some
of the battalion had ...clean harnesses and grease wagons. That's the
difference in the corprals. I made more by not working them than I
would if we would of worked. I wrote 2 letters again today. August
27, 1918 Monday - We had some shower during the night, it d thundered
and lightened most awful hard.This is the first time I have seen it
lightning and thunder while I have been in France.
P146
It rained until about 11:00 bells and then the
sun came out strong, and the weather was fine all day. The worst of it
is our leutenants hasn't got back yet. We miss him a whole lot. Our
captain is in the hospital also. We are on top of a big hill and can
look down in the flats and see the ruins of the 2 cities or towns where
such awful hard fighting was going on. There isn't a rod of ground where
there isn't a shell hole. Most of them are filled up with dead soldiers.
And say but this is an awful smell. It smells much different than if an
animal had died. It is much stronger. We are located in the edge of a
big woods where the Germans hung the soldiers that she captured because
they were found when the American came through after the Germans
retreated. This sure is an awful thing to look at for the American boys.
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We are changing off about going up the lines,
our wagons go up tonight for the 2nd battalion and the 2nd battalion
deliver rations to our companies. This gives each battalion a chance to
go to the lines. Our battalion is expected to go up in a few days.
September 12, 1918 Monday I am pretty far behind with my dyrea, so will
put it all in today's report. Well, our American 77th division made an
advance t his past week, and of course we had to keep up with them. Well
in fell on me to take a train of transport and follow them up. Well I
pulled my train of 25 wagons from Nesle Woods to the Red Line Woods, and
from there to Chevy-Chartreuve. From there turned sharp to left and d
went to Lt.Thibaut. I got here at 2:30 AM. I started from Nesle Woods
at 9:30 AM this morning. This was some
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drive for one day, and for one man all alone,
finding my own way also. Well, we went put up for the night until 5 AM,
and from here I was going to Perles, but I couldn't get across the River
Nesle. This is that great river where so many lives were lost. When I
got here inspecting my road I saw about 10 American soldiers and about
12 German soldiers dead, and hadn't had time to burry them, and I
don't know how many horses laid in the road. Well. the Engineers got to
this bridge about 1 1/2 hour later than I did and they told me that they
would have it passable by 1:00 PM. So we waited until 8:00 AM before we
hitched up. i gave one team of 4 in hand to the Cernalto to help get
this bridge across
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and I gave them 3 wagons for to hall amonition
up that the boys had left behind when they had the Germans on the run.
I got back to Lt.. Thibaut about 1:30 PM. The bridge was ready so I
passed over the Nesle into Bozocher. This place was all blown to pieces.
This is where the first aid dressing station is now, so you see I am
getting pretty near to the boys. I went up the hill they call LaLangue
Haye Hill. Say, but this is some hill It is 3 miles long and all shell
holes, so you can imagine what is was to pull 25 wagons up here and
amunsk this train I had 10 rolling
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Americans kitchens, and these are awful heavy. I
had 4 horses on each kitchen and 4 horses on each wagon. 2 on water
carts and 2 on limbers, and 2 on ration carts, so you see, I had some
train, and I didn't see my Lt. for 3days so I think I am doing pretty
good for a boy. The next day I delivered rations to the boys and I got
into Perles, and 6 airplanes came over and began to drop bombs on this
place. Say, but this was one close call of my life. They dropped within
100 yards from me, but I ducked under a limber full of amonition. It got
a few of the artillery men here...
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pretty tired to, I'll say. We got there at4:00
PM. I didn't go to bed at all, because the Leutenant didn't come along
with us, and I had to take three g.s. and 3 limbers back to Bayon to get
the baggage that was left behind with The Leutenant, we started out at
8:30 AM, Got to Bayon at 12:15 PM . Met the Leutenant and loaded up
our wagon and started back. I rode the Leutenant's horse and he rode on
one of the g.s. wagons. We got home at 6:15 PM and I am all in now, and
my bunk for the night is in a horse manger, not very good bunk at that.
We are ready to move again in the morning. August 4, Saturday - G,ot
up at 6:38 AM thinking of moving again Cpl. David and myself to 12 of
the rigs to
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the next place they call ------. We got there
at 3:45 PM. I stayed here and corpral David went back and I stayed with
the boys at this place. The other transport got there at 11:00 PM. this
transport is composed of kitchens, water carts, company carts. I got
back to bed at 11:45 PM. Sleept under the wagon with (Or nas) my old
bedfellow. August 5, 1918 Sunday - Got up at 7:00 AM Fed our horses,
ate breakfast. Didn't do any work all day except I run across a pretty
nice girl here in a hotel. The nicest girl I've seen since I've been in
France. I am in charge of the transport today because of the other
fellow's day off ,so I can't stay away very long at a time. But the boys
are all pretty good about
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it. August 6, 1918 Monday - Got up at 6:00 AM.
The order was changed again. We are not moving today. I'm glad of it. We
had to go about 6 killimeters for rations today. I don't know the name
of the place. Started away at 8:30 AM. Got home at 7:30 PM, some wait
for rations, I'll say. We are all ready to move tomorrow, we expect to
go in two trains. The first train leaves at 12:00 PM ,the second train
at 1 PM unless the orders are changed. Corpral David and myself had
conference with our Leutenant doping out how to make this move without
any trouble.
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August 7, 1918 Got up at 4:45 AM Fed teams, and
was ready for chow at 5:30 AM. We got ready to move and ready to start
the first train at 10:30 AM. dinner last and horses harnessed. Lt
Austin, and corpral David take the first train and I take the second
train all alone. The time was changed in moving. The first train leaves
at 11:30 AM and my train don't leave until 7 PM. We are about 5
killimeters from the loading place. About 1 1/2 hour move was a large
train. We expect to be on the train about 2 days and 2 nights. I don't
like it very well, to be left alone with this train alone, but the
lieutenant seems to think that I can handle it all myself, so must be I
can. The old corpral is never left alone with
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the transport. I guess it's because he gets
excited pretty easy, and he seems to forget what he has got to do. The
way I remember my orders is I always write it down and work from that.
I think it's a good way at that. I maybe won't see the rest of the first
train for a week or two. The leutenant how and where to draw rations for
the transport and for the infintry and for my drivers. I sure like my
new work very much. I don't know how much longer I will be Cpl. it's
much easier to be a driver than to be N.C.O. Got to the depot at 8:00
PM. Had our train all loaded at 10:30 PM everything worked out. We put 6
horses in each car. We roamed around town from 10:30 AM until 11:45 PM.
This is the time the train pulled out. The name of the
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place is called Segamel. Here is some of the
places we passed through. I couldn't see any of the places during the
night, but these are the ones I saw the next day. August 8, 1918 Wensday
- Ponvang, Heurquer,Joyiselle, Melliery, Selehorsey, Laert-Gaugher.
304th Division are located here. St. Semon, Chailly-Bossey, Sortie,
Crecy. Stopped here for dinner. I got the places mixed up a little.
These are the first places. This place is where we got on the train.
Blainville, Goncaust, Danage-aux, Ligny, Nelanies, Dofamet, Reuigny,
Lumpasum, Hassunmont, Linthes. The name of the depot we got off at is
called --------. We Hiked from here to Crecy. Got there at 5:00 AM.
Slept until 9:30 AM. And I called the rest of the men at 11:00 AM
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ate dinner, fed teams and then we moved to the
next town. We got there at 2:30 PM, then we went back to depot which is
12 killimeters and drawed 4 days rations. Got home again at 10:00 PM.
We were on the train one night and one day until 12:00 AM the next day.
We stayed in this place 1 1/2 days Aug. 8, 1918 Wensday - I took one
of my limbers and went 10 killimeters to get a horse collar and a few
other articles to repair my train, and I found the rest of our train.Lt.
Austin and corporal David. They were waiting for me, because the order
had been changed. Now the order is that it is a hurry up case, so the
auto trucks are taking the infintry with them and we're coming along
later with our train of horses and wagons
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August 9, 1918 Thursday - Got up at 6:00 AM,
thinking of moving again. The infintry goes tonight and we're going to
start at 8:00 PM. This afternoon I supplied the infantry with
ammunition. Each man is to have 100 rounds in his belt, and one
bandiller on his shoulder which holds 60 rounds, so you see, this took a
lot of ammunition. Got back again at 9:00 PM. ready to move out, we got
all 4 of the co. lined up and we're ready to start moving at 11 PM. We
went 23 kilometers to the place they call Caulinniers. This is the
prettiest place I ever saw and my life. I can't begin to explain it.
Little pond, tame fish, artificial trees, great lawns ,marble floors in
barn, all kinds of rigs, steel fence around the place, beautiful park,
hothouse ......
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place, this is all one farm, some sight, I'll
say. August 10, 1918 Friday - We hit this place at 5, bells this
morning, sleep until 9:00 AM. Ate breakfast, took one of horses, ate
dinner at 12:00 bells. The order is that we move again at 9:00 PM this
evening, don't know where we are going yet. I haven't seen the map We
started out at 9 PM, moved all night. August 11,1918 Saturday - We
didn't stop until this noon at 1:00 PM not even to eat or drink. This
was some train, the whole 77 Division. This train was around 10
kilometers long, so you can imagine the excitement I feel. It is a
great honor that I was a corpral in this great train. We lost on this
day's march X horses, 2 kitchens, and...
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10 horses. I think this is pretty good for such
a long march, 28 killimeters. I have 2 saddle horses. Ride one half way,
the other one the rest of the way. Blaine W. is with us to. He rode on a
g.s. wagon, and doesn't lose any sleep much. This place is called ----.
Just before we reached this place we crossed the river ----. where the
Germans were driven across and blown up on the 18th of July, 1918. They
sure have damaged the country in awful shape wherever they have been.
August 12, 1918 Sunday - We slept 2 hours, and got ready to move again
We're ready at 9:00 PM Lt Austin left it to me to get the train out that
we belong to. This was just my hobby because I had figured on it most of
the afternoon how to arrange the train and it sure worked fine.
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August 13, 1918 Monday - We are moving up to the
western front now. This is the strongest German frontl there is. This is
called the Chateau-Thierry front. The Americans have captured this
place, and also Cugny and Grand Rosery, which lie not less than a
kilometer to the east of the highway from Soissons to Chateau-Thierry.
August 14, 1918 Tuesday - We reach these woods during the night, but
don't know how long we will stay here. At 8:30 Lt Austin says to me I
want you to be corpral over the advance guard, and I am sending 2
cavalry men with you. In other words, it is called scouting, we are to
move again, this is why they need an advance guard.
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August 15,1918 Wednesday - We moved again last
night. We only moved about 4 killmieters. The Germans sure are doing
some damage here all right, but the Americans have got them on the run.
They have them in a side hill and it's an awful hard job to drive them
over, they haven't dirven them over yet, but they expect to into a few
days. August 15, 1918 Thursday - The American causilities is great on
account of gas. This is the greatest enemy to content with. We get
gassed at least three times a night. This spoils a man's rest. Mustard
gas is the worst gas there is. It seems to burn right through your
clothes. I was up to the line today hunting up one of air....
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is nothing, but today anyway I found him at 8:15
PM.Got home at 10:00 PM. Got ready to go with the Lt. to the line again
with rations. August 17, 1918 Friday - I am on the sick list now. I
don't just know what is the matter with me, one thing is that I have a
awful dyrea, was in bed all day. August 18, 1918 Saturday - Not feeling
any better yet. Got a letter from home saying that father and mother
were both sick a bed. The doctor came up to see me tonight. He says I'm
working too hard, and that I must rest up for a while. He gave me some
pills to take every hour. August 19, 1918 Sunday - am feeling a
little....
P139
up again this morning, he thought I was some
better, this is the first real rest I've had since I've been in France.
The casualties of the 305th is about 3590. This is just the infantry,
and the supply co. not any yet, although there are 3 men missing. We
don't know where they are at. We have lost about 6 or 7 horses,so you
see ,we are doing pretty well. I got a letter from brother Willie today,
he says he's feeling fine, and that he is driving mules also. August
20, 1918 Monday - Feeling a little better again this morning. but the
doctor says not to do any work until he says so. The leutenant says he
misses me very much and hopes that they won't take me to the hospital.
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Well, I don't think I'll give them a chance
either. We lost another horse today. The French and Americans are
pushing the Germans back at a good speed. One ration cart came home this
morning with 2 German prisoners. Pretty good night's work, what do you
say. And they still have them on the run, so everything is coming our
way just yet. August 21, 1918 Tuesday - Feeling better this morning,
made up my mind, I've laid around long enough for me. Stood Revilea and
pitched in as usual, saddled my horse again, the first time for 5 days.
Went out with the kitchen train. Got back at 1:40 AM. This nearly killed
me because the weather is so awful hot during the day, there are 3 of..
P141
us sleeping together, Jim Reynolds, Phillip
Enright , and myself. They were sure good to me while I was sick. Thi
meant a whole lot to me, I'll say. I sure haven't had any trouble with
the men yet, and I don't want to anyway, getting along with the men is
half of the work. We are going to move again tonight, we are getting
ready to go quick as possible so we can get out before dark .this means
another hard night for the N.C.O. We don't know what time we will move
yet. Started out 9:00 PM, Got there at 12:00 AM. I got to bed at 1:30
AM. sleep until 5:30 AM. Next morning we had some time moving. August
22, 1918 Wednesday Sometime settling, I'llsay. Had to cut down trees for
a picket line.
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and we have to lay down side of them. This woods
is where so many Germans were killed and didn't have time to burry them,
so you can imagine how it smells. Dead horses and men. August 23, 1918
Thursday - Got up again at 5:30 AM. Some of our men went up to the lines
again last night, we lost 3 Horses, two of them were killed right and
one had a broken leg and we had to kill him. They got home at 4:30 AM.
The boys were sure some excited. Blew one wagon all to pieces, and one
kitchen, but no one was hurt very much. This is some life, I went up
there by day light, but this was to fast a life for me. I was up there
looking after a team of horses and a driver, and I found them too. They
were all right, I found them in a dugout nearly starved to death, but I
didn't dare leave them.
P143
August 24, 1918 Friday - Got up at 5:30 AM,
feeling time. ... a poor report on roll call, some men missing yet, 5
more horses killed, and some wagons, but the boys drove the Germans over
the big hill. They left their packs laying in the woods and went over
the hill in their shirt sleeves, with the American cavalry, 500 of
them. The cavalry sure is doing good work, their swords are shining
bright, and sharp like a butcher knife. They also have all kinds of side
arms. Most of our drivers are sick with dyrea. Our Leutenant is sick in
the hospital, but is coming out tonight, I hope so, anyway. The weather
is sure hot out here. August 25, 1918 Saturday - Battalions change in
the lines again. The1st Bat go in, and the 2nd
P144
battalion move out. This will make another
exciting evening. Our leutenant not come out of the hospital yet. Some
of our men are getting better, but there 4 of them that are pretty sick.
One has such a backache that he can't get half way up... , and 2 of them
have such cramps that they can't hardly stand. And one I think has been
rupured. He had a bag of oats thrown over his shoulder and it was too
heavy, and it strained his side. He has had it for 4 days now. The bag
weighed 200 pounds.We lost another horse again last night, but no men
hurt. Say, but this is a very active front. I got two letters today,
one from (M.A., N.H.) I wrote 4 letters for (H.A.)(M.R.)(F.R.)(N.H.) I
don't get much time to write because we are pretty near the front line,
and there is lots of work to do
P145
especially when you loose a horse or 2 every
night. This means rig up another team. August 26, 1918 Sunday - Got up
an hour later this morning because it's Sunday. This seems like a half a
day. Not much work today, They left it all corpral what they wanted the
men to do, So you know how much work our men did. We cleaned our picket
line, and took care of our horses, and slept the rest of the day. Some
of the battalion had ...clean harnesses and grease wagons. That's the
difference in the corprals. I made more by not working them than I
would if we would of worked. I wrote 2 letters again today. August
27, 1918 Monday - We had some shower during the night, it d thundered
and lightened most awful hard.This is the first time I have seen it
lightning and thunder while I have been in France.
P146
It rained until about 11:00 bells and then the
sun came out strong, and the weather was fine all day. The worst of it
is our leutenants hasn't got back yet. We miss him a whole lot. Our
captain is in the hospital also. We are on top of a big hill and can
look down in the flats and see the ruins of the 2 cities or towns where
such awful hard fighting was going on. There isn't a rod of ground where
there isn't a shell hole. Most of them are filled up with dead soldiers.
And say but this is an awful smell. It smells much different than if an
animal had died. It is much stronger. We are located in the edge of a
big woods where the Germans hung the soldiers that she captured because
they were found when the American came through after the Germans
retreated. This sure is an awful thing to look at for the American boys.
P147
We are changing off about going up the lines,
our wagons go up tonight for the 2nd battalion and the 2nd battalion
deliver rations to our companies. This gives each battalion a chance to
go to the lines. Our battalion is expected to go up in a few days.
September 12, 1918 Monday I am pretty far behind with my dyrea, so will
put it all in today's report. Well, our American 77th division made an
advance t his past week, and of course we had to keep up with them. Well
in fell on me to take a train of transport and follow them up. Well I
pulled my train of 25 wagons from Nesle Woods to the Red Line Woods, and
from there to Chevy-Chartreuve. From there turned sharp to left and d
went to Lt.Thibaut. I got here at 2:30 AM. I started from Nesle Woods
at 9:30 AM this morning. This was some
P148
drive for one day, and for one man all alone,
finding my own way also. Well, we went put up for the night until 5 AM,
and from here I was going to Perles, but I couldn't get across the River
Nesle. This is that great river where so many lives were lost. When I
got here inspecting my road I saw about 10 American soldiers and about
12 German soldiers dead, and hadn't had time to burry them, and I
don't know how many horses laid in the road. Well. the Engineers got to
this bridge about 1 1/2 hour later than I did and they told me that they
would have it passable by 1:00 PM. So we waited until 8:00 AM before we
hitched up. i gave one team of 4 in hand to the Cernalto to help get
this bridge across
P149
and I gave them 3 wagons for to hall amonition
up that the boys had left behind when they had the Germans on the run.
I got back to Lt.. Thibaut about 1:30 PM. The bridge was ready so I
passed over the Nesle into Bozocher. This place was all blown to pieces.
This is where the first aid dressing station is now, so you see I am
getting pretty near to the boys. I went up the hill they call LaLangue
Haye Hill. Say, but this is some hill It is 3 miles long and all shell
holes, so you can imagine what is was to pull 25 wagons up here and
amunsk this train I had 10 rolling
P150
Americans kitchens, and these are awful heavy. I
had 4 horses on each kitchen and 4 horses on each wagon. 2 on water
carts and 2 on limbers, and 2 on ration carts, so you see, I had some
train, and I didn't see my Lt. for 3days so I think I am doing pretty
good for a boy. The next day I delivered rations to the boys and I got
into Perles, and 6 airplanes came over and began to drop bombs on this
place. Say, but this was one close call of my life. They dropped within
100 yards from me, but I ducked under a limber full of amonition. It got
a few of the artillery men here...
1918 Sunday - am feeling a little....
says he misses me very much and hopes that they
won't take me to the hospital.
P151
they asked me to get to get the ambulance for
them, but none of my train got hurt because I left them on the other
road where they were safe. The boys sure were scart when they heard the
airplane pass over the place. They were worried about me for fear I
would get struck. The next day I cleaned out the Red Line woods, that is
packed up all the ammunition, kitchen utensils, clothing, tools, so on
so forth. There was 2 g.s. wagons with 6 men and in all there was 10 of
us. We had a little picnic. We made crellas and coffee, laid down and
went back home again. Last night I went up to the line and didn't have
very much luck. I went up with ...
P152
one horse was killed, 4 others hurt with
shrapnel, except my riding horse. It was hit with a machine gun bullet,
but he will make a pull of it all right. The one horse had his wind pipe
cut clean off so you can imagine how he suffered, but we drove him home,
and 3 of my men were hit with shrapnel. One fellow had a shrapnel go
through both hands. one fellow through his one leg, and the other one in
his shoulder, but none very serious This was some night for me I had to
take these fellows to the first aid station and make a report to the
cernel what had happened. He seem to be satisfied with what I had done
....
P153
I set the stuff within 10 feet of the front line
trench where they were fighting. They shot rifles, trench moters,
machine guns and shells at us, but we came out in pretty good shape
after all. I got home this morning at 3:00 AM . I started out from here
at 4:20, so you can see what I was up against all night all alone with
10 wagons. I certainly get worked out in this outfit. We have so many
men that are unfit for the front line work with rations. October
17,1918 It has been some time since I have keep my dyrea. but it has
been all most impossible for me to do so because I sure have been some
busy. I am...
P154
sorry that I didn't keep up this dyrea while we
were at the Chateau Thiery front because this sure was some active
front. all right Our total animals filled and turned in from wounds
amounted to 38 animals from this front. This was some loss I'll say. I
forget how many rolling kitchens and wagons that were blown up on this
front. Sure worked on my nerves. I had to go up nearly every night , I
sure lost a pile of flesh here , but I sure got a good stand in with
Major Haul since I crossed the vesle river at St. Thibaut with a train
of 25 wagons. He says if you can handle this train across the river to
Nencere over by the Bay of Pearls you can handle
P155
a Leutenants job. This sure put the pep into me.
Well, I sure delivered my train without any exceptions, and the major
took my name. We left this front and 16 Sept.1918. We were 8 days on the
road hyking our wagons along day and night. We made about 40 kilo every
day rain or shine, we hit our next front which is called (Argonne
Forest), the first place we hit was (Lia-Chalet) .Here is where the
French had such nices dug out, they had electrical lights, cave cookers.
Everything right up fine, they even had some women living with them, and
after the drive was started the Germans were driven from their caves and
they sure had to leave.
P156
some awful wee homes, they all so had electric
lights, soda fountains, salones. they even raised chickens and rabbets
where they were, because when the American boys got there they found
these things. The way the Germans delivered their rations up to the
trenches was by railroad, they had small engines and cars. These roads
from all through these woods and lead right into Germany. the Americans
are using the same cars and railroad, we use them mostly for ammunition,
they sure are fine. I go up to the front lines every other day except
for the past week. I have been in charge of a guard over the ration
dump, which was left behind when the 2nd
P157
advance was made, so you can see I am having a
little vacation now. October 15, 1918 we lost one of our best drivers,
Jim Elliott . He had his skull crushed with a shell and Phil Enright was
wounded and was sent to the hospital. One corporal (Santi) was wounded.
He died the next day. This was some jar for me, these men were awful
good friends of mine. I sure was one happy boy the 10th of October when
I met my brother Willie and Edward. Then the evening I saddled up my
horse