Racine County, Wisconsin - Chapter 30: Some Letters from Men in Service, 1920

Chapter 30: Some Letters from Men in Service

IT never is diftieult to recount the outstanding incidents and events of a great war, but it is a harder matter for any author to convey to his readers the exact effect sucli a conflict has upon the lives and views of the individuals involved. The nearest approach to such an accomplishment is, perhaps, the reproduction of actual letters and diaries written at the time and on the spot by men who suddenly found themselves involved in the maelstrom of war. While it would be possible to publish hundreds of these in full, it has been thought advisable for various reasons to select a few written at various places and at various times by men in different branches of the sei-vice, covering experiences fi-om enlistment until the end of the wai'. Almost without exception these letters were written with no thought of their ultimate publication, and are the more valuable for that reason. In taking the liberty of including them in this work, the publishers can excuse themselves only upon two grounds - first, their real historical value as showing the way in which military and naval service appeared to those who were in it; second, only such letters were used as had appeared in print elsewhere, or else pennission to use them had been obtained from the recipients.

It was deemed advisable to use extracts only, instead of the complete documents because in most instances they contained references to purely personal and private matters. Those paragraphs were selected which seemed to show some phase of life in the sen-ice, regardless of the continuity of the train of thought. The letters follow:

Sgt. Mathew W. Milkie, 31st Inf., Vladivos tok, Siberia, August 18, 1918 - You probably would like to know how I happened to enlist. I was walking the streets of El Paso, Tex., Jan. 10, 1915, looking for work. I met two men that I thought were soldiers, although I was not familiar with army uniforms. I asked them if they thought I was old enough to enlist. They smiled at one another and then looked at me again and I got scared and started to leave. They called me back and said I looked old enough. I was eighteen, but was supposed to be twenty-one to enlist. They pointed south and told me to go to the Sixth infantry camp, which was in that direction. After going through streets, alleys and over bridges I found myself in Mexico. I met a man and asked him where I was and he told me. When I asked for the Sixth infantry camp he told me to keep quiet as I might get shot. I finally got back to El Paso and found the camp where I met a man with three stripes and a diamond on his arm. I told him I wanted to join the army and he said "All right" and put me at work in the kitchen cleaning dishes and kettles. After supper the man with the three stripes came for me. I was scared he was going to refuse my enlistment, but he took me to another man with three stripes on his sleeve and this party threw something at me that put me dowm for the count. Later I found it was a Helen Gould cot and three blankets. That quartermaster sergeant sure was snappy. Then he told me to find a tent with some room in it and I did so, and turned in to rest. Those old soldiers in there certainly had some fun with me. I didn't know what half of their slang words meant and they talked half the night, mostly about John W. Recruit, which I guess meant me. The bunk was hard, and I had an awful time getting asleep even after those soldiers quit talking, because they snored so loud it sounded as if they were mai'king time. In the morning a bugle blew but I didn't pay any attention until the other men threw a lot of shoes and things at my head. Then I got out of bed in a hurry and was told that the music was "first call." I got breakfast and then was put at work in the kitchen again with two others called K. P. (kitchen police). Then somebody told me to go and see the doctor

Lt. (Dr.) Carl O. Schaefer is shown (third from left) in the operating room. The tables shown are two of twenty employed during the rush of July 20, 1918, when Americans came in by the thousands from the counter attack at Chateau- Thierry. The interior of the ward gives an idea of the care given convalescent "blesses" after surgical attention in the about my medical examination after dinner. 1 did. He knew what I wanted, but he asked me and when I told him I wanted to enlist he said, "Get the hell out of here; Sunday is no day to enlist." Out I went and felt foolish. I walked to another camp, that of the 16th infantry. I saw the boys drilling and it looked grand and I sure wanted to join that army. I asked a sentry where to join the army and he directed me to the colonel. I got another warm reception. He said I just came there to eat and to get out. Then I felt awfully anxious to get in, and wandered to a company street and asked the first sergeant if I couldn't enlist. He said the aiiny was full. Then as I was going away he called me back and gave me a slip of paper, telling me to see the captain because somebody might have resigned from the army Saturday night and left a vacancy. I went to the captain, expecting some more trouble, but he was a nice man. He asked me a few questions and told me the sunny and shady sides of army life. The shady side was the worst. He sent me to a doctor. After being examined, I raised my right hand while somebody said something and then I was in the army. I had the articles of war read to me, and then I knew I couldn't get out. The next thing was clothes and when I got them it looked as if I was thrown into them. The blouse and breeches would have fit Fatty Arbuckle and the shoes were two sizes too large. That didn't bother me, because I was very proud of that unifonn; believe me, I was a button buster. I was drilled for three weeks. The sergeant detailed to drill me was a bear and he had another recniit along with me. When he told us to go by the right flank, one would go one way, the other another. I can still see that sergeant rave, telling us we were not out on the fami plowing corn or walking with our girls. We were in the army, on the inside looking out. No doubt we were. After being made fit to drill with the company I was detailed for guard and thought it was something grand. I worked two days cleaning my equipment. At the guard mount, the adjutant came along and took my rifle as if I had stolen it from him, and gave it back the same way. After inspecting all of us he came back and asked me my name and told me to report to the commanding oflicer for orderly. I did, and found it was the colonel, the last man I wanted to see. I was shivering all over. It was worth it, though, because I didn't have to walk post and all I had to do was take orders from him and watch his tent. My experiences as a reci-uit were quite interesting. I would be glad to go through them all again to get out of the anny. Since then I have had many interesting experiences in Hawaii, Philippines, Japan and Russia, where I am stationed now. I will never regret the time I have spent in the army, but when I set my feet on American soil I sure will keep them there.

Sgt. M. 0. Lawson, Hqts. No. 2, Gen'l Training Dpt., Hancock - When I read of what Racine is doing for the Jackies, it makes me feel proud to know that the city which I can claim as my home is doing so much active work pertaining to the war. I haven't seen the final report of Liberty bond sales at the Case Company, but I understand the Company is going to make another splendid record. There's very little of the unusual going on at Hancock. We're still in quarantine with the flu pietty well checked. The climate at present is quite agreeable, which has prevented a spread of the disease to a great extent. As you know this is an exclusive Machine Gun School, the only one in the U. S. Almost every state is represented in the personnel. A good many Hancock boys are in France with their machine guns, holding back, or I should say driving back the Huns. If the war doesn't end too soon, will get one little fling at the game. We're all ready.

Harry J. Norgaard, Co. 713, Unit T., Hampton Roads - We have it nice out here in old Virginia. Was quite hot down here last week, but it has cooled off some here of late. They allow us shore leave every Saturday and Sunday from 1 P. M. to 1 o'clock midnight, and also one night a week from 6:1.5 P. M. to 1 o'clock midnight. We spend our shore leave at Norfolk or Ocean View. Ocean View is a bathing beach here. Great life bathing down there in the deep blue sea, but the only trouble is the salt water. If you want some real salt water, just open your mouth and swallow some of it. There are many things of interest here, such as battleships "sub" chasers, torpedo boat destroyers, observation balloons and aeroplanes. We also have moving pictures here in the auditorium every Monday and Thursday, and every other Friday we have boxing bouts. Understand the Batteiy Boys are on the front now. There is a good bunch of boys there and they certainly will do their share for our Land of Freedom. If the American and French keep at it the way they are going now. Kaiser Bill won't last much longer.

about six hydroplanes here, and we all get a chance to show what we can do. Big camouflage boats come in here every week and take about 150 to 200 sailors out. At present we are quarantined on account of the flu, but we hope to regain our liberty before long. We have quite a camp here now; it is comprised of tents. There are a few sleeping buildings made of wood. There are about 8,000 men here. Six months ago there were about 2,000 men here, so you can readily see the growth of this camp. Well, I must close, or you will think I am taking up too much of your valuable time.

John B. Etteldorf, Great Lakes, 111., Oct. 23, 1918 - I don't suppose you know who is putting Chicago on the map in this Liberty Loan Campaign. It is the sailors of Gi'eat Lakes. We had a big subscription at the station, and they have called upon us to do the same in Chicago. I spent Monday and Tuesday in selling bonds in Chicago. Our regiment made the biggest selling showing of the bunch, and our company had the record of selling the most bonds of our regiment. We sold $17,000 worth of bonds yesterday. We had 18 hours' liberty yesterday, so I feel rather tired today.

Charles Lampe, 58th Balloon Co., Aviation Branch, Morrison, Va. - I have been transferred to the 58th Balloon Co., and sure was glad to get out of Texas. We are five miles from Newport News and believe me, this is some camp now. We have received our new overseas clothing and side arms, also helmets and they sure are heavy. Wish you could see the trains on the Chesapeake & Ohio R. R. loaded with troops that passed here yesterday. Counted 22 cars all going across. Was to Newport News last night and saw the transports. Train loads of auto trucks, mules, coal and ail-planes all go across from here. There are camps all along here, but this one is sure a large one.

Fred A. Sewall, Prd. Detach No. 139, Sept. 9, 1918 - There is a rumor here that we are to leave here very soon. Nobody can tell me exactly when, but they all say very soon. Part of the division has already moved. We are confined to the regiment and have no chance to do much visiting, but as I have been able to travel on the trucks to and from the warehouse, I see something and hear more. The general idea is that we are to go to a port of embarkment and then, of course, across. Evei-ybody is glad to get away from this place, as the majority of them have been here nearly a year. I know that I will, with only three weeks to give my opinion. This

We Are Going To Get Him

Pvt. Wm. A. Alcom, ord Co., U. S. A. Tr. Dtch, Kansas City, Mo. - We fellows here are asked by the Missouri people to be sure to get "The Kaiser's Goat." We 2,000 Wisconsin boys in the Q. M. C. won't be content with the goat, what we are after is "Old Bill" himself and WE ARE GOING TO GET HIM.

Harry E. Cooper, 3d Pro. Rcrt. Rgt., Camp Kelly Field No. 1, Line L, Dec. 19, 1917 - 1 am here in the land of lizards, cactus, scrub oak and snakes. We eat them all. Can you imagine me eating chuck out of an army mess kit? Well, I do both and am getting to be an expert. In this man's aiTny they show you what's who. This is a great relief from Jefferson Barracks, Mo. No snow or cold, just sand and sun. Aeroplanes flitting above overhead like birds. There are about 500 here now. I just heard first call for mess. Excuse me. (Twenty minutes later) : Some feed. Hot dogs and kraut, and real honest to goodness butter, stewed peaches and tea; second helping for me. Most of the fellows are on fatigue duty today, digging trenches for a water line. Who, me? I'm on K. P. (kitchen police) peeling spuds and onions. They bring tears to your eyes. We are to have liver and onions for supper.

Edward H. Johnson, Battery E. 36th H. F. A., Camp McClellan - Most of the boys in our battery are from all over Wisconsin, and a few from New York state. They sure are one fine bunch of fellows. One of our old shop mates, Tony Moudry, is in our battery. We have been here since the 16th of August, and yesterday, the 27th, was the first day we have had of drilling. All of our officers are new graduates, and the non-commissioned officers are just attending school, so we have had no one to di'ill us. I myself have not done any drilling. I have been working in the supply tent, but expect I will have to drill after we get things straightened out. This is a very dreary and lonesome camp, here amongst the mountains. We have mountains on all sides of us, and there is no town around here except a little town called Anniston. It is a fair-sized town with a population of about 18,000 people, seven miles from camp, so not very easy to get to. There are automobile busses running between town and camp, but you can't rely upon them for sei"vice. Well, I think I will have to close as it is almost time for taps, so will have to loU in.

the Hun, except to help in the drilling of newrecruits. Think 1 will be going over with the next division as I have been transferred to the Chemical Warfare Sei-\'ice. The boys tell me I am where I belong because I sure have the gas.

Walter T. Larsen, 8th Div., 1st Sec, Co. 10, 2nd M. M. Regt., S. C. - You were saying that you would like a vacation. Well, you can swap places with me for a week or two, and I guess we will both be getting a vacation. Some fellows think that when they get in the navy all they do is eat and sleep, and I was no exception, but I have found out different. There is more work on one of those ships than I imagined. If you're not scrubbing deck or polishing bright work, you are washing clothes, dril'ing, etc., and I sometimes wonder how I find time to sleep. I am getting pretty well hardened up, though. I could string out a rope and put a blanket over me and go to sleep now. I am not the least bit particular about my sleeping accommodations, as long as I get the time to sleep. My pal, the fellow who joined with me, is still with me, and we manage to keep together, so between reading each other's letters and papers we are kept well posted on Racine affairs. You should see us now. Before we left we were pale looking pieces of humanity, but now we look tanned fi-om head to foot, which shines like a nigger's heel. We have also learned to move faster. I had thought I was a spsedy fellow at home, but now find that I am too slow foi' the gold braids here, at least it looks that way when one gets to bawling you out, and believe me, you move quick then. It seems to fill you with life, if you weren't you sure would be out of luck.

Edward Daleski, B. H. No. 133, Camp Sheridan - That Spanish "flu" is sure fierce down here. I have been doing K. P. for two weeks now because they are short of help. I start at 6 A. M. and work rmti' I get thioi, sometimes 8 P. M., sometimes later, then hide somewhere or they put me on guard for the evening, 2 hours on and 4 off'. They are short of men here as most of our company is sick. They don't care how hard you work in the daytime, but call you out at night for special hurry-up jobs such as putting up tents, helping feed the sick and lots more too numerous to name. It's work that has to be done and done in a hurry for our own good. There are five fellows in a tent; four of my tent mates were taken sick, one died Friday and was sent home today, the other three are still in the hospital. I think I am well off and glad that I am able to do the work rather than be sick.

Pvt. George H. James, Hq. Co., 341st Inf., Camp Grant - I had the pleasure to listen to Secretary of War Baker, on the Fourth of July. He addressed his remarks to the boys of the S6th Division, of which we are a part. We are expecting to go overseas in the near future. I am in what is called the Pioneer Platoon. We ai-e chiefly engaged in building dugouts and wire entanglements. Of course, we are expecting to get a few of the Huns as we'l. On Saturday the 13th we passed in review before the Governor of Illinois, afterward we had the pleasure of hearing a patriotic address by one of the French captains, and also by Governor Lowden. The food we are getting here is Al, thanks to the people at home who have, and are still conserving for our benefit. We are getting intensive training, but we don't mind that if we can only get a crack at the Kaiser.

Pvt. Paul Rossman, Army Attach. Barracks, Charleston, Sept. 25, 1918 - I received your kind package and thank you for it. I am in the city now as military police. I was to leave here a few weeks ago and was taken off the list just because I was born in Germany, and I have my papers 14 years. They have many slackers here, most all colored. Lots of them failed to register last week, so they are busy rounding them up.

Hari-y Miller, 142 Aero Sq., A. E. F., England, March 23, 1918 - We had a vei-y good tiip coming over, but was sick all the way. Oh, what a feeling. I never thought the Atlantic was as big as it is. I met Skinny Meyers before going over. We were on the same boat. I am working on aeroplane motors over here, boy, and believe me it is something very interesting. This sure is some queer country. You have to drive on the left side of the road, it seems funny. And the money over here is the funniest thing you ever saw in your life. We have more darned fun. This is a very pretty country; evei-j-thing is nice and green. There is only one thing I don't like about it and this is it gets so foggy at night, and it's that just about until noon. And it's so damp during the night. We are stationed in a very good place. We go to work in trucks. It's about nine miles from camp to where we work. We are allowed to go to town every other night and all day

Wedneiiday. We work Sundays over here and have Wednesday oiT. Today is the first real day we have had since we landed. The sun was shining when we got out this A. M, It's just like a day in June.

Sept. 12, 1918 - We have changed station. We are now located a million miles from nowhere. And it sure is some place, I don't think. It rains nearly all the time, and talk about wind; why, say, the wind is blowing here to beat the band, day and night. Before we moved to this place I had some ride, believe me. We were up for about 2 hours and what that fellow didn't do wasn't worth doing. If you want something that makes your hair stand up you want to get up about ten thousand feet and come straight down for about 2 or .3 thousand. You think you are done for. The funniest feeling I had was when we went into a loop and came out of it O. K., then did the wing over wing. Another one is side slipping. You go along for awhile, then stall ycur motor and float sideways, that sure is sport. I only wish that I was a pilot. We are getting very good food and plenty of it, so we haven't any kick coming.

Pvt. Harold Helding, Co. C, 27 Engrs., A. E. F., Oct. 10. 1918 - I have been very slow in answering you, but I have been at the front in the big drive and didn't have anything to write, as the boys say it don't pay to stop the war to write letters. I was detached to the French army, and we were sleeping in our little dog tents up in a big hill in a woods, and we didn't get a chance to change our clothes for seven weeks. When we got back to our company they gave us a week to clean up and boil our old clothes, and we were issued all new clothing, as we were full of lice and all such tame bugs. We sure had some exciting times as the shells were whistling over our heads most all the time, and every night the planes would come over and drop bombs dovm to us and, of course, the first few nights we didn't do much sleeping. But that is all in the game, and we wouldn't have missed those seven weeks at the front, and I didn't like to leave it as there is plenty of excitement all the time.

Pvt. Bernhart P. Larson, Bat. A, 332 F. A., A. P. O. 778, A. E. F., Oct. 23. 1918 - We landed in Eng'and and stayed a few days. We rode across England one day on the train and marched one day. That was the toughest day I ever put in. We crossed the English Channel at night. Then we were on the train for two days and nights and finally landed up here. We are in a camp somewhere near Boi'deaux. I have met but one fellow- that I knew on the entire trip and that was Tommy Berg. I met him on board ship and over in a camp in England. It is warm here yet, but it rains nearly every day. We get plenty of Bull Durham and some brands of American cigarettes. The French tobacco and pills are rotten, and I would rather swear off smoking than use them, and we don't get as much candy as we did in the states. It is almost a luxury here.

Pvt. J. R. Frank, 29th Co., C. E. F., A. E. F., France - Well, Jack, the Gentians certainly made an awful mess of this district. Every building is leveled to the ground, I'oads are blown up, every tree cut down and entire country dug up with trenches and dugouts. Of course, we helped to tear things to pieces with shells and mines in driving them out. I transferred to a Foi-estry Corps and we are now gathering the fallen timbers and sawing them into lumber suitable for roads, dugouts, bridges, etc. The limbs and small stuff we make into cordwood for camps and stakes for wire entanglements. Being very close to the lines it can be taken in at night with motor trucks and mule teams. A couple of shells dropped near us last night. Have had lots of shells sent over and a few air raids at night, but the mill has not been hit and we have not lost any time through it. We lose a great deal of time changing saws, as the trees are full of shrapnel, very hard on saws.

Chaplain F. S. Penfold, 121.st F. A., Alsace, July 1, 1918 - As usual the regiment is scattered all around, each battery in a different village and the firing sections up in front.

I go round from place to place, like any other itinerant person and, of course, when anything serious is started, it is my duty to try to get to that place. I am the only absolutely free parson at the front. The Chaplain can't be sent into the front line, but neither can he be forbidden to go there. So if I am not present when the excitement is on, it will be an accident.

You know that we are in billets here and some of the arrangements would be comical if they were not something else. Most of the men have nice clean hay lofts to sleep in and are fairly comfortable. But the French are very casual and promiscuous in their barnyard arrangements. The stable is usually a continuation of the house. So that under one roof are pigs and chickens and cows and horses and human beings. I mention the humans last because their convenience is the last consulted. Part of the front garden of every French farmer is a large pestilent manure heap highly prized by the owner. Of course, it means renewed fertility for hardworked soil, but it never occurs to them that it might be kept in some less prominent situation. One wonders why the Lord gave noses to the French.

I am billeted in a town of some size - about 400 I should say. I have a large room which is very clean and decent and comfortable. There is a good big bed with a straw mattress as hard as Pharaoh's heart, and upon it is an enormous feather bed about two feet thick with which I am supposed to cover myself. It is evident my landlady's most precious possession, being covered with a slip of marvellous ornamentations. So, I haven't the heart to ask her to give it to the flourishingfamily of rabbits which occupies the apartment beneath my own. Instead I carefully I'eplace the thing on the bed in the morning, nampling it judiciously to simulate usage and the kind soul thinks I smother under it nightly. It is rather slim pickings hei-e in the matter of food and not at all like Brittany, where the food was plenty. My landlady is allowed one pound of sugar per month and if I do not provide her with that and cofi"ee I should have to look elsewhere for breakfast. Officers' messes are very expensive. I am eating where I happen to be with the men, because I am rarely at my billet for more than breakfast.

The country about here is the most beautiful I have ever seen. Every wind is laden with the sweet odor of hay and of rose and carnations - the latter are smaller than ours and less violent in color, but very fragrant. But, in the midst of all this beauty is the grim evidence of the deadly struggle that is going on. We have to carry our gas masks with us all the time and those for the horses strapped across their poor fly bitten noses. Really, in the midst of life, we are in death. I think everyone is actually more serious here. I have observed that the closer we have drawn to actual conflict, the more thoughtful the men have become. But there is a strange elation that goes with it which is in everyone's experience. By means of it, men can be serious, yet blithe - collected, yet gay. It is that, I suppose, which makes good soldiers that they are. Men have pledged their all to the thing and so have discounted in advance whatever is terrifying. And that makes them care free. As the men say when everything is comfortable and meals come regularly, "It's a fine war." So it is. The best ever. And a marvellous thing for developing character in the younger generation of America.

Corp. William Kuehneman^ Battery F. 121st F. A., France, Oct. 1, 1918 - July 21 we entrained at Belfort and we knew we were going to a place where the real war was, but no one knew just where we were bound for. At last we were at Chateau-Thierry where the big- drive was on. Here we hiked four days and nights to catch up with the infantry, as they were advancing so fast. Some days we'd only get two or three hours' sleep and that would be on the ground some place along the road. Well, we finally did catch up to them and pulled into our first position at night. When we woke up in the moining the captain said, "Get ready to move." The doughboys had taken the place which we had intended to shoot up. That afternoon we started and while on the road four German airplanes came directly over us and only about 50 yards above us and opened up with their machine guns. But the fellows fired right back at them with rifles and pistols and anything they had. They finally flew away and nobody was hurt. After moving up from one position to the other for three or four days, the drive came to a halt - that is, we had reached our objective. Here we stayed for 21 days and everything went well for the first week. On a nice, bright Sunday morning we got a good touch of war. The Gei-mans located us and they sure did send them over to us for about an hour. Then everything was quiet until the afternoon and the same thing came again. We were located in a ruined village packed with horses and men. When everything was over, there wei-e about 100 horses dead and 100 wounded and a few men killed and wounded. Then about every other day we got the same thing for the length of our stay there. We sure were a happy bunch when we were relieved from this front. Our division at this front chased the Germans 18 kilometers. The fields were covered with dead, but mostly Germans. From here we marched to Soissons and this was a tougher front than Chateau-Thierry. When we pulled into one position we were only a few hundred yards behind the infantry. Here we got both a shower of machine gun bullets and high explosives. Some of the horses were killed by direct hits and nothing was left of them at all. I sure had some thrilling experiences here, only they are too numerous to mention. But I'll tell you about them some day. At Alsace I was a messenger and since we left there I've been a telephone operator and lineman. Of course, that's nothing in the line of pushing a bayonet thi'ough a man or shooting him, but if it wasn't for communica-

Adjt. Violet Williams, Salvation Army Worker, France - They used to take us up at night near the front, and drop us down anywhere. There were four girls in our unit in the Toul sector, one of them being a Racine girl, too, Gertrude Symmonds. We'd put up our tent, or seize whatever kind of shelter was most available and get in a little sleep so we could start working early the ne.xt morning. Of course, our greatest difficulty was in getting supplies up, so often we had to make out as best we could. Sometimes we'd have no grease for frying, so we'd have to turn to and make cookies, pies, biscuits, or pancakes, using whatever material we had at hand, and serve coffee or chocolate. We of course were never in the front line trenches, for no woman is ever allowed there, but at one time we were under shell fire for a week, and finally were obliged to retreat, and had to wear gas masks at a four-hour stretch. At Ansauville we had a rude hut with no floor and the roof had been shot away. Overhead we stretched canvas, and when it rained hard the dirt floor became a sea of mudholes, and we had to bring in more dirt from outside to fill them up. Once in the Tou! sector we were asked to bake a batch of doughnuts for a battalion of the Third Division, who were going into the lines. Two girls baked 3,5C0 doughnuts that day, our record turn-out, and we fed those boys doughnuts as they filed out on their way to the lines.

Corp. Arthur Dick, 6th Co., 3rd M. M. S. C, France, Aug. 26, 1918 - We are located in one of the most beautiful parts of France, which is going to be one of the largest aviation fields over here. When our company landed at this place, it was nothing but mud and wheat, and with real American spirit we rapidly converted it into an up-to-date flying field. After work comes play, and we have all the sports you can have. We have had three field meets and our company won two beautiful banners in two of the meets. They have one of the largest Y, M, C. A.'s at this field, which can compete with any in Franco, and there is not a dull moment at any time. I am manager of the Post Baseball Team which has won the championship of Section B. Was walking dovni the boulevard some time ago and was surprised to meet First Lieutenant James Costello and Tom Flanagan. Tom was employed by the Case people. He spent the evening with me.

Sgt. Russell Fisher, Battery C, 121st F. A., Sept. 5, 1918 - We get plenty of eats and have a good place to sleep, so what more can we expect. We are billeted in a small French town and believe me, the people sure do treat us right. Driver "Jenny" Jones will be able to straddle any Case tractor in tnae wild west style when he gets home. He is now practicing on an old mare whom we have named Grandma. However, Grandma has not the usual loving disposition that grandmothers usually have. No man wished that the outfit would be equipped with tractors more than Red Jersted, since the order went into effect that there was to be no talking while grooming. John Jorgcnsen is now making rapid advances in his studies, he is now ninth assistant stable sergeant. He spends most of his time counting out oats in the feed bags for the horses. Bramow is getting fatter every day, he is driver of the ration cart. Most of his trips start and end in the kitchen. Geo. Bames is getting more cussing now than he ever did, especially about .5:45 in the morning when he blows first call. Jack Hubert expects to go on his furlough in the near future. We e.xpect that the society columns of the popular resort where our boys are sent, will experience growth upon the arrival of this promising young man. Coi-p. Art Hader has adopted several more French infants. His family now numbers about eight, ages ranging from eight to twenty-eight.

Peter Lahr, Battery C, 121st F. A., A. E. F. - I will tell you about our train ride to our present camp. Our coaches were of the de luxe type of side door Pullmans with all the modern conveniences including plenty of nice cold air which blew in on me through all the cracks and crevices as I lay asleep at night on my downy couch of hardwood floor, causing mc to dream of being stranded on an iceberg without clothes or any protection from the elements. During the day we tried to remedy the situation by bringing in an amiful of sacks when the train stopped and building a fire, but between the smoke and the cold, I think I prefer the latter, which at least does not cause a man temporary blindness. However, though the smoke did get into our eyes, there is nothing like having a variety, even in discomforts. At that we have had lots of fun out of the ride, and in the aiTny one sees humor in most anything, besides one might also feel honored, these days of high living, to be able to ride in the same cars used for the transportation of such va'uable things as cattle. We were a dirty and worn-out bunch when we reached camp, and I for one was willing to quit being a tourist for awhile, and take a rest. Rather coincidental is the fact that this camp was once used as headquarters for Napoleon, and even many of the barracks built for his troops are still being used to house our soldiers. The site is a highly elevated one, commanding a view for miles in all directions. It is impossible for me to give you an adequate description of the simple grandeur of the suri'ounding landscape which is very i-ugged and covered with patchwork of tiny farms, each one sepai'ated by a hedge of trees or other growth. Easter being the season for a universal change in styles throughout the world, we were likewise on that day issued each a new steel bonnet, but not for the purpose of going to church to exhibit to the many other exhibitors who go there on that day solely for the purpose of parading down the aisle in their new array of the season's latest creations.

The fellows immediately proceeded to test the durability and shock resisting qualities of their new headgear by swatting each other with clubs and other implements. The helmet proved durable enough, but I prefer, after this, to conduct such experiments with the tin hat on some other place than on my head. Two gas masks have been added to our equipment, and I now seem to have enough paraphernalia to start a young army. Discipline is getting more rigid daily, and now one is liable to courtmartial and fine if found out of barracks without a blouse or other part of his uniform on. Call to quarters is sounded at 8:.30 P. M. and taps at 9:30, so everyone is at least assured of plenty of sleep which I think is about one of the most pleasant pastimes in . the army.

Sgt. W. H. Lyman, 147th F. A., France, Oct. 21, 12 18 - There is no use trying to describe war on paper. When things happen they come so fast words can't do justice. To-day, for instance, right by us, two aeroplanes we)-e dropped, one by our own machine gun-fire in the batteries, two Boche balloons were set afire, four aerial battles took place over us, fifty shells landed near us, a six-horse team ran away, a powder dump blew up, and the cook spilled the tomato soup, all within five minutes, and in plain sight. My neck nas like a corkscrew trj-ing to watch it all.

The other day I stood on a hill and watched four miles of our infantry advance. I could see the whole panorama, American and German artillery, machine guns, tanks, large and small, our engineers building roads which six hours before our artillery had blown up behind the German lines, truck-trains coming up, aeroplanes fighting, balloons watching, the Germans burning dumps as they saw they had to retreat further, phone men manning lines across the shellholes which were still smoking, prisoners marching back, signal flags waving and heliographs flashing, shells bursting, all at one and the same time.

But it can't be reproduced. And it is seldom a height can be found in all France from which it can all be observed even if it happens in daylight, which is seldom the case.

I don't think that many soldiers are fatalists as is so frequently said. But we do get to feeling safe on the same principle that a man running a "the-cane-you-ring-is-the-caneyou-get" game at a county fair, expects to win. There are so few shells hitting in such large space that the chances of hitting any one particu'ar object are small. And that object is ME in each individual case. We have the added advantage, in the artillery, that the Boche is not even aiming at any one of us personally. In other words, so sum up -

Lieut. Frank H. Fancher, 121st F. A., France, Aug. 6, 1918 - The hike was made through a recently evacuated no-man's land and of course it is indescribable. Wrecked villages, roads full of shell holes, ammunition and equipment of all nations literally strewing the ground; graves, and unburied bodies everj-where. It will take months before the bodies are all located and buried. Of course the stench was and is fierce everywhere.

One night we had to travel on a road for miles that was as heavy with traffic as Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Of course everything was as black as night and the machines going by us at a 60 mile an hour clip. Luckily they were traveling only one way, probably making a loop in their course not to be passing one another.

The airplanes harass us all the time, constantly overhead. Yesterday morning one followed us for hours and we were shelled for a while, but am afraid the Boche isn't much of an artilleryman. The ambulances passed us thick and fast loaded \vith Yanks all bandaged up, most of them singing and smoking. They were evident'y doughboys for they cheered to beat the band when they saw their artilleiy coming up the road. The darned kids travel faster than we can keep up with them. Just heard last night they advanced 16 kilometers and had to fall back 5 so the artillery wouldn't shell them.

The Yankee looks at it as a game or sport of some kind, and loves to match his wits against the Hun. Its too bad the Hun can only fight us in large bodies for I know some of those kids would love to take on 3 or 4 alone.

German helmets, guns, ammunition and bayonets are no longer picked up for souvenirs, as they are literally covering everything. Don't know what to believe about the clothes proposition, though, one hears back in the States about the Boche not having clothes. Those strewn about here are of the most beautiful broadcloth I have ever seen.

Last night about 9 Boche sailed around overhead about 200 feet in the air. The horses gave us away I guess, snorting and whinnying. Anyway Lieut. Mueller woke me up hollering "gas." It didn't take us long to get that mask on. Couple of Boche planes had flown over and dropped a few gas bombs in our woods. Nothing very serious. We move again today though.

The Racine Ambulance Company is evidently hard at it. Recognized two machine drivers as they whizzed by on the road. Have seen nothing of Ed. as yet. Don't know where he is. Of course when we move we never know where we are bound for. Our guns are booming away about a block away from us and right behind us are two batteries of 75s. They kept a barrage going all night long and they sure have some bark. The Americans fire them so rapidly the story here is one of the Boche Colonels that was captured this last week requested to see the American 3 inch machine gun.

Sgt. William H. Ha>Tnan, Battery F., 121st F. A., France, Sept. 3, 1918 - Have received our gold rei-\'ice chevron today, which, of course, is given us for six months' service in France. We are glad to place these chevrons on our left sleeve, but hope that by the end of the next six months we will not be given a gold chevron, but will be on our way back to the good old U. S. A. Of course, we are over here in this beautiful country sei-ving I'ncle Sam, and mean to stick until it is all over, but let it be hoped that it is soon all over.

This makes the third sector that Battery F has been in. The Alsace-Lorraine front, being a nice one and a little exciting, the next one, the Chateau-Thierry, made the first one look like a novice. It would take too much time to tell you of the different things, the condition of the country and of the things that we experienced on that front. It is very likely that you read of it in the newspapers at home, and from what we grabbed off the newspapers that we have seen there was no exaggeration at all. On the 24th of this month, at midnight, with all our material hooked up, we started for another sector, not knowing when we started where we were going or when we would reach it. We hiked four days through the most dilapidated sections one would ever wish to experience, and finally landed in one of the most active sectors of the war. The work we did on the Chateau-Thierry front, which at times was something fierce, we will never forget, and right now Battery F is going through the same thing over again. You can rest assured, all of you back in Racine, that any time Battery F is sent any place in this country as soldiers for the U. S., we are there light to the minute. Our division, the 32nd, has certainly torn the boche lines in shreds, as was pi-oven by what we did on the Mame, and undoubtedly right now you are reading all about what this division is doing today. Our guns went into position immediately upon arrival here and are hammering away all the time. Of course, conditions have been such that at times it was pretty tough to go ahead, but we stuck to it and are still pushing foi-ward. The doughboys ahead of us surely appreciate our artillery, which was shown in the sector that we just left. Any time anyone tells you they can't understand what the war is about, send them over for a visit in the fighting lines and let them take a peek at some of the dirty stunts that the Hun is pulling off.

We are the only American troops on this sector, and surely Gen. Foch is not taking any chances on who he places in one of the most active fronts in France. The lines on this front have not moved for two years or more. The attempts before have been unsuccessful and the 32nd was sent in as a chance, and we are surely doing it, as we have certainly got them on the lom. The parade of prisoners going by every day would make any ordinary man think that it was a Labor day parade in Milwaukee.

Scenes That Were Familiar At The Front During 1918

ence we have had has taught us that there isn't one of us, no matter where we are, that can't make a dive for a dugout or shell hole that would put Annette Kellei-man to shame. You can talk about me being an old boy, but I can stick with any of them. It certainly would look good for a little fellow like you and Tommy to be seen making a dive for one of these shell holes, and after everything was over come sneaking out all full of mud, with your gas mask and helmet on.

Our old pal. Doc Smith, comes around once in a while, and we are always glad to see him. He has developed into one of the most wonderful crap shooters in the division. If he wanted to lose it would be impossible. I know.

Sgt. Victor Falck, 127 Amb. Co., A. E. F., Dec. 23, 1918 - You all know how the Gennans were pushed across the Vesle, and how Fismes was taken. From there we went to Soissons, where we fought with the French Tenth Anny. Right here I wish to state that we had a real war. Battei-y F will verify this statement. It was here I met Andy EUefson, shortly after he had been wounded and he told me that Chateau-Thierry was child's play compared to Soissons. He also said they were firing their guns with practically no elevation, so you see we had them at close range. We landed in the Argonne on a Monday, and then took our trick in the lines. We were in the lines for 21 days and nights before we were returned, and were pushing the Huns back every day. When we came out we rested for about two weeks in a woods, about fifteen kilos back of the lines. We were bombed almost every night, and anyone who has been bombed knows it is no joke. All you hear is the whir of the machine, and then you hear an awful bang, and about that time you wish you could crawl in a snake hole, and pull the hole in after you.

Nick Garski, Battery F, 121st F. A., France, Sept. 14, 1918 (Garski was later killed in action) - Having a lot of time now I must drop you a few lines letting you know I'm in the best of health.

We were billeted in French bams with plenty of hay to sleep on, but another fellow and I happened to be in luck and rented a bed the landlady happened to have. She also keeps a dozen eggs for us out of her daily gatherings, which she fixes for us for our supper, and they sure are good after not having any for half a year.

I sure had a big supper tonight. Went dovm town and bought some steak, a fresh loaf of French dark bread, some jam and grapes. With that we had that dozen eggs, and maybe you think that didn't give us a filling, and oh, how that woman can cook! It's just like mother used to make.

Just to let you know how expensive things are here, I went down town this moniing to buy a suit of undei-wear. After I picked out a suit that satisfied me I asked for the price. He said 2.5 francs; that amounts to almost $5 in our money. I couldn't see the joke to pay that price, so I walked out, leaving the clerk standing there with his costly treasures in front of him.

There's a young girl in this family nearing the age of ten. She saw me writing tliis letter home, so she asked me if I wouldn't send the enclosed little note to the family from her.

Arthur Spreeburg, 77th F. A., Coblenz, Dec. 27, 1918 - It is a long time between letters but there are a lot of reasons. I was at the front for three months, and that's plenty for anyone. The first front was Chateau-Thierry. There was some hard fighting. We were there for two weeks, then we hiked to St. Mihiel. The Germans were sure sui-prised when they heard our guns bark at 1 A. M. From there we went to Argonne Woods. This was one of the worst places I've seen. I saw a lot of boys get it, and it was an awful sight. I also saw the Dead Man's Hill at Verdun, where so many French were killed. Our captain and three boys were killed during our time at the front. I was over the top three times, and never received a scratch. Some luck. I don't know when we will be back in the U. S. We are now at Coblenz. We hiked 185 miles in 15 days.

Pvt. Rudolph Amund.^on, Const. Co. No. 1, U. S. Air Sei-vice, England - We sailed on one of the biggest transports used for that purpose, and had a grand trip across. Nice weather every day we were on the water, especially after having been out five or six days. I also spent one of the most sane fourths I had ever spent in my life. Not a thing did I do but stand at the rail and watch for subs, but

Graves of former soldiers marked every location for camp in the active areas. Above, the kitchen outfit is getting its equipment ready for operation. A mound marks a grave in the immediate foreground. Col. Lewis' headquarters were located just back of the two denuded trees at the extreme left. In the lower picture the cross marking a grave is seen at the left of the supply wagon. The men, however, are more interested in their "chow." The pictures were taken at Montfaucon.

there wasn't a thing doing in that line. I was g'ad wo did not see any, as that water sure looked cold and deep. The people here seem to think the Yanks are just the thing. There are quite a few nice towns around here, where we can go to whenever we have the money or time to spend. I cannot tell you the nature of our work, but I am in a Construction Company which is the first job I could not quit whenever I wanted. But there are about two million more just like me, so I have no license to kick. I am in with a very good bunch of boys, and have had a gooti deal cf fun.

William Dupuis, Co. L, 1st Army Hq., A. E. F. - I had enlisted with Battery C, and was with the same until last January. From there I was transferred to the First New Hampshire Infantry, (now the First Army Headquarters Regiment). This regiment is composed of men who speak the French language, and owing to my being able to speak the language, hence the transfer. French certainly is a good thing to know in this country, and I might say that I am using my "Parlez-vous" to a great advantage. We have been having rain and chilly weather for the last three or four days, but before that it certainly was warm. Sunny France certainly is a good name for this country.

Sgt. C. G. Peterson, 47 Aero Sq., A. E. F., Nov. 24, 1918 - I am now at Colombay, La Belle, a small town not far from Metz. One of the largest air force camps in France is stationed here and we expect when we have it cleared of planes we will be shipped home. I surely have been chased around this part of Europe and am willing to call it quits now that the war is ovei', and get back to the States again. I crossed the channel three times; was shipped to La Havre in July and then back to England again. This last time we landed at Cherbourg and then on to the air force front. We were real close to the big show when it ended, as close as the squadrons get and that was close enough. Of course the doughboys got into the real fight more than we did. When we landed in La Havre in July we were bound for Italy but for some reason were sent back and a few of us were sent to New Castle-on-Tyne.

Sgt. John Michel, 127 Amb., A. P. O. 734. Mar. 6, 1919 - It is a surprise to the Dutch to see the wonderful body of men Uncle Sam has in his army of occupation, that now watch on the picturesque River Rhine. I should know for I have sailed down the beautiful river while on a three dav leave to Neuveid.

The castles of old upon the hill tops are most picturesque sights. Some are diminished through past wars of many years ago, others that are not luined are occupied by soldiers. Vineyards are seen in abundance.

Geo. Lester Hughes, F. A. Training Camp - As to myself, I'm O. K. and working harder than the devil. Even at that I feel better than I ever have felt and furtheiTnore have put on 13 pounds (mostly in front). I am in the Field Ai'tillery "non-com" school and start work every day at 6:30 A. M. and continue until 7 o'clock. When not drilling, I'm kept busy washing clothes, so you can readily see my time is practically all taken up. By the time they get through with this bird, he will sure be able to hold his own with the Hun. Even though I am working hard, I'm not kicking, and it makes me laugh when I recall some of the boys back home grumbling when asked to tu)'n their savings into Liberty Bonds.

J. L. Ahart, Div. I, A. P. O. 718 Saumur, A. E. F. - France is a beautiful countiy. It is one beautiful spot after another. It's hell to have war in a country like this, but one has only to imagine what a people must be like who would ravish a country like this, to see reasons enough. The French people treat us like the princes who lived in these old castles must have been treated along about 1000 years ago. A beautiful young French lady makes mv bed, sweeps the floor, and puts fresh floweis on my shelf, and when I hand her an empty dish to send out for seconds, she thanks me for it. Could you beat that for courtesy? I am still a Candidate Officer, with the rest of the 3rd Camp men and am studying heavy motorized artillery at this place. This is a wonderful school. It is the greatest Cavalry school in the world and has given instruction to such immortals as Napoleon. Now it is better known as a school of field artillery, and that is why I am here. The equipment lacks nothing, but it's no summer resort. This is Sunday, but until I began this letter I've been wrestling with and was obliged to conquer some real mathematical problems. You can't be an artillery officer and have any loose ends to your mathematics. We are well fed and Uncle Sam and the large newspapers at home take care of our tobacco wants in a very liberal way. The people vdll do anything for us. The "Y" is unique here. It was fonnerly the home of some wealthy Frenchman. He turned it over for our use, furniture, hangings, paintings, traditions, and all. I am writing this letter on a wonderfully cai^ved wood table in the library. I can look through a large French window out over a fine little

The upper panel shows that I21st Artillery band marching ou I: on the parade ground at Camp Douglas. At that time the 121st was a National Guard organization. The center panel shows four officers of the regiment in a hole made by a German 150 mm shell in the Alsace sector. Lt. Sanders is at th ^ right. On the lower panel again is pictured the trim and well-cared for graves of American soldiers who gave their It /es for the cause in France.

rark with a little pond. For the moment, there are no suggestions of war. It seems a .shame to walk around over these nice carpets with cur heavy hob-nailed shoes, but we all do it. The atmosphere over here slaps up a fellow's character into a different shape. With us, every part of the country, every large college and many sma'l ones, every creed, society, fratemity and kind of personality is represented. It's a grand mixture with a fine result. It's the best army that ever happened. When the thing is over, we are going to be better for it in every way except financially. But the army is not a money proposition. That's one of the nice things about it for we are going to think more of doing the job right than of the recompense in cash thereof.

Clarence Baumstark, Sply. Co., 125 Inf., Ai-my of Occupation, Jan. 22, 1919 - We are located in a small village called Willworth. Germany, with the Ai-my of Occupation, and are nicely situated in the houses with German people. They treat us real nice, considering what we American soldiers are here for, and they give us some good eats. You know the good old German style Sauer Kraut and Speck. We are located about forty kilometers from Coblenz. and the boys are receiving passes daily to see the town. We have our Mess Hall in one of the Krupp Iron and Coal Mines, and we have very good accommodations for bathing - always steam heated. We have our Office in a Cafe, so we have to walk about one kilometer for our meals. I was on a visit to Coblenz one day last week, and believe me it is certainly some pretty place. I was on the top of the statue of KaLser Wilhelm, and you could see many miles around on all four sides. The Moselle and the Rhine River connect right on the edge of this statue. The Y. M. C. A. has its headquarters in the Festhalle, and every day they have a route they take the American soldiers around to see the many interesting historical sights of Coblenz, headed by four or five American girls, making it more enjoyable for the soldiers. We started on our famous "March to the Rhine" on November 16th, and it .surely was some trip. The boys endured many hardships but everybody landed here in good condition. Lots of rainy and muddy weather, and we climbed many high hills in France and Germany. We crossed the Rhine River on December 1.3th (Friday) at 10:4.5 A. M. at Engers, Germany. The landscape was very beautiful especially in Gei-many, and we saw many pretty sights along the way.

Siberia, July 10, 1919 - Very few Russians can read or write. Many of them appeared to us lazy and rough and they were certainly dirty. They are larger men than the Americans and I think they were inclined to be friendly to the Americans. An Ameiican cigarette would win them every time. They are great drinkers of tea and vodka. There was a great deal of drinking at Vladivostok, and much disorder and crime. Murders were of frequent occurrence.

I did not hear of any instances of the Bolshevik appropriation of property in Vladivostok. Of course Bolsheviki vary greatly in the radicalism of their opinions. Some of the people there think the czar is still living and others are sure he was shot.

Vladivostok is a city whose population is probably between 12.5,000 and 200,000. Nobody knows how many people live thei'e because no census has been taken for twenty years. Two out of every five people there are Chinese, from Manchuria or Korea. The city lies on a long narrow peninsula jutting out into the sea and it has one street five miles long paved with cobblestones. No others have any paving. It is excessively dirty. There is no sewerage of any sort and no running water. Chinese coolies haul water from the municipal wells in buckets carried on sticks over their backs.

The buildings are generally of stone and very substantial. The barracks used by the American soldiers were those used by the Russians during the Russian-Japanese war and had very thick walls. We had great trouble in getting coal and wood for fuel. Part of last winter a provision was in force that we might have a fire only twelve hours out of the twenty-four.

The business of the city is in the hands of Chinese and Japs. Few American goods are for sale although there is demand for them. Many of the goods sold are Japanese. The stores were mostly closed when we first got there in September, 1918, but opened up when supported by the presence of the allied troops. They carried stocks which seemed to me poor.

Most of the supplies for the army were shipped from the United States but some of our beef came fi-om China. We had great difficulty in getting potatoes and ate canned sweet potatoes much of the time.

Residents bought supplies at great markets with many small booths. Chinese and Japanese live largely on fish and all kinds of fish and other sea food could be purchased very cheap.

Dun-Sur-Meuse. Long To Be A Memory For Racine Men

politan population but there are no Anierii-ans resident there so far as I know. There are few English, only those connected with the government.

Sgt. Glenn Williams, 127 Amb. Co., Walferdingen, Germany, Dec. 2, 1918 - Am just starting to realize what a valuable trip this is which I am taking. Think of it, a trip through the beautiful cities of Europe and not costing a cent. People have spent thousands just to take this same trip. This certainly is a swell war now. Arrived at our destination (Strasseau) at 6 p. m. Found every billet full of men so we had to put up to what we found out the next a. m. to be a pig pen. Quite some change from the paradise we had the night before. But we slept well - that was all we asked for. Were up and pai'took of a typical Luxemburg dinner, but Oh! Boy! what a price. Cost each one about 22 francs ($4.50). Left this place and arrived at Walferdingen (sometimes spelled Walferdange) just north of the city of Luxemburg, at 2 p. m. Here w^e established our kitchen in the center of a beautiful gai'den in the courtyard of the summer palace of the Grand Duchess of Luxemburg. Nothing too good for us. Sergt. Coutu and I have a swell room in a private home. Of course the people are German but most of them speak French so we get along real well. Have visited the city of Luxemburg twice and wish to say it is the prettiest city I have struck, almost as beautiful as Paris. But the prices are absolutely out of the reach of the soldiers. You may not believe it but we paid 18 francs ($3.50) for a tar of chocolate. But we have to have chocolate so bought some. Everything is extremely expensive.

Joseph Pottinger, France, Dec. 5, 1918 - It seems funny to i-ead your letters which were written befoi-e the war ended. We no more than saw France when the French fisherman yelled, "Le guerre finis," or the war is ended, though it really didn't end for a few days after. They were expecting it right along. 1 am quite contented to stay here until the time to leave for home. No other company has it any better than we do. We have a big stove in the barracks, which we made out of a steel drum that the Standard Oil Co. uses. It's a regular young furnace. We also have running water in the creek, and my bathtub is a corn beef can that holds about a gallon of water. The government issues chewing tobacco, stick candy and Bull Durham to us. We also have a canteen, where we can buy candy once in a while and smokes too. I am going to try to get to to\vn so I can buy some souvenirs and picture postcards. Everything is high over here. We are paid in French money and I received (i2 francs and 50 centimes, or $11.50.