April 1918
April 21
Packed my sea bag and prepared for trip to France. Fellows are all in good mood and anxious to go.
Packed my sea bag and prepared for trip to France. Fellows are all in good mood and anxious to go.
April 22
Left Quantico at 6:30 A.M. with 3rd Replacement Batt. Casualty Co. and Hospital Corps. Arrived in Washington at 8:00 A.M. and were met in Washington by Gen. Barnett. The red cross served us with coffee, sandwiches and doughnuts which tasted very good. Left Wash. at 9:30 A.M. Arrived Phila. 2:30 P.M. and were met by Marine Band. Marched through Navy Yard and boarded the transport “Henderson.” It was very heartbreaking to be so near Mother and Mabs and not even get a chance to get in touch with them. Five hundred “Jackies” boarded the ship and we sang songs until 8:00 P.M. We were crowded into lower deck and I got a lower bunk. Hope the boys above me are not bothered by a rough sea. Have I had my last glimpse of dear old Philly. Let us hope not.
Left Quantico at 6:30 A.M. with 3rd Replacement Batt. Casualty Co. and Hospital Corps. Arrived in Washington at 8:00 A.M. and were met in Washington by Gen. Barnett. The red cross served us with coffee, sandwiches and doughnuts which tasted very good. Left Wash. at 9:30 A.M. Arrived Phila. 2:30 P.M. and were met by Marine Band. Marched through Navy Yard and boarded the transport “Henderson.” It was very heartbreaking to be so near Mother and Mabs and not even get a chance to get in touch with them. Five hundred “Jackies” boarded the ship and we sang songs until 8:00 P.M. We were crowded into lower deck and I got a lower bunk. Hope the boys above me are not bothered by a rough sea. Have I had my last glimpse of dear old Philly. Let us hope not.
April 23
Left port at 8:10 A.M. for France. The boat is good enough but too crowded. The factory whistles blew as we sailed down the river and we were given last farewell. Were held up in Delaware bay for two hours by two Marine stoways (sic). Unloaded them on sub chaser and sent them back. Passed the breakwater and headed due east.
April 24
A fine way to spend a birthday. Had abandoned ship drill in A.M. Stood in line for thirty minutes for chow. Terrible eats. Six transports loaded with dough boys and the cruiser N. Dakota joined us at 11:30 A.M and we all headed east.
April 25
Raining and colder. Stood guard from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. One of the transports lost rudder and another towed it back to port. Sea very rough but I have not gotten sick as yet.
April 26
Stood guard from 4:00 A.M. until 8:00 A.M. Sea still rough but I feel fine. Lots of the boys are getting sick.
April 27-28
Sea still rough. Nothing doing in the line of excitement.
April 29
Started the look out watch as a safe guard for submarines. Smooth sea.
April 30
Nothing new.
Left port at 8:10 A.M. for France. The boat is good enough but too crowded. The factory whistles blew as we sailed down the river and we were given last farewell. Were held up in Delaware bay for two hours by two Marine stoways (sic). Unloaded them on sub chaser and sent them back. Passed the breakwater and headed due east.
April 24
A fine way to spend a birthday. Had abandoned ship drill in A.M. Stood in line for thirty minutes for chow. Terrible eats. Six transports loaded with dough boys and the cruiser N. Dakota joined us at 11:30 A.M and we all headed east.
April 25
Raining and colder. Stood guard from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. One of the transports lost rudder and another towed it back to port. Sea very rough but I have not gotten sick as yet.
April 26
Stood guard from 4:00 A.M. until 8:00 A.M. Sea still rough but I feel fine. Lots of the boys are getting sick.
April 27-28
Sea still rough. Nothing doing in the line of excitement.
April 29
Started the look out watch as a safe guard for submarines. Smooth sea.
April 30
Nothing new.
May 1918
May 1
Very rough sea. One of the boys took sick and I volunteered to take his watch on crows nest. It was an eighty five foot climb on a rope ladder. The boat swayed so that I was over the water most of the time in the climb. Was glad when I finally got down and hit the deck again.
May 2-3
Nearing war zone. Boat is taking every precaution in regards to submarines
May 4
Finally reached war zone. Eight sub chasers joined us and cruiser turned back. They cheered us and we returned it. The trip is getting very tiresome. Have to stand upper search light watch every night.
May 5
Everything was quiet until 8:15 P.M. when the fire works opened. Sighted sub. and fired five in gun at it. She submerged and a sub chaser dropped two depth bombs after her. Oil appeared on surface of water and we were given credit for sinking it.
May 6
Sighted Brest, France at 6:00 A.M and land sure looked good. Passed up bay of Biscay and the scenery was beautiful. Anchored in bay and worked until 10:00 P.M. unloading ship. Ate a little chow and went to bed.
May 7
Docked in A.M. and left ship in P.M. Marched three miles to a rest camp and found out the French kids had learned to say "Have you cigarette, bisque etc? Landed in Pontamangon (sic) [Pont-A-Mousson] Barracks which was built by Napoleon many year ago. Were place in tents and had three boards for a bed. Of course the doughboys get the Barracks. Brest is a very quaint city and populated by a very poor class of people.
May 8
Drilled in A.M. and took bath in P.M. Picked up a Marine team and played ball against the doughboys winning 15-0. Played Fouke a few sets of tennis and hit the boards.
May 9
Drilled in A.M. and took a hike in P.M. The peasants were having a celebration and cheered us as we marched by.
May 10
Left camp at 7:30 A.M. and boarded freight at 9:30 A.M. These French freight cars are very wierd (sic) looking affairs with their little sign Hommes 40 Chevaux 8. I'm one of those Hommes so I'm out of luck. Well here goes. Forty of us in a car with hardly enough room to stand up, forty loaves of bread, monkey meat, tomatoes and beans. Rode all night with no chance to sleep. War is hell!
May 11
Still riding and we are a wonderful rabid(?) bunch. The scenery is very beautiful and the villages somewhat better. Arrived at Noyes at 9:30 P.M. and stretched our legs. Marched seven kilometers to Chatillon the Marine camp and arrived at 7:30. Our billet is a hay loft on the second story of an old peasant house. No lights or no windows. Rounded up some straw for a bunk and crawled in. The people are of the common class but very interesting.
May 12
Spent Sunday writing letters and resting up after the trip.
May 13
Marched to parade grounds and rec'd gas masks. Had instructions in the use of them and tested the min gas chamber. Drilled in P.M.
May 14
Had my first hard drill with heavy marching order. Thought Parris Is. was tough but guess it was pretty soft. Transfer list came in and Lineen left us.
May 15
Ordered to pack up and check equipment in A.M. Moved to billets in Trevya in P.M. We are now located on the Cher river and have a much better billet.
May 16
First drill under 133rd Co. N.C.O.'s. They worked the devil out of us to use a mild expression and told us we would soon get used to the following commands "In two ranks fall in," "Squad Drill," "Bayonet Drill," "Bombing Drill," "Gas Masks," "Saluting" "Games." The games much harder on you than the drilling.
May 17
Light marching order. Drilled all day in terrific heat. Wrestling and boxing match at Y.M.C.A. in evening.
May 18
Inspection of Batt. by Maj. Williams. Light marching order. Had all my hair clipped off in P.M. Very poor chow.
May 19
Wrote letters in A.M. Played ball in P.M. In the evening Dr. Todd gave an interesting lecture on "Joan of Arc." Ate about fifteen oranges and went to bed.
May 20
Again received orders to pack up and move. Carried a box of soap on my shoulders a kilometer and a quarter raising a nice blister. Were transferred to 34th Co. under command of Capt. Parsons. Met Bill Cort a corporal in the Co. and an old St. Lukes graduate. He knows lots of the old boys. Mr. Church an All American tackle from Yale is our new platoon commander and he sure is a peach. Am very happy for the change.
May 21
Heavy marching order drill all day. Stunt night at Y.M.C.A. Fouke tickled the ivories and Madsen sang a few songs.
May 22
Half day drill. Slept in aft. Were entertained in P.M. by Cruthley Co.
May 23
Heavy marching order drill. Nothing doing in evening.
May 24
Light marching order drill. They are still giving us hell but we are getting used to it. Coverdale and Gibbons transferred from Co. to do M.P. duty.
May 25
Batt. inspection by Maj. Williams. Puffer, Krasing and Barham transferred from our billet to #22. Played ball in P.M.
May 26
Wharton transferred to our billet. Went to church in A.M. and heard a very fine sermon. Played ball in P.M. beating the "Selles Sur Cher" doughboys 8-2. Sang songs in evening and loaded up on hot chocolate.
May 27
Light marching order drill all day. Went to movies in Y in evening and the machine broke.
May 28
Heavy marching order drill all day. Stood guard in evening from 8 to 10 - 2 A.M - 4. A.M. 8 A.M. - 10 A.M. 2 P.M. - 4 P.M. Guarded Y.C.M. prisoner with fixed bayonet.
May 29
On guard until 4 o'clock in aft. Fouke, Puffer and I took a walk to Selles Sur Cher. The walk along the canal was beautiful. It is a very quaint and historic town. Joan of Arc stopping there on her way to the battle lines. Had a chow consisting of fried eggs, fried potatoes, bread, coffee and jam for eleven marks for the three of us. Got back to Chatillon at 10:30 and went to bed.
May 30
Got up at 4:15 A.M. had chow at 4:30 A.M. Started hiking for St. Aignan at five o'clock and covered 7 kilometers in one hour and fifteen minutes. Some hiking! Boarded the train at seven o'clock. Third century cars about two by four with four wheels two of which were flat. The fellows called the engine a coffee pot. Saw some wonderful scenery and arrived at Blois at nine o'clock. Crossed the Loire River bridge built in 1724, destroyed during the revolution and rebuilt in 1804. Walked up the main st (Rue St Denis Papin) from the bridge and saw the statue of Papin the discoverer of the French steam engine. Walked up to the Concern where the American casuals (sic) are treated. We then went through the Chateau de Blois. It was built in the 15th century in the old Renaissance style architecture and was the home of Francis XII, Henry III, and Catherine de Medici. Saw the room where the Duke of Guise was murdered and also the secret entrance of the murderer. Wonderful decoration on walls and ceilings. Copies of old tapestry. Fireplaces had the coat of arms of the different kings emblazoned on them. The outer stairway was built in 15th century. Saw interesting dungeon. Had good dinner and started for home at 6:00 P.M. Arrived home at 10:10 P.M. had chow and went to bed.
May 31
Signed payroll. Drilled hard all day and went to bed early.
Very rough sea. One of the boys took sick and I volunteered to take his watch on crows nest. It was an eighty five foot climb on a rope ladder. The boat swayed so that I was over the water most of the time in the climb. Was glad when I finally got down and hit the deck again.
May 2-3
Nearing war zone. Boat is taking every precaution in regards to submarines
May 4
Finally reached war zone. Eight sub chasers joined us and cruiser turned back. They cheered us and we returned it. The trip is getting very tiresome. Have to stand upper search light watch every night.
May 5
Everything was quiet until 8:15 P.M. when the fire works opened. Sighted sub. and fired five in gun at it. She submerged and a sub chaser dropped two depth bombs after her. Oil appeared on surface of water and we were given credit for sinking it.
May 6
Sighted Brest, France at 6:00 A.M and land sure looked good. Passed up bay of Biscay and the scenery was beautiful. Anchored in bay and worked until 10:00 P.M. unloading ship. Ate a little chow and went to bed.
May 7
Docked in A.M. and left ship in P.M. Marched three miles to a rest camp and found out the French kids had learned to say "Have you cigarette, bisque etc? Landed in Pontamangon (sic) [Pont-A-Mousson] Barracks which was built by Napoleon many year ago. Were place in tents and had three boards for a bed. Of course the doughboys get the Barracks. Brest is a very quaint city and populated by a very poor class of people.
May 8
Drilled in A.M. and took bath in P.M. Picked up a Marine team and played ball against the doughboys winning 15-0. Played Fouke a few sets of tennis and hit the boards.
May 9
Drilled in A.M. and took a hike in P.M. The peasants were having a celebration and cheered us as we marched by.
May 10
Left camp at 7:30 A.M. and boarded freight at 9:30 A.M. These French freight cars are very wierd (sic) looking affairs with their little sign Hommes 40 Chevaux 8. I'm one of those Hommes so I'm out of luck. Well here goes. Forty of us in a car with hardly enough room to stand up, forty loaves of bread, monkey meat, tomatoes and beans. Rode all night with no chance to sleep. War is hell!
May 11
Still riding and we are a wonderful rabid(?) bunch. The scenery is very beautiful and the villages somewhat better. Arrived at Noyes at 9:30 P.M. and stretched our legs. Marched seven kilometers to Chatillon the Marine camp and arrived at 7:30. Our billet is a hay loft on the second story of an old peasant house. No lights or no windows. Rounded up some straw for a bunk and crawled in. The people are of the common class but very interesting.
May 12
Spent Sunday writing letters and resting up after the trip.
May 13
Marched to parade grounds and rec'd gas masks. Had instructions in the use of them and tested the min gas chamber. Drilled in P.M.
May 14
Had my first hard drill with heavy marching order. Thought Parris Is. was tough but guess it was pretty soft. Transfer list came in and Lineen left us.
May 15
Ordered to pack up and check equipment in A.M. Moved to billets in Trevya in P.M. We are now located on the Cher river and have a much better billet.
May 16
First drill under 133rd Co. N.C.O.'s. They worked the devil out of us to use a mild expression and told us we would soon get used to the following commands "In two ranks fall in," "Squad Drill," "Bayonet Drill," "Bombing Drill," "Gas Masks," "Saluting" "Games." The games much harder on you than the drilling.
May 17
Light marching order. Drilled all day in terrific heat. Wrestling and boxing match at Y.M.C.A. in evening.
May 18
Inspection of Batt. by Maj. Williams. Light marching order. Had all my hair clipped off in P.M. Very poor chow.
May 19
Wrote letters in A.M. Played ball in P.M. In the evening Dr. Todd gave an interesting lecture on "Joan of Arc." Ate about fifteen oranges and went to bed.
May 20
Again received orders to pack up and move. Carried a box of soap on my shoulders a kilometer and a quarter raising a nice blister. Were transferred to 34th Co. under command of Capt. Parsons. Met Bill Cort a corporal in the Co. and an old St. Lukes graduate. He knows lots of the old boys. Mr. Church an All American tackle from Yale is our new platoon commander and he sure is a peach. Am very happy for the change.
May 21
Heavy marching order drill all day. Stunt night at Y.M.C.A. Fouke tickled the ivories and Madsen sang a few songs.
May 22
Half day drill. Slept in aft. Were entertained in P.M. by Cruthley Co.
May 23
Heavy marching order drill. Nothing doing in evening.
May 24
Light marching order drill. They are still giving us hell but we are getting used to it. Coverdale and Gibbons transferred from Co. to do M.P. duty.
May 25
Batt. inspection by Maj. Williams. Puffer, Krasing and Barham transferred from our billet to #22. Played ball in P.M.
May 26
Wharton transferred to our billet. Went to church in A.M. and heard a very fine sermon. Played ball in P.M. beating the "Selles Sur Cher" doughboys 8-2. Sang songs in evening and loaded up on hot chocolate.
May 27
Light marching order drill all day. Went to movies in Y in evening and the machine broke.
May 28
Heavy marching order drill all day. Stood guard in evening from 8 to 10 - 2 A.M - 4. A.M. 8 A.M. - 10 A.M. 2 P.M. - 4 P.M. Guarded Y.C.M. prisoner with fixed bayonet.
May 29
On guard until 4 o'clock in aft. Fouke, Puffer and I took a walk to Selles Sur Cher. The walk along the canal was beautiful. It is a very quaint and historic town. Joan of Arc stopping there on her way to the battle lines. Had a chow consisting of fried eggs, fried potatoes, bread, coffee and jam for eleven marks for the three of us. Got back to Chatillon at 10:30 and went to bed.
May 30
Got up at 4:15 A.M. had chow at 4:30 A.M. Started hiking for St. Aignan at five o'clock and covered 7 kilometers in one hour and fifteen minutes. Some hiking! Boarded the train at seven o'clock. Third century cars about two by four with four wheels two of which were flat. The fellows called the engine a coffee pot. Saw some wonderful scenery and arrived at Blois at nine o'clock. Crossed the Loire River bridge built in 1724, destroyed during the revolution and rebuilt in 1804. Walked up the main st (Rue St Denis Papin) from the bridge and saw the statue of Papin the discoverer of the French steam engine. Walked up to the Concern where the American casuals (sic) are treated. We then went through the Chateau de Blois. It was built in the 15th century in the old Renaissance style architecture and was the home of Francis XII, Henry III, and Catherine de Medici. Saw the room where the Duke of Guise was murdered and also the secret entrance of the murderer. Wonderful decoration on walls and ceilings. Copies of old tapestry. Fireplaces had the coat of arms of the different kings emblazoned on them. The outer stairway was built in 15th century. Saw interesting dungeon. Had good dinner and started for home at 6:00 P.M. Arrived home at 10:10 P.M. had chow and went to bed.
May 31
Signed payroll. Drilled hard all day and went to bed early.