Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-09
Copyright. 1917. by Public Ledger Company
XXI

XXI
THE ambulance took us to Lazaret l.
i another hospital for prisoners in
Cologne-where, after u short walt, a
few more men were added to our party
and We were whirled off to the railway
station. We were met by Red Cross
order'ies who were very kind and as
sisted in carrying the baggage Of those
prisoners who were too weak to do so
for themselves. The unterofiizier in COM
mand of our guard had n railway war
rant for certain number Of prisoners.
and our heads were counted as we passed
through the wicket. We were obliged
to wait for about half an hour in the
huge hall, but chairs were brought for
most of us and the rest sat on their
suitcases or on the floor.
We were eventually led into a second
class restaurant where We found a little
group of English officers seated at one
end of long table. Most of these men
were from the same camp and had much
luggage in the shape Of cages of tame
canaries. homemade musical instru-
ments and such other articles as had
served to while away the time during
their long Imprisonment. After buying
a few war cakes and cup of coffee,
we sat around and talked until we were
taken out on the station platform.
MEET OLD FRIENDS
At o'clock a train loaded with pris-
oners from various camps pulled into
the station. We officers were allotted
certa n carriages and climbed on board
to seek room in some of the compart-
ments which were not completely filled.
BY a very strange coincidence. Barnes
and I got into compartment contain
ing Noodle and Gray and also Addie
Sine, whom / had not seen since our
long chat in the trenches on June ].
We had a happy reunion. Everybody
talked at once and it was worse than
any womans sewing meeting that was
ever held.
No one slept much that night. for
the compartment was too crowded and
besides we had too much to say. We
talked well on into the night. catching
occasional dim glimpses of the Rhine
and some of its famous old castles. We
all regretted very much that we were
not making this trip in the day time.
because those who had been in Germany
before told US that the scenery was
wonderful. It was unanimously decided.
however that we would much pref.r TO
study the scenery i'm Switzerland.
We had all brought timed food to
last us for two or three days. at the
end of which time we expected to be
on our way back to camp or hospital,
or making our way to the promised land
where timed food was. not required. At
about ~ o'clock we decided to have
little feed. One of the men produced
loaf of Swiss bread. others tins of
butter, saIsages and tongue.
This was washed down with drink
of condensed milk sucked through the
hole in the tin--and then We felt much
better.
The next day We were interested in
seeing the women and old men working
in the fields. Horses were nowhere to
be seen, their places being almost In
yariably taken by oxen. On this occa-
sion don't remember noticing one man
Of military age who was not in uniform.
About noon the train was stopped for
an hour on a siding. We were taken to
a wooded hut close by. where We were
allowed to purchase an excellent meal,
consisting of soup. very good meat.
plenty of potatoes and cabbage. We
were all surprised at the huge portions
of meat. and came to the conclusion that
this was done to send us from the coun-
try with the impression that Germany
was far from starving.
At IL o'clock that night we arrived at
Constance and were very thankful to get
out on the pidtiotui anu btietSh WI sSoe
again A German doctor asked those
who wished to ride in an ambulance to
stand on one aide. Very few vented to
do this. as they preferred to walk and
see something Of the town. doctor
seeing my arm IN a sling and thinking
I looked weak. placed ma on one side
with the cripples.
A short drive took US to the garrison
barracks and we were shown into long,
narrow. wooden building with n row OF
beds down each side, Al the far end
were q few officers who had arrived on
an earlier train. and among these'r was
delighted to find Lieutenant Hubbs. OF
the Fourth c.. N. r. -rHa, greeted ma
with the news that I was dead. and
wanted to know what Twas doing there.
/ assured, him that = was very much
alixe and probably jbornito sba hung, as
thsy had. kailed to kih me on the second
tof yuh& ~ ~ s''. Y z 'sl.ls.
we were each assigned ; bsd and