The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1918-11-15

-lles. Then was sent back to the bar
racks again.
The next day at about one o'clock
they took us from the barracks and
drilled US through the swamps. The
men began 20 fall one by one, some
crying or swearing, but most OF them
going along without a word. Those
who went down were smashed in the
cad with rife butts or belts.
Finally we arrived at little rail-
road station. and had 10 stand In the
snow for over ain hour while the en-
CINE ran up and down the tracks hook
ing on cars. When we finally got ip.
the cars we were frozen stiff ! could
hardly walk, and some OF the boys
simply could not move without intense
pain.
They loaded twelve men into each
compartment. and detailed guard OF
six men TO each car. The windows in
the cars were all smashed. and every.
thing nbout the cars was dirty.
Finally the train stopped nj town
named Alt-Damm, and there was n
mob OF women and children around,
MS usual. ready for us with bricks and
spit They stoned US through the car
windows. and laughed and jeered at
us. but by this time we were so used
70 II that we did not mind much Only,
every now and then some fellow
would get all he could stand, and
either talk back or make pass at
somebody. Then he would get his
either bnyonet through the arm or
leg. or crash on the head with gun
butt.
After an eighteen hour ride. with
out food or drink, we arrived at Neu-
strelitz. II was rninIng MS we pulled
In, As we went up the grade to the
town we could see lights about a mile
away, and we figured that that was
the camp The rain stopped and we
remained In the cars for some time.
Then. after 0 while, we knew our new
guards we're coming; long before we
could see them, we could hear the
racket they made. Somehow q Ger
man cannot do anything shipshape
aud neatly, but alwnys hns to have a
lot Of noise, and running around, and
general confusion. Fourfooted swine
nre more orderly IN their habits than
the Huns.
When they came up. we were roust-
cd from the cars and drilled up the
road TO the camp. When we got near
the German barracks we were halted
and counted again, and made to stand
there for ut lenst an hour after they
had finished counting us, shiver'ng
like leaves. At last they placed us In
barracks, and those who could went
TO sleep.
There were about forty barracks In
the LImey group at Neustrelltz and
two large Zeppelin sheds. The bar
racks were just about like those at
Swinemunde--at least, they were no
better. Along the sides OF the rooms
were long shelves or benches, and
every three feet were boards set In
grooves. The shelves were what we
had to sleep on. and the boards In the
grooves divided them up so that only
n certain number OF men could use
each bench.
The following morning we nearly
dropped dead when the Huns pulled
In large wagon full of clothing. We
thought we never would have any
thing TO wear but our underclothes.
They issued to each man u pair OF
trousers, thin model thin coat
about like the seersuclser coats some
people wear IN the summer, an over
coat about as warm MS II II had been
made OF cigarette papers, skull cap
and pair Of shoes. which were
days labor to carry around. Not one
of us received socks. shirts or under
wear.
The toe was cut from the right shoe
Of the pair received, and as my
wounds were IN the right thigh and
my leg had stiffened up considerably
and got very sore, l got pretty anx-
ious, because there was nothing but
slush underfoot, and l was afraid |
might lose my leg SO ! thought that
II went to the commander and made
a kick Knight get good shoe. hesi-
tated about II at first. but finally made
up my mind and went to see him.
told him that It was slushy outside
and that the water run through the
hole in my shoe and made II bad for
my whole leg, which was wounded.
He examined the shoe, and looked at
the open toe for some time, and !
thought he was going to put up an
argument, but would give In finally.
Then he asked me what wanted.
thought that was plain enough to see,
but / said Just as easily as l could
that wanted shoe without hole
In the toe. ~.
$50 the water runs into It. does TIT
he said. ,"lvell, my advice to you Is t.
get a knife, cut n hole In the heel and
let the water OUT All the other
swine In the room laughed very loud
at this, and ! guess this Fritz thought
he was a great comedian. But some
how or other, Il did net strike me sl