The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-12-28

-, e. r. e >.
| Letters From France
Lieut.. DeS: Boyikn Writes In.
terestingly of the First Few
Days After the Armistice.
The following letters have been re-
ceived by Mr.W.D: Beykin from her
SON Lieut. DeS. Boykin:
November IA, 1918
Just few very hurried lines to
Elet9you know that F. am G. K. We
are just out OF the final big Show
I spoke of in my last letter. I said
!; it would be more than they could
stand. And it was we drove
them for four days and nights, some
thing ike twelve kilos. One can
not possibly appreciate what a drive
sof this sort means without being
right in it. I was right in the midst
Of it all and can't express the half.
My company was very fortunate
though, as we had very few casual
ties, that is, comparatively speaking.
We are how only a few kilometers
from Verdun, but we drove from
Northwest Of Verdun towards Metz
from the southeast. We were max
|ins an awful rush and would have
gained it in only a short while if
they had not called us off just when
they did It was an awful roar and
hiss Of Machine guns, shrapnel, high
explosives, mines, gas, etc, right up
to the last minute, the 11th day, 18th
month. and the s 11tn hour. AT
which time everything ceased firing
IT was the most wonderful thing I
have ever witnessed. You could al
most hear the silence, and ten min
utes after the fighting stopped, both
the Germans and Allies went over
the top into No Mans Land to dress
Some Of them even went so far as to
exchange cigarettes and experiences
with the Boche. That night both
sides sent up all the rockets, fares,
very lights ETC., they could possibly
get their hands on, and even built
huge bon fires all along the line.
You could hear both sides singing
hymns, ETC., just as far as the ear
could hear. Some of the Germans
even went so far as to sing the
French and National Anth ems; show
ing the world that it was not their
will to continue this awfnl; slaughter
and bloodshed. -; esesi 80 -
Now for a little news that cuts
deep. This afternoon when we came
into billet, an order came from gen.
eral headquarters saying that SIS Of
fcers, first feutenants, of this diviS-
ion, would be transferred to the Third
Division, three of which were to be
furnished by our battalion. AS there
are only four first lieutenants, un-
married, in this battalion, Of course
my chances were very slim. We
drew for it and I am one Of the
three. We will more than likely pei
transferred Immediately. AS I un-l
derstand it, we are to form part Of
the Army Of Occupation, which
moves into the interior Of Germany
1oA SooAo ooeS, GU, io1 a. pSAi "a
not less than one year, as well as I
can figure it, OF course no one
knows just what we ares tofdo as yet,
but I will write full details as soon
as anything definite is known. AS I
am being transferred into a regular
army organization, will no doubt
stick to it. for keeps.
No doubt you will think this some
what abrupt and sudden. You have
nothing on me. I think the same,
but I guess wen just have TO make
The best we can OF it. If God sticks
to me as He has for the past week 1
think everything will work out for
the best. Let's hope so, anyway.
Just think what a few hours can
bring forth. Only this morning we
were planning our trip back over
seas, ETC., etc. AS we til; k it will bel
only a short time before the old S1st
is ordered back overseas, as she is.
pretty we'll shot to pieces, and don't
think it possible for Germany to re-
open hostIlities-just at this very
point T received my orders, but let's
cheer up and hope for the best. There
are lots and @lots-a whole iot-worse
off than you and I, especially those
poor devils who got it in the neck the
last morning. One Of m ybest friends,
a boy from Sumter. who has a wife
and two babies, was literally shot to
pieces by, a NJ. G. on about the 10th
hour Of the last day, Theo. Ravenell,
first lieutenant. 3fS NJ. G. B'n., who
had Just received his captaincy only
a, few days previous, C'est LIE Guerre-
NO doubt l1is poor wife will be re-
ceiving letters from him two or three
weeks after she gets word Of his
death. There are lots Of just such
cases, and when you have seen all
this with vour own eyes, you kinder
look at old life from an entirely new
point Of view. We indeed have lots
to be grateful to God. for, and I
think in the long run there must be
something in store for US. Let's hope
so.
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