The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1918-12-31


, This place is just eight miles from
Verdun and only IL miles from the
front line trenches where our infan-
try was. But l am going little too
fast. On our way to this place we
spent the night at Toul, or right out
of Toul. 1t was Halloween night.
I had a letter from Hugh few days
ago and he was at Toul. l don't know
if he was, there when passed through
or not. is not over 50 or 60 miles from
here. We had been at Dieve only a
week when the armistice was signed.
Our infantry in this division was in
the final drive and their good work
helped to bring about this armistice.
A few days ago, when our infantry
was returning from the front, I saw
F. A. Wise, my lawyer friend from
McC. Only had time to say few
words He said he had been catching
it up in the trenches, and that he
went over. the top three times and
didn't get a scratch. He was sure
jubilant the war was over.
Yesterday I paid visit to Verdun.
1t is up the Meuse river from Dieye
just eight miles. The Germans tried
to take Verdun before we got into the
war. They seiged the city for eight
months and lost many thousand men
but the city was SO fortified and the
French defended it so valiantly that it
couldn't be taken. It is the third
strongest fortified place in the world.
Metz and Gibraltar are considered the
strongest forts of the world Verdun
is wonderful place, although blown
all to pieces there is lots to be seen
around there We went down into the
citadel itself, real underground city,
a theatre, cathedral, barracks, large
dining hall, bakeries, and everything
imaginable, all under the ground. A
wonderful piece of engineering.
The cathedral is another historical
site one must not miss when visiting
Verdun, wonderful piece of archie
lecture, though shells have crashed
parts of it, you can still see the mag
nifcence of it. It's. nearly 800 years
old, built in 1920. got several souye-
Mrs while up there / have Ger
man helmet l am going to send girl
friend. I have a German rifle also,
French bayonet and other little souve-
Mrs, more than can carry along.
! Tomorrow we move from this place.
We don't go any farther forward, the
regular army is going into Germany
and the old National Guard will watch
The Rhine. We are moving to the in
terror of France where supplies will
be convenient and we will have better
places to stay. We are going to
Chaumont. This is General Pershing's
headquarters and large city. Chau-
mont is not far from Tonnaire, where
we first stopped in France.
! Now the next guess is when will
we be home? What's the use of TAX
ing us back into the middle of France
not far from port if we are not get,
ting ready to sail for home. 1t has
already been decided that three di-
visions will parade in New Yor.;
/; Christmas day. I wonder if this divis,
ion is one of the three? So you see
we don't know what will happen next.
/ We do know it's all over. We do know
this division is not going to Germany,
it's not going any further forward, but
going back, so my belief is we will be
home anyway between now and Feb,
ruary 1st, if not sooner. Hugh is in
the second army corps and it will pos
| sibly be spring before he can get back
We are in the first army corps.
don't thing Hugh will get to go to Ger.
! many either. I am crazy to get home
but too, I would like to have gone into
Germany to see the country while
am over here, may never get back
again.
We have nothing to do now but
wait On time and rejoice. There sure
has been some wonderful celebrations
though suppose there is greater eel.
ebration over there. Wish was there
! to take part. Well will close. Will
continue to write regular as before.
| You all do the same. Love to all.
Devotedly,
! Clyde.