The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-10-03

given to US on the double so that when
we start for Berlin we will know how
to do it, then we won't have to stop for
our meals. Sweets was the one thing
that was greatly missed in this line.
Every day there was regular SUBJ
way crowd near the canteen to get
the much desired eats, at about three
prices. Every day we had boat drill
to see how fast we could run up stairs
and get on the upper deck, in case a
sub presented US with an honest-to-
goodness torpedo and gave US a much
needed bath. The Fourth we spent on
the deep blue, and not even gun was
fired in memory of the great day.
Dope had it that they were afraid Of
soaring away the submarine.
Then at last one forenoon land
crawled into sight. It really was the
best thing for sore eyes we had seen
since leaving the States. After walk
ing 1-2 miles with nothing to show
that we were still alive but faint
heart beat we arrived at a crest
Camp" Did ! say rest? Yes, l will
remember it the rest of my life. The
very next morning we were put to
work with pick and shovel. This we
did for three days-resting-when Or
ders came to move. Believe me, Or
ders are orders over here and we
started at three in the morning. We
were piled into those famous French
coaches you have heard so much about.
The best you can say for them is too
good. A compartment is about the
size of bed, into each of these eight
men with packs and rations were
crowded. Did we sit down? Yes,
we managed to do that, but as to ly-
ing down you can imagine how COM
Portable we slept. In this condition
we tried to keep in good spirits for
three days and two nights. Three
weeks from the day we left Devens
we arrived at our base.
This puts us now right in the heart
of the land Of wine and women. To
put the whole thing in nut shell.
there's all kinds Of both-good, bad
and Indifferent. Just play things a
little quiet on the start, feel your
way, try to pick up little French
lingo and it won't be long before you
can have your pick of some classy
madamoiselle. They are whole lot
easier to get along with than their
language.
Drinking is about the same as i'm
the States (not North Dakota.) You
can get good or bad booze but their
hours open to them when they can get
their thirst quenchers.
l wish I could give you full de-
scription Of the way our boys carry
on - Though we ourselves are not up
to the front as yet, we get lots of d.
rect information from the boys who
are back, either wounded or for rest.
But you can put it down that our
doughboys and artillery are the ones
that are putting the pep into this war
today. Their methods of warfare
have opened the eyes Of the French.
Charging the Boche with the bayonet,
taking "nests" of machine guns on the
run, and clearing the trenches and
shelters with grenades, the Americans
swoop down and take everything n
front of them.
Well, Bunch, you know the censor
has to 20 through all letters in front
of him, and for fear this is takino
too much of his time and gets him
peeved up to the point where he will
tear up the whole d. thing, I had
better draw it to close and leave
some for next time.
With best regards to all and hoping
"business goes on as usual" l re-
main. 49,. BILL
Address, Pvt. w. c. Davis,
Co. C, goth Engineers,
Amer. Elk. Forces,
A. P. o. TIA.