The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1918-12-26
OVERSEE SOLDIER BOYS
HAVING INTERESTING TIME
CONTINUED from page 81

tn Y were over before we asleep, knew
IT'D | jumped at the sound of the ex-
plosions and landed about five feet
below on the floor, all rolled up in
my blankets and still so much asleep
that in spite of all my start was one
of the last ones to get out of the old
barracks. Now sleep in a bottom
bunk and feel that it is much safer if
the war is over. That was the night
that got out in time to see the Huns
dropping fare which lit up the night
as if it were day, one could never
imagine what light those things
throw unless he had seen it. That
was one time that felt like taking to
the trench handy for our barracks.
Some times the falling bombs would
shake one and while they might be at
a good distance it would seem that
they were quite near from the jar and
confusion of the air. So | had lit
tie experience with air raids, not so
much as some others may have had
but at times it did seem that they
We're giving one enough for ordinary
diversion. You hate to have hostile
planes flying overhead and know that
at any time they might think that
there was a suitable target below
them.
1t was easier it seemed at the time
when we were at Chateau Thiery and
under light artillery fire while haul
ing ammunition. Then the shells sound
ed funny and made one feel that he
would be glad to move out of range,
and believe me we got out of the way
too before any came too close. Some
in our branches of service have done
so much more while under fire that I
do not feel like what happened to me
was anything at all, yet it must be
new to you and the folks so is told
here.
At Chateau Thiery we worked night
and day and sure had our fill of
ammunition train work so far as being
physically tired went, but that didn't
mean that single one of us wanted
to pull out for home camp, one felt
too much like he was doing his share
in winning the old war and none
wanted to get back. We were there
for three weeks, hauled ammunition,
provisions and some times hauled
wine for the French. That is almost
essential in that district as water is
very hard to get and is apt to be
poisoned. There were many dead
Germans up there. One could get all
the souvenirs in the world if he want
ed to rob them, but not many did
and all the souvenirs which got
were picked up and even at that l
could have filled my truck. When l
got back l gave away all that had
been garnered for l did not care for
them. Now that the war is over and
no more chances afford themselves for
gathering such stuff, one feels that he
would like to have some. My only
one is an iron cross, that being
strung around my neck with my Dog
Tags where it should keep safe until
the time when get back there, unless
/ get broke and have an opportunity
to sell it for some of the much needed
francs though we do not value those
said francs when it comes to saving
money.
Suppose that you have wondered
what sort of trip we had over here
in the old boat Aggememnon, former
ly the Kaiser Wilhelm the second and
a very large boat. We left alone
about noon on January day, did not
meet with any conveys until we had
been out about week and then it was
one large battle ship with two other
convoy ships. So our convoy con-
tanned only three ships besides those
which escorted us. One of the convoy
ships was the Fatherland, the largest
boat afloat and it was some outfit. In
a day or so we met with bunch of
fast destroyers and they sure hoped
all around our trio, then the battle
ship retraced it's steps to pick up some
other bunch I suppose. We were
packed in the hold and every other
bit of room, l was placed in the bow
part Of the boat where the pitching
was more severe than in most other
parts. Sometimes the old boat would
seem to drop entirely away from one
and it surely took steady stomach to
stand up under it for the conditions
were rather hard in every way. Our
grub was the worst and it seemed
that we nearly starved for something
good to eat. How l relished good
steak prepared by the captains cook
one night after had slipped him the
sum of seventy-five cents, that niggah
got rich on this war if he sold as
many steaks on subsequent trips as
he did on ours. On night we came
near joining anyone who may have
previously gone to Davy Jones' locker.
Our boat becoming unmanagable in
heavy sea. Most of the boys on the
boat were badly frightened and when
all was safe again, one of the boys
put his arm around my neck and told
how glad he was that it was all over.
If err food had been good and our
quarters. not so foul smelling, the trip
xy,o,1ld not have hpnn so had Init those