Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-12-24

SO badly they thought they would
feel sand before night On the 9TH
of April we sighted land and at 2 p.
m. that day we tied up, the next day
we landed and went on foot to rest
camp. This camp is over hundred
years old | suppose. They say Ma
poleon used it a number of times. 1t
is Camp Ponatneza at Brest, France,
$4,000 population l suppose. We stay
ed there three days. On the after
noon of the third day we marched to
railroad station and bearded one of
those tiny French trains. We pass
ed through some of the largest towns
or cities Of France, among them
Tours Dole Orleans. We arrived in
W1orethe Doubs County, April 18th,
at p M, if i am not mistaken. Then
billeted in an old French residence.
There were electric lights and good
drinking water inside, half were bill
letad here and the other half in the
ceurt house, a fairly good sized build
ing. The people were very glad to
see Us and anything they could do
wasn't good enough for us. The
French people surely think lot of
the Americans.
A month after we arrived in France
we were already cutting timber
spruce for the boys in the trenches,
two months later our saw mill was
running at full capacity. 1t is said
that we have the best outilt--that is,
isaw mill location, barracks, etc.-of
the whole regimento f the 10th En-
gineers. 1t may be exaggerated
the whole regiment of the goth En-
gineers are doing their bit, dad, and
so are the rest. Not a day has been
lost in these seven or eight months
we've been ever here. The rain
hasn't bothered us nor the cold or
the snow, and tell you, dad, it sure
can rain when it takes notion. The
sun would be shining as bright as it
could, and in ten minutes there would
be beaucoup rain, but that didn't stop
us, we know we could help win this
fight if we tried and did. VIE are
cleaning up now, preparing to come
back in few months.
It is showing a little now, the team
sters are hauling logs cut of the
woods to the mill, we are not cutting
any more timber, just taking out
what's on the ground. we will finish
by Saturday.
am still in the Medical Department
and like it o. X. am taking care of
nearly IS men, whenever one gets so
sick that can't do anything for him,
the ambulance takes him 20 the hos
pital.
We have had quite number of
privileges. AT first we were allowed
week end passes, but when the big
drive came that meant work. | have
been to many small towns nearby and
within hearing distance of the roaring
guns. ! went to an American camp
about As Or so miles from here to the
quartermaster's and while l was
there the siren blew, then we all duck
ed. The camp commander had receiv-
ed word that an enemy aeroplane was
heading that way, but it didn't get
there.
] was down to a village Sunday that
is very historical, it is where evil
liam of Orange" was born and rails
ed. 1T was walled city built in 1440,
the wall still remains in some parts
of it. Am going to get photos of the
place next, Sunday to add to my col
lection OF souvenirs.
| have made the acquaintance of |
several French families in this town |
and they are very nice people and
treat a fellow fine. AT one of these |
homes there are two girls who al /
ways offer me cookies or a glass OF |
milk or something and ask me to !
play 2. game Of dominoes or chess
with them. We have new recrea-
ton hall now, and have little social
dances quite often. One OF these
little girls is a very good dancer She
took me to her home last evening
and we, together with her father,
mother and sister and another "Yank"
had quiet party. Her parents have
invited me to dinner next Sunday.