The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-11-15
T|D|NCS OF MAI. DUANE
WRITES INTERESTINGLY FROM
A FRENCH PORT
ST. Peter EditorTeIIs Experience
To the Editor of Jordan
Independent

The publisher of the Jordan indie
pendent is in receipt of a letter from
Major Oliver J. Duane, commanding
the Fourth Anti aircraft Machine Gun
Battalion of the United States army
an Independent military unit which
arrived in France month ago, after
course of training in camp at Spart
anburg, S. G. Major Quane's unit is
now undergoing intensive training at
some point in France, if indeed by
the time this appears in print it has
not already been up at the front and
in active service.
Members of the Minnesota editor
ial fraternity and especially or the
Minnesota Editorial association will
be pleased to have tidings of Major
Duane, who is probably the senior
ranking officer in Minnesota editor
ial circles today. His military train
ing and his service at the Mexican
border merited him recognition by
regular army officers in the country.
Oi@ III" ~ ~ NfOl DS was uCS
ignated commanding officer of all the
troops aboard the transport.
Portions of his letter, dated Octo-
Der 8, follows:
Am writing this from our new
camp in the interior of France. We
were at the lort of debarkation eX-
actly eight days, and were mighty
glad to pull out. Had a very salts
factory rail trip, everything consid-
cred. Two first class coaches and one
second class coach were provided for
the use of the officers, but the men
had to travel in box cars. None of
the equipment was any too comfort
able, but we got through in the best
OF shape--not a single man sick in
hospital.
Brought our field ranges, rations
for fifteen days, all our company
property and baggage through with
us, which is quite a feat in this
country. 1t establishes a record for
this part of the country, am told.
Every other outfit l have heard
anything about has lost lot of stuff;
some of them lost everything. We
were lucky and got through with
everything.
Reached our destination at two
o'clock on very fine afternoon.
USUALLY military outfit gets to the
place it is going along in the middle
of the night, and quite frequently the
rain is falling in torrents.) We
struck a nice sunny afteroon, in a
climate very similar to that of Min
nesota. Had march of six miles
to the little village near which we
are incamp, but the weather condi-
tons were such that it was made
without discomfort to the men. Set
our ranges right up, and were able to
give the men a good supper before
seven O'Clock in the evening.
We are camped in one of the pret-
test spots in France. Our little vii
lage is six miles from the nearest
large town, and five miles from the
nearest American troops The camp
site is located on hill which over
looks one of the Drettiest lakes you
ever saw in your life. Whatever
may fall to our lot in the future, we
surely are pleasantly situated here.
All of the line officers of the bat
talon are CHARTERED in two Swiss
huts on the battalion area, but the
battalion commander, has adjutant
and the supply officer are billeted
down town. l have a room in the
home of the village priest, which
is quite the most pretentious home
in the village. The priest is a man
between fifty and sixty. He does not
talk English, and when we meet
each other we exchange this saluta-
'tion: 'Bonjour, Monster lie Cure and
Bonjour, Monsieur lie Commandant.
From a distant this little town of
ours looks as picturesque and invit-
ing as you please, but at close
range it is a big disappointment. II
consists Of conglomerate collection
Of old stone with red tiled roofs.
and is as dirty rs the deuce. Cannot
begin to convey to you any idea of
the filthy and slovenly conditions
under which these people live. 1t is
appalling.
Began our grenade instruction this
morning, and from now on we shall
have lot of hard work on our hands.
Our rifles and machine guns are to
be issued to us this week and when