The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1918-12-26


some sort OF physical examination,
had our equipment checked over. got
some new, and had fine feed for a
bunch of hungry men Next we we're
marched sover to the Eb:e barracks
and Quartered for the time being.
Here We went into stone barracks of
the French But drew the upper
floor. fourth. Here we spent a week
OF about as Intensive training as l
ever went through. They started
right at the start with facings. etc.
and brushed up on everything in close
order and part OF extended order in
six days time. besides throwing in
gas drills. knots and Iashes and sew
eral lectures. II was at this place we
made our first acquaintance in the
army With eoinmeai mush and brown
sugar for breakfast. Now. IL the
mess sergeant wants TO please the
company just give them thai once in
awhile ! sure do like 1t here. ard at
home you know didn't care Tor it at
all We had just about completed
our weeks drill when the order came
to roll our packs and turn in our rifles,
bayonets and seabbards. Most of us
we're glad to get rid OF the guns, for
YOU know from what you had to do.
what il is TO keep a gun SO il will pass
inspection every day in the week.
And at this place they let those who
did rot pass inspection take tour"
Now tour sometimes is to be de-
sired IL all depends on the kind of
nn fakeG ~
sisted of marching around and around
the parade ground for one, TWO or
three hours, according to the offense
committed, and this was with pack.
rife ard sidearms When we first hit
Angers they were going to train US
into combatants as quickly as possi-
bic, then use US for replacement
troops to I'll up regiments pretty well
shot up at the front But We were
put IN the s. o. S service of supply,
and now that the war is practically at
an end. will remain in that or
branches OF it,
Sunday seems to be our moving day.
One Sunday night we were wakened
at about ! O'Clock and told to fall
our with complete packs We had
been tipped of or this move before
hand, so most of US were ready. This
time when we got 10 the railroad we
passenger cars But Just as luck
would have ii they were filled before
our squad got there. so we went into
these 's10-horse. 4o-men" cars. But
my buddy got busy and found a look
out muck like those on cabooses at
home and We grabbed 1t ad had a
most enjoyable days ride.
From Angers we went through
Tours and on toward Paris to little
station called Gierres. 1 dare say it
is the largest railroad construction
camp over here. IL was from here |
last wrote you. AT this place they
broke up our three companies. ac-
cording to qualifications and formed
new companies for different kinds of
work. TWAS on the day we were
broken un that the word came in the
armistice had been signed. We. or
some of Us. were put into what was
to be known as the One Thirty-seventh
Engineers, an electrical and mechani.
cal outfit But the war practically
ending as it did spoiled things for US.
Our little job went to nothing and
now we have been changed into an.
other organization. As near as | can
make out it will be pick and shovel
and Drawn mostly that will be re-
duired. But whatever they ask me
to do intend to do it as cheerfully
and well as am able. For the very
best that ! can give them now is moth
ing TO what those boys who fought
and died have given. The most that
can give will hardly entitled me to
say | was one of the A E. F. And
let me say now that wherever l am
nothing that l ever have will be too
good for an A. E. F. man regardless
of where he served. France. Russia.
Italy or elsewhere. A soldier or man
doing service cannot begin to know
what true soldering is until he has
gone through some of the things most
of our boys are called upon to do.
When ! first came into the army
dreaded the retreat formation. II
was as irksome as any of the others.
| | Even today many of them are that
way. But YOU will never find me
missing retreat In time that would
be part of my religion oh. can't
tell you. You have got to feel IL
yourself, when you stand parade rest
then attention. and hear the band and
bugles play as the nag comes down
in the evening. Now that may sound
like bosh to you and others. but it is Q
fact. Why didn't get in sooner that
Ia what I can't understand now Do.