Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-26
Private Charles h. Storer

Private Chas. II. Storer OF Union was
killed in action in France July 90 1918.
being the first to enlist from his town
and being the first to give his life on
the held of honor. Private Storer was
70 years of age, being young man OF
sterling character, making friends whe--
ever he was known. He graduated from
Washington high school in May, 1875
entering East Maine Conference semi
nary at Bucksport in September, 1915,
and graduating from old +. NJ G. S.
June II, 1926. He later taught school n
sis home town.
Private Storer was ranked a S sharp
shooter. always being ready to volur-
teer TO so in the most dangerous places.
His letters were always cheerful AMI
he was always looking ahead to his
coming home. His death comes as i
great shock to his parents and many
friends. In one of his last letters, writ
ten June Il, he told of dream in which
he thought the war had ended and that
he was back home trout fishing Pri-
vate Storer asked where will next June
IA find me- Back in dear old Maine. 7
hope Alas, 1t was one of the wars
stern DEGREES that this gallant young
soldier should never again see the loved
ones at home.
He tells OF unspeakable cruelties prac-
ticed by the Huns. Inc one place they
tthe devilish boches) poured oil over a
boy and burned him, while they held
=, IL,
one OF the French towns in which he
had been the Hun soldiers crucifed a
young girl to a stable door.
On YOU people haven't yet begun to
know the truths we are facing. They
never will receive any pity from the T.
s. boys. They have seen enough of the
KHAKI! devils" as they call us, to know
we can fight. One boche sergeant taken
prisoner only the other night said he
had rather meet four or fiv. Of the blue.
coated Frenchmen than one of the
khaki devils with the bayonet.
We do certainly drill on the bayonet.
I'd about as soon go over the top with
out my rifle as without by bayonet Ev-
cry time we come "up" we sharpen
needle point and razor edge. We all
mean business The harder we fight,
the sooner we shall see the dear old
L. s. A.
The second letter was dated July 8,
only l. days before the writer gave up
his life on French battlefield, and
was received by his family and friends
the same day the tragic news came.
This being the first chance we've had
to have any mail censored for some
time, will take advantage of it by send
ing over the Atlantic few words. Sup
pose you have read long before this of
the honorable fighting the 1osd did on
Sunday morning. June II. Can't write
much on it but will say not one Of the
boone Of the picked 800 or the thous-
ands that were behind them got in our
trenches Only a very few of that out
fit are alive today, as only a few were
taken prisoners-eight, I think
The first night Of July this year we
marched all night and slept in woods
the next day and hiked the next night
The Americans are going forward in
every drive. only night before last our
boys took over 600 prisoners and 50 MAJ
chine guns. advanced u miles on a mile
front. How does that sound Our cas-
ualties re very small
In our last trench We had to sleep on
fire steps while another stood guard
We Americans are growing more conn
dent every day of an early end.
The big guns are belching a steady
stream Of shells. Prisoners saw they
have never seen anything equal to the
American fire
VIII write as often as possible. but
rs Just slugging lead at the boche It's
lust grand to know you are an Ameri-
can soldier doing what we are at pres
ent. Am sending a few flowers I picked
on the front when the 1o3d met the
e"che and did such honorable work.
Wishing you all glorious Fourth as
it's all glory for us boys. The boch. |
are on the run