The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-04-18
IN THE TRENCHES
"REDp NOEL TELLS OF A TRIP
OUT INTO NO MANS LAND.

| Han Noel, formerly OF the GOiueI
Eagle working force, and son o.
Mrs. Ella s. Noel, No. 613 Third ave
nue. east. If they do not know him
they have heard OF him and his sunny
disposition. Red is a "Torchy'
sort of an individual and about as
resourceful and full of genuine good
humOr as is Mr.. Sewell Ford's ere
alton. This is the first word We
have had for the public that the boys
OF the local company have been in
1.-THE trenches and out through Nc
Mans Land. Here is the letter, told
in Reds" own characteristic way:
To the Old Crew:--Well, fellows
at last can write and tell you we
served our first hitch in the trenches
and l am now real honest-to-good.
ness warrior Even old Jess D., the
Indian fighter, hasn't a thing on me.
| Been in the trenches for a little
over day, spent all day yesterday
washing and cleaning up. You
should have seen us,-one pretty
sight, but all in good spirits and glad
TO get out. Gee! never was so
dirty in all myllife, even when bare
foot kid. But dirt is a small item
that VIC have to put up with in the
trenches. And say, you couldn't tell
the officers from the others. We
had some great experience. The
trenches were nothing like expected
they would be. There are barbed
wire entangIements everywhere, in
heaps and piles and piles.
The second night was in patrol
out in mo Mans Land" Inever will
forget that night. Man, crawled
through hundred yards of entangle-
ments,-7at least it seemed that way
to me. Ii sure is gay life. You
know what they call No Mans Land
over here? It's Yankee Land" See
we've got to have something we can
call our own.
We have dug outs to stay in when
not on duty. But most Of the time
on duty These dug outs are bomb
proof, but otherwise give me the good
old free air and sunshine. Our third
uline trenches we're in an old village.
The reserves are billeted there in
parts of buildings that were left
standing from the village. The COM
munication trenches take you right
up to the front line or firing line. The
village is still shelled at times but
about all the damage is done that can
be. / was attached to Battalion Ser
geant and was billeted in the village.
Never had to take my pack out in the
trenches, but don't think for min
ute | wasn't in the trenches, because
there is where. l spend the most of
my time. had quite a walk from
the village up to the front, / was
stationed on an outpost or listening
post, after my watch l would hike it
back to quarters; some hike after
dark, want to tell you! Awful dark
in the trenches. Nothing to guide you,
only yourself. You go along with
head up looking at the stars and
moon, if it happens to be clear
My first job was to make myself
familiar with all the trenches in one
sector; some job, too. All the
trenches have communications and
firing trenches and from these two
kinds of trenches sprout all others
which lead to outposts, strongholds
and other places of Importance. Well,
we had one great siege of 1t and was
damned glad to get out. There is
a IL -, 70 oh
owing to conditions ] can't.
guess am safe in saying this:
We had hot old time and let Mr..
Boche know we were there with the
goods. They tried to get real nasty
when they found out we were there.
They found out to their sorrow that
VIC could take care of ourselves and
handle the situation TO fareyou-well.
Gee. could write ali day on trip
in the trenches, but, as | said before,
we are limited, so enough is enough.
received Arts most welcome let,
ter written while in New York, and
Joe's box of candies, the day before
we left the support for the trenches
See, we were held in support in
village back of the lines about SIX
kilometers, before our journey. !
can't tell how glad ] was to receive
them. always look for letter
from the store in every mail and you
have not disappointed me once. AS
Joe Price is leaving, some one wants
Ito write just the same. look Tor
your letter right after mothers. Sc
YOU see will miss Joe as much az
YOU do if you don't write. Joe,
hone you like the army as well as
do. You'll get along fine II you do
The army is what you make 1t, SO 4
is ND to you. Joe, ! don't think
will ever see you over here. Let's
hope not, because it will take Sc
Hong.
Page says to tell Art we never hav'
as yet received those surprises OF
that fine baby girl OF his. have
heard great deal about that wonder
| full baby. Maybe you think ] wouidn'
like to see her!
! This is a pretty long letter for M
to write and for the Lieut.. to censor
but | apologize and won't let It occu