Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-10-23
LIEUT.. ORR NOW
INSUNNY FRANCE
Well Known Young Dentist, Brother
of l.. II. Orr Manager of the
StandW Telephone Co.
's Us
SAYS FRENCH\ "xo.
TO SEE Ncu SANIhiIEs
Member of tie 154 Infaa, 4e-
fore Sailing Was in Camp 4
Alexandria,, Louisiana, at
Camp Beaureyard
Somewhere in France

Somewhere in France
Sept. 10, 1918 /,
To the Public opinion:
There are so many of my friends
in Decorah to whom I should like to
write personal letters but the life of
a soldier prevents me from doing so,
hence general letter will have to
do for all.
Several weeks ago / could have
said I was 1000 miles from Decorah
and the good old state of Iowa. To-
day must say nearly 5000 miles ani
still a going. One really never ap-
preciates his home, city, state and
his dear old country until he gets
away from them and is able to view
them with a perspective. l surely
long for my dear old Yankeeland---
not being able to speak nor under
stand the French language only
serves to accenuate that---but the
life of a soldier is a strenuous one
and a busy man has little time to
think of himself and his troubles.
AS you know was assigned to the
39th Division of the National army
at Camp Beauregard, Alexandria,
Louisiana. This camp at one time
was the encampment grounds of the
State National Guards. When the
guards were called to the colors this
was designated as the training camp
of the Guards from Mississippi
Arkansas and Louisiana. These men
months ago preceded us to far away
France. The nearest city to Camp
Beauregard is Alexandria, seven
miles away. Alexandria the county
seat of Rapids Parish is situated on
the south bank of the Red river. lt
is almost the exact geographical
center of the state, $50 miles north
west of New Orleans. The city was
first settled in 1886, getting its name
from Alexander Fulton who received
the land, upon which the city now
stands, by grant from Spain. 1t may
be of interest to know that Sherman,
the author of the now famous defini-
tion of war, lived there before the
war Those who are acquainted with
Civil war history will recall that the
soil about Alexandria has been made
sacred by the blood Of thousands or
Yankee soldiers, Iowa boys taking q
prominent part in the struggle. This
was great sacrifice at that time,
but was mighty small in comparison
with the sacrifice that millions or
gallant soldier boys of today are
making, fighting to maintain the
honor and glory of that same grand
old flag and country and universal
peace.
At early dawn on the morning OF
the 31st of July we broke camp and
at $50 the first section of the 154th
ich I HECfpn9G
and who were the first of the division
to leave, bid farewell to the not am
dusty Camp Beauregard. We knew
nothing of our destination, but we
were on our way, a happy bunch ana
enjoying very pleasant trip I'M
mensely We sped through Louisl-
ania, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia
South and North Carolina and Vir-
ginia for three days and nights, the
fourth day arriving at port OF en-
barkation. Stops were made severai
times each day to give the men
marching exercises, eats and Datns-
Unlimited credit and thanks must pe
given the Red Cross and Y. Nj. Z. A.
for the splendid work they are doing
as at each stop hot chocolate, conee'
cookies. etc. were served. the
country through which we passed
was most beautiful, especially the
Carolinas and Virginia. believe
the viewing of the foothills OF the
! Allegheny mountains was most In
teresting of all.
We were at port of embarkatlon
only a short time, long enough 10
make up the shortage OF our over
seas equipment and take the over
seas examination. AS the men pas
sed out the exit of the examining
building one could easily distinguish
those passed from the unfortunate
that failed. Smiles from ear to ear
was the result of the boy who passed,
while the unfortunate carrieu
countenance of gloom. Again tnt
time came to move, so carry tna'
morning we marched to the pie
transport awaiting us. Loading thls
big sea going boat was done IN shoi'
order. thanks to the efficieney Oh our
grand old navy. At a certain hout
the whistle roared, the cyron was
tested. the crew were ready ana SO
were we. Slowly we began to move
tbe bandp played "Over There" the
hovs cheered and waving their prou1
good-bye to the dear old states the
shin fearlessly crept out into the bay,
headed for the high seas to accept
the challenge Of the Hun submarine.
The trip was a very pleasant one ana
was an education within itself. In
school, we were taught what portion
of tho earth consisted OF water, then
doubted 1t. but now / believe scien-
fists are wrong and it is even more,
When we lost sight of land 1t seemed
az though we were left in a pit sur,
rounded m by continuous hill e,
water But after several days ano
nights fighting the rough SICK sea
rocking and dipping, We Went ove'
the TON victorious, dropping anchoi
rontinnad on last paC7.