New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-04-06

follows will not be set down as
having happened during any GER
tain day. 1t just happened after
the Eleventh Day. Even you,
Dear Folks must not be told how
many days this voyage consumed.
There come times in the lives OF
us all which we can never forget.
Such a time came to us yesterday.
Was up On B deck enjoying a
pleasant chat with some fellow
officers when the Watch Dog gave
the sErill signal for Submarine
attack. Immediately came the
call to Abandon Ship. Hardly
had the first mentioned signal
died away when the guns on the
Watch Dog opened up, followed
by those on our and neighboring
ships. There was plenty Of life
and action while it lasted. Was
fortunate enough to have splen-
did view of most of the shooting.
Can these fellows shoot? I'll tell
the world they can. Saw them
hit the mark with my own eyes.
If what we saw was camo-
ufaged Periscope, then one more
German Sub lies at the bottom OF
the sea. The maneuvering OF
the ships during the action was a
sight to see. AS soon as the iir-
ing ceased the ships put on full
head of steam. They fairly flew
until safely out Of reach of any
other subs in that first locality.
How about the men? They did
exactly what 1 thought they would
do. Up they marched with almost
perfect discipline to their stations
and stood ready to man the life
boats and RATS. If there was a
scared one among them | did not
see him. The ondy breach OF dis
cipline I noticed was when the
guns hit the mark a cheer went
up. Who could have helped
cheering? 1t was all prize
piece of excitement. No one IS
so foolhardy as to welcome such
experiences, but after they have
happened fellow can not help
getting lot Of fun out of them.
Am sure I have never attended any
sport event which compared with
this for real excitement or the out
come Of which was so intensely
satisfying. It was one OF the
thrills which is measure COM
pensate one for the risk involved
and make this old game worth
the candle.
We now are under orders to be
fully dressed at all hours, day and
night. Think Of sleeping with
your clothes on. If they get u
those in command can 60 down
knowing that they took every
possible precaution.
When the show was all over,
one Of the negro soldiers was over
heard to say to his friends
"Have lived in Texas all my life
and sure like that old state. but it
this ship ever gets to Europe, I'm
going to be a foreign niger the
rest Of my life"
We have not had our shoes or
clothes off for some days now
Every time we come to a locality
which for some reason, is thought
especially dangerous, everyone
must be near their stations on
deck. We were all up at three
thirty this morning. out On decS,
straining our eyes to see it there
was anything concealed in the
waves, so we know what is hap
pening about us on sea just the
same as you do on land. The sea
about US is fairly alive with pro-
lection. The nearer we get to our
destination the thicker they be-
come. Our efficient Navy will get
us across in safety, if such a
thing is at all possible.
At last we are safe in a French
port awaiting to be unloaded. Re-
eret it is not possible for us 70
20 ashore, so that l might give
you some impressions Of the place.
before I close. When we start to
disembark everyone will be very
busy and there will be no time to
write.
In return for this long letter ]
want you to write often. The
same address. Lieut.. /. j. Liete-
meyer. Co. "F". 17th Infantry,
IA r. F.. via New York.