Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-12-13
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The following letter from Q Lieu.
tenant Id, the service over seas to q
member II the family here gives full
and interesting account OF the killing
OF Lieut.. Jos. M. Davidson In battle
November 4th, instead of the 9Th, az
first learned:
HDQRs. 3O5 SAN. TRAIN, !
A. P. 0. 766, Am. E. F.,
France, Nov. Is, 1918. }
Dear Friend:
What can I say to you? What can
! write you to tell your dear mother
to comfort her? I know words are
empty and useless and but crumb OF
consolation even when I write that
poor Joe died hero and gentleman
worthy Of his name and as true SOL
der, leading his men-not following
them, against the despicsble Huns
machine gun nest on Monday morn
ing, Nov. 4th. He never hesitated or
fsltered; "their's but to do or die,
and Joe never knew any other mean
ing of an order.
When l learned the sad news ct
brigade headquarters had q tighten
ing Of the hesrtstrings and q big lump
in my throat; / couldn't believe it; 1
did =, ~ vnant IN koiio~,o a. oud 7 Sosnbx
the very thought. A deep gloom
came over the entire regiment when
the word was passed around that Jo-
die Davidson was killed. His men, as
we'll as bis friends, fought more like
tigers than human beings, to over
come their grief and avenge him, for
you may or may not know that Joe
was considered the flower of the 31Sth
from Col. Wsrrilow and Major Swee-
ney to the youngest second lieuten-
ant. Even Capt. Barsky, Of the 317th
Ambulance Co., detailed temporarily
as Major Sweeney's battalion surgeon,
used those very words when he told
me OF the despair and sorrow of the
other officers when he returned to our
headquarters In Buzsncy.
Poor Joe rests with some broth or
officers near Sommouthe, I've miles
north OF Busancy. I shall make big
effort to get your mother . military
map Of that section and have It
marked for her.
As soon - the news was confirmed
| Immediately asked one of our chap
latns to 60 with me to the spot. We
finally got there and did al we could
to make hts grave look better, and
then thinking of your dear mother, I
had little prayer said for her and for
Joe, - l was sure Joe would like to
have it done. More than ct any one
dime I regretted the strict orders
about cameras. I could then have
'ent You . picture of the spot where
they tenderly laid him to rest, and it
might be some comfort to visualize
he one hallowed spot for you in far
away France.
I saw Joe for the last time 1t La
olaon, north Of CDeremont, - he
headed his company, on Oct. slst,
'bout II O'Clock .. m, marching to
he front. I knew it was the 318th
20 waited, hoping to have .
word with Joe. Seeing Major Swee.
hey I walked along after shaking
hands and l asked about Joe. He was
light behind the Major and l hadn't
,oticed him there. So we all three
walked abreast for half mile when
'etnrned. We shook hands an d
Wished each other good luck. Joe
;urned and repeated "Good luck to
1ou," and I replied "Tske good care
u yourself, Joe," and with smile we
'aluted and went our ways.
The time before this that met him
vas August 31st, ss 1 was in an ambu-
ance being sent to Chsumont hos
'itsi. He was resting his company
y the roadside, 90 I had good chat
With him. They had . 20. mile hike
head Of them before entraining for
'sr-le- Due, where they were dis
for that wonderful first drive
q the Argonne Forest, taking Mont
sucon IN eight hours, which the
french said was impregnable, and
hey lost 10000 men q year or more
efore trying to take 1t themselves.
oe was entitled to his full share of
redit In this wonderful feat. Previ-
~ to August 31st we were billeted at
secy sur Allier. The 31Sth head
usrters were here and Major Swee-
ey In charge of operations. l had
70 or three chats with him and Col.
7srrilow. The colonel spoke highly
Joe and said he was going to make
Inn captain, and for this reason it
- necessary to make him . platoon
ader.
Sommouthe 10 . village beautifully
tusted on . commanding eminence
the range OF mountains above the
rgonne. A view Of Vaax In the deep
'lley lends . picturesqueness to the ]
acc. The usual church dominates
% spot. A hill planted in wheat by I
% miserable Huns covers the south
estern part. It was up this Hill Joe !
Ok his company and safely and sue ]