The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-12-27
JEFF nGSTGN .WITD
ARMY OF OCCUPATION

Letter, and many are doing the same
today; so | shall also try my hand at
a letter.
For once, we are permitted to tell
a few things "out of SCHOOL,, and
shall have to begin at the beginning
in order to make the story complete.
Let us start from the boat at New
York harbor. We got an early start
and passed the Statute of Liberty
just before noon. We were sent be-
low decks, but l was able to push my
self into a hatchway and get Gimp
Sc of Miss Liberty as we passed her,
also saw many river and harbor boats
as well as few foreign trade ships.
| From the bay we went toward the
north and entered the Halifax harbor
after a three days trip. We were in
saltlcss water and riding easily when
we awoke on bright, crispy morning.
l went above decks without an over
coat but was not long in returning for
it. Did not see the city of Halifax,
but the harbor was certainly beauti-
full. Fishing smacks were coming out
for the day. The sun was shining at
start, on the high shore and pine
covered hills and our convoy was
heading out to sea. At nine o'clock we
were turning to follow the other ships
and were well on our trip at noon. We
were on freight ship and, as there
were only a few soldiers, we went
fast and well. Of course we had a
few stormy days of the fourteen and
had submarine scare as well. Our
| feed was what we considered poor,
but we certainly lived well inspite of
being broke and having to eat Eng
lish cooking.
was sick for three days and
thought the food the "best" when l
could eat again.
To continue our trip, we landed at
the Capital City of England and
Greater Britain, London. We disem-
barked on the evening of June 9th,
and took train direct to the channel
port of Southampton. The following
day found US on our way to Le-
Harve, France. We were again
shipped by rail. Here our box-car rid
ing began and for three days we trav-
eled through France. Our main stop
and destination was the American
casual" camp at Blois.
At this place our shipment was
broken and the men assigned to sep
arate units. About fifty-two of us
were sent to fill vacancies in the Thir-
ty-Second National Guard Division.
Most of us came to these Ambulance
companies, though few went to the
Infantry Medical Detachments. John
Son drew the latter and | the former
We began our experiences in the
company by being given a few les
sons in first-aid work and dressing
station management. Our first trips
up" were made just before this Di-
vision went into real action. / found
it a "bon lie gherrc" in Alsace,
though our realizations of true war
fare were soon fulfilled on the Cha
tcau- Thierry front.
In Alsace we could be so bold as
to look into "No Mans Land" and
have lights within two kilometers of
the first trenches. l had only six days
of this time up when the Division
moved for the drive through Chateau
Thierry.
On July 30th, we were past this
station. On August l we were well
into the fray.
To make the longer story short, we
had eleven days of shell-fire and air
raids and then drew stakes to begin
journey to another front. We were
attached to Gen. Mangin's 10th at
Viesur-Aisne. l was not up at the
front in this drive but helped at the
field hospital. We Lad the same ex-
periences here and saw the same hor-
rors of war. On Sept. 10th, we were
on our way to the American front to
be with Americans only. Heretofore
we had been with French Divisions.
We went through a short rest and
then found ourselves on the front
again by the Both of September. From
this date we have been in action or
near the front. Never have we been
too far away to escape air raids and
we have been within range of the
larger guns for the greater portion of
the time. Of course, we avoided rail
heads and cross-heads as much as pos
sible. We have had luck on our side
and have had the fewest possible cas-
ualties. In the last time "up" l had
the breath knocked out of me and a
rib cracked by piece of high explo-
sive, but did not leave the company,
but got over the soreness just the
same.
Since the armistice, the Division
has been following on the heels of the
Huns. Of course, this company has
been keeping it's pace with the Dough-
boys. We have passed through some
important cities and manufacturing
and mining districts. Just now we
are outside the Capital City of the
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Day be-
fore yesterday had occasion to spend
five pleasant hours in this city. The
company has been sending men on
passes, and drew for the first bunch.
John Phelps YVES with me and we had
a nice time indeed. Got into town
just after noon and returned at $50.
There were few Americans in town
and we found the people very pleasing
and ready to accept US as friends.
Saw Marshal Foch and Gen. Pershing
while in town.
With my smattering of French and
German / got about very nicely with
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