Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1918-12-31
each piece packed in a pouch


York on March 20 on the steamship
Mauritania. We were eight days on
the Atlantic and we landed In Eng
land at Liverpool where we took the
train for Romsey. If you have
large map you can trace where these
places are. We were in England just
week when We were ordered to hike
to South Hampton where we embark
ed for France.
we were one night on the Channel
( and we landed at Havre. We vera
there two days and we climbed into
some of these French cheyaux cars
and beat It for Limoges We were
two days and nights on the train
and We got into Limoges on April II.
We stayed in Limoges, going on hikes
and standing inspections till May 5,
when part OF the battery went out
to Pierre Buffiere and got establish
ed in some fine billets. II was there
that we got most of our training on
the guns and orientuer, etc. II was
while we were there that | went over
to Nexon for week to learn little
camouflaging. Pierre Bufflere was
the only home we ehaye known over
here. We were there so long that
we got to know lot OF the French
people and We were living good then
and 1t was our French home. We
got our guns and tractors and tanks
there.
On July % we pulled out for La
Courtina and we had some train. All
our guns and tractors hooked on be.
hind Us on those little dnky flat
cars they have over here Cot in La
Courtine on the Goth. II was a big
French camp originally and 1t was
sure crowded. We lived in pup tents
for a while and then got some bar.
racks We stayed there and fixed
our guns, then fooled around till
August 20, when we loaded up for
DonieuX. Got there on the 22nd
We just fooled around there having
inspection and going swimming, etc,
till the 2Sth when we started for the
front on our own power.
Moved into Jezainville In billets on
September I. Our gun positions were
near there and Pont-a-Mousson. We
opened up on Fritz at 200 a. m. OF
Sept. l2, and believe me. ii was some
barrage. We left Pont-a-Mousson
early Sept. II and got to Royameux
that night. The next stop was Vayin-
court. then Pierrefitte, then We went
on 10 our positions which were near
Dombasle. We turned loose here at
goo a m Sept. 90. On the 2Sth 81
we we're out of range chad been for
q day. and Rodney Smith and | took
a hike up to the front lines. We were
in Montaufacon a few hours after it
was taken from the Germans. cut
a shoulder strap off of dead Ger
man up there and sent Il to you. Did
you get It? We had a lot OF fun.
We were with the infantry reserves
and 1t was some excitement.
We left Dombasle at 1880 p. m.
October 5 for Verdun and got there
at 400 a. m. the next morning.
Yerdun is all shot to pieces.
got a piece of the stained glass win
dow from the cathedral there. Our
positions were few kilometers from
Verdun and we fired October II.
We fooled around firing off and on
till October 10 when we left for
FORCES. That was our hardest front
in my estimation. Our kitchen truck
got stuck in the mud and for a day
and a night we worked in the rain
with nothing to eat but little corned
willie and a piece of bread. | nearly
knocked my stomach out eating so
much cold canned goods.
From there We went to F1eville
which was our last position. We
we're in five big offensives and they
were all successes and no bad luck.
All thru the whole time 1--WE were 70
days on the 'front.' | had the dis
agreeable Ito mel job Of camouflag-
ing the gun positions besides being
on gun section. I'm mighty glad
We got into the scrap. 1t was mighty
hard work but II was worth II. From
Fleville we went to a little village
called Lochere and stayed there a
few days. Then We went to Lemon
court where we cleaned up our ord
nance and got some clean new clothes
From Senoncourt We came here
and | hope and expect that our next
trip will be by rail and for a port Of
embarkation. We aren't doing much
here. Another fellow and / had
fine rabbit dinner this evening. The
lady that cooked 1t treats US Just
like We were her sons, and there isn't
anything she won't do for us.
That Is only brief sketch OF what
I've been doing but believe me I've
got lots more to tell, and when get
home I'll talk till run out Of breath.
Well, Dad, / must stop now and
get little sleep. Since we have
been back from the front 1 hit the
hay pretty early. 1t S quite q treat,
believe me. I've gone two and three
days and nights without any sleep
and now that We can sleep sure get
my share. Good night, Dad. Give
my love to all the family and save
lots for yourself.
-ELWooD.