Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-10-01

lCl iCCCiNCu ny d 1Tl0uu lTOLu Lieut..
George E. Bird, son of Mr.. and Mrs.
c. B. Bird of this city, which the
Pilot is permitted to publish:
Aug. 27, 1918
A. p. O. 71S
A. e. F. France
| certainly enjoyed your steamer
letter and regret that your other let
ter did not reach me.
My trip across the salty water was
most delightful The weather was
wonderful all the way, and our accom-
modations on the big French liner
were fine, being first class cabins.
Our departure from Camp Merritt
was rather sudden, though of course
we knew we were going any day.
While | was helping to get a regi-
ment of negroes equipped for the
journey, word came that our de .ach-
ment would leave at four o'clock the
next morning for the boat. No one
was allowed to leave camp that night
and all our baggage was taken down
that night, so there was nothing to
do but seek a warm place in camp
and wait until four o'clock Most of
the boys staid at the Hostess house
or officers club and wrote letters so
I joined them until it got so cold that
rolled up in a rug on the floor and
made pretense at sleeping.
At the appointed time we were gath
cred together and marched five miles
across country to the river, where we
were loaded on small lighter. That
gave us wonderful trip down the
Hudson river, into New York harbor
and then on board ship, so the last
bit of American soil that we set foot
on, was a lonely little landing on
the Jersey side of the Hudson, which
| will not easily forget
The only excitement ON ship was
the life drill, which came at all hours
OF the day and night, so we never
knew whether it was the real thing
or not. Everyone has his life belt
and is assigned his station on the ship,
so that it is all carried out with very
little confusion. l was in charge of
a life boat on the upper deck at the
stern, and the only trouble / had was
| in keeping the men from getting sick,
while on that hobbling and dancing
end of the ship. 1t was quite a job
to look complacent and unconcerned
when my stomach was about to jump
out of my mouth.
The 4th of July was celebrated on
the ship, when we got out the one
American flag that the ship had and
| flew it top mast. All the other ships
in our convoy had the stars and stripes
| floating, but we didn't dare fire a
salute because the subs were operat-
| ing all around us and we had to be
very careful. At night we always
travelled in complete darkness with
only the flashing of the signal lamps
on the destroyers to guide us on
the Zig-Zag course. The nights were
wonderful; with a full moon and oc-
casionally the dim hulk of one of our
conveys just visible through the night
and the soft swish of the sea as we
glided silently ahead made us forget
our mission and wish for the girls
back home. Many a fellow could be
found, then, gazing into the depths
of the vast expanse of sea and starry
sky, and it wasn't very difficult to
guess his thoughts.
| After over two weeks of ocean life
we were glad to see land, whatever
lit might be. France is all that is
1 Sdlu VI IT, bIlG lllOoI UCduIllul COuuLI
/ have seen, with its rolling hills, all
green now with the ripening crops,
and the little villages, each with some
old relic of church in its center. Our
first night was spent at one of Napol-
cons old prison camps, now used by
our government. I'll bet Napoleon is
rolling in his grave to see the vast
amount of supplies and number OF
troops that are passing through his
camp today. He never dreamed of the
bleak walls being a refuge for friendly
troops, or he would have taken better
care in making it more sanitary and
Ilivable.
/ You know where I am and what I am
doing so | thought if / could tell you
a little of how l got here it would be
more interesting.
| The reason why we are here is moi
brought home until we see and tall
with the wounded, and learn just what
it takes to beat the Germans. Every
man is hero in the fighting, though
lonly the few exceptional ones ge
recognition. l have had an opportun-
ity to see many of the men, who tool
part in our drive at Chateau TIierry
and they have a great many interest
ing stories. My course will be com
pleted at this school by the time this
letter reaches you, and then | vii
get my chance to put TO the test al
my training at the front We, behinC
the lines, watch with a great deal o.
interest the operations of our brother!
at .the front and are always ready tC
go in and take the place of those who
have done their bit
| want to thank you again for you
fine letter and assure you that every
lone is appreciated over here.
Sincerely
GEORGE E. BIRD,