The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-02-12
From Harry n. Denzie.

From Harry II. Denzie.
Writing to his father, Frank H, Den
zie, under date of January II, Harry
of the 161st ambulance company,
10th Sanitary train, American expedi-
tionary force, in France, says: well,
| am here in France. We have been
here for some time but too busy to
write. We had good trip across,
and l am feeling o. X The weather
here is fine. There is only little
snow on the ground. Do not expect
much mail from me, as we are on the
go from one place to another. have
not had any mail since left the
states and do not know if we will get
any for some time ,...,.
From Sergeant John A. Dawson.
In letter written ON shipboard
and mailed from France, to his par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. John Dawson, Of
the embarkation Of the North Dakota
boys and their trip over, Sergt. John
Asa Dawson, End Truck Co., 18th
Ammunition Train, 4lst Division,
American Expeditionary forces Some
where in France" says:
December ! l we got orders to pack
and be ready to move at a. M. on the
18TH The boys were sure glad as we
had only had two blankets apiece for
the last three days, as our other bag
gage had gone ahead, and, the weather
was mighty cold and stormy, so
through the excitement of moving and
the cold weather, we didn't sleep a
wink the last night in camp and at
S a. m. we were all on our way to
some place, nobody knew where.
When we left it was showing and
blowing just like it does in dear OLD
North Dakota at times. Our train had
20 cars in it. Well, | can't say just
where we did go, but we were loaded
on one Of the large ferry boats and
rushed to our ship, arriving aboard
about 1890. Here we stayed in the
harbor until $50 p. m. Dec. IA, and
you should have heard the boys cheer
and sing when they heard the an
Choir beng drawn up. SO the first
night OF our trip was a slecplcss one.
as all OF ns boys were so anxious to
see the ocean. But now we arc able
to sleep most all the time as we have
seen ""'V much Of it, although we
have had very calm seas, except for
few hours one day, and then there
was quite a lot of the boys pretty
sea sick. | brought Glenn Peck off
guard last night, and he sure was sick
Is still in bed.
The boys arc all happy if they're
not sick, and we figure there Is very
little danger. | have never felt bet
ter in my life, and have an appetite
like horse. We only eat twice a
day on board, at $3.50 a. m. and $3.50
p. m, but believe me we sure fill
up then, and besides that there is a
canteea on board where the boys can
buy candy, gum, tobacco, etc, SO we
lunch between meals as much as our
money permits. Today the boys were
all given a box containing two pack
ages of cigarettes, one sack of Bull
Durham, one can of Velvet AMI one
plug of Star from the Red Cross Ia
dies of New York, which was receiver
with cheers. Also we have lots o.
the magazines that have been mailed
with the one cent stamp, and they sure
help to kill time. All of the Bismarck
boys are on board this ship, so don't
get lonesome in one way, but in an
other dear old Bismarck would look
pretty good just now
Il have been all over the ship from
end to end, but nothing doing When
it comes to climbing the masts, al
though some of the boys have. We
passed two empty transports going in
this morning" ~
Writing a few days out at seas.
Sergt. Dawson says:
"This is Monday night. Today has
been the first day Of any excitement,
since we started. We awOke this
morning with very high wind and an
awfully rough sea. The water has
been splashing clear over the top of
the ship all day. and l have been
drenched TO the skin about dozen
times. The old boat sure plunges, and
every now and again it just sprawls |
us all over the deck. Believe me |
with what ! have seen of the ocean, |
sure can take my hat off to old Co |
lumbus in that weak tub he crossed
in. The sailors all say that we west
efn boys are sure Sea-sOInS DunCn
as we stand it as we'll as they do. This
afternoon we spotted a ship off tho
port side, and it caused quite bit o
excitement for awhile. One Of the
hattleships took after it with all he,
guns on it, but discovered that it wa
an oil boat on the way back. We had
our first fire drill today with our life
savers on, getting to our life boats ir
case of emergency, and we are hoping
that we will never have to go through
it in earnest, as the water is mighty
cold We have no idea as to where