Catoctin clarion., 1918-08-08
In Front Line Trenches.
Private Louis Adams Tells OF
EXperience Under Fire.

Private Louis Adams, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Paul Adams of Thurmont, has been
for some months in France doing duty
in the front line trenches against the
Huns. In letters to home folks he tells
of experiences at the front. Many things
he would like to relate, but on account of
censorship he refrans from telling per-
haps the most interesting. His letters
of June 23rd and Oath are as follows:
Somewhere in France.
June %, 1918.
Dear Paul
Received all lettersu up to IL, and should
have answered sooner, but have been
unable. Feeling fine and dandy and hope
you are the same.
,, Yesterday received the Star which
you sent also letter from Howard Late.
Both l was very glad to get. Just fin
ished letter to Mamma, and after | write
you shall answer Howard's. His work
is hard, but he's a guy that won't kick.
You seem to ask so often if we a re in
the trenches or are drilling. Yes, Paul,
we have been fighting men, and have
given them hell every time. Have been
in couple of times, but as we have to
be very particular about writing, | can
say but little.
The first time we went in we went in
right. 1t was nothing like magazine
story, only in some ways. No trenches,
but open warfare, and the front we were
on is where the bullets were the thickest
and the Huns the strongest.
Trench warfare is picnic when COM
pared with open fighting. Every soldier
confesses he felt nervous when he got
his first underline, so |, like the rest, will
confess didn't feel any too comforta-
ble Like anybody else, felt little
warm around the body every time shell
would whiz overhead, and would find
myself unconsciously lodging me head,
and when one fell close | would do fall
equal to any Steve Brodie ever made.
We went into action up to the front in
darkness, and we were so ''lucky" to
meet Fritzie's early barrage, and it was
hell for while. hugged the ground
so tight that could have been taken for
some kind of aground camout1age. There
were no trenches or dugouts-nothing
but hug the ground and wait till all was
well. When it let up we proceeded.
We relieve the guys and then got into
what made up our line of defense or the
front line. We got into these one-man
dugouts, which were in the woods, and
got everything ready for action of any
kind. Remember, we had no dugout six
foot or more under or front trench.
Daylight came. Everything quiet after
the barrage.
After almost 10 hours learned what
every soldier learns that the shell you
hear isn't the one that gets you, so me
lodging and ducking me nut quit right
then.
June Oath
Today has been pretty fair, little
shower of rain having fallen. Got hold
of some good magazines, late ones too.
In yesterdays letterI gave an account
of my first under fire, and today it will
be my first message under fire.
surely would like to tell of our posi-
ton and describe the ground. When
daylight came everything was quiet ex-
cept little exchange of shells between
US and Fritz. | was picked from the
four company runners to go to battalion
headquarters as runner there. To reach
there had to go through the woods
which offered concealment from the en-
emy. This was all right, as there was
no way for the Hun to see me and only
few shells falling at the time. | ar
rived at headquarters and reported. Two
hours later | was given my first message
and to deliver it | had to cover lot of
ground, and had to go to very danger
Gus place. My place of termination was
situated in town only a few miles from
the front line, and what old Fritz ar
tillery had done to that town was a plen
ty. Everything was fine going, but the
going back agreed with Sherman. The
town had to be shelled before left, so
it seemed, and it was very unpleasant
leaving, but managed toget back safe
ly.
You may wonder why consider this an
adventure, so here is why. | was new
to this game and the chances were great
which had to take, the ground not be-
ing familiar to me. Fritz had his balloon
up and he may see me and want his ar
tillery to have some practice with me as
target.
l would like to tell fully lots of things
like this. as | know they would be inter-
esting to you, but | am afraid | might
write something which would cause my
whole letter to be destroyed.
| am doing my best, and if | never get
promoted any higher than what | am
now, don't think wrong of me. Thank
goodness, didn't turn yellow, but re-
main cool as the coolest and that is what
counts.
Well must close. Hoping this finds
you in the best of health.
Your loving brother.
Private Louis r. Adams,
r., n 7tb Inf A + II