The north Mississippi herald., 1919-02-07

y
sleep
In the sacred soil of France.
be proud that he fought in the Wa
for Right,
Be proud that he had the chance.
Be proud that he wore smile on his
lips,
That he died with his face to the
Foe;
That he went to his God with eyes
to the Front,
As q soldier of God should go.
Headquarters Battery a. 140th F. A.
American Ex. Forces, France.
January 18th, 1919
THE START
II was 400 q. m. on a clear crisp
morning, million golden stars dotted
the sky and faint flush in the East
indicated the approach of dawn. The
buglers had just sounded Reveille and
the men of Battery "a" fully dress
cd as they slept through the previous
night, sprang from their cots and in
to line for breakfast. The morning
meal was soon over. Whistles blew,
sharp commands rang out and the
men with their 60-pound packs slung
from their shoulders, jumped into
formation. Forward and
the boys from Mississippi bade fare
well to Camp Mills, and headed for
the train which was to take them to
the waiting transport, and which in
turn was to bear them across the
mighty Atlantic and land them on
the sun-kissed shore of France. It
was high-noon when we reached the
dock alongside of which the great
camouflaged transport lay. There
the Red Cross met US with hot coffee
and sweet buns, and after partaking
M. rnas given tickets whnic S Sors Gig Rae
Der of each mans bunk, deck space,
life raft, etc. and one by one we cross
ed the gang plank.
For two days we were tied up at
the Pier. During this time the men
roamed about the great ship enjoy.
ing the newness and strangeness of
1t all, sat about the decks watching
the steamers and other crafts dart
up and down the river and began to
settle down for the long voyage which
was ahead of US.
It was 2:30 on the afternoon og
August 31st, when the blast from the
ship,s whistle announced the start of
our trip. All hands were on deck;
the sun was bright and warm, the sky
clear as bell. The 140th Field Ar
tillery Band struck up "The Stars
and Stripes Forever" the Colors We're
hoisted and we slid slowly out from
our mooring, turned and steamed
slowly down the river gaining speed
as we went. The hundreds OF tugs
and pleasure boats which lined the
water darted from our path, and MID
cheers and flag waving, saiutes ana
the blowing of whistles, we steamed
out of the harbor. The band struck
up Goodbye Broadway, Hello
France" the sky line of New York
grew dim and yet DINNER, the Statue
of Liberty slowly faded from view
and the great ship began to make
time" We were France bound, and
the land of our birth which held all
things most precious to the hearts OF
the fifteen thousand soldiers who lin-
ed the deck of our transport, was LETT
behind.
tnE NOtAoG'
Three boats comprised our convoy;
the Northern Pacific on which We
rode, the Vaterland--a German liner
which the Government had taken
over, and the Great Northern, the
Sister ship to our own; all were
heavily camoufaged and armed to
the teeth. The voyage was most de-
lightful to those of US who qua not
become seasick. I might add right
here that John Mayfeld was disgust
inply we'll during the entire trip,
frolicking and frisking about the
decks like o young calf. Daily in
snections were held to insure per-
feet cleanliness and avoid all unsanl-
tarv conditions and after dark no
lights were allowed TO burn or any
one to smoke. Abandoned ship drills
were held twice o day---in the even
ing at Z and Just before dawn. Each
morning at 400 q. m. the alarm gellg
sounded and with our life belts On
we marched at double tine and VI
strict silence to our RATS. There
we remained until daybreak vhen
the ships bugler SCUM led Recall.
You know the Subs generally NAVE
their attack just before do? light.
We were compelled to sleep fully
dressed at night, is order sA'st u"
time might be lost should we have the
misfortune to encounter IN attack.
Secretary Baker, Mr.. Ryan Of the
Aviation Department and Major Gen.
eral Gorgas, Chief Surgeon Of the
American Army, were guests aboard
our ship, and we enjoyed che livilege
of having the finest gun crews in the
service to man our pieces. Rigid
watch was kept at all times--both
night and day-~-and Guards instruct,
ed to report immediately any object
which might be seen afioat in this
waters. One morning member Of