Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1919-09-18

American boys but never did until I
saw them going into the worst Of the
fight with song on their lips and
home in their thoughts. They always
sang and joked until they reached
Death Curve the place where they
could be seen by the Germans and
where they could mot make sound.
Home seemed to be their last thought
and have often written letters to
mothers just before their SONS went
over
Zone young American, sixteen years
old and special pet Of the Salvation
Army lassies. left to go to Chateau
Thierry. Before he left he came to
me and said:
Little Mother. II l don't come
back, please write and tell my mother
that i was always good
"The horror of the war never affect.
ed us. When we first got UP to the
front, we we're rather uneasy when the
SHELLS and bombs few around. but
finally we stood and counted them AZ
they passed over our heads. We saw
very sad sights but became accus.
toned to these. Because we were
only doing our duty our courage came
to us. We went over to serve and II
! was easy when those served were ,ap
| preciative as the American soldiers
were. Each soldier made himself per.
sonally responsible for our safety and
for our comfort and showed in every
way that he appreciated the hardship
Of pur work. Every American soldier
Is a perfect gentleman. ] say this be
cause ] have seen them under all
sorts OF conditions and they have new
er failed to fulfill my ideal of an Amer
lean gentleman"
Captain Saunders tells of some
unique living conditions which the,
experienced. When they moved vi
within two kilometers of the lines
4 they passed through village in which
4 every house was shot to pieces.
4 Among the men stationed here wer,
4 some who were friends OF the lassies
They salvaged among the ruins ant
Y managed to drag forth enough furnl
ture to set up canteen and doughnu
Kitchen. Billets recently occupied b.
German officers were often the sleeI
Ing quarters assigned to the Salvs
J tionists
Captain Saunders went into Gel
many for q, three months stay wit
the Army of Occupation From he
position in the Salvation Army hu
and from her contact with the Anne
lean soldiers billeted in Germa
, homes. she had an enviable chance I
: study existing conditions. She say
5 that the people there were we
dressed, that the cities showed n
I signs Of war and that everythtn
. seemed plentiful except soap. For
t bar Of soap the Americans could 6,
: anything, even the attentions OF Ii
g.. Frauleins.
g After the armistice was signed IL
e Salvation Army lassies encountere
9 difficulties OF an unusual nature.
9 aThat first night we could n,
d sleep" said Captain Saunders. ut ",
q SO dead quiet after the sounds :
were used to. And besides there we
!. lights. and we were not accus.om.
8 ito lights OF any sort after DARK"
. During the war the lassies did n
3. glimpse the inside of the front Iii
IS trenches or the wastes Of No Mar
X. Land. Two days after the arn,isti
% was signed they were taken out ,
RI sightseeing trip BY An ofiicer. Att
- peek In the trenches. they q
10 preached . high hill which tn
.. climbed. II proved TO be hill numb
% 749 ON which the last battle had be-
y thought two days before. Here th
D found tho body Of young Americ
re I.marine lying and facing the Germ
= lines. Captain Saunders found !
q name IN . letter N his poker 4
u idsntlhed him - : boy from D
y Noines. Iowa.
-Oh, wouldn't taks anything
u. III sxpsrisaces had over tAss,
q saSd Captasn' fasndsfs. "But Tn II
y. tn boys who return. ! An rsstissa d
.. tAa& ~ back - srdinary lifs. : NJ