The Penn's Grove record., 1919-01-17
WAR EXPERIENCE IN FRANCE
Private Brantley b. Jordan of Ped
ricktOwn, n. ].
Flavigny, France, Dec. 6, 191

| nave DG6H SOlliS ~ "IlNS W ~ -
my experiences, but every time l
started something turned up to pre-
vent me, but now that the war is oVer
and | have a few minutes to spare, L
will try to write you a few OF them.
We went from Camp Dix to New
York by train and was ferrled right
up to our transport. The vessel was
very rusty looking on the outside, but
when we went aboard we met our hrst
surprise. for the interior was all fixed
up in white enamel and brass and pol
ished so highly that you could see
your face in it. The name OF the yes
sci was the Nestris, a coast wise pas
senger ship. / vas among the tortu-
nate ones for | and five others a a
state room in the centre of the ship.
The first day there was quite a lot OF
confusion on board getting settled
away in our quarters. There were be-
tween 1.4OO and 1900 men aboard.
When the dinner bell sounded we all
made a break for the dining room.
The result was every stairway was
iammed and we could not go in any
direction. They soon remedied that SO
everything went along smoothly.
We sailed out of New York harbor
lust before dark and headed North.
We were allowed on deck from Z IN
the morning till s at night, but we
did not dare to throw anything over
board not even a cigarette stump. we
wore a life belt around US all the time,
and everyday we had u fire drill and
our physical exercises on deck. One
morning we awoke to find ourselves IN
Halifax harbor almost opposite where
the explosion occurred sometime be
fore. We stayed there that day and
night waiting for the rest OF me
transports. The next morning we left
seventeen ships) for parts unknown.
The weather was fine, we only ran
into n small storm, we also ran n
a school of whales, saw plenty OF
sharks. On one of our most pleasant
and sunshiny days we had the pleas
ure of viewing an iceberg with the
naked eye. 1t was an imposing sight.
Nothing occurred to break our pleas
ant crossing, till we sighted the Irlsh
Coast. That is where our convoy OF
Sub-destroyers met US.
They arrived just in time for the
next day we ran into the submarines.
They sank one Sub. so close to our
shin that we saw the oil and debris as
il foated by US. The same depth
charge also sprang a leak in our ship.
They had to keep the pumps running
dav and night. The captain told US
that we sank two submarines, that
they we're positive of. The rest OF
them they were doubtful about, but
we did not lose a ship, as all journeys
come to an end on land or water
ours did the same and We awoke to the
fact one fine morning that the Isle OF
White was staring US in the face.
Some of the most beautiful scenery |
ever saw. We then slowly passed up
the channel and landed at South
Hampton. after being on the water 10
days.
We landed in the morning and did
not get our train till afternoon, and
when il did finally come il looked more
ike a toy engine and cars than any
ding else. We told III captain that
we had better walk a We would get 70
our rest camp sooner. Bur here an
o-rer surprise awaited Us. Tor -ca-
train sure did rIn. I did more -Ean
that. i few. We rode = ma -a-E
Tor , hours ana = IS arrived q or
raz= camp. G pace CG-=1 E1-E--C1E-
England. There q -s-a W. me- Win
a11 Wc=- - entered
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z-z- = zz 5 s
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M. nd
= 7 81 -s-.-= o. :
80 : .
zy =
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$685. 1e-s
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80 So months
@ -=55-e odd Is
Here
experience
11-=- -rarE1z Amer-
---g md pence,
20 a1 q speaking
SKI Eo Eo1 oat-v
z1l : - o-1er expressions.
r. a. 10 csa.d Iook across
zz-e md So France. 50 finally
M ar cane when we went u way
ar-5 - c.annel 70 Sunny France