The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-04-25
DICK BEATTY WRITES
OF CITY OF vERDUN
Underground City That Will Accom-
modate 10000 Peop,e-Castles
Along the Mossole River

receipt Of a letter from their son,
Dick, which is uncommonly interest
ing. This letter is dated March 10th,
at A. P. o. 1884, Mr. Beatty is in
Company Dr. 1l5th Engineers. He
writes as follows:
Today is a typical March day 1t is
rather cold outside but some of the
French are cultivating the land which
has been idle for over four years.
AS this is part of France set aside
for the occupation of American
troops only such civilians are allowed
to return to their homes as will not
interfere with the occupation of the
troops. There are between five and
seven thousand American soldiers in
Pont Mousson. Also there are a
couples of companies of French who
are guarding and working German
prisoners.
Pont Mousson is a very pretty
place. Along the roads are huge hard
wood trees, some of them four and
five feet in diameter. Around the
city and in the city are number of
fine gardens. The country on both
sides of Pont a Mousson slopes to-
ward the Mossole river which runs
through the center of the city on its
way to the Rhine. This river is
nearly as large as the Snake.
Castles and Chapels
Across the river is the castle and
chapel l wrote you about. They
are built on high peak or hill and
from there one can see the country
for miles around
The Romans considered this point
of great military Importance and
Caesar caused the first Notifications
to be erected 48 years before Christ
Count de Mousson built the castle
in the year 900, and some of the
walls are standing today In 1852
Louis the XIV partly destroyed the
castle. The chapel, which is inside
the castle wallis, was built in the 18th
century, and in 1895 the statute of
Joan of Arc was built upon the
chapel walls.
On going up to the statue you pass
a spring called the Red Fountain on
account of the color of the water
There is a legend about the fountain
that I will tell you later
Among the Mossole river are a
number of castles in various stages
of decay Each has its own story.
verdun Not Badly Damaged
was over to Verdun yesterday
This was the first time I had been in
Verdun proper, or Verdun city. was
also over a lot of ground I had never
had the opportunity of seeing in the
day time.
Considering the amount of Smelling
Verdun was subjected to the city is
not badly shot up.
The city is nearly deserted Onlv
a few French civilians and a small
number of French soldiers who are
doing guard duty are there. Verdun
has what is known as the under
ground city. This work was started
in 1873 and is part of Verdun's forti-
fications. It is said the underground
works will accommodate 10000 peo-
pie. From what saw of it | have no
doubt that it will The underground
city is built under hill and should
Judge about $50 feet underground
The main entrances are about 10 feet
wide and 16 feet high The walls are
of concrete and veneered with white
brick. On entering the city you go
into one of these halls These halls
are streets lead to various rooms such
as sleeping rooms mess rooms, hos
pitals, kitchens, etc Each sleeping
room will accommodate company of
soldiers. The city also has its own
electric lighting plant and waterworks
system.
A guide takes you through and you
are not allowed to wander about at
will, as you might get lost and dis
cover few things that are not open
to the public.
Forts of Verdun
About 10 kilos from Verdun are the
forts that held the key to the battle.
Here thousands of French and Ger
mans lost their lives. The bottle is
narrow passage between the hills
and was considered the only way Yer
dun could be taken. The Mouse river
flows through this passage and
through the center of Verdun. Some
villages about Verdun are leveled to
the ground.
will be glad when leave the war
zone. ! am tired of looking at the
ruins caused by war
No Inspiration
1t is hard to get an inspiration out
OF cup of army coffee and Bull
Durham cigarette so will close. will
probably write you next from Luxem-
burg.