The Glenwood post., 1919-02-15
ALFRED COWLES
WRITES OF war
CONTINUED from page ~

m. the barrage opened up and it was
some barrage, machine guns and ar
tillery. I believe it was the worst one
that I ever heard or saw during it all.
At about 4:3O a. m. we started over
following our barrage real close. We
came to heavy wire within about 200
yards and machine guns behind it in
plenty. Then we went on to the 23rd 3
objective which was about four kilo-
! meters, where the marines leaped US,
and doing that four kilometers we saw
| some excitement being with the first
\ wave.
1 got plenty of good shooting and
ran out plenty of prisoners, which we
had no time for; just ran them out
and chased them back to the next
waves following us. 1 saw many
strange sights and some comical ones.
Saw them coming up out of shell holes
waving white rags; several wounded
tried to give me drink as l came up
to them, but we didn't have time for
it. One infantryman and myself got
clear in behind two-inch gunners, who
were still shooting, and l don't believe
they got away.
We lost quite few men there; one
of my men working beside me was hit
by shell, then just afterwards one of
the infantrymen had his hand on my
shoulder and we were on our knees by
machine guns when he was hit through
the stomach by machine gun. L
know some of those bullets were burst
ing my ears and know they were not
missing by more than 1-16 of an inch
Cha! hall, but still 1 know someone
must have been praying for me at all
times, especially the last three weeks
of it.
We sure have gotten a royal recap
tion coming through Belgium and Lux
emburg. The people turn out with
flags and bands playing in all small
towns and they treat us like kings.
The best town we hit in Belgium was
! Arlon and they crowded the streets
there when we passed as we were the
first Americans to come through, and
were following close to the Germans.
We expected the people of Luxembourg
to be with the Huns, but they are not,
and 1 went with two other fellows to
the town of Diekirch one night. We
were the first ones there, and we nearly
never got away from there. They put
us out feeds and wines, etc., fit for u
king only, and among others that I
met there was an old fellow who was
IN Denver in 1871 on surveying party.
lie was sure glad to meet and talk
with me and wanted me to stay there
with him that night, and he had one
swell place. When we got ready to 60
back to where the company was stop
ping for the night there was a grea,
big hack waiting to take us back. We
are now almost on the border of Ger
many and expect to move on in few
days as we have rested here about three
or four days after weeks hike. It
is pretty cold and rainy, but guess we
will be through with it soon.
We are all hoping to be in the U. ).
very soon and then home, but don t
know how long it will be.
Almost forgot. l was made SER
geant about the last of it. There IS
only one more jump I could make now
and that is first class sergeant, and as
there are only five of them to our com
pany (about 250) there isn't much
chance. My platoon first sergeant is
from Canon City, so Colorado is pretty
well represented in the 2nd platoon.
Two out of four sergeants from there.
Well hate to quit, but must ring
off and get ready for inspection.
have most all dates and moves we
made SO can tell you all about it.
Yes, / was there at that place where
the story, Hellwood," was taken
from. Love to all. SON.
Sgt. Alfred II. Cowles,
Co. b, End Engrs.,
| A I, I,