The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1919-01-16
sTORY DIRECT FROM
THE BATTLE FIELDS.
bcom Billups vividly Portrays
lis Experiences In the Great
\ American Campaign In
France.

Charles Bascom Billups, wht
over thirteen months inten
service back of and on tn
he line in France, was tn
/ of our boys to return fror
"real thing over there, AM
long after his arrival the sa'
Is of the death Of Basil Yate
slled in action in the Argonn,
est on Oct. 8-was received
In the memorial service
at the Community church il
city Jan. 5th, for the deat
Bascom Billups was pre-
ed upon to relate some of hi
experiences, which held tht
ivided interest of the large
lence. We give his story
which covers the time from
Sailing Of his regiment to his
g dangerously wounded il
Chateau Thierry fighting
II, 1918. Mr.. Billups said
/ Camp Mills, N. Y, on Nov
4917, our captain gave orders
ns to have everything packed
Evening so we could take the
clock train. We didn t know
fe we were going. but every
hought we were on our way
eance.
at night at 12 we took the
for New York City, where
BID ship Tanadoris was wait
Tor us in the N. Y. harbor In
convoy there were eight trans
but we were not very well
kcted Cor at least that is what
thought), as there was only
battle ship and one destroy
nd that didn t seem like much
Ection for such long and
ferrous journey. Most of the
were seasick and ! myself
very sick for five days.
lr company-E Of the 10th
6neers had the guard on
It. and F company had the job
kuard in what we called the
Dw's nest, where they watch
Tor submarines and other YES
u that we were liable to meet
lie going over.
kfter we were out seven days,
saestroyers met us to take us
Iy to harbor. On December
Y saw land, small islands off
&coast Of France. On Decem-
lOth we arrived at st. Neza-
France, but were kept on
H till Dec. 18th, before land
ke French people gave us a
BY welcome, and we had
of three miles to camp, where
8temained for three days. Then
regiment was again divided
small groups, and we were
Ito different divisions which
~ short of their quota Of men.
/ he third day 120 men, includ-
hyself, were sent to the End
heers. We were placed in box
and the weather at this time
very cold; we had a dis
able trip. When we landed
willie, where the End Engin-
were located, we were not
10 our companies immediate
lt put in barracks under
kntine for 80 days. The
Ter here was very cold and
bod supply was limited. But
quarantine was lifted, we
sent to our companies. |
Issigned to Co. A. Here we
aenty to eat and a very good
Ito sleep, which made it seem
like home.
@the 18th Of March we were
10 the Toul sector, at the
I of Menil a Tour, where we
eharge of an engineer dump.
2imp is where supplies are
Rd until needed at the front.
fwe were visited very often
<erman airplanes, and it gave
Ea pretty shaky feeling while
were dropping about
lscuously.
Toul sector is where the
cans first entered the real
in the trenches. One night
of the Germans made a raid
! American trenches. The
er had been very rainy and
ound was slick. An Ameri-
~ was out Of his trench and
zen by one of the Germans.
y the German shot, the Sam
eet slipped and he fell. The
supposing he had killed
IN, started proudly off. The 4
got up and winged the Hun
y was brought into camp.
fficers asked him what he
NJ Of the Americans. He re-
1--WE will never lick you
= Ia Americans, for you don t |
when you are hit.
May 5th we were started on