The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-01-10

guns, etc. HIS CcTtdily Wdo my ACesi
experience ard ore l will never for
get. / forgot to tell you that string
ing barbwire was our regular job on
all the frorts after the detectives
had been reached On thinking back
it seems like we have put up enough
to reach across Europe.
l got through the last twenty sew
en- days (Which we spent along the
River Brieulles also on the Verdun
sector) without a scratch IT, spite OF
the fact that our division was under
shell fire during all the period. And,
mother, it was certainly full Of plenty
of hardships and hard fighting.
We built the first bridge across the
Meuse river that had been put across
by the allies in all the scrap. Setting
on the opposite bank of the canal
that runs parallel to the rivers some
fifty yards apart, was "Hierie." After
We had bIidged the river we passed
some doughboys across ard soon we
could see the rifle fire, ETC., in the
dark as the Infantry chased Hiepie
up the HILL That citation l sent will
give you clear description of what
we went through on the bridge.
The close of the war found us on
the lire near Loufy.
I am ir good health ard spirits so
do rot worry about me. Am hoping
to be with you soon, Love to all, Your
loving sor, Benjamin.
J. Z. Reynolds received the following
letter from Paul Arnemann. who is in
France.
December 10. 191S.-Dear Friend Joe:
have been thinking of writing to you
for a long time. and now that the CEN
sorship is lifted l have a chance to tell
you everything. Maybe this letter will
reach YOU by the holidays. and in that
case 1 wish you a Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year.
We left Camp Dodge on August 4 and
arrived at Camp Upton on August s.
While at Upton we were given privilege
to go to New York every night and all
of us took advantage Of it.
Thursday, August Is, we loaded on the
Cunard liner Kashmir at pier No. 20.
New York The next day at 2:3O we left
the harbor. Sixteen transports were in
the convoy, five sub c.1asers, one dirig-
ible and one sea- l me. TIL, drigible and
s3eaplane turned back after the first dav
out. The sea was generally calm with
the exception of two windy days. On
Monday. the Goth, we met an escort of
six torpedo boats. The next day we sight
ed land. Sixteen destroyers met us then.
we landed in Liverpool in the night
end the next day went by rail to Camp
, Morn Hill at Winchester. We arrived
| there at a. m. After a day of rest We
visited the city of Winchester. We We're
escorted through the ancient cathedral
I. at Winchester built sometime around the
year 1900.
On August 81 we went from Winchester
by rail to South Hampton. Left that night
on the Maid of Orleans" for France. We
landed at Cherebourg, France. on Sep
, TENDER l., We're in an English rest camp
there. Tho next day We We're loaded
| into box cars and after four day ride
arrived at Margny DeCohouet. On that
trip we passed through the French city
of Caien and near Paris. We saw the
Eiffel tower from the train. We arrived
in this town of Margny on September 4
and from then until September II was
training period. . L.
My diary for September II says: Left
Margny DeCohouet, hked eight miles. to
Les Laumes. Camped in pup tents"
Hard rain during night.
September 18-Struck tents at 1 a. m,
loaded on trains. Two hours detail load
ing ammunition.
! Our destination this time was Hiercourt
and we arrived there tired but in good
| spirits. We were bileted in the out
skirts of the city.
We were in Hiercourt from September
/ 10 until October Z. This time was spent
|
We arrived at Bessoncourt which was
| twenty kilometers from the front. In
! training 81 Bes.sorcourt from October s
until Sunday, October 20.
Arrived at Buetwiller Monday. 21st.
Buetwiller small town back of the lines.
Tuesday %. Bombardment.
We left Buetwiller on November 2.
| Left in the night ard rested in st. Cos.
me. Arrived at LeVeuX north of Guomg-
nv. We stayed there two days and left
| on march to Belfort. Loaded on a train
| and landed at Bonvron on November s.
| On November 10 we were ordered into
| action with the Fourth army corps. Bon
! vron is in the Toul sector. We were re-
| called the next day on account of the
armistice being signed.
| November II was a glad day.
We remained in Bonvron until Novem-
| Der 80. Then came a three day hike with
| equipment to our present place, Convert
| Puts.
| ] have tried to give you a detailed de-
scription of nv experiences Joe, and it
! certainly has been a wonderful expert
! erihe, too.
Ny duties at the front were Battalion
| runner"
1 will write you letter later describ-
| ing some of tho excitements at the front.
| lust now we arc anXiously awaiting the
good old L. S. a. Joe. it certainly will
| be happy day for all of us. .
| l hope that you will write me letter
! soon and tell me about the old town.
| Please say hello TO c. X. for me.
! I expect to be home in a short time.
( Until then goodbye. Your friend, Paul
| Armenian.
Eronoh Chile Chn,u Annro ri q }in :,