The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-06-26


are built like large stone stairways
We travelled Tor miles through them
I have just been for a walk and visit
81 the village cemetery 1t is not
like ours or those in France. The
tomb stones are nearly all alike and
all bear this inscription "R. l. p
Everyone has a small cross. This
one had a stone fence something like
Our stone walls at home, with a huge
/ iron gate. on the lower side was an
altar with two life sized statues of
/ Angels, one giving the sign of the
cross and the other with hands clasp
ing in prayer. 1t looked quite pref
/ ty. There were candles burning. and
evergreen trees planted all around.
We have been inspected and our
regiment was given flag for the AL
SAGE front and one for the Meuse
Argonne front We all wear a six
pointed red star on our left shoulder;
every point has its meaning We
are some soldiers Our Major told
rs Yesterday we must be "snappy as
hell" and impress on these Dutchmen
We are the best soldiers in the world.
Pretty late now, mother, to let them
know what We are We boys have
got so used to Army life we can make
most any old place a home. Just
now we are In a hen house or a few
Of Us are We have an old oil tank
or barrel for a stove. have Just
filed it full OF kindings. and she is
doing regular horn pipe jig. We
have a hen that lays every day. There
are six of us to divy with. don't you
ply me. We have to wear our best
clothes every day and shine our old
trench shoes till they ache in their
beauty. | guess by the way you
write Won did not know my company
WIS at the front eight weeks Talk
ahout He'll there never will he any
hing here or hereafter to compare
With that II is not only the fight
ing. We have walked a distance Of
thirty-6ye miles in one day in a pour
,ae rain; pitched our pup tents with
rifles for poles. and bayonets for
pins: two blankets and a rain coat
II soak mp the mud eat on reserve
ratons the first day and not have a
taste of anything to eat for as hours.
| have just fallen down on my pack
and not bothered to get out of the
straps: just slept like a dog: that was
in the Me1se Argonne. This is only
one little instance of what we have
endured The cooks letter you sent
me from the Reporter was quite in
tercSting but who ever heard OF a
mess at the front ! am sure our
cooks outfit was at the rear, because
we went four days and nights with
out rations in the Meuse Argonne.
Two of my buddies and I were detail
ed to hit the back trail for food. They
sent me because I have learned TO
talk French pretty we'll. We had
orders 10 steal or fight to get it. for
the men were starving We hit the
42nd Division and got what we could
lug for ten miles; about SO pounds of
hard tack and some coffee We sure
had one Il of time 1t was a
twenty m lie hike and the mud was
anywhere from ankle to knee deep
We had to stop over night shared
my straw with Major for a few
hours. About nine o'clock a hard
boiled officer came in and ordered
two priyates off their straw. said he
was a Colonel. Phey promptly told
him to go to a warmer climate. for
they did not care if he was St. Peter
Well Ma, its a great life and we
have done our best. but Oh. joy. if
We ever get home, You people must
not believe all you read about the
candy and jam and good billets we
dough boys get on the Rhine be-
cause | am a dough boy in the 4. f.
F. and a two striper too. and I have
never seen none of them. Those lit
tie gold stripes we wear don't amount
to very much but they are dickens
of a lesson. that has been given in
hard, rough knocks and even priv
ate that is not supposed to know any
thing, learns his lessons. and does
some thinking You ask me how I
like the higher officers Ask me
something easy. l have nothing 10
say. | have a clean record and hope
TO keep Il so To the end.
Well mother dear. must close
and turn in so as not to miss roll
call. VIII we ever see home again?
Please do not think I'm a gutter
Or regret that I signed my name
Joined to go the limit
And whatever comes I'm game
But tonight | am feeling lonely.
lust sort Of homesick You bet:
think of the friends and loved ones
Back home by the old Kennebec
I have done squads east till I'm
weary
And parade west till swore;
T've eaten ton Of corn W HE
And a barrel of "slum" or more.
But | long for the beautiful green
banks
And a glimpse Of the home sunset;
For the scent of the fragrant Alder
That grows by the old Kennebec.
have seen the wonders of Europe
And Germany at its best
But tonight | long for my river
With the sunset low in the west.
| fancy see Mt Bigelow
Meath its glistening burden of wet
I've answered the call OF duty
But I long for the old Kennebec.
Some day our march will be over
For the cannons have ceased to roar
Sometime well be out OF the ban Of
war
DAYS of drill will be no more.
But should Gabriel blow his trumpet
I'll say ready and glad to get
But I'll ask as a parting favor