Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-04-01
along With THE A. E. F.
Soldier Tells HOmefOIkS Of Some OF
His Experiences
HAS Been THROUGH QUITE A LOT

hio LAPohiohooo
HAS Been THROUGH Quite A LOT
Frank Grayson Reviews His Service
] from the Time of Leaving Home Un-
til the Time of His Being Ready to
I Come Back
Dudelange, Luxembourg,
March 1, 1919.
Dear Home Folks:
I shall at last try to give you brief
account of myself, what I've been do
ing, and where I've been.
I left Camp Jackson with the 18th
Battery, August Automatic Replace
ment draft, on the afternoon Of August
16, 1918.
had charge Of the coach in which
I rode. Everything went very nicely
in the coach, except that we did not
have very much to eat, and we were
badly crowded. We passed through
several towns and cities, but I shall
mention just one in particular, Ham,
let, N. c. At this nice little town, the
ladies served us, hungry boys, chicken
sandwiches. And, believe me, they
were appreciated too.
We arrived at Camp Stuart, about
II a. M, August II. The barracks
were very dirty. We had nothing to
eat, and the rain was pouring. You can
imagine our feelings. About all that
1 did here was to help clean the bar
racks, turn in some Of my equipment,
and draw my overseas equipment,
such as hobnail shoes. overseas cap,
etc. My spare time spent in writing,
eating and sleeping.
left Camp Stuart on the afternoon
Of August 81, marched three miles,
with full pack, to the port Of embark
alton, Newport News. I boarded the
ship at p. m. At II a. m. next day
we sailed.
Anu ItldL Stlilu6! ohb IVY "hSA
looked my last on the dear old home
land 1t had never seemed so dear be-
fore. I said, Goodbye relatives! Good
bye friends! Goodbye all! I am on
my way to do my "bit." And thank
my God that did my "bit." There
is no dead man who took my place!
Can you say that? You, who stayed
behind. Can you say it? If you can't,
there may be harder things for you to
face than the German guns. It was
an awful trip. Packed like cattle, our
"chow" was ridiculous, and the place
where we had to sleep wasn't like
mothers BEDS" was carried on spe-
cial duty and had many privileges
which the other boys did not have.
But can say that it was next to HI
After we had travelled in this way just
thirteen days, we landed at Brsst4s Ser
tember 3, 1918.
AS soon as we were off the ship we
formed line and marched three miles
to Camp Brest. In an open field we
pitched our pup" tents. This from
the battery commander: "Grayson,
you will be acting mess-sergeant." I
said, VERY we'll, sir" He and I then
mixed back about two miles to draw
rations for next day. Neither Of US
knew where we were going. but we
soon found the place. We drew the
rations; then I was told to meet the
detail. go out the north gate, take
the road to the left" was the order.
How the devil was I to know which
was the north gate, in strange place,
and the night so dark, not single
star to guide fellow. I went out at
the first gate that I found, turned to-
the left, and ran square into the detail
asking the way up. I took charge OF
the detail, got the rations and return
ed to camp. 1t was only 2.3O a. m, as
I turned in" with my "Buddie," Ralph
c.. Jackson.
You, boys, will know how I felt
next morning with the words ringing
in my ear, "Grayson! Grayson! where
in the HI are you?" Here" call
ed. Report to the battery command
err" cried the runner. I reported and
| was told to have two field ranges set
up, and prepare breakfast as soon as
possible. I had never seen a field
range, and mother, know. would not
trust me to make coffee; but in the
army we obey. I got my four cooks to
work at the breakfast and a special
detail at the field ranges. I had ev-
erything in readiness in very short
time. My work as mess sergeant con-
and wood, and in getting the same to
our camp. Yes, and I had to prepare
the "bill of fare" that Is I decided
whether we should have becon and
jam or jam and bacon for breakfast.
The othAr meals were as easily de-
cided.
On September 10th we packed our
packs hiked the three miles to the
Brest depot, and boarded train made
up Of box cars, just forty to car. My
brother, Maynard, had charge OF the
car in which I rode. He became sick
the first night. 1 took charge Of the
car. We travelled on that night and
the next day. AS hour after hour pass
ed by, Maynard grew sicker and sick
er. Finally the battery commander
had him moved to his car. a box car.
tried to sleep. Suddenly I was
awakened and some one said, IF you
| want to tell your brother goodbye.
you must do so at once" Can you,
there at home, imagine that feeling?
That handshake I shall never, never
forget, nor shall I forget how my
brother looked as he was carried away
on that stretcher. On and on and still
onward we travelled until at last we
arrived at Camp Hunt, II a. m, Sep
tember 18th.
| At Camp Hunt l was transferred to
/ d. N;a1l k,,t;1 n