The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-05-01
DIARY OF LIEUT..
EDWIN c. BRUCE.
RECORD OF COMPANY IL" 323RD
INFANTRY.
From July l to Dec. 81
Bamberg Boy Records History Of His
Company During Service
in France.

The following diary of Company L,
323d infantry, was written by First
Lieutenant Edwin C. Bruce, of this
city, Lieut.. Bruce being an officer in
| this company, which saw some of the
hardest fighting experienced by Uncle
Sans soldiers:
July 21, 191S.-The elements are
angry and the skies pour;-but what
care we, for what we do must be
done by all good soldiers, so we
marched two miles, heavily equipped,
to the train, entraining for Camp
Mills. Our coaches are not roomy
and the possibilities for sleep aren't
great, but We are so interested in
everything that these little inconven-
fences are forgotten.
July %, Camp Mills, N. Y.-After
a most interesting trip, making stops
at Monroe, n. c., (where we stopped
for physical drill under the admiring
eyes of the natives), Richmond, Va,
Washington, D. c., Baltimore and
Philadelphia, we arrived at jersey
City this morning at 4. Boarding the
ferry We skinned the East river,
landed at Long Island and entrained
for this camp, arriving at 800 p. m.
All along the line we were given a
most cheering welcome. The women
and girls shaking us by the hands
and wishing us God speed made US
feel like real crusaders. The Red
Cross and Y. NJ. G. A. were there
when we most needed them and their
postcards, coffee and sandwiches
were indeed welcome.
July 26, Camp Mills.-Gee, this
dust and wind is certainly enough to
make a soldier cuss Impossible to
keep clean, although We take baths
daily. Washing clothes is wasted ef-
fort, as they become dirty again be-
fore the sun has time to dry them.
We are busy getting the final touches
to our outfits, and with overseas caps
and wrapped leggings, we certainly
feel like old-timers Liberty to New
York is being given and all the sights
worth while are being taken in. Oh,
you Rockaway Beach and Hemp
stead.
July 20, Camp Mills.-Airships fly
above us, singly and in fleets. They
look like huge birds as they slide
gracefully through the air. 1t has
been very hot; = seems we are next
door to hell and the screen door is
open. We received batch of new
men today, filling the company up
to organization strength. Rumors as
to when we sail are varied. We are
now fully equipped and all ready for
Jerry"
July 30, Camp Mills.-After sew
eral inspections We were ordered to
be ready and leave by 12, midnight.
July 31.-We were awakened at
midnight and after partaking of some
coffee and sandwiches we hiked two
miles to the train. Within a few
hours we unloaded and boarded our
old friend, the Ferry" We slipped
through the water, arriving at one
of the huge piers at Hoboken at 600
a. m. Here everything seemed con-
fusion, but in a short time we found
ourselves aboard the "Melita." Post
cards that the Red Cross ladies hand
ed us were hastily scribbled and be-
fore noon we were sailing the briny
deep. Were we surprised? Well, I
guess yes.
Aug. /. Melita at Sea.-The sea
was a little rough last night, as
Father Neptune delights in making
his power felt by all new sailors. To-
day the water is beautifully calm and
all is well. Our only concern is room
as we are very crowded.
Aug. 6. Melita at Sea.-Weather
continues fair and the sea calm. A
whale on the starboard of the ship
made some of our boys so excited
that they wanted to jump overheard.
Oh, you sub. Gun inspection and set
ting up drill is routine. Fourteen
ships accompany us and we are we'll
guarded to avoid the hellish sub.
Aug. II, Liverpool, England
Trees to the left and trees to the
right Good Lord, they certainly look
good to a land lubber who loves Ter
ra firma. We docked at 300 p. M,
and after emile hike through the
streets, which were lined with Tom-
en- and children, cheering and well
from nooo co1unon