Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-16
OUR BOYS
in
OUR C0UNTRY'S SERVICE

The following letter has been re-
ceived by Mrs. H. A. Gillespie of Port
land. formerly OF Gardiner, from her
son, Eugene Gillespie, 305th Sanitary
Train:
Gland. France, Dec. 5. 1918.
Dearest Mother:
Well at last the censorship regula
tons have let up so we can tell the
names Of places, etc, so I'll relate
little of my life over here. We just
finished two weeks hike Of 155 miles
so l didn't get any chance to write.
To begin with we landed at Bordeaux
on June 10th, 16 days from Newport
News. We were at rest camp for
one week. One day they let us go
into the city for the day and we had
days train ride to Chauvirey- La We'll
in the Haute-Laone prefecture.
seventy or eighty miles from the
front. Six weeks there, then we were
sent up with the English 1.-TWO COM
panies Of us) to finish our training.
We stayed in Warluzel near Doullens
for a couple of weeks, about twelve
miles from the front. From there
they sent us up by sections into the
trenches with the English near Arras.
l was sent 10 q regimental aid post in
the town of BouS-St Martins through
which town ran the British trenches.
was a litter bearer. Two of us were
sent in there among the whole bat
talon of the Coldstream Guards for
five days. Naturally the English
H., n lx
have; it was supposed to be quiet
front but we had enough excitement.
l remember one night had to take
wounded English officer back to
loading post to an ambulance and
Jerry was Smelling the roads for fair.
OF all the funny feelings when | got
back. l was bathed in perspiratlon
and the night wasn't very hot either.
Our S0th division was now ready to
get into the scrap SO we were sent
back to the Verdun sector. On the
way back 1 happened to run into the
1881 We were used in reserves for
awhile then the big Argonne drive
opened and our S0th got their chance
and made good with vengeance.
shall never forget the first three
nights of that drive. We were in ac-
ton for sixteen days. Our hospital
was located in Bethincourt. one of the
first towns taken in the drive then we
were sent back to Waly for a rest
Nov 1st the last big drive started
and the Yanks couldn't be stopped.
The Boches ran so fast that the
doughboys actually had to use trucks
to keep within marrying distance Of
them. We slept two night in General
Chauncey's famous chateau at
Buzancy which was spoken Of in the
papers, then we were sent back to
Aubeville and then after the armistice
was signed we started on our two
weeks hike to Gland. This is
small town (not on the map) mothe
Marine prefecture. We al! hope to
sail soon but nothing sure about it,
l have to blow about twenty-five calls
a day and some of them three or four
times so am fairly busy. Tell father
he must teach me to play the cornet
when get back. l hope you will like
Portland and / pray that l will be
there soon. l hope your eye is lots
better by this time. / will write
father tomorrow and also to May.
Yesterday l got four Christmas cards
from a family in Philadelphia.
Well, l guess my time is up. so I'll
have to make this do. Now Ill go
and get my horn, and go and play
ia too.
So now I'll say good night to you,
And may He way up above
Speed this letter home to you
In the fullness of His love.
Let's give thanks the war is DER
And the victory is won,
And let us hope Ger many moons
You'll sec your loving son.
EUGENE GILLESPIE.
319 Field Hospital.
305 Sanitary Train.
P.S. \ chum of mine who is in a
base hospital happened to run across
Dwight Davis. 1t did not take them
long to get acquainted with each 9TH
er. Dwight asked to be remembered
to me.
Following is letter from w. II.
Mcclure, n member of Company Il,
1O1st Engineers. Goth Division. He is
Richmond boy and left for overseas
duty in September, 1917.
France. Dec. 10.
Friend Eddie:
I thought I would drop you few
lines to let you know that ] am still
kicking and hope this letter will find
you the same. l was some glad when
it was over. We were on the Verdun
front when it ended. Lots of times
never expected to pull through but
here l am o. X. We We're in that
Chateau Thierry drive on July 1S.
We went over the top at five in the
morning. They were falling all
around and | was thinking. well my
turn will come pretty quick. l got
|EAT IEe2 MEAT