South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-02
Through the War With South Bend of the I37h

cived and ARRANGEMENTS made to leave with the 8Osth
motor repair the following day Our destina-
ton but all hopes Of returning
20 the regiment. When the 309th left camp the y
.casuaIs' traed behind. the docks found our
awaiting almost endless line Of single truck
box which were labeled 40 men or eight horses
Good fortune with this day and the train OFF,
Gals informed that they had plenty of and We
would be allowed two for the party Three days
travel rations loaded in the The Iations
consisted bread beans tomatoes of jam
and enough corned beef to feed famine stricken Bel
gium.
Because Of the limited space between the cars and
the obliged keep the coors shut
stop made a 10 O'Clock n the evening,
when canteens filed and coffee given the men,
The coffee stop made at O'Clock In the morn
Ing Many of the tried 10 lay the packs dur
ing the night but little sleep was TO he had At noon
the day cars siietracked at little
village named Chateaubriant No one seemed to know
AT the time just why this was done The motor tram
had left. What to do question.
HAD NIGHT OF FEASTING.
After half hours debate the station arrived,
and by of considerable pointing at his watch
and waving were informed that our cars wouu
be held here until 500 o'clock the next morning Evil
IDENTIFY the first American troops TO stop IN ire
village Wherever a soldier there was group of
children noisiy following him. The children all wore
wooden shoes, which filled with straw 10 make
them TT AMI coud be heard coming for several blocks.
forgotten by the tavern keepers and i,
a light OF fcasting
The journey was resumed early the next mornins.
and by noon We arrived a named Ploerme,
Morbihan. Here found that cur regiment mad been
billecd past week, had LETT the day before
for training at Camp de Meucon part Of our brigade
was n and ARRANGEMENTS were made 10
stay with them However, army orders changed the
entire procec dngs the afternoon
/ motor trucks for the camp Again the 81 "clsuas
were very fortunate the regiment obliged 10
hike Is of the % miles through pouring rain.
Again we were members Of the 137th The work OF
training already started Schools started ana
the supply company busily engaged IN drawinS
equipment. This camp located near the city OF
Vannes and Saturday and sunday found all the more
fortunate members of the regiment In the CITY Gas
masks we're issued and the work on in earnest
The regiment had received gas instructions before eav
ing this country but moro thorough course is given
before allowing the to 60 10 the front.
HEAR OF ARMISTICE.
From the time the regiment arrived in France until
the started at Camp de Maucon the weather was
very disagreeable. The refused to shine and 1t
rained "a hours a DAY All one coult find anywhere
was mud. However, the sun made its appearance ana
the men forth from their barracks Rumor5
of the signing of armisce filed the camp and on
the morning of Nov. IL the received from the
camp station ARRANGEMENTS we're made for
celebration be held in Vannes in the evening. The
three the brigade 10 the city and ar
attempt was made to hold a parade. This almost
out of question, the narrow streets weie SO
crowded impossible to get through The
city avshy decorated with flags and bunting and
deed for the citizens. 1t was the first time
since the started that the city was allowed to be
lighted
| The signing of the armstice undoubtedly came
very opportune time the 137th. if the lighting
would have continued II hours longer the resiment
would have been initiated into the workings Of the
western front
Thanksgiving was spent in a quiet manner.
banquet molasses and bread served at noon
The regiment was called the Y NJ. c. A. in the after
noon where services held. Many rumors of re-
turning had filled the but at this time they
were unconfrmcd short talk made by the
brigade commander, at which time he said IN all proDa
/ bilty this brigade would he home by Christmas. lie
was unable with his talk for the next five
minutes.
All overseas equipment was turned in at once and
the regiment camp of December for Brest
Here they held until the 18th awaiting uansporta-
| Rut they W
had So percent The in available for duty
Bv duty they meant stevedore York the docks. De-
tails every other day TO aid in unloading the
boats.
SAW PRESIDENT ARRIVE.
The majority O the regiment had the pleasure OF
seeing Prest Wilson arrive in Brcst Dec 18TH The
I37th return home the presidents boat, the
/ George Washington Plans made TO embark on
is. but army orders again changed the routine
and orIv half regiment ollowed TO embark on
the 15th the balance sailing Dec II on the La France
The trip the United states was all that one coulc
ask for. Movie shows held each night and the
latest releases shown. Music was provided by the
ships orchestra and the steward made good ms threat
that he would make the men outSrow their uniforms
during the next eight days.
The streets of the city of Brest became almost int
passabe shortly after the 18th. though the
president was scheduled to arrive until O'Clock.
side and IIurrah fer wilson the other were strung
throughout the Sailors busy all day rop-
ns streets and by the time the big guns in the
harbor doomed the 2l-sun presidential salute. an
nouncing arrival Americas executive IL an
mpossibility standing the thorough
fare be travelled by the president ana MS party
From docks to the railway station the buildings
were with the Stars and Stripes and the T-
Color OF France which the presidential party
landed lavishly decorated. The floor OF the pier
had white-washed and rugs laid down. Flags and
bunting were about in profusion Guards from
the American forces stationed in Bres made il impos-
sibe for one approach the pier. honor guard
Of French sailors lined the far side of the pier and
upon the arrival OF the party martial strains OF
tho star Spangled Banner and the 'Marseillase"
could DC heard being played by a French band.
LIBERTY REPRODUCED.
On ton of the hill which overloOks harbOr the
Of