Middletown transcript., 1919-02-01
LETTER FROM FRANCE
Lieut.. Gallagher Send. US Inter-
esting Christmas Program
MlDDLEIOWN BOYS TOCK PART
Company ''K".
59th Pioneer Infantry,
Boucq. France. :.
January l, 1919.
MIR. 7. S. FoURACRE,
Middletowp,
Delaware.

lear Sir:
l am enclosing herewith story which
no doubt will interest those Is Middle
town and vicinity who have sons and
and relatives over here, and ask that
you print same in the paper.
All the boys are we'll and getting
along very nicely, and every one is now
looking forward to the day when we
sail for the good old U. s. A.
will not try to tell you by writing
what we have been doing as it would
take some time to do so and as you no
doubt know time is very precious in the
Army, but the story will give you an
outline of our work which was very
exciting as we'll as dangerous.
The Wilmington papers spoke of US
as being part Of the 87th Division and
not having seen action. We are not a
part of the 87th, but separate organi
cations and true, we did not see things
as they were in the trenches neither
did we get in the trenches, but, from
our second week here until hostilities
ceased we were very close to the front
line and under she'll fire practically all
of the time and you may say helpless,
as we could not fight back, therefore,
according to our way of looking at it we
saw quite little action.
Kindly remember me to all my friends
and hoping to sea you all soon again,
l remain.
Respectfully youis,
d. Is. GALLAGHER,
End. 1t. U. S. Army.
yankee Doodle came to town."
Yankee Doodle being the Sd Battalion
of the 59th Pioneer Infantry, formerly
the 1st Delaware Infantry, the town
Boucq. Meurthe, France, the time
few days before Xmas 1918, and Xmas
1918 being the second gladdest in the
worlds history, it was proper that it be
celebrated in a fit manner. The de-
cision being unanimous it was decided
to give an exhibition of Yankee pep,
in the form of an entertainment, that
this little old world town will long
remember.
The decision made, all. from the
Commanding Officer to the last private,
get busy. Committees were called and
plans outlined. Men in trucks, wagons
and motorcycles searched the country
for commissaries, canteens and stores
where supplies might be found. The
entertainment committee declared open
season on all local talent and the catch
was given intensive training in 'How
to entertain in public" Decorators
and mechanics were set to work ar
ranging the stage effects.
Like small boys at Xmas time every
body wanted to help, Trucks laden
with mysterious boxes and bundles roll
ed up to Headquarters and Immediately
Mr.. o. II. Yankee rendered his assist
ahce.
Even the placid townsfolk caught the
spirit. They viewed with interest and
curiosity the mad Americans prepara-
tions for the celebrations of ''NOel."
Securing tree was a matter Of some
moment. For France being an old and
thickly populated country has little
timber. The available supply has been
further greatly decimated by this war.
Forestry laws are very rigid. The
Major du Cantonment was consulted.
This gentleman kindly assisted person
ally in locating a suitable tree. Per-
mission was generously given by Cen
eral Morlaincourt, owner of beautiful
chauteau and large grounds in the town,
to cut q tree on his estate. The tree
was borne in state on the shoulders Of
husky Pioneers to the place of honor in
the Blace de Ia Marie, on Public Square.
Its progress was in the nature of a
triumphal procession. People dropped
their work to come and watch, children
followed the procession, dogs barked
and mild excitement prevailed.
Officers shed their coats and dignity
and served as privates in the army of
Santa Claus. Even the Major insisted
on being enrolled. Each man was to be
given a stocking filled with goodies in
the approved Xmas style. The officers
worked, filling the stocking hours after
taps--the soldiers goodnight that
echoed among the hills around Boucq.
The stockings, pair to each man, were
donated by the American Red Cross.
So well did each worker perform his
mart that Xmas Eve showed all arrange
mepts complete. A light snowfall add
ed further to the decorative effect and
the spirit of the season.
Dawn of Xmas Day brought with it
promises of more snow and several
flurries punctuated the program. All
calls were suspended and the boys ears
were not assailed by the Bugle's imperi'
ous command to crawl from warm bed
into the darkness of early dawn. A
late breakfast like the folks back
home." then each company marched to
the Square where the program was te
commence at 900 o'clock.
The hard working committee headed
nv Chaplain Joseph NJ. Kelley, had pre-
ceded them and the program commence,
promptly on the hour. The program a.
arranged follows: