Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1919-08-13

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(This article was intended for
publication August 9th, but owing
to circumstances unavoidable It's ap-
pearance was delayed one week.
On October l7th, near midnight,
a unit OF Polish volunteers relieved
us and we silently moved out Of the
trenches and hiked II kilos to Clara
fontaine. in the valley below. Here
we enjoyed Il short rest, and one
much needed, interspersed with de-
lectablc restaurant food, champagne
and beer Two days later we packed
up and made heart-rending hike to
Vomecourt, arriving there late at
night, furnished and absolutely ex-
hausted. We stayed at Vomecourt
over Il week, resting up, drilling a
bit, testing our speed in adjusting gas
masks, and mastering the methods
employed in capturing enemy ma
chine guns, and nests At night we
would wander to the nearby town
Of Rambersvillers, where we Swapped
yarns and lies with British Tommies,
discussed the pros and cons Of Aus
tria- Hungaria collapse and Tur-
keys surrender, and enjoyed re-
pasts consisting Of French fried
'spuds," eggs, beefsteak, wine, beer
and cognac.
We packed up again on November
1st and made Il 7-mile hike to Chat
tel. We slept in the woods adjoin
ing the town, in a downpour Of raiE,
that night, then boarded a train and
rode for nine hours to the ruined and
shell-torn city Of Sanpigny, which
had been captured only few days
Cor weeks) before by the onrushing
Americans. Then began fOurday
hike-(we spent the latter half Of
the night Of November 2 in the bat
tered town of Dompabria, and only
recently the property or the Huns)
in mud up to our ankles, and con-
tinous rain, through the ruined and
war-wrecked towns Of Villers, SAN
lay, st. Mihiel, Barricourt, Woimbey
etc.--all recently taken by the
American forces. We passed close
to Verdun on this march and at
night slept in the remains Of the
once beautiful residences, churches
and chateaus; then at last we
reached our huts and shacks in the
mountains of Sommedieu. This was
November 5th, and at a French
camp called Reuns.
Drive on Own Account.
On November 9Th the "Wild Cats
started drive of their own against
the Germans on the Woevre plains
EAST Verdun Sector, Meause front, }
just few miles from where we
Go. c. were located, and at a point
covering the road which led to Metz
Tot
we leaped out Of our hunks, rolled
packs, hastily put them on and
marched along muddy road to the
reserve line trenches in the face of
terrible artillery duel between the
Yanks and the Huns. Sizzling shells
flew over our heads as we marched
along, Joking and kidding each other,
and finally entered the trenches
ltere for thirteen hours we stood in
mud and water above our ankles in
freezing temperature and with
nothing to eat or drink. while the
Huns bomhardcd us with ceaseless
fury.
Surprised and Amazed Huns.
The 32lst occupied reserve lines
at another sector. In the meantime
the 322d and seth. leading the
attack, swept across the field like a
whirling cyclone and hurled them
selves at the amazed Germans with
terrific force. The 322d tore up a
horde Of machine gun nests and
nung the German left wing back
six kilOmeters. The 32Ith advanced
nine kilometers, taking the towns
OF HamDle (HodimOnt was the
French nancy and Manhuelles, but
in the subsequent fighting Of. next
day, the Huns, battling with the
bravery OF despair, recovered four
or five kilometers of their lost
ground. They were unable to re-
gain Manhuelles, however, which the
324th grimly held on to. Saturday
night we moved out Of the reserve
line trenches and marched to our
rolling kitchens behind the firing
lines. gulped down hot coffe and then
returned to the main supporting line
trenches. We stood again in mud
and water almost to our knees and
In drizzling rain until late Sunday
afternoon, November 10th, under
constant fire, and then moved out to
place behind the lines and for Il
second time devourcd Il good hot
meal. and wen- Back 10 line or
trenches at thu edge Of the road
leading to Manhuo!lcs. This town.
by the way, was jus; - kilorctcrs
t2S miles) from Metz
"Ovcr the Top"
We were to go cover the top" next
morning! Very thrilling perhaps, but
EVER SALINATED BY