The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-01-10

quite heavy Smelling without any IN
terruptions All kinds OF gas ana hlsh
explosive shells were sent 10 US aS
warm greetings from Fritz was III
the machine gun detachment OF our
battery and in one position, at VII
LACE called Flee vile. DO you remem.
Der reading of the fighting arounu
that village? We'd dug ourselves H.
lust on this side Of the crest OF
hill. The battery guns were at inc
bottom of the hill. Without fail ev'
ery night and some times during the
day we'd receive good bombardment
from Fritz, trying to dislocate our
guns. The majorit yof their sheils
hit on the crest of the hill and 1alr'
" shook the little holes we'd made.
At night I'd do gas guard as well as
watching for enemy planes that owuld
come over and try to bomb u.s. l.
thought time and time again that my
time had come, but Providence was
with me without doubt. we've
fought on every sector occupied 5oyv
the Americans. Perhaps you'll De IN
terested, if | give you brief outline
of the moves we've made since we
left the states. AS you remember we
left the states from Newport News
Va, on the END Of April. There
were seven transports loaded win
troops, in the convoy. After we'd been
at sea four or five days, two of the
transports damned together on dark
night and somewhat rough sea. -Tney
were damaged to such an extent that
they had to return to the states for
repairs. That left only five transports
in the convoy. That accident would
not have occurred ordinarily, but
there was no light on any of the boats
for fear of detection by submarines.
The night being dark and the sea
rough, the boats were being tossed
about, and that was the cause of the,
accident. However, no lives were lost
ESQ we were fortunate. We crossed
the war zone with safety and,eafterl
fourteen days landed in Brest o. port
on the northwestern coast OF France,
on May 7. We rested, there in, an. 9l3
barrack, that was built by Napoleon,
for two days. and then were placed on
a train in box cars for two days ana
nights. We went south and finally
reached d village called Libourne.
From there We nent about eight kilO-,
meters to st. Emilion. This little VII
lage is over 700 years old and Roman
soldiers and some old renowned eflar'E
acters. had at one time occupieavd0t
We were duartered there for soVerl'a
month! IL TIE people treated us avery
kindly and we enjoyed it very much.
From there We went to Camp Soupe'
an artillery school where we had tar.
get practice, etc. This place was only
seven or eight miles from oBrdeau.
1t is a nice city and | was there sew
eral times. From there we went up
to the front. Our first position was
on the Toul front and we were in the
first real American Army drive that.
had been pulled off. That was the
st ;Mihiel drive From then on we
were in all the different sectors, Yer
dun, Argonne, Mouse etc. I've seen
enough of the war to satisfy me now.
The guns our regiment used were
called the 155 G. P. F., equivalent to
the Gin. guns. They were wicked and
could surely do the work. We are
now away back of the lines at Roziers
waiting to be sont homc::s~@I don't
think we'll be bone much before
sometime in February. How are you
all feeling? Glad to hear they have
got the flu under control. We've had
some of it over here, too Hoping to
ee you soon and wishing you all a
merry Christmas and happy New
Year s, .....
With love,
81. MONRAD.
Private M. E. MikkelsOn.
Bat. B. Goth Reg. C. A. G.