The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1919-01-16

Under date of December 3rd Private
Ben Allen writes his mother a very
interesting letter visualizing some OF
the waste inflicted by the Germans. He
regrets that war ended before the
I Allies had a chance to blow up sew
eraI of their towns. His letter fol-
lows.
December 3, 1918.
Dear Mother: Your letter reached
me today; mighty glad to hear that
all of you were as we'll as ever.
At present | am with bunch of 10
men gathering up wire in the vicinity
of Montfaucon. You probably have
read of this place for it changed hands
several times during the fighting OF
September and October. 1t was for
merly a city of about 1000 situated
upon hill overlooking several vii
lagos, and other small hills. The
buildings are entirely demolished.
Everything is heap of ruins eX-
eept an old chateau, part of which re-
mains standing. 1t is said that this
building was the Crown Princes head
quarters during the German stay
here and that is probably the reason
it was not completely wrecked.
At present there are no kings or
crown princes in it; three other Am
orleans and myself are the sole in
habitants We have made thorough
-
three big beds down in the cellar;
also hand grenades and all kinds of
Junk. The beds must have belonged
to some "big noise" in the German
army for they are about the sofest
bunk have slept on for many day.
I'll bet the clown prince" would be
highly offended if he knew that Yanks
were using what was formerly his bed
room furniture. ~
Through tie center of the building
there is a pillar having been used by
his "highness" as & lookout tower.
Went up to the top this morning and
gazed over this country which has
been the scene of many bloody con-
ficts between the Hun, the Americans
and the French. This is the place
where the Yanks captured a large
telescope affair and which / under
stand has been sent to the United
States for exhibition purposes.
understand it is a very elaborate con-
trivance. :
Our kitchen is in an old dugout
where the rats and mice play hide
and seek every hour of the day. Quite
cosy place, nevertheless. Our
cook, fellow from New York, puts up
some real rood feeds. Have been
using hard tack the last few days but
supplies arrived today from head
quarters so we will have bread for a
few days at least.
Yesterday / saw some French peo-
pie here digging in the ruins Of what
were former homes. One party dug
up their jewelry, silverware and other
property, saying that it had been
buried since 1914. Everything was in
good condition. | can't imagine how
these people feel when tlley come
back to their homes and find them
only heaps Of rock and dirt.
-Cs course I am glad the war is over
hut wish it had lasted long enough
to enable the Allies to blow up few
of the German cities in the same way
they did the French towns. Words
eanno, describe the desolate appear
ance IN and around Montfaucon. There
are shell holes everywhere! some are
full of water, others with a dead
horse or perhaps dead Hun in them.
On the road from Rampont one can
see broken wagons, autos, guns and
War material Of every description.
What a waste. -.,.. . --
Sunday walked over 70 what were
formerly German dugouts, but were