Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-08-01
10 have him rejoin the Squadron.

10 have him rejcin the Squadron.
Day after day the Squadron
awaited the train which would take
i, to Brest. Continued rains made
The Squadron street Il four hundred
ward long mud puddle, but mud was
no new feature to men who had
worked along the Front. Finally,
on the twelfth of December, 1918
at four a. Nj. packs were made
up and. together with the 474th.
47ItE ami 495th, (old cronies of
Kelley Field. Morrison and Madaw-
waskO the 4S4th clambcred aboard
Il train of "cight-fortics'. Forum
ately there had been kept in hiding
enough straw tC cover the floors of
these palatial coaches, and an extra
supply OF jam had been bought with
the Squadron fund to stretch the
rather 'mrasrc travel ration. Ser
gcart Walsh had also very wisely
forgotten 10 turn in IN excess SUP
ply of good American bread, and
had roasted all the beef he could
draw. beg. borrow or steal, SO roast
Deer sandwiches were served for
lunch just before the never-to-bc-
forgotten Journey to the Port be-
gan.
The Officers were comfortably
CD located in an old Third-class
Coach which had long since parted
company with all its windows and
couple of its doors, and there
we're evidences, too, of its once hay
ing been the proud possessor of
cushioned seats.
AT ii :27 A. M.-almost the Twelfth
hour, of the twelfth day, of the
twelfth month, the journey began
with an accompaniment of ear
splitting cheers. AS the trip pro-
crossed the train became more COM
Portable. Woe beside the cars of
baled hay that slowly rolled by the
open door of the troop laden box
cars. Somewhere in France their
are frenzied quartermaster Lieu
tenants trying to account for hay
and straw 'lost cnroute." After
two days and one night of a zig
gag course over a system of French
freight lines-(a Zig-zag course
which reminded everyone of the
days aboard ship when sub-dodg-
ing was in vogue) the train arrived
at Noisey-lc-Sec, in the suburbs of
Paris, al eight p. NJ. on the eve of
President Wilson's arrival in the
French Capital.
Next morning every Yard-cnginc
(or, as The French brakcment called
them: machine de maneouvre'D
in the yards took turns at bump
ing the train back and forth over
the belt line which runs around the
BiS City. Now and then the Eifrcl
Tower could be seen in the dim,
lossy dlStancc-and the River Seine
was crossed and "ccrossed. Final
~ the Nard-cngincS became weary
Of their spor! and from 9 A. NJ. I'M
III noon the men had a chance to
stretch their legs. An inspection
OF the cars showed then to be quite
thoroughly and comfortably equip
pea with plenty Of clean, new ha,
ana with many benches and chairs.
souvenirs of the stations passed
through. Even the Officers were
Better situated than they had been
having, somehow or other. added
another equally delapidated coach
10 the train, and having miraculous
~ furnished all their compart-
mcnts with cushions, TO the chagrin
OF passengers boarding newly
made-up trains at the depots.
Shortly before noon it was notic-
ed that the spirits of the men had
riSen considerably. The slightest
occurrence provoked the widest
sort OF cheering. The cause of this
sudden rise of morale was rudcIy
learned when the yardmaster com
planned, with a stream of French
adJcctivcs and wild waving of his
hands and arms, that all cantecns
on the train had been filled with
hard cider from cask-car on q
nearby track!
AT noon the trip was resumed
and from ten on there seemed TO be
a real effort to carry out the words
OF the order: with all possible
speed Two stops were made for
moi coffee at EvercuX and Nantes,
both of which were French Coffee
Stations. 1t is a matter of note that
Inc american r.. +. .O.'s efforts 10
procure American coffee always
failed.
french freight trains haul their
|aboosc' Immediately behind the
engine. AS Il part Of this car was
partltlOncd off TO carry freight, sew
cral OF the men moved their straw
lnio II and took possession. Much
10 'hGIr enjoyment it was discover
cd that one of the hard-boiIcd
DrakcSmcE was Femme, whom
Patriotism had led to life of rail
roading, to release "a man for the
Army. For the Glory of France
she had rclinduished her previous
L