The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-03-18
SOS. But We Did Our Best

Listen to me and will tell
The story OF how we went through hell;
Twas the 50th artillery so to
Was out to make Kaiser his just dues pay
At first I must tell you who is who,
n C. A. c. and their mighty crew;
In all twas composed of battery six.
Headquarters supply companies were no SUCKS
First battery A comes out into view
You tell by their ways their soldiers new;
Then battery B. wish you could see
That makes the first battalion of our c. A. c.
With battery c. and their chins held high
And their chests thrown out would take your eye
Follows battery B, takes them to be
The second battalion Of our c. A G.
Now old battery E is never behind
They would hold their any front line;
And battery F. now you can see
We have three batallions in our c. A c.
So we left the state one October day
And there wasn't man that wanted to stay
But all Huns with vengeous heart
Twas some cheerful bunch when word came to depart
The trip cross the ocean was exceedingly grand
Cheered up by the strains Of our a artillery s band;
With not one sign of a submarine scare
The last did come with shining bright
taken ashore next day to Brest
At which camp for tired soldiers TO rest
The rest tale was false they told to lead
The way the dock and do general fatigue;
We did so with cheer and not did kick,
For were sent there the Kaiser to lick
Just one week at Brest when the order
To prepare for a hike to outgoing train;
We landed next day in town called Monitor,
Twas there plain in view Americas part in the war
Soldiers by thousands were there to be had
From America twas true all were khaki clad
Busy bees these soldiers from home,
The 50th then knew they were not all alone
The first thing announced did not bring cheers
For twas assigning us to the camp engineers;
Was that all engineers had never left home.
O
With packs back marching down the long road
But heavier still when the engineers packed
Picks and shoves galore to carry far on our backs
One month at Montair with same grind
Put packs back, but this hike was fine
With pleasant thoughts caused by the rumor around
We were going to Brest from there homeward bound
Our landing at Brest was long in the nigh night ;u
Soon pulled into camp all wet perspire,
And it didn't take long for the boys to retire
It will never be forgotten on awakening day,
For everyone knew it was Thanksgiving day;
thankful for many things we had
But dinner! twas corn willie served with baked beans
Home preparedness was first to cause no delay.
When the real dope came out that we were to stay
Some six weeks more it was bad you can bet
The boys took it hard, 1t some kick in the neck
Our next place to move Camp Kerkuon
For S. 0. S. work went the third battalion;
hospital there for the boys from the lines
Who had done their bit with many a hard times
The work there hard and it lasted one month
In all the mud holes, tons of gravel we dumped.
The rest of the gang did work around the dock,
Saw mills building roads, down to breaking Of rock.
Then again came and it didn't late
They dope sailing date.
time for depart.
And there a bunch happy at heart.
Most everyone thinks but in here to TELL
That Sherman was right about war being hell;
we arrived too late to use our big guns,
There is more this army career.
And had share far back in the rear;
But will forget of the things went through,
Three cheers States Red, and Blue
JOE D. ALOHA, Richmond, Inc
Battery F., 5Oth Artillery C. A. c.