The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-02-03

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'dpIk 81 6SS doing the
STINT n npMst take this the ,Ifi6lig
'wsy fof We ali had 70 work together.
After the nth day of, thlS great ~.
tie We wore relieved and went back
to 9 large woods 70 take 8 rest. We
had 9 feed Of beans, rice, tomatoes,
bread and cOnee which was q great
treat for each and every one OF us.
From this woods we had taken
trucks back to ourba rrackS in the
city Of Toni. where We were issued
new clothes after having bath and
getting rid OF our nice little friends
called Coolies" which relieved Us
greatly. After staying there . few
days we went back to . quiet front in
the Toul sector which was like being
back home again. We held the front
line eight days and was relieved by
q division which just arriyedfr ON the
states. After being relieved we went
back to q town named Sepheigny,
where We got new requirements and
had drilled for a few weeks. From
there we went to the great st. Mihiel
drive which we all thought was going
to be great battle, but was the cas-.
lest battle we ever fought. All we had
to do was to walk over and take the
grounds, tho guns and everything the
Germans left, for they ran so fast our
trusty old Springfelds could not catch
them. We never lost q man during
the whole drive.
From there we went into reserve
near Verdun where the Thirty first d.
vision stayed in reserve for about eight
days. We then went into the famous
Argonne battle which was the most
severe battle on account Of our having
the toughest grounds to fight over.
The battle field consisted Of nothing
but hills and hollows; also plenty Of
places where machine ginners could
conceal themselves.
The Germans had plenty Of artillery
but gas was their main weapon Of
defense but we were well prepared for
It with cur good friends the respira-
tors. We had plenty to eat and the
eats were very good. This battle
continued for eleven days and we
gained lots Of ground, taking many
prisoners and guns. But 1t sure turn.
ed the tide against the Germans and
itsure did look good for us boys. We
were not booked for this drive at all.
The Thi-ty-flrst division started the
drive and gained q whole lot Of ground,
but the Germans were so strong that
they were compelled to fall back for
a little distance. They said they
didn't think there was q division that
could take and hold the ground, so
our trusty and foresighted general said
the First division would take and hold
it, so tint is the reason we were in
that great drive.
In this battle there are q few days
which we will never forget as long as
memory Is with me.
After being relieved from there we
liked q whole day. and night until we
landed In o small woods which we
thought was going to be our winter
quarters. but We were very badly mis-.
taken. They then gave US all new
clothes and several Of the boys got
an eight day pass to q town named
AK les Raines. After the boys re-
turned they said they had q very nice
and enjoyable time, and they were
much surprised to find such good beds
to sleep in for they gave. them the
hest hotel In the town, which was
quite different from she'll holes. At
ter they came back from their pass
we hiked for 9 few days until we
found another woods where we pitched
Jour tents. We heard plenty OF peace
rumors and had plenty OF drilling
which we enjoyed after coming out Of
an awful battle we had Just passed
through. One afternoon our genera.
had US form a little parade. He then
told us that the last and decisive bat
Tile was at hand and 1t was up to US
to do our part again. We were to
move toward that front the very same
evening. We were all glad to hear
the news, but felt bad about going to
the front egain 50 soon because we
thought 1t would be a great and very
hard battle, but was surprised to And
that 1t wasn't.
We arrived at the front after q few
more nights Of hiking and went over
the top at the first bleak OF dawn.
We expected It to be another great
battle, but instead 1t turned out to be
q peaceable hiks WITHOUT a German in
tssght, 50 We advanced until noon then
halted and dug in for the night, ex,
pecting to start over in the morning
again. In o few hours we received
orders to move to an important point
for US to take. which meant another
whole nights hike OF twenty kilomet-
lers in order to go over the top the
next morning; 80 without food We
started on our weary Journey, not
knowing what was ahead Of u.s.. on
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