The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1921-04-28
YANKEE SLOGANS
IN WORLD WAR
1ET'S co" WAS CHIEF BATTLE
YELL OF AMERICAN TROOPS,
SAYS COLONEL MUNSoN.
IT WAS HEARD CONSTANTLY
"Where Do We Go From Here" and
"When Do We Eat7" Were The Fa-
vorite Question Cries OF Our SOL
dierS
By EDWARD 3. CLARK.

Washington.-Havin studied the
reports which have come In from all
the divisions OF the American army
which served overseas. Col. Edward
L. Munson. chief OF the morale branch
OF the general staff. says that Lets
Go" was the chief battle slogan of
Uncle Sans forces in the World war.
This unQuestionably is true because
the same cry is constantly on the
tongues today OF returned veterans
when something unusual in Il personal
or ii business way is before them to
do. The thoughts OF the men natural
ly turn back to the lnspiriting motif
OF the hnmmering campaign against
the Hndenburg line.
In France during hostilitics one
heard the cry Lets Go" constantly 1t
was not always nor even frequently
concerted rcgimental nor IL company
cry. The men did not study things to
get effects out of them. The Vets
Go" was more or less conversational,
but ii went through the billets or
down the lines like Subdued machine
gun fire, and the heart spirit was back
OF II.
When the men in France had
realizing sense that something big WAS
to come at the time when the plans
were laid for driving the Germans out
OF the ST. Mihiel salient, "the busy
whisper Let's Co first went circling
round" and then when assurance be-
came dpubly assured that they were
In for II big thing. the cry went into n
crpScpndo
Lets Go" was the response Of Ma
Tor General Dickman's Marine division
the Third regulars, when after driving
the foe back over the historic stream
they had heard that other work. dead
ly and soul trying, was ahead. 1t was
the cry OF the men of all divisions who
fought from the British front along
the line To Luneville in the foothills
OF the NOSgcS.
"Whers Do We Go From HereW
Colonel MunSon has found that the
second slogan of the American army
in France was the question cry,
'Whrrc DO We Go From Here" 1t
WAS far cry, but go they did. and
willingly.
"Where Do We Go From Here?"
was heard occasionally in America be-
fore the troops embarked but 1t
reached the quality and the quantity
of n chorus when the men disem-
barked at Havre. at Brest or at any
other French port. AS soon as the
men were gathered on the landing
docks ready to move. Where do we
go from here" in unison. and occasion
ally with the swing Of song, aroused
the curiosity Of the French bystand-
ers who, not understanding the words.
asked what they meant. When the
French soldiers learned the meaning
they quickly adopted them for their
own use In picturesque phrase and
while "Where do we 20 from here"
never became an entirely familiar
French cry 1t was heard more than
occasionally from groups Of men who,
having fought one fight, were ready to
20 into another after the prOverbial
French fighting manner.
There will be full appreciation in
this country probably of another 0ues-
tion cry Of the American troops. al
together human, and altogether SOL
dierlike-"When do we eatT II Is
hard to make humor fit in with hun
ger, but nevertheless the when do
we eat' was usually accompanied by
grin, unless some little soldier grOup
had been a -tO-be-uDderstood long
time without fodder, and then the
when do we eatY came out with
something Of n grOwl. for 1t is the
privilege OF every soldier to growl on
occasion, and If he did not he would
not be a soldier.
Ysnks Seldom Went Hunory
The American army was well fed,
but 1t Is only right to say that II was
the spirit Of the men more than the
food which gave them stomach for
the fray. ROeently I'm Washington one
has heard again the stories that mt
times In France the men did not get
anything to eat for many long hours.
There Is only q small amount of truth
In these stories. They grew out Of
what might be called the accidents OF
war.
At the headquarters Of the service
OF supplies in France more attention
peIHhpS was PAID TO the prompt deliv.
cry Of food supplies than to the
prompt delivery OF ammunition. OF
course the two went forward together.
but the old adage about an army trnv.
cling ana fighting on It's stomach was
understood thoroughly by General
Hartford the head Of the supply corps
One day ] went into the Office Of the
chief quartermaster OF the A. r.. + I'm
France. He was I'm his quarters some
distance back OF the line. said
What are you doing Mt this miuute?'
His reply was: 81 am trying IL
make It certain that every one OF 3.
100000 American soldiers shall be- sure
OF hot coffee and the things That 70
with It for their breakfasts one week
from today. Their breakfasts for the
present week are assured"