St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1921-12-16

etery. We felt as II the war were
not over yet. On the white
crosses were printed, "Sal-dat
In Connus.
We now come back to Verdun and
went directly to the citadel where we
we're TO stay all night. II is an old fort
started In the 18th century by Clovis,
continued by Henry "; later by Urban
in 1922 and in 1886 was made into a
fortress. II is very strong and Is built
on the side of hill aud has many un-
derground passages. II is used as lis
tening post and hospital. Although
Verdun was held by the Germans, they
were never able to get hold of the cita.
del. During the war about 1000 were
accommodated, and about 800 900 loavcs
of bread were made daily. We we're
met at the "petits soldat" (pourlis)
young soldiers In training. Ia their blue
uniform they ssluted us, carried our
bag and showed us to our rooms. These
were in a loug easement or long alcoves
with l3 rooms partitioned off; the par
tition did not run clear up To the cell
ing. This one easement Is used to en-
tertain celebrates, such as the kings OF
Belgium, Spain and Italy, and we were
the first group of women TO stay all
night here. Soon dinner was called aud
we ate in the officers mess. room, with
the Stars aud Stripes Ia prominence.
We had delicious diunef, served by
the "poilus'--the commandant aud
major acting as hosts. They kept filling
the glasses up first with red wine and
then white. During the meal the COM
mandant entertained us with stories Of
Il Il
toasts aud smoked cigarettes. We
took short walk around Vefdun; we
walked iu the streets because the people
all sit out on the side walks. We then
retired, although II was boiling hot
out doors; inside they had heat, but
even then II was ice cold because
the sun never came in; the covers were
damp and heavy, bu, we thought II was
wonderful experience. We slept
fairly we'll considering the sentinel
who pranced up and down aud banged
his gun down and the snoring Of the
people. We were told TO put our shoes
outside the door, aud found them we'll
blacked the next morning. We were
called the next morning at 3 O'Clock by
"IIuit hcufcs Mesdames." Inside our
clothes aud hair were wringing wet.
our break fast tasted fairly good. with
army bread, butter, coffee and con.
dgnscd milk (ArmouT brandt and mar
malade. Then the commaBdant took ms
10 his private dining room and
showed us relics Of the war, medals, etc.
A beautiful cigar box given by the Eng.
| lish. Many llags were around the room;
the Harvard pendant was pinned 10 the
| American flag, aud we were told that
| the Harvard Glee Club had been there
q few days before. We then visited the
private soldiers easement aud where
only one soldier sleeps now, four slept
during the war. We then went into
q beautiful hall at the end OF
which was stage where plays
were given during the war. IL
was here that the body oi the unknown
soldier was choscn-the bodies oi eight
("poiius"l unknown takeu from each
sector Then came X young soldiers,
We were told TO stand nj attention
around the room aud not more during
| the ceremony so that the audience
would feel respect for these proceedings.
The minister of war gave a wreath OF
flowers Ia young ls.J JeaT.old soldier
aud lac was 10 place Il on any one OF the
coihns, he made the rounds aud then
came back aud everyone was waiting
brrathlessly where lac would place the
wreath. II was placed on one the com.
mandant said he was 10 surprised
when IL happened 10 be placed on a
body taken from the Verduu sector.
The body was then placed under the
"Afc dc Triomphe. Just as one OF the
unknown dead was placed la Ar
lington cemetery ATmistice bay,
We were registered in a book where We
saw many famous names, such as King
Albert ot nelgium, Van Dyke, Marie ot
Roumania, Victor Emmanuel, Ponicaife,
pilam, petshing. tho West Point
boys. Then We visited the ruins of
Vcfdun. We saw many signs saying that
"This building had been a boys school;
now la ruins" Many stores have
been rebuilt, but We could see signs Of
she'll holes.
We then hal luncheon in the citadel.
The general came aud paid his respects
tn Us. We then visited some more forts,
Fort Trayennes, very old, formerly a
medical college, with draw bridges,
three gates aud tunnels, We could see
piles OF rusty guns. shoes. belts. etc,
Then the Port OF VsuN, built ia 1870.
We went inside three dark tunnels. We
saw a we'll that had been destroyed by
lhe Csrsans aud chapel, our feet
were soaking wet. II made rs think OF
the pooI soldiers Who had Ia stay here.
Il took the Germans three months with
unceasiug effort 10 capture this ioTt. In
the distance We could see they captured
Il by the use oi gas aud hand gTenades.
some OF the French stayed ia here seven
days without water We saw many graves
outside the fort. la the distance We
could see manmont, but didnt have
time 10 go 10 Il, On the way We passed
where once stood the Village of Flirey,
hut not even wall remained. About
400 200 were killed and 800 900 still un
iuund. Il was here that monument was
recently eTectedt TO the dead ot the Amer
lean Legion, Right here there il an
assure" where bones that are dug up
are placed temporarily. Il is now only a
little shack under supervision of the
Red Cross, The bones are placed in
cothns covered with white cloth and
many WTeaths of flowers nn top aud
marked "Soldats lnconnus." Junk
soldiersl Any one going in here signs
his name on the books aud pays 10
france money 10 by ossnaiTe, Outside |
of this is large monument put up by
the Knights OF Columbus. The first !
stone was laid by an American. Near
here is the "Franchie a. BaTonettes," or
the French bayonsts. Daring the Ger. |
man raids many soldiers we're buried |
alive aud bayonets are sticking up at all |
angles, This has a root OF stone over Il
and a monument put up by Mir, Rand,
an American, AZ this monument We
We joined the eommandant in a sa-
lutte to the dead. Every one had tears in
their eyes. Il was very impressive
speech. We then went ON 10 Houdro-
uont, "a roSte OF Seconrs. " IA rest campl
During the War soldiers came here
Tor refreshments because there was
wonderful spring here. We found helm