Return to the Land

Sept 23 rd

Horses came in to be rigged up for our

Journey. Sept 24 th

Started out with the train of wagons to

the desolated city of St. Die Acting as a gunner on a wagon arrived 5:30pm Next day hiked to Etival Sept 27 th /18 Left for the front at 7pm while on our way we got lost going several mis. out of the way finally reached our destination about 4 am in the morning standing gard 2 and off 4 in the trenches.”

The notebook stops here for reasons unknown. Keep in mind this was a notebook with abbreviations and short uncompleted sentences. It is recorded exactly as he wrote it in 1918. Later he writes about this in more detail using his original notes as a guide. In the front of the notebook is recorded a list of castles and museums he visited when the fighting ceased on November 11, 1918. He then became a tourist taking in all the historical sights he could find. He wrote of sleeping in the fine Spendide Hotel and enjoying cognac and beer. He was impressed with the finer things in France that he was never exposed to at home. On sightseeing trips he traveled with his buddy Private Lott and spoke with him on Christmas Day 1918. Also listed in the book were names and addresses of some of his buddies:

M.C. Bothe

West Monroe St

W.B. Miller

Harrisonburg, Va.

W.W. Keck

Danville

W.P.Keister Dublin AJ. Huckstep Crozet AC Hankins

Richlands, Va.

F.N. Briggs

Dallas, Texas

AC Kersek

Bridgewater, Va.

W.A. Kynerd

Augustin, Ala.

A.E. Moeschler

82