>4,..ii,.^^ .a-,.
 
 THE AUTHOR
 
 HIS STORY OF BETHALTO 
 
 DEDICATED TO THE 
 
 BOYS OF BETHALTO 
 HEROES OF THE WORLD WAR 
 
 BY 
 
 HENRY W. ZIMMERMANN 
 
 BETHALTO, ILLINOIS 
 
 1921.
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 Page 
 
 Preface ^ 7 
 
 Bethalto 10 
 
 Liberty Loans I3 
 
 Causes of the World War 19 
 
 Bethalto Branch American Red Cross 22 
 
 Martial Airs 24 
 
 Fading Away 26 
 
 OUR BOYS: 
 
 Elmer T. Olthoff 29 
 
 Edward B. Bowman 45 
 
 Henry Edward Henkhaus 54 
 
 Walter Wulf ' " 53 
 
 Andrew Sanders 61 
 
 Elmer A. Elliott 62 
 
 Elmer O. Schoeneweis 69 
 
 Fred D. Obermiller 73 
 
 Edward D. Bayless 74 
 
 Fred G. Hassman gO 
 
 Gotlieb W. Stahlhut 82 
 
 George C. Harmoning 85 
 
 John H. Weyen 87 
 
 Leslie Prehn 88 
 
 ^C Frank Driscoll 94 
 
 ■** Henry C. Zimmermann 98 
 
 ^ Gene McCracken 102 
 
 Herman Olthoft 105 
 
 James Fred Jones 108 
 
 Arthur Jones 109 
 
 Arthur George Elliott 112 
 
 William E. Neunaber 115 
 
 Edward J. Neunaber 117 
 
 Limon Neunaber 118 
 
 Charles Neunaber 123 
 
 John J. Balster 129 
 
 John Benjamin Reinke 131 
 
 5 
 
 X" 
 
 Q. 
 
 C\
 
 OUR BOYS: 
 
 Page 
 
 Reinhard Kruckebtirg 133 
 
 Charles P.artels 135 
 
 George W alters 137 
 
 Fred F. Stahlhut 139 
 
 George Hiimm 141 
 
 George E. Luman 143 
 
 Edward A. Stahlhut 144 
 
 Edward G. Schoerfbarim 151 
 
 Frank J. Starkey 157 
 
 Clarence S. Ryan 161 
 
 Edward Bangert 166 
 
 George Bowman 172 
 
 George F. Smith, Jr 178 
 
 Emil H. Paul 186 
 
 Fred W. Sanders 192 
 
 William H. Dettmers 194 
 
 Ben T. Albers 203 
 
 Gustave H. Bangert 204 
 
 Albert Eugene Kayser 207 
 
 George J. Deist 211 
 
 Rudolph Lohr 212 
 
 Ernest H. Brunk 214 
 
 Heye Collman 217 
 
 Jesse Lenord Clements 220 
 
 William H. Luman 225 
 
 Edward J. Kruse 231 
 
 Henry Barber 237 
 
 Henry C. Bangert 239 
 
 John W. Silland 243 
 
 Leo F. V/illis 250 
 
 George Thomas Eccles 258 
 
 William H. Wohlert .' 260 
 
 Charles Kuhn 266 
 
 Charles Cooper 271 
 
 Grover Cleveland Wiemers 274 
 
 The Werts Brothers 279
 
 PREFACE 
 
 rJHEN on November 11th, 1918, a demonstration was witnessed 
 by the writer, he need not have asked himself why this dem- 
 onstration, why this noise and racket, why these tears, why 
 this joy, why this hoarseness ? he need not have asked a spec- 
 tator or any of the participants, why this blowing of whistles 
 and horns, the ringing of bells or this revelry? for the look in each 
 face told what had happened. It was on this day and on this occasion 
 that the writer resolved to put into print that for which the good 
 citizens of this community were feeling so happy over. It is not too 
 much to assert at this time that many of the inhabitants of this com- 
 munity had acquired a knowledge of the principal events of the past 
 four years ; it is not too much to assert that the inhabitants were di- 
 rectly interested in the events of the past four years ; it is for this 
 reason that the writer resolved to have put into print the history of 
 this community in a simple readable form so that in the future it will 
 not be necessary^ to say that the history of Bethalto has failed to be 
 chronicled, as it failed at the close of the Civil War. Countless stories 
 and many histories will be written about the World War, millions of 
 books will be placed on the market enumerating the deeds of our men ; 
 yet no book will be written in which our community will be mentioned. 
 It is for this reason that the writer feels it is necessary to have printed 
 and put into book form the part this little conmiunity took in the 
 Great W^orld War ; in view of this fact it is most desirable that a 
 history should present the features of the progress that the inhabit- 
 ants should know. 
 
 In this book the history of those who took part in this struggle is 
 told in words of truth and fairness. There is nothing recorded here- 
 in but told by the person of whom it is written ; if that became im- 
 possible, as in a few instances, by some authentic person who had a 
 clear knowledge of the statements made. The attempt to write a 
 historv is undoubtedly a difficult undertaking, and more so when, as 
 now, the popular mind is somewhat divided, caused by the exciting 
 times through which our nation was whirled. For that reason only 
 those happenings are recorded that the boys of this community, who 
 will from now on be called Our Boys, have witnessed. To this end 
 the writer has confined himself within the scope of such evidence. 
 The events are recorded as they appeared to Our Boys the past two 
 years. Although only 65 of Our Boys took part in the great struggle
 
 many volumes would be required to record in detail all the movements 
 through which they were crowded in the short space of time. Al- 
 though some data are taken from ofificial records it is not the intention 
 of the writer that this book be taken as official. 
 
 The name of each soldier appears in a separate article and a nar- 
 rative as accurate as possible was formed from the sources of informa- 
 tion that each gave. The writer in the course of his narrative en- 
 deavored to avoid all approach to overdrawing in order to give justice 
 to all classes, and show that our community with Our Boys was faith- 
 ful from the beginning until a successful end was attained ; and to 
 show a history can be written wherein they were all sincere, honorable 
 and obedient, even to make the supreme sacrifice. 
 
 When Lincoln became President in 1861, he did not realize the 
 world would in the future honor him for something that he had given 
 no consideration on the day of his inauguration. When the Great 
 War broke out and he called for 75,000 V^olunteers, the Boys of '61 
 responded at once ; we have some of these volunteers with us now who 
 will verify my statement. Little did they realize that the world would 
 honor them for helping to accomplish something that they had not 
 dreamed about accomplishing. Thus our great leader of '61 and the 
 fighters of '61 unconsciously saw the greatest thing that ever happened 
 come drifting their way ; thus the world became free regardless of race 
 or color. 
 
 When Our Boys joined the colors they little realized what their 
 services would amount to in the future, and little did they care. They 
 trusted our government and like the Boys of '61 who volunteered or 
 were drafted to preserve the Union, so Our Boys either volunteered 
 or were drafted to preserve the State. Our Boys went, little dreaming 
 they would some day be classed with those who accomplished the 
 greatest feat the world had ever known. The negro slave of '61 
 could not throw off the burden of slavery, so an outside force where 
 slavery was unknown had to do it. The citizens of the Central 
 Powers of Europe had not the power to throw off the yoke of mili- 
 tarism, so a liberty-loving nation like ours had to come to their assist- 
 ance ; a nation who knows nothing of serfdom, a nation who detests 
 militarism forced the shackles from others and made them free. 
 
 Many a negro in the sixties preferred slavery to freedom, for he 
 knew not what freedom was, and there is no doubt about many a 
 citizen of Europe hating to see militarism defeated ; for he knows not 
 what real freedom is. Our Boys from here went singing: "We 
 don't know where we're going, But we're on our way." They trusted 
 the government for you could hear them sing : "We don't know what 
 
 8
 
 it's all about, But I bet, b'gosh, we'll soon find out." They followed 
 the flag for they knew it is the emblem of the Brave and the Free. 
 
 Their feelings in their travels are recorded as they appeared to 
 them while they were away, and if their treatment was not as good 
 as the reader would have it let it be known that it was not the fault 
 of our government, but sometimes due to ignorance or arrogance of 
 the individual in charge. Many hardships are enumerated in this 
 book, but the blame is generally given to whom the blame belonged. 
 Although the greatest object was attained through the sheer force 
 and will power of Our Boys, the pleasures and hardships should be 
 recorded; for this book is not written with any particular object in 
 view, only to describe the lives and the trials of Our Boys, and with- 
 out these incidents this book is not worth the reading. 
 
 If any errors are made, they should be overlooked, for this book 
 is not written for critics ; it is not overdrawn, and the stories of the 
 lives of our soldier boys speak only of their travels, their joys and 
 sorrows. Every soldier of the millions who served Uncle Sam has 
 experienced many of the incidents enumerated herein, thus making it 
 a novel history for all. The language is typically American, and the 
 expressions are those of our community. AUTHOR.
 
 BETHALTO 
 
 group of houses, a cluster of cosy homes, a number of modern 
 cottages, situated on a great Divide between large wooded 
 hills on one side and wide prairie lands on the other; always 
 ready to spring into prominence from one side or cast into 
 oblivion from the other. That is the old home town ; it is 
 located in the remotest part of one of the principal townships in the 
 county, and in one of the most obscure parts of one of the wealthiest 
 counties in the best State in the Union. Far away from the import- 
 ant cities and apart from all industrial centers the inhabitants of this 
 community have lived a life of contentment more than seventy-five 
 years, have maintained a population of a possible five hundred from 
 the very beginning of its existence. Sprung into prominence on 
 account of its mining industries, and kept on this basis on account of 
 the development of the rich prairie lands, this common burg has been 
 neither above nor below par since its origin. 
 
 Surrounding this group, small pastures have been set apart by 
 the neighboring farmers for the benefit of the inhabitants who are 
 using them for their stock. Mornings and evenings you can see the 
 boys riding their horses to the pastures, driving the cows before 
 them. A little beyond these is the cemetery where lie buried those 
 who formerly resided here. A beautiful walk has been laid to the 
 burial grounds where on Sundays and pleasant week days you can see 
 the old and young alike carrying bouquets of flowers of the season 
 and placing them on the graves of friends and relatives. Those of a 
 more frivolous nature, and caring less for solemn things, seldom get- 
 ting any farther than the shade trees under which is located the 
 famous Lovers' Bridge, named in honor of the young who are wont to 
 while away a few pleasant hours on pleasant evenings. On Sunday 
 afternoons the middle aged can be seen loitering around and talking of 
 times gone by, and as the day wanes and the older classes wend their 
 way homeward the younger generation may be seen talking of the 
 future. Thus Lovers' Bridge has become famous, and will remain so 
 until time for the little town ceases. Roads lead you into town from 
 all directions, and on Saturday afternoons you can see coming into 
 town all classes of people, some on foot, others with horse and buggy, 
 while still others of the more thrifty class, having discarded their 
 surries, come speeding up in their automobiles. These come in to do 
 their week's shopping and making calls on relatives and friends. 
 
 10
 
 On the edg-e of the town can be seen the grove known everywhere 
 for its school picnics, public dances and other entertainments ; where 
 the aged meet the aged, to talk over by-gone days, and watch the 
 younger generation enjoy themselves ; where young men are seen 
 spending their money freely in trying to outdo each other in throwing, 
 rolling, running races, or other innocent games ; where the young 
 ladies dressed in their "Sunday Best" promenade through the park 
 until evening, when the dancing floor becomes the main object of 
 amusements ; where the home orchestra furnishes music for the 
 occasion ; and, last and best, where children are seen romping over the 
 grounds, some making use of the swings or playing children's games, 
 while still others having spent their dimes are seen munching on pop- 
 corn balls or displaying prizes that have been so luckily drawn from 
 the package. Thus it happens that the Grove is known not only to 
 the inhabitants of the town, but also to those of neighboring villages. 
 
 The little four-room brick school on the edge of town rests on a 
 knoll that was donated to the district by one of the founders of the 
 town, and children trip along the same as their parents and grand- 
 parents did years ago. With the exception of a few improvements 
 to the school within the last few years, no change has taken place 
 excepting when an instructor resigns he is replaced by another, who, 
 like his predecessor, has received his elementary education in the same 
 school where he is employed as instructor. 
 
 The churches, five in number, have a membership nearly equal to 
 the number of the inhabitants of the little town ; some were built more 
 than sixty years ago. Several small mines on the edge of town 
 afford employment for a few, while many are engaged in occupations 
 that are common in a town of this size. 
 
 Nothing is done by halves in this little town; the streets are al- 
 ways neat and clean ; sidewalks of the best kind lead to every residence 
 in the village and the inhabitants take great pride in their homes. 
 Ministers, teachers, physicians and heads of the various establish- 
 ments mingle with all villagers alike for there is no class distinction. 
 A brotherly feeling exists everywhere ; members of churches and 
 Sunday schools mingle as if there existed but one church. Members 
 of the various secret organizations meet in the same hall and live in 
 harmony among each other. Life is complete and one round of 
 harmony ; near enough to neighboring cities to trade, yet far enough 
 to keep away from the frivolous snares of advanced civilization. 
 
 The Village Hall is used for all public gatherings and although 
 a jail was built for the purpose of confining lawbreakers, it is never 
 used excepting when a lunatic escapes from some nearby asylum. 
 
 11
 
 With large playgrounds for the children, hunting grounds all 
 around the town for the youthful hunter; creeks, ponds, and rivers in 
 the immediate neighborhood for those who love to indulge in swim- 
 ming or fishing, it is no wonder one of the inhabitants expressed him- 
 self in the following verses : 
 
 MY OLD HOME TOWN. 
 
 A cluster of homes in a beautiful land, 
 Surrounded by prairies, and woods and sand ; 
 One of the choicest spots on earth — 
 My old home town, the place of my birth. 
 You may travel our land from east to west, 
 Seeking a home, a haven of rest ; 
 You'll continue to roam and ramble around 
 Until you strike My Old Home Town. 
 
 And when you do, my friend, you'll quit, 
 And simply say, "By gum, this is it ;" 
 This is the spot I've been lookin' for 
 For many a year — befo' the war. 
 I didn't think such a place was made — 
 Fruit and melons, with plenty of shade; 
 Nothin' to do but mosey 'round — 
 That's what they do in My Old Home Town. 
 
 If ever you happen to come this way 
 You're sure to make up your mind to stay 
 In my home town the rest of your life ; 
 The one live spot, free from strife. 
 A land of honey, fruits and flowers, 
 Beautiful sunshine, and pleasant hours. 
 Nothing like it for miles around ; 
 The one great place — Aly Old Home Town. 
 
 Bethalto, I love to call thee my home ; 
 Bethalto, a place where I love to roam. 
 Where a friend is my neighbor, 
 A neighbor my friend. 
 
 Where the pleasantest hours I always spend. 
 Where joys and sorrows are shared by all. 
 Where friendship and love is duty's call. 
 Bethalto, my thoughts are ever wuth thee, 
 Until time merges into eternity. 
 
 12
 
 Dr. C. A. AVERY 
 Chairman Liberty Loans
 
 LIBERTY LOANS 
 
 HEN the First Liberty Loan drive ended the people of this 
 vicinity had scarcely discussed the subject, only a few having 
 voluntarily subscribed for bonds of the First Liberty Loan. 
 When the Second Liberty Loan drive was on the spirit of 
 
 cooperation was lacking until after President Wilson's and 
 
 Governor Lowden's proclamations for all our people to meet together 
 on October 26th, 1917. designating the occasion as "Liberty Day," 
 making it the climax of the Second Liberty Loan drive. Mayor 
 John Jones called a meeting in the Village Hall where an organization 
 was formed to observe the president's and governor's proclamations. 
 As a result of this meeting a local organization was perfected to solicit 
 the sale of Liberty Bonds as well as arrange for a patriotic program 
 on the day designated "Liberty Day." Speakers for this occasion 
 were Harry Herb, Jos. B. Steck, and Gilson Brown of Alton ; J. W. 
 McCracken, chairman of the speakers' committee, had charge of the 
 meeting, which was held in Klein's Hall. Rev. Thomson opened the 
 meeting with prayer. The Bethalto band enlivened the occasion with 
 several patriotic selections, and the school children sang "The Star 
 Spangled Banner," "America," and a parody written to the tune of 
 "Hold the Fort." Dr. Claude Avery, chairman of the sales commit- 
 tee, with his assistants reported $4500 bonds subscribed at this meet- 
 ing. A meeting was held at night in the Presbyterian church. Dr. 
 Claude Avery had composed a song poem to the tune of "Hold the 
 Fort," which was sung from beginning to end four different times. 
 The following is a copy of the poem : 
 
 Look, the foes of liberty spread ruin at their will, 
 
 The boys in khaki are on the way to whip Old Kaiser Bill. 
 
 CHORUS : 
 Hold Flanders, we are coming. Freedom's defenders still. 
 Shout the word around the w^orld, Woodrow Wilson will. 
 The Kaiser's power at last will break by progress of the world, 
 Lasting peace is coming soon, 'Cause Old Glory's unfurled. 
 
 Rev. Thomson's discourse on "The Good Samaritan" was a suit- 
 able theme to show America's duty relative to devastated Belgium and 
 France. The spirit of cooperation for the success of the Second 
 Liberty Loan was now assured, and Bethalto, never doing anything by 
 halves, oversubscribed her quota. 
 
 13
 
 The Third Liberty Loan came, and found Bethalto well organized 
 for the campaign ; a monstrous parade was planned, consisting of 
 Bethalto's and Walnut Grove's school children, mothers of soldiers. 
 Red Cross nurses, veterans of the Civil War, village officials, men on 
 horseback, citizens, and 210 automobiles. The parade was led by 
 Bethalto's band and marshaled by Fred Ilumm. It was the first day 
 of May, 1918 ; the weather was fine and from the time the parade be- 
 gan to march, the band filled the air with martial music ; the marchers 
 all along the way carried appropriate banners, and kept shouting a 
 tirade of patriotic slogans, displaying a meaning that could not admit 
 of dispute. Fred Humm marshaled the parade through the town 
 and finally halted in front of the Farmer's Bank building, where a 
 speaker's stand had been prepared. The speakers of the evening were, 
 "British" Unterbrink, Jos. B. Steck and Mayor Sauvage, of Alton, 
 Mr. Steck being at that time chairman of the Four-Minute men. Dr. 
 Avery, local chairman of the drive, had charge of the meeting and 
 before introducing the speakers paid a tribute to the people of 
 Bethalto and vicinity. He said in part: "Fellow Citizens of 
 Bethalto, this extraordinary demonstration is a fully awakened 
 Americanism. It is folly to claim devotion to American ideals and 
 ignore the obligations of American citizenship. A big job has sum- 
 moned you and you are here to accept individual responsibility. I 
 am told this is the largest gathering ever assembled in Bethalto ; I 
 dare say it is an hundred per cent audience. Some time in the future 
 there will assemble here another one hundred per cent audience; it 
 will be when the boys come home. There will be a welcoming crowd 
 the like of which Bethalto has never dreamed of. Let us hope it will 
 not be far off. 
 
 This magnificent patriotic endeavor calls to mind a story : An 
 old negress who had been placed in an insane asylum would stand at 
 a window facing the street and cry in a loud tone of voice, "I want a 
 man, I want a man." One day an old darkey who had known Dinah 
 for many years was standing on the street not far from Dinah's win- 
 dow when she was repeating in usual fashion the pathetic appeal, "I 
 want a man," when an officer came along and suggested that the old 
 darkey move along and let Dinah alone, as she was crazy. At this 
 the old darkey replied : "I know that Dr. Smith said she wuz crazy 
 when he put her in dar, but, white folks, she sho' am got her right 
 mind now." If any of our people in the past have lacked the spirit 
 of one hundred per cent Americanism, if any have been misinformed, 
 if any have shown any Pro-German sympathies, we have unmistake- 
 able evidence tonight that they are in their right minds now. 
 
 14
 
 "British" Unterbrink spoke earnestly for an hour. He told of 
 his birthplace in Germany, denounced the militarists of Germany, 
 praised the Good Old U. S. He said Wilson tried to keep out of war, 
 even turned one cheek and the Kaiser slapped him, then he turned the 
 other and the Kaiser slapped the other cheek, then Old Woodrow said, 
 "Look Out, Bill," and the Kaiser hit him square on the nose, and then 
 V\'ilson took off his coat, made one great pass at Old Bill and knocked 
 him down ; and if the Third Liberty Loan proved a success the Kaiser 
 would never be able to meet the antagonist face to face again. 
 
 J. B. Steck's speech was full of patriotism from begiiming to end ; 
 he defined the issues of war and as he was concluding his speech, he 
 held the beautiful little daughter of Tony Wulf in his arms and in 
 great earnestness asked : "Would you stand by and not do your duty 
 if this dear little girl should fall into the hands of the Kaiser's army? 
 Let us keep the Kaiser's army on the other side so they cannot hurt 
 any of our people. The way to do that is to buy bonds." Then he 
 shouted, "Who will be the first red-blooded American to measure up 
 to this high standard of citizenship? Dr. Avery has said you are 
 an hundred per cent audience, and that you are here to do your share 
 of the loan. Now, who will be the first to subscribe for a bond?" 
 Wm. H. Weyen stepped to the speaker's stand and in a moment Mr. 
 Steck announced Wm. H. Weyen the first subscriber to the Third 
 Liberty Loan. The subscriptions began to come in so fast Dr. Avery 
 asked J. W. McCracken and W. H. Duffy to assist the committee in 
 taking subscriptions. $11,500 was subscribed at this meeting. 
 
 ]\Iayor Sauvage of Alton, had told Dr. Avery his throat was in 
 bad condition and he would be unable to speak, but he finally became so 
 enthused at the clever way Mr. Steck had selling bonds that he forgot 
 about his sore throat and said he wanted in the game, and he began to 
 speak. The crowd paid strict attention, as his speech fit the occasion, 
 and rounded out in full pleasure the success of the Third Liberty Loan. 
 
 The chairman at the close thanked all who had participated in 
 the parade and the meeting, especially the band and the speakers, and 
 placed emphasis on the committee of workers. Prof. R. N. File and 
 Rev. Bruegmann, whose splendid efforts had promoted the Third 
 Liberty Loan to a satisfactory conclusion. Ed. Balster then presented 
 a straw man labeled "The Kaiser," and set fire to same, and the crowd 
 shouted its approval. The editor of the Alton Times was present and 
 the next issue of said publication credited this meeting as the greatest 
 patriotic demonstration in any of the loan campaigns he had observed 
 according to population and wealth. 
 
 The Fourth Liberty Loan was easily subscribed and Bethalto 
 
 15
 
 went over the top with a whoop. The Lutheran congregation sub- 
 scribed $12,000 one Sunday morning. The ladies were well organized 
 to assist in this campaign. Mrs. Claude Avery was named chairman 
 of the Women's Committee of Workers, and she selected the follow- 
 ing workers : ]\Irs. Theo. Prehn, Mrs. Ed. Westhoff, Mrs. Fred 
 Oetken, Mrs. Wheeler Morgan, Mrs. John Klein, Louise Bruns, Doris 
 Bruns, Mrs. Laura Spencer, Alta Mae Klein, Delia McDonald, Hazel 
 Zimmermann, Bella McCracken, Ada Elliott, Eva Elliott, Luna Bow- 
 man, Minnie Bowman, Dollie Young, Flora Kehne and Mayme Klop- 
 meyer. 
 
 A speaking was arranged at the close of the campaign, and J. H. 
 Chessen, chairman of Wood River Township, was introduced, and 
 after a short speech introduced D. R. Maxey, chairman of speakers, 
 who took charge of the meeting. Attorney Burroughs, of Edwards- 
 ville, was introduced and appealed to the audience to buy more bonds. 
 E. E. Campbell, of Alton, was introduced and according to the view of 
 our local chairman, Campbell's address was the most masterful appeal 
 of Americanism that had been heard in Bethalto. His voice was 
 clear and audible to all present. This speech was not only beautiful 
 like the work of an artist, his oratory and rhetoric perfect, but the 
 work of a literary sculptor, as its impress will live with the memory 
 of those who heard him. 
 
 Geo. A. Klein, publicity man in each of the liberty loan cam- 
 paigns, had arranged in the Fourth Liberty Loan to have an aeroplane 
 alight one-half mile south of Bethalto on the Oscar Sander's farm. 
 Fully 5000 people from Bethalto, Alton, East x\lton, Wood River, Fos- 
 terburg* and Moro were present. While the crowd was anxiously 
 waiting, Mr. G. A. Klein received a telegram that the aviation field 
 from whence the plane had been promised was now under quarantine 
 on account of influenza. Dr. Avery, chairman of the drive, had 
 charge of the meeting and asked the crowd to remain and listen to 
 Attorney Meriwether of Alton, who had a son in the service, and the 
 crowd paid strict attention while Mr. Meriwether spoke and they 
 greeted him with cheers at the close. 
 
 The Fifth Loan or Victory Liberty Loan was the most difficult 
 to go over the top. Dr. Avery, local chairman, named the following 
 committee of workers : Prof. R. N. File, Rev. S. C. Lackey, J. V. 
 Apple, John Renken, Elmer Neunaber, Luna Bowman, Minnie Bow- 
 man, Bella McCracken, Mrs. Theo. Prehn, Dollie Young, Pearl Zim- 
 mermann, Alta Mae Klein, Wyona Rotsch, Ada Elliott, and Eva El- 
 liott. Early in the campaign a parade was arranged similar to the 
 one in the Third Liberty Loan ; however, this demonstration did not 
 prove the success the one in the Third Liberty Loan had. After the 
 
 16
 
 marchers in the parade had been halted in front of the speakers' stand 
 across the street from Wm. H. Weyen's barber shop, Dr. Avery intro- 
 duced Sergeant-Major Leslie Prehn, a Bethalto boy who had been 
 overseas. He gave an interesting narrative of life in camps and the 
 trip across. Then Dr. Avery announced another speaker. In intro- 
 ducing him he said in part : "The fight of the American Marines at 
 Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood, their attack upon superior forces, 
 their final victory and their tremendous loss in proportion to their 
 number, stands unequaled in the annals of warfare. Other desperate 
 attacks have been made in many wars, and other fighting forces have 
 lost as heavily, but never with victory crowning the red sacrifice. 
 Pickett's charge at Gettysburg, the onrush of the Federals at Fred- 
 erickburg, the assault of Lee's Legion at Malvern Hill, the charge of 
 the Light Brigade, — such terrific efforts won undying fame, but failed 
 of the objective ; torn to fragments, beaten down, the attacking troops 
 retreated defeated. The Marines at Chateau Thierry and Belleau 
 \^''ood lost more than three-fourths of their effective, but they won. 
 Out of 8,000 Americans engaged, 6200 were struck down. This battle 
 stands unrivaled as to carnage and glorious success, for the destiny 
 of the world hinged upon its final outcome. It was there the 
 "Fritzies" learned the Americans could fight. I count it a privilege 
 and honor to present to you one of Bethalto's heroes of Belleau Wood, 
 who bears honor wounds from battles after going through the Belleau 
 fight unscathed, Private Elmer Olthoff of the Marine Corps. He will 
 tell in language of a poet his story of service in the war. We are 
 anxious for every word you have to say." After Elmer Olthoff had 
 recited two poems (found elsewhere in this book), he stepped back 
 and begged off while the crowd cheered. 
 
 J. B. Steck, chairman of the Alton Metropolitan district, was next 
 speaker and before he had spoken ten minutes it began to rain and the 
 crowd dispersed. Mr. Steck called to Ted Zimmermann, a bugler of 
 the 327th F. A. who had been overseas, to blow bugle calls incident to 
 army life. The crowd huddled together in front of Klein's store until 
 Ted had blowed the last call, then they began to disperse. So far as 
 the sale of bonds was concerned this occasion was a failure, but both 
 chairmen held it paved the way to final victory. 
 
 On the last night of the drive Gilson Brown and W. P. Boynton, 
 of Alton, made stirring speeches urging the sale of bonds. Up until 
 this late hour the chairman reported the sale of only 35 per cent of 
 Bethalto's quota. By introducing Mr. Steck, Dr. Avery created an 
 outburst of laughter with the crowd. He said in part: "It is with 
 varied emotions I appear before you to introduce the one who needs 
 no introduction in Bethalto; you have listened to two of the greatest 
 
 17
 
 speakers within the confines of Illinois. In arranging this meeting, 
 one little girl among the school children asked with great earnestness, 
 'Aren't you going to have Mr. Steck that night?' I informed her that 
 he had been urged to be here but in all probability could not attend ; 
 at my statement her expression changed and seemed to be one of keen 
 disappointment, and she answered, 'O, I hope you can, for I'm just 
 crazy about Mr. Steck.' Mr. Steck is going to lead us to victory, and 
 Bethalto's slogan in this campaign is 'I want to be counted as a sub- 
 scriber to the Victory Loan?" 
 
 Mr. Steck was tired and worn from hard work of directing the 
 campaign, but he started his appeal with optimism. He reviewed the 
 many pleasant meetings in which he had participated in Bethalto. He 
 spoke of Alton going over the top, and then pleaded for the first vol- 
 unteer to subscribe $1,000. 
 
 G. A. Klein handed in a card subscribing $1500, and Chas. Humm 
 and John C. Neunaber tried to see who would be first, as each was ask- 
 ing permission to sign a card for a $1000 bond. Soon the quota was 
 nearly subscribed and but one hundred dollars was needed to make the 
 quota of $18,000 complete, when some one in the crowd said, "I'll finish 
 the job, here's my subscription for another hundred." 
 
 As the quota was reached, Mr. Steck presented Dr. Avery with a 
 German helmet for his efforts in the drive, congratulated Bethalto on 
 its patriotism, thanked the crowd for their good behavior, the band for 
 the music, the school children for their enthusiasm, and Bethalto and 
 vicinity for never doing anything by halves. 
 
 18
 
 CAUSES OF THE WORLD WAR 
 
 HE horrors of war are over ; peace is here. These words are 
 thrilling to those who have gone through misery and fire. It 
 seems like some horrible nightmare, and there is no time even 
 now to reflect, for the forward movement must go on until 
 the last vestige of ruin and crime are forever lost to the 
 human race. And now we ask, why was all this? Moderate 
 language cannot express it, words cannot therefore be suitably placed 
 to give a clear conception of the real causes of the war ; the writer will 
 therefore endeavor to put down a few cold facts and leave the reader 
 to judge for himself. Wars have been many since the creation of 
 man, and there will be more wars unless the world has learned the 
 meaning of the word "fellow man." Our country has been at war 
 with different nations and the principal causes will be briefly related 
 in order to give the reader an idea of why we go to war. 
 
 This country was first settled by a liberty-loving people and the 
 principles of liberty have been upheld by her institutions. When the 
 King of England began to oppress his subjects in America in 1775, 
 feeling against the oppressor was aroused to such an extent that they 
 took up arms against the tyrant and through sheer determination 
 forced the king to acknowledge our freedom. "Don't tread on me" 
 was the motto displayed on our flags until the "Stars and Stripes" 
 was finally adopted by our Congress. Freedom of the Seas was set- 
 tled by us in 1812 ; freedom of mankind regardless of race or color 
 was- settled in 1863; and the right of mankind was settled when we 
 forced the tyrannical government from Cuba, although not our terri- 
 tory. Thus Freedom has become our watchword, and in order for 
 one free people to retain her liberty she must be in harmony and 
 sympathy with all free peoples on earth. The truest words of 
 Americanism were expressed by Patrick Henry when he said, "Give 
 me Liberty or give me Death." His spirit still survives in all loyal 
 Americans. 
 
 On account of the great percentage of illiterates in Europe it is 
 easy for one class of people to domineer over another, and we find 
 most of the horrible crimes due to a spirit of hatred caused by ignor- 
 ance and illiteracy. An ignorant nation cannot long exist without 
 crime, revolution or war ; and to avoid crime or overthrow of govern- 
 ment, the people are often induced to become a unit in throwing their 
 hatred toward some other nation thus keeping down a rebellion in 
 their own country. And in most European countries where ignor- 
 
 19
 
 ance is complete it was always the rule to have mourning in the land 
 to keep the subjects from asserting their freedom. Thus we come 
 to the root of all wars, namely, Freedom versus aggression. 
 
 Much can be written about the causes of wars, but the one answer 
 is Aggression or Liberty. We will briefly enumerate a few of the 
 aggressive acts that led us to war with Germany. The United States 
 remained neutral a long time after war was waged between the differ- 
 ent nations, and many acts were perpetrated that aroused our ire, but 
 we held our temper. Long before 1914 everything was in readiness 
 for aggression. The great aim was for territorial, political and mili- 
 tary predominance for Germany, and it needed but a pretense to start 
 the game in earnest. It came on the 28th day of June, 1914, when the 
 Austrian Archduke was slain at Sarajevo. Soon Germany was into 
 it and by the second of August Germany was invading Belgium, a 
 neutral country. Different sections of Germany and other countries 
 had been invaded by the French and other European peoples during 
 the Napoleonic times. The truth about the matter is, nearly every 
 nation since the time America was discovered held to the rule that 
 invasion of another's domain was nothing more than right if it could 
 be done, and the people becoming wealthy by such acts gave consent. 
 When Prussia stole Hanover in 1866 all those who considered it a 
 wrong, emigrated either to America or other free countries. Those 
 who remained were no better than Prussians ; but since those days a 
 new idea has permeated the minds of many peoples and that is free- 
 dom for all and acts of aggression for none. 
 
 The invasion of Belgium at once stirred the minds of free peo- 
 ples ; next in order came the air raids, killing many defenseless women 
 and children ; followed quickly the next year were the piratical and 
 pillaging acts by German submarines and cruisers ; then came the hor- 
 rors of asphyxiating gas ; but when the Cunard line steamship "Lusi- 
 tania" was sunk with 1154 lives lost, of which 114 were Americans, 
 our blood began to flow more rapidly. On August 19th the "Arabic" 
 was sunk by a submarine, and among the 16 victims 2 were Americans. 
 On the 12th of October Edith Cavell was executed, thus creating more 
 and more ill-feeling toward the perpetrators of such crimes. 
 
 On February 10th, 1916, Germany sent notice to all neutral pow- 
 ers that "armed merchant ships will be treated as warships and will be 
 sunk without warning." Within a year after that notice, Germany 
 announced unrestricted submarine warfare in specified zones. The 
 question of Freedom of the Seas had been settled by our nation more 
 than a hundred years before this, and the feeling that had once been 
 expressed by the motto, "Don't tread on me" once more became pre- 
 dominant, causing President Wilson in behalf of the greatest free peo- 
 
 20
 
 pie on earth to express himself in the following- terms. In his 
 message to Congress April 2, 1917, he said in part : We are accepting 
 this challenge of hostile purpose because we know that in such a gov- 
 ernment, following such methods, we can never have a friend ; there 
 can be no assured security for the democratic governments of the 
 world. We are glad now that we see the facts with no veil of false 
 pretense about them, to fight thus for the ultimate peace of the world 
 and for the liberation of its peoples, the German peoples included ; for 
 the rights of nations great or small, and the privilege of men every- 
 where to choose their way of life and obedience. The world must 
 be made safe for democracy. We are but one of the champions of 
 the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have 
 been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make 
 them. 
 
 Just four days after the delivery of Wilson's famous speech Con- 
 gress, on the 6th of April, 1917, declared war on Germany, settling the 
 question forever whether free peoples shall remain free. 
 
 21
 
 Bethalto Branch 
 American Red Cross 
 
 SK a soldier, what the American Red Cross has ever done for 
 him, and he will tell you in words pure and simple that the 
 American Red Cross was the real soul of the army. Read 
 this book and you will find that it contained laborers, both 
 women and men, who gave up everything to serve mankind, 
 to serve humanity ; that nothing was more nobly done and so freely 
 given than that given by the American Red Cross. Their praise has 
 been sounded by so many of our returned soldiers that this book 
 would not be complete without a chapter on this subject. Not only 
 was the work nobly done by those in actual service, but also by those 
 at home ; it was unselfish and pure, and produced a feeling that will 
 live forever. This is an organization that knows not race, color, re- 
 ligion or creed. If any person has ever been blessed it is the Red 
 Cross nurse or the Red Cross worker. 
 
 The loyal spirit of Bethalto was manifested shortly after the war 
 broke out, and a few of Our Boys had hardly reached camp when the 
 Bethalto Branch of the American Red Cross was organized. A meet- 
 ing was called at the Bethalto Village Hall and the organization was 
 brought to life by Mrs. Barnsback, of Edwardsville, chairman of the 
 Madison County Chapter. The organization was effected on the 
 11th of October, 1917, and the following officers were appointed: 
 Mrs. Jennie Klein, chairman ; Mrs. Lillie Oetken, treasurer ; and Miss 
 Alta Mae Klein, secretary. The organization became known as Unit 
 No. 11. 
 
 From the time the organization went into effect to the close of the 
 war the members made an untiring effort to do all that was in their 
 power to assist in the noble cause, and by the end of the year 49 mem- 
 bers had been enrolled. Thirty young men had entered the service 
 from Bethalto and vicinity, and a service flag was made containing 30 
 stars. The work went steadily forward ; sweaters, scarfs, socks and 
 bandages were made. Zeal was put into the work, suppers were 
 served, and money raised for the cause. 
 
 At the first meeting in January, 1918, a change was made in the 
 treasureship, and Miss Louise Bruns was elected treasurer, who with 
 Mrs. Jennie Klein as president, and Miss Alta Mae Klein as secretary, 
 became the permanent officers and served diligently throughout the 
 entire time. By the end of January 137 members had been enrolled 
 
 22
 
 and by the end of another month the total membership had reached 
 249, and by the end of May, 1918, it reached 335. 
 
 A Christmas roll call was made and 61 members responded with 
 donations. A great deal of money was raised, many a bandage had 
 been made, and had it not been for the shortage of material a great 
 deal more could have been done. The cause was great and the good 
 will of the members with their staunch and persistent officers made 
 Bethalto Branch Unit No. 11, American Red Cross, one of the best in 
 the county. When a proper and unselfish spirit is aroused in Bethalto 
 there is no place on earth more blessed than Our Old Home Town. 
 
 23
 
 MARTIAL AIRS 
 
 HE spirit of a nation is her music and song; it expresses her 
 feelings that can be made clear in no other form ; it gives vent 
 to emotions that leave no doubt in the minds of her citizens. 
 From the time our nation was born July 4, 1776, up to the 
 present time no nation on earth has passed through a series 
 of such deep and grateful feelings as has our beloved country. Every 
 song that was ever sung shows that spirit of confidence, gratitude and 
 enthusiasm. Popular music soon found words to fit the occasions, 
 and popular verses soon found music appropriate to the times. The 
 jingle of Yankee Doodle told plainly at the beginning of our existence 
 that there was nothing to fear. 
 
 From 1812-1815 when our country was in the throes of misery the 
 greatest of all songs "The Star Spangled Banner" appeared, giving 
 new life to the people still struggling for freedom. "Home, Sweet 
 Home" soon followed and producing a soothing effect upon the pop- 
 ulace. 
 
 As time rolled on the United States must decide whether it should 
 be half free and half slave "John Brown's Body" flashed over our 
 torn nation ; but it was soon replaced by the undying words "Mine 
 Eyes have seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord," followed quick- 
 ly by such songs as "Yes, We'll Rally 'round the Flag," "The Carrier 
 Dove," "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground," "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, 
 the Boys are Marching," "Marching Through Georgia," and "When 
 Johnnie Comes Marching Home." "Down went the battleship Maine" 
 produced a stir for a time during the Spanish-American war. "Good- 
 bye, My Bluebell," "Break the News to Mother," and others were sung 
 during this time ; but of all songs that produced enthusiasm, none were 
 more appropriate than those that were sung during the Great World 
 War, and a few may be mentioned in this connection. 
 
 The song "I Did Not Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier" had but a 
 short life for it did not embody the spirit of our nation. "America, 
 Here's My Boy" took its place. No time during the war was there 
 a doubt about the outcome, for music and song displayed no other 
 sign. A few titles and a few lines here and there v/ill bring the reader 
 back to the exciting, hopeful, yet always loyal and confident spirit that 
 spread over our land from ocean to ocean, from coast to coast. It is 
 impossible to give preference to any one song, therefore the writer will 
 endeavor to place a few lines as they appeared to him. 
 
 24
 
 "Send Me Away With a Smile," "The Kiss That Made Me Cry," 
 "I May Be Gone for a Long, Long- Time," "Keep the Home Fires 
 Burning," "If I Am Not at the Roll Call," and others are some that 
 were sung by our youth while the school children sang : "Over There," 
 "Buy a Bond," and "What x^re You Going to do to Help the Boys," 
 "There's a Service Flag Flying at our House," — a blue star in a field 
 of red and white is known to all parents in the land ; "When the Sun 
 Goes Down in France," "Somewhere in France is the Lily," "The Rose 
 of No Man's Land," were popular songs during the time Our Boys 
 were making preparation "over here" and Our Boys were fighting 
 "over there." 
 
 Later on songs of a lighter nature such as "They Were All Out 
 of Step But Jim," "Johnnie's in Town," "How Are You Going to 
 Keep 'Em Down on the Farm After They've Seen Paree," and "O 
 How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning" appeared ; but when it was 
 seen that Our Boys were soon to return, joy reigned supreme and the 
 following songs brought forth new life: "When That Old Boat 
 Heads for Home — Ploughing Her Way Through the Foam." "After 
 the war is Over, and the World's at Peace, — Many a heart will be ach- 
 ing after the war has ceased — Many a home will be vacant, many a 
 child be alone, — But I hope they'll all be happy in a place called 'Home 
 Sweet Home,' " but the song of all songs that was sung by young and 
 old, by father and mother, by soldier and sweetheart, and yea, by the 
 nation was "Till We Meet Again," and the verse and music so ap- 
 propriately arranged made it popular in every home. The words of 
 the chorus run thus : 
 
 "Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu 
 
 When the clouds roll by I'll come to you 
 
 Then the skies will seem more blue 
 
 Down in lover's lane, my dearie ; 
 
 Wedding bells will ring so merrily, 
 
 Every tear will be a memory 
 
 So wait and pray each night for me 
 
 Till we meet again." 
 We know not what songs may appear in the future ; but we hope 
 and pray that they will represent an undefiled spirit of Americanism. 
 
 25
 
 FADING AWAY 
 
 ADING away and dropping from the ranks are the heroes of 
 the Civil War. This book would not be complete without 
 mentioning those who from Bethalto and vicinity left their 
 homes a generation ago to preserve the Union. A poem 
 illustrates the thought : 
 
 Oh, long years ago in the Southland 
 The brave boys were standing the storm 
 Of shot and of shell in its fury, 
 Through day and through night until morn. 
 They were falling, falling one by one. 
 Dropping from the ranks, one by one. 
 On hillside and dell in the Southland 
 The brave boys still rest where they fell ; 
 Their memory is dear to their country 
 Whose flag they defended so well ; 
 Ah, soon will the brave boys still with us 
 Cease marching to sound of the drum 
 For each year the roll call's sad story 
 Tells how they are falling one by one, — 
 Dropping from the ranks one by one. 
 The above poem tells a long and wonderful story ; it tells of the 
 times in the sixties when our nation was rent asunder on account of 
 differences politically and economically ; it tells of the terrible strain 
 on the youth of our land to preserve this noble union. Their memory 
 is dear to Bethalto, for that reason the names of the brave boys will 
 be mentioned. The acts of residents of Bethalto in the sixties stood 
 parallel with the acts of the residents of Bethalto 56 years later, and 
 as the boys of the World's War formed a union so the returned sol- 
 diers at the close of the Civil War formed a union and styled them- 
 selves The Grand Army of the Republic, or G. A. R. 
 
 It is impossible for the writer to be exact in his statements for 
 nothing is taken from official records but written from personal 
 knowledge that was acquired while living with and among these re- 
 turned heroes. The history of Bethalto failed to be chronicled at the 
 close of the Civil War, therefore this chapter is short and incomplete 
 after a lapse of 56 years. On the 15th day of May, President Lin- 
 coln called for 75,000 volunteers for three months thinking the Re- 
 bellion would be crushed in that time, but this proved wrong later on. 
 
 26
 
 When the call came Bethalto was ready for the call and many from 
 this vicinity responded, among whom were James Carr Clark, John 
 and James Fahnenstock, who enlisted in Co. I, 9th Infantry, at Cairo, 
 and were mustered out on the 26th of July, 1861. James Carr Clark 
 reenlisted for the duration of the war in Schofield's Body-Guard, a 
 Missouri regiment, others from here reenlisted and by 1862 the war 
 was on in real earnest, and Bethalto and vicinity again poured forth all 
 the power in her veins. 
 
 The greatest number from here enlisted in Co. B and Co. K of the 
 80th Illinois Volunteers. The 80th was in more than twenty battles 
 and stood great hardship, misery, hunger and disease. The follow- 
 ing from here were in Co. B : Conrad Flick, John S. Culp, Irby Wil- 
 liams, Frederick Gerits, George Crawford, Jim Wood and Calvin 
 Wood. Jim and Calvin Wood both in the 80th Illinois, were prob- 
 ably the first who dropped from the ranks. Jim fell while gallantly 
 fighting, and Calvin died just before he was discharged. 
 
 Those in Co. K, 80th Illinois, were Henry Lawrence, James 
 Olliver, EHas Preuitt, Jasper Dillon, Richard Linder and John A. 
 Miller. 
 
 Following are Bethalto boys of different companies and regiments 
 with whom the writer became acquainted : John Humm, Co. B, 29th 
 111. Infantry ; Ben Glassmeyer, Co. F, 20th 111. ; Peter Greenwood, Co. 
 E, 10th 111. ; John D. Elliott, Co. C, 151st 111. ; Germ Klein, Co. D ; 
 Wm. Head, Co. F. ; Wm. P. Clark, Co. F, 117th 111.; George Uzzell, 
 77th 111.; Ed. Jones, 10th 111.; Charles Huether, Co. K, and August 
 Neuhaus, 9th 111. ; P. H. Neuhaus, 59th 111. ; Henry Opperman, Co. C, 
 80th 111. ; Samuel Smith, Co. D, 14th 111. ; Erhart Baehr, Co. K. and 
 Dave Brunton, Co. A, 144th 111. ; William Gill, Co. K, 143rd 111. ; Henry 
 Langhorst, 4th Mo. Cavalry ; John H. Johnson and Herman Heuer, 
 Co. B, First Mo. Cavalry; Bernhard C. Meyer, 1st Sgt. Co. B, 26th 
 Inf., Wisconsin Vol. ; Daniel T. Kincaid, Co. K, 122nd 111. Inf. ; Ed- 
 ward Plegge, Co. C, 3rd Reg. Mo. Vol. Inf. ; George Morgan, Co. A, 
 144th Inf.; Daniel Bayless, Co. K, 144th 111. Infantry; Henry Bow- 
 man, Co. M, 1st Reg. Mo. Vol. Cavalry. 
 
 The above names show that Bethalto was equal to any emerg- 
 ency. A number have been omitted, not intentionally, but that the 
 writer was not acquainted with them. 
 
 During the Spanish-American war several from Bethalto volun- 
 teered for the service, among whom were Frank Johnson, Troop D, 
 8th Cavalry, serving in Cuba ; Fred Humm and Robert Clark, Troop 
 A, 3rd Cavalry, and serving in the P. I. ; Fred Oetken and James C. 
 Clark, Battery M. 1st Reg., Coast Artillery, and serving at Fort Cap- 
 
 27
 
 ton, Sullivan Island, S. C. James Clark has already fallen from the 
 ranks. 
 
 Special mention will be made of a few on account of the family 
 playing a part in several wars, and serving Uncle Sam in time of need : 
 James Carr Clark had two sons, Robert and James, in the Spanish- 
 American war, and one grandson, Carroll Zimmermann, in the World 
 War; John H. Johnson had a son, Frank, in the Spanish- American 
 War, and a grandson, George Deist, in the World War; John Humm 
 had a son, Fred, in the Spanish-American War and a son, George, in 
 the World War ; Edward Jones had two sons, Fred and Arthur, in the 
 World War ; John D. Elliott had a son, George, and four grandsons, 
 Elmer and Arthur Elliott and Earl and Cecil Delhanty, in the World 
 War ; Daniel Bayless had two sons, George and Samuel, in the Civil 
 War, and one grandson, Ed., in the World War ; B. C. Meyers was 
 seriously wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 2, 1863 ; 
 Henry Bowman had three grandsons, Ed. and George Bowman and 
 Frank Starkey, in the World War; Edward Plegge had a grandson, 
 Ed. Schoenbaum, in the World War. This shows that the quiet, 
 peaceful village of Bethalto does not exist in vain. Few villages of 
 her size have been her equal. No other village on earth was ever 
 named Bethalto so let the name be the watchword for the battle of 
 human liberty that the Star Spangled Banner may wave unmolested 
 over her home and the nation. 
 
 28
 
 OUR BOYS 
 
 ELMER T. OLTHOFF 
 
 Elmer Olthoff, son of George and Wilhelmina Olthoff, and bro- 
 ther to Herman, whose description is found in this book, was born in 
 Terre Haute, Ind., on the first day of August, 1895. When he was 
 a year old his parents moved to Bethalto, 111., where Elmer was raised 
 and where he received his education. He went to the Bethalto schools 
 until he was sixteen years of age, completing the eighth grade work. 
 From the time he quit school he was employed at the Western Cart- 
 ridge Company until he finally succeeded in joining the U. S. Marines, 
 December 5th, 1917. At the Western he did almost any kind of work 
 that was done at the plant. 
 
 In 1913 he tried to enlist in the U. S. Navy, but he failed in the 
 examination and was rejected. He registered in June, 1917, at 
 Bethalto, his home ; but would not wait to be called and once more 
 tried to get into the U. S. Navy and as before failed to succeed on ac- 
 count of his weight not corresponding to his height. He then went 
 to St. Louis, but the officers in charge told him if he had failed to get 
 into the navy he need not stop there, for a man not fit for the navy 
 surely was not fit to be a U. S. Marine. Elmer was crestfallen, but 
 he was determined, and from the main recruiting station he went to 
 a sub-station situated somewhere in St. Louis. The officer in charge 
 after hearing Elmer's story told him he would do what he could for 
 him. A physician was called who examined him and found only his 
 weight barring him from the Marines. The officer in charge of this 
 sub-station wrote to Washington, D. C, for Elmer, procured a waiver, 
 and he became a Marine on the 5th of December, 1917. 
 
 He went at once from St. Louis to Paris Island, on the east coast 
 of South Carolina, and a part of that State, landing the 12th of Decem- 
 ber; he was sworn in on the 14th and was placed in the 64th company 
 of Marines. The duties on the island varied and consisted chiefly of 
 hiking, drilling and bayonet practice which was of the most intensive 
 kind ; the object of this intensive training was to prepare the Marines 
 for the fighting that was before them. He qualified as marksman on 
 Paris Island in January, 1918, making a grade of 229 out of 300 shots 
 — 202 being the required number for marksmanship. Drilling, shoot- 
 ing, hiking, running, jumping, scaling walls, jumping into and out of 
 trenches and like preparations were made. The object of these exer- 
 cises was to toughen and harden the boys for that which lay before 
 
 29
 
 them, and the word intensive was putting it mildly, for little did they 
 dream of the future. This was kept up until February 20th, when 
 Elmer with his company left Paris Island for Quantico, Va., a training 
 camp for the Marines. 
 
 At Quantico the boys received instructions principally in trench 
 warfare and it was there Elmer qualified as sharpshooter, making 240 
 out of 300, the requirement being 237 out of 300. Although making 
 the required grade and receiving the recognition and extra pay he did 
 not receive the sharpshooter's pin from the War Department until he 
 returned to this country in the spring of 1919. He remained at Quan- 
 tico until the 9th of March, when he left camp for Philadelphia to 
 cross the ocean for the duties of a Marine in France. Although no 
 one knew just where the boys were to be sent it was understood or sur- 
 mised that France was their final destination, for no sooner had the 
 boys arrived at Quantico when the second replacement battalion was 
 formed and Elmer was placed in the 137th Co. U. S. Marines. 
 
 Ed. Henkhaus, whose description is found in this book, left St. 
 Louis a little later than Elmer and arrived at Paris Island soon after. 
 He met Ed several times while they were on Paris Island. Ed was in 
 the 79th company. Ed was also placed in the second replacement 
 battalion, but in the 139th company. It thus happened that Ed and 
 Elmer were together a great part of the time. Ed also qualified as 
 marksman on Paris Island. 
 
 The 137th, 138th and 139th companies were consigned for over- 
 seas duty and the three companies left Quantico together, and sailed 
 on the same boat immediately after getting off the train at Philadel- 
 phia. They boarded the U. S. Henderson, a transport exclusively 
 used to transport U. S. Marines to the various ports where Marines 
 were sent. This time they left the good old U. S. shore for parts 
 unknown to Our Boys, although headed straight for France. They 
 left the docks at Philadelphia on the 12th of March ; the trip across 
 was made in 14 days. The U. S. Henderson was well equipped for 
 this duty and though the sea was very rough little trouble was ex- 
 perienced on the way, and the boys landed safely in Brest, France, on 
 the 26th day of March, 1918. No seasickness would have been noticed 
 had it not been for the fine fruits, chocolates, and other delicacies ; 
 that, however, put Elmer and others in bad for several days. The 
 trip was otherwise uneventful and but one submarine was sighted and 
 it disappeared after tv/o shots were fired at it; for it dived and was 
 seen no more. 
 
 The three companies were under the command of Major Snider; 
 the 137th was under the command of Capt. Martin, Lieutenants Mou- 
 
 30
 
 tague, Duncan and Piatt. As soon as they landed at Brest they were 
 marched to the famous Napoleon Barracks, about three miles away, 
 which at this time consisted of the old prison of Napoleon Bonaparte 
 and built before the battle of Waterloo. This old prison was used 
 at this time as a receiving camp ; only a few barracks were built 
 around the prison and the old wall was still standing. On account 
 of the smallness of the camp the three companies remained there only 
 a day and a night and after they had been served with a little coffee, 
 hardtack and corn beef it appeared to the boys that food became pain- 
 fully noticeable. This Napoleon Barracks was afterward enlarged to 
 such an extent that upon Elmer's return it was almost ten miles long. 
 This camp later on became known as the mud camp on account of the 
 rains and mud ; it was made more famous on account of the "Brest 
 Scandal." 
 
 This camp consisted of few barracks and no drill grounds ; when 
 the three companies arrived it could not be called a camp for it was 
 too small to accommodate these companies for more than one night, so 
 they left the next morning, marched back to Brest and immediately 
 boarded the trains for somewhere in France.. 
 
 After about a week's travel on the train they stopped at a place 
 called Cham-Pla, reaching this place April 3rd. Elmer was going 
 eastward into France about the same time the Germans were making 
 their first great drive westward in France. The boys stopped at 
 Cham-Pla only four days, long enough to rest up a little, for there 
 were no barracks nor tents there and the boys had to put up in billets. 
 These billets consisted of barns, sheds, chicken-houses and the like ; 
 Elmer having the good fortune to find a hayloft. Only one small 
 barracks was built and it was used for a kitchen and was left for 
 future new-comers who were soon to follow. 
 
 On the 7th of April they left Cham-Pla for Cou-Blanc, hiking this 
 distance and reaching this place in the evening. Here again Elmer 
 was lucky in being able to call a hayloft his billet. This village be- 
 came memorable for Elmer, for it was here the boys climbed a high 
 mountain every morning and hiked around it every day. They had 
 rifle practice on a little range the boys made ; here they learned to 
 handle guns, etc. ; bayonet practice was fierce ; and here the boys re- 
 ceived their helmets and hob-nailed shoes, fit or no fit ; and after they 
 had received instructions in gas drills the companies split up to go 
 farther east and to different sectors where American Marines had met 
 with reverses and where they had been annihilated. To these places 
 the boys were sent to fill in the gaps that had been made. Here Elmer 
 and Ed. parted on the 19th of April, Ed. going to a sector assigned to 
 
 31
 
 his company and Elmer to go east on the Verdun front to a small town 
 about the size of Bethalto, by the name of Somme Du, directly south 
 of the city of Verdun by about ten miles. 
 
 They arrived at Somme Du on the 21st of April, where the 5th 
 and 6th regiments had been quite a while ; and having lost nearly all 
 their officers and men these new boys became part of the 5th and 6th, 
 Elmer becoming part of the 6th regiment, 74th company, U. S. 
 Marines, under the command of good old Captain Burns, Col. Catlin 
 commanding the 6th regiment. The 9th and 23rd infantry and the 
 5th and 6th Marines comprised the Second Division. 
 
 The little town was quiet at the time the new men arrived, but 
 they had evidently been seen coming for on the night of the 27th the 
 town was heavily shelled ; everybody made for their gas masks when 
 the alarm was given and kept them on until the French officers notified 
 them there was no gas. The shells fiew high and went over the 
 Marines, who were located in the east end of the town, but in the 
 west end three "doughboys" and many horses and mules were killed 
 during this twenty minute bombardment. Thinking all was over now 
 the boys went back to their bunks only to be routed out again by an- 
 other shell fire ; this time the boys remained in their dugouts or took 
 to the hills until morning for the fire was directed closer and the shells 
 tore up streets and buildings all around them. Elmer was lucky and 
 escaped unhurt. 
 
 As stated before, the 74th had been almost completely wiped out, 
 the officers had either been killed, wounded, or gassed ; the few men 
 that were left joined the new bunch under Captain Burns and Lieu- 
 tenant Gargon. Somme Du was not to be used as a battlefield, but 
 for a replacing station, where they drilled and practiced with their 
 rifles until the 9th of May, when orders were given to travel west. 
 Leaving Somme Du in trucks they traveled three days and three 
 nights, reaching Outre Pont on the 12th, where they received two 
 months' pay and where a glorious time was had while it lasted. On 
 the 19th of May they left Outre Pont and marched to Vitre, a railroad 
 center, boarded a train that went west ; they went through Paris, 
 thence north to a town named Isle of Adam. 
 
 Nearly every soldier has described one or more hikes in this book ; 
 here came Elmer's memorable hike. The town of Marines was al- 
 most twenty miles away ; here the Marines had to go afoot — weather 
 of the hottest summer kind ; a rifle, helmet, machine gun ammunition, 
 besides a heavy pack ; they wore fit-or-no-fit hobnailed shoes and new 
 at that ; yet the town had to be made. The result was officers and 
 men alike fell by the wayside and had to be hauled by the truckload 
 
 32
 
 ELMER T. OLTHOFF 
 
 74th Co., 6th Reg., U.S. Marines 
 
 WALTER C. WULF 
 U. S. Marine Corps 
 
 HENRY E. HENKHAUS 
 
 Deceased I 
 75th Co., 5th Reg., U.S. Marines 
 
 ANDREW SANDERS 
 
 1st Marine Aviation Corps
 
 ELMER A. ELLIOTT 
 
 Fireman, U. S. S. N. T. S. 
 
 FREDERICK D. OBERMILLER 
 
 L. M. M. A., U. S. N. R. F.-5 
 
 ELMER O. SCHOENEWEIS 
 
 U. S. N. R. F. 
 
 EDWARD D. BAYLESS 
 Co. E, 12th Engineers
 
 to the auxiliary hospital at Marines, which was soon full of patients. 
 Great pluck was shown here and nobody rode unless he was picked up 
 by the roadside. This 25th day of May is counted as another 
 preparatory time for .that which lay before them. Elmer remained in 
 the hospital about a week ; many however, remained a month, and 
 some had to be sent to other hospitals. 
 
 Their division was stationed about thirty miles north of Marines, 
 and Elmer with others went there in trucks. They were scattered 
 around in small towns ; it was in one of these towns that Elmer met 
 Ed. Bowman and John Wiedmer for the first time in France, this being 
 on Decoration Day. Although Ed. Henkhaus was near, Elmer had 
 no chance to see him, Ed. belonging to the 5th regiment. 
 
 That night word was received that the Germans were breaking 
 through at Chateau Thierry and orders were given to send the Marines 
 there at once to stop the drive. They started for Chateau Thierry on 
 the first day of June. On their way the Marines met objects that put 
 "pep" into them ; old and young alike were seen fleeing from their 
 homes, the scenes were pitiful to behold ; for miles and miles they 
 could be seen with their belongings, some had carts pulled by dogs, 
 cows, oxen or even women and children, no men excepting old and 
 crippled, for the men were all on the firing line. Major Hughes took 
 charge when they went to Belleau Wood. Finally the test came when 
 they were met by French soldiers and officers also retreating, who told 
 our Marine officers that nothing could be done to stem the tide ; it 
 was not necessary to go ahead for the Germans were already coming 
 out of Belleau Wood and occupied Lucy, a small town a little west of 
 Chateau Thierry ; but our American Marine officers had assumed a 
 different idea about going back by this time, for "Pluck" was the 
 name of each officer in the regiment and they told the French officers 
 there was no such expression as "Fall Back" in the Marine history, 
 and no such word as "Retreat" in the Marine dictionary. 
 
 On they went to a small wood near Belleau Wood on the Paris- 
 Metz road and formed line on this road ; they reached the town of 
 Lucy about 4 p. m., just before the Germans got there ; but the Ger- 
 man planes had discovered them and shortly afterward they started 
 shelling the little town something awful from the wood only about a 
 half mile away. The boys made for the cellars, the engineers dug 
 trenches between the town and the wood. The Germans continued 
 to throw shells into the town. The Marines had no planes and no 
 artillery to support them, but they had pluck, and lay quiet on the 
 ground when about eleven o'clock in the night the Germans started 
 from the wood but the fire of the rifles of the Marines was something 
 
 33
 
 fierce — such shooting — Ehner having a share in the fray. The result 
 was the Germans did not get far out of Belleau Wood. The Marines 
 remained there all night and the next morning they went back to 
 Lucy, leaving the sentries there. The next day the Germans again 
 shelled the town incessantly. When one barn was shot away another 
 was found. Thus the day passed. The next night they occupied a 
 position behind a stone wall ; some dug trenches north of Lucy. These 
 locations were not expected by the Germans and when they reappeared 
 the third day the guns of the Marines played havoc with the Ger- 
 mans, who could not stand the withering fire ; it was then that the 
 first American Artillery was heard. They poured shells into the 
 edge of the wood which produced such heart-rending cries and moans 
 that whoever heard them can never forget. 
 
 During these trying hours a great deal of gas had been shot, and 
 to have on a gas mask so long breathing through the mouth during 
 hot summer hours was hard to bear. Digging in through the dead 
 of night and upon break of day find that you have had four mutilated 
 French keeping silent watch over you, or meeting Germans face to 
 face during the intensive stillness, need not be commented upon here. 
 Sufficient to know in this connection that only a fractional part of 
 Elmer's story can be told here. It is enough to say that the Germans 
 never reached the little town of Lucy a little north of Chateau Thierry, 
 although many Marines were wounded and several killed. 
 
 During these trying hours there was one in the company who was 
 always watching and caring for his men ; there was one who would 
 never enter a dug-out or a place of safety until his men were safe ; 
 there was one who was ever on the alert, guarding ever guarding ; 
 there was one who cautioned each one when danger was near and 
 when after a circuitous route our Marines had at last succeeded in en- 
 tering Belleau Wood and the enemy discovered what had happened — 
 "Hell sure turned loose" as Elmer expressed it. The Germans were 
 thick in the wood, but the only way was for the Marines to go in and 
 stay in. They hurriedly dug themselves in, into a ravine; and when 
 every soldier had been safely hid they waited for firing to cease. When 
 at last it was over they came out of their dug-outs to find that one had 
 failed to get in ; he had seen that every soldier was safe, and upon 
 seeing all were safe he had tried to enter the cave where they found 
 him with both legs missing. This one, the noble Captain John E. 
 Burns, had given his life to save the lives of his comrades. He was 
 loved by all, for not a better nor braver man in the whole United 
 States Marines could be found. Thus Captain Burns died while gal- 
 lantly fighting, although the real fighting had just begun. He was 
 
 34
 
 succeeded by Captain Turner. Fighting continued for thirty-five 
 long hot days and thirty-five dreary nights. 
 
 Ahhough it took thirty-five days and nights they succeeded in 
 driving the enemy out of Belleau Wood and far beyond it, and al- 
 though no colors were lost by the Marines many a brave officer and 
 man bid farewell to his comrades during this trying time. 
 
 The 26th or National Guard Division entered the Wood and re- 
 lieved the Marines, who were part of the Second Division. The first 
 U. S. aeroplane was seen by Elmer on the Fourth of July, which 
 caused a gleam of hope to enter his depressed spirit. After being re- 
 lieved they went back to the Marne River, for the Germans were re- 
 treating all along the line. A little farther south at Chateau Thierry 
 the Fifth Marines had the same kind of a time that the Sixth had at 
 Belleau Wood. After leaving the Marne the Sixth went to Villers 
 Cotterets Wood and although "eats" were scarce — hardtack and 
 bacon and very little of that — shells were plentiful, for they were piled 
 high everywhere. 
 
 From there they went to Verzy where the first tanks and armored 
 cars and French Cavalry were seen. At this time Elmer was made a 
 runner for Lieut. Trainer. They were still near the Germans. The 
 formation was French Cavalry followed by tanks, and these tanks 
 were followed by U. S. Marines. The tanks had one pounders and 
 machine guns, but they drew the enemy's artillery fire and instead of 
 taking one objective they took more ; so it happened that when the 
 tanks were at last disabled and the Marines coming up to the tanks, 
 they, instead of tanks, had to take the artillery fire ; besides as our 
 .•\merican artillery was not moving as fast as the Marines caused them 
 to run into the American Barrage, causing awful losses to our men. 
 Many Boche planes kept swooping down on our brave boys, piercing 
 them with machine gun bullets. 
 
 It happened that after Elmer had delivered one message and was 
 returning with another that he was wounded on the right side of his 
 face and shoulder. He was sent to the First Aid Station which con- 
 sisted of a cave. Here he remained long enough to get his wounds 
 dressed ; while they were dressing his wounds a large plane came over, 
 dropped a large bomb, killing a captain and many horses and almost 
 closed the entrance of the cave. This was in the Soissons Sector, and 
 many Marines lost their lives and many more were wounded ; this 
 fight lasted from the 18th of July until the 22nd of July, when finally 
 the enemy was dislodged and put to flight. 
 
 Major General of the National Army, James G. Harbord, in speak- 
 ing of this fight says : It is with keen pride that the Division Com- 
 
 35
 
 mander transmits to the command the congratulations and affectionate 
 personal greetings of General Pershing, who visited the Division 
 Headquarters last night. His praise of the gallant work of the 
 Division on the 18th and 19th is echoed by the French High Command, 
 the Third Corps Commander, American Expeditionary Forces, and in 
 a telegram from the former Division Commander. He says : In 
 spite of two sleepless nights, long marches through rain and mud, and 
 the discomforts of hunger and thirst, the Division attacked side by 
 side with gallant Moroccan Division and maintained itself with credit. 
 You advanced over six miles, captured over three thousand prisoners 
 and eleven batteries of artillery and over a hundred machine guns, 
 minenwerfer and supplies. The Second Division has sustained the 
 best traditions of the Army and the Marine Corps. The story of 
 your achievements will be told in millions of homes in all allied lands 
 tonight. 
 
 Following is another citation from Major General Bullard, in 
 speaking of this fight which lasted from the 18th to the 22nd of July : 
 On the morning of the 18th of July, after forty-eight hours of ex- 
 hausting, continuous, almost sleepless movements, you stood beside 
 the best veteran French troops and did honor to the name American. 
 Our allies, your commanders, the army of the United States and the 
 whole nation are proud and will boast of your deeds and the deeds of 
 your comrades, who at your side in the last five days have fallen, pay- 
 ing the last sacrifice of soldiers. 
 
 Yes, in these five days many a brave boy fell thinking of home 
 that was to be home no more for him. Here one Bethalto boy lost 
 his life, here Ed. Henkhaus paid the supreme price that we could be 
 and remain free ; and here Elmer received the wounds that almost 
 proved fatal ; yet he was spared that he may assist at some future time 
 in driving the enemy out of territory not their own. 
 
 Elmer remained at Regimental first aid station a few hours after 
 the bombardment waiting for the ambulance train, but as it did not 
 reach the place until night, he with other wounded were loaded on flat 
 trucks and sent to a French hospital ten miles behind the lines. Here 
 they were tagged and the description of the wounds were taken, but 
 no wounds were dressed here. After this was accomplished they 
 were put on trains and sent to Paris, to the Red Cross Hospital No. 5. 
 
 On account of the many wounded arriving all the time El- 
 mer was kept continually on the move. He had been wounded on the 
 19th and by the 20th he was already on his way to a Red Cross Hos- 
 pital. He was in Paris from the 20th to the 28th, when he was sent 
 to Base Hospital No. 26 at Alleray, where he remained until the 10th 
 
 36
 
 of September At this place he celebrated his birthday, if you can 
 call it a celebration. On the 10th of September he was able to go 
 back to his company, for his wounds were healed by that time. He 
 reached his company on the 14th of September. They had just ar- 
 rived at the Toul Sector, having just got out of the St. Mihiel Sector. 
 He found his company in a pretty good condition for they had not lost 
 many men during the time Elmer was in the hospital. 
 
 They reached Toul, a large place, on the 16th, and remained there 
 a couple of weeks. From Toul they went to Champaign advance. 
 Mount Blanc Sector, between Verdun and Rheims with the Argonne 
 Forest south and east of them. They traveled from Toul to Vitry 
 by rail, and from Vitry to Cheppes through Chalons they hiked the 
 whole distance. The city of Chalons was being bombarded con- 
 tinually ; even while hiking through the city of Chalons in the night, 
 shells fell all around them. From Chalons they hiked north to Somme 
 Suppes, the last town that could be recognized as a town with a name. 
 Although there were no civilians there some French officers knew the 
 town as Somme Suppes. 
 
 After that names of towns could not be ascertained and the only 
 thing that gave clue to the existence of a town was the debris, for 
 everything was in an unrecognizable shape. Piles of brick or stone 
 showed that it had once been a place where inhabitants had quietly 
 lived, now it was noise and death that mingled ; for they were by this 
 time in the midst of the Hindenburg line and for several years this 
 place had been the object of vehement opposition and both sides had 
 torn everything so what one side did not get demolished the other com- 
 pleted. They reached this terrible dreary place on the 28th of Sep- 
 tember and remained there until the 9th of October. 
 
 Mont Blanc was the objective of the Second Division. They were 
 continually under shell fire during this time ; they went through the 
 awfullest times that a person can imagine ; a pile of stone here, a large 
 hole there, and shells flying everywhere. 
 
 Elmer did not quite reach Mount Blanc ; if he did he did not know 
 it, for on the 5th of October when shells were falling, splinters flying, 
 death-dealing devices were at work, grinding, ever grinding, many a 
 brave boy fell ; the scene must not be described ; it must be left to the 
 imagination of the reader. During an awful gas attack a splinter 
 tore a hole in Elmer's gas mask and the rest can be imagined; with 
 his gas mask torn to pieces what the result would be. In this place 
 where shells of all caliber and gas shells were flying all the time every- 
 where, in this waste of all wastes which could truly be called "No 
 Man's Land," Elmer took his place beside the many gassed and 
 
 37
 
 wounded. This new kind of gas, which the doctors declared to be a 
 mixture of all kinds, had got him all at once. It made him sick, then 
 strangulation set in, his voice left him, his eyes were blinded, his 
 lungs became inflamed, and it was vomit and vomit all the time. He 
 could not get out of it for it caught him suddenly and the last he re- 
 membered was that he lay down just about dead. He was uncon- 
 scious when two stretcher bearers came along about three hours after- 
 ward. They carried him to the first aid station. He was unable to 
 walk, talk or see. He was at once placed into an ambulance and taken 
 to Field Hospital No. 5 near Chalons, a place that seemed altogether 
 different to him now. His company still in the thick of the fight, 
 while he was being carried from one hospital to another, made things 
 seem weird. 
 
 At Field Hospital No. 5, they put medicine into his eyes so that 
 he could open them a little now and then. After remaining overnight 
 they sent him on to Mesves Hospital Center on a Red Cross train. 
 This large hospital Unit No. 3, was far south of Vitry and Verdun. 
 Here he was treated until the armistice was signed. His eyes and 
 throat were treated with medicines and washes. Shortly after this 
 he was sent to a convalescent camp in the same center with the bal- 
 ance of the gas patients; the principal treatment they received there 
 was three hours exercise in the morning and three hours in the eve- 
 ning. The object of this exercise was to work the gas out of the 
 patients, and it was exercise until you dropped. 
 
 The climate was mild and damp. The unfinished barracks were 
 overcrowded with patients. Many thousands of gas patients were 
 sent there from all parts of France. Elmer kept on improving, his 
 eyes were getting better, but many another died while at this place, for 
 "flu" and pneumonia added to the misery and the gas patients con- 
 tracted "flu" and pneumonia easily. Food conditions were pretty 
 good here, but that bothered Elmer very little for he had not regained 
 his appetite. 
 
 He left the convalescent camp a little before Thanksgiving Day, 
 thinking he would be sent home, and thus wrote to his parents that 
 he would eat Christmas dinner with them ; but instead of being sent 
 home he was sent to Flat Foot Farm at St. Aignan, south of Paris, 
 and about forty miles from Tours. Here he met John Wiedmer for 
 the second time in France, the first time being on Decoration Day. 
 Wiedmer had been in the hospital and was on the way back to his com- 
 pany. Flat Floot Farm was another place of misery ; they were held 
 there waiting for their records that had been lost. The place con- 
 sisted of tents and men, little food and poor drinking water. One 
 
 38
 
 slice of bread, one slice of bacon, a little cofifee made from water that 
 had gasoline mixed in it, was his Thanksgiving dinner. Cold and 
 damp, frost and snow, misery over again during these days when they 
 ought to have been on their way home, and instead of eating a 
 well-prepared meal for Christmas at home he spent Christmas at Flat 
 Foot Farm in southern France, south of Paris, near St. Aignan. 
 
 They sent many of the boys on without their records and thus it 
 happened Elmer was finually sent on and he reached Brest in Feb- 
 ruary, where he remained a couple of weeks. On March 3rd, he left 
 on the Mount \>rnon for New York, reaching Hoboken on the 10th, 
 making the voyage in seven days. From Hoboken he was sent to 
 Quantico, the starting point. While at Ouantico he received a fur- 
 lough and was home nearly two months recuperating. While home 
 the freshness of the spring and the joy of being among loved ones 
 soon refreshed him to a great extent ; and after this furlough expired 
 he returned to Quantico, where he received his discharge. 
 
 Following are a few telegrams received by George Olthoff, his 
 father : 
 
 Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps, 
 
 Adjutant and Inspector's Department, 
 
 Washington, September 23, 1918. 
 
 Sir : — I deeply regret to inform you that information has been re- 
 ceived in this office that Private Elmer T. Olthofif, Marine Corps, was 
 gassed June 16, 1918. No further details were given in the report, 
 and official cablegram cannot be sent asking about his condition. It 
 is very probable that he will communicate with you giving the details 
 of his injury and condition before such information is received by this 
 office. You may rest assured that he will receive every possible care 
 and attention. Military necessities and the conditions under which 
 our forces are operating make it difficult to do much toward relieving 
 the anxiety of relatives and friends of the men who are nobly sacrific- 
 ing their lives in the service of their country. I am directed by the 
 Major General Commandant to extend to you his sincere wishes that 
 your son may have a speedy recovery and be restored to duty at an 
 early date. Very respectfully, 
 
 C. A. Ketcham, Captain and Assistant. 
 
 39
 
 ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR 
 Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps, 
 
 Adjutant and Inspector's Department, 
 Washington, January 21, 1919. 
 Sir: — I am directed by the Major General Commandant to advise 
 you that a hospital report has just been received from abroad regard- 
 ing your son, Private Elmer T. Olthoff, M. C, as follows : Admitted 
 to Base Hospital No. 26, July 28, 1918, from American Red Cross 
 Military Hospital No. 5. Cause of admission: Gun shot wound, 
 right side of face, slight. Incurred in action July 19, 1918. Disposi- 
 tion: Returned to duty August 24, 1918. The Major General Com- 
 mandant also directs me to state that he is glad to know that your 
 son has recovered from his injuries, and to congratulate you on the 
 splendid part he played in the glorious achievements of our forces. 
 Very respectfully, C. A. Ketcham. 
 
 CAPTAIN ASSISTANT ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR. 
 
 Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps, 
 
 Adjutant and Inspector's Department, 
 Washington, February 17, 1919. 
 
 Sir: — I am directed by the Major General Commandant to advise 
 you that the muster roll of the 74th Company for the month of 
 October, 1918, reports your son. Private Elmer T. Olthoff, Marine 
 Corps, was gassed in action, October 5, 1918. This is the first in- 
 formation received by this office of a casualty in the case of the above 
 named man and it is quite probable that you have already received 
 same direct from him. However, as there are many instances in 
 which the relatives have not received information, this office is send- 
 ing out the reports in all cases. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 C. A. Ketcham, Captain Assistant Adjutant and Inspector. 
 
 Elmer was not as lucky as many others of the Marine Corps, — 
 still there were worse casualities. He was in different hospitals a 
 long time and to while away so many of the lonesome hours he wrote 
 some of his past experiences in the forms of two poems which he wrote 
 at different times : They read as follows : 
 
 OVER THE TOP 
 
 "Twas on the morning of the 19th in the month of July, 
 That the order was given to pack up and stand by. 
 To clean up our rifles and shine up our knives. 
 And look to the rations which might save our lives. 
 
 40
 
 So the men were soon busy and I with the rest 
 
 Was hurrying and scurrying and trying my best 
 
 To get my equipment in order and shape, 
 
 And trying to dope out just what I should take. 
 
 For you know when a fellow's going over the top 
 
 He does not take all of the things that he's got. 
 
 And though many a heart has beat in despair 
 
 You've got to watch out what you put in there. 
 
 For all of the treasures you love and you own, 
 
 Such as letters from her and the pictures from home, 
 
 Must be carried along with you strapped on your back. 
 
 Packed away closely in your combat pack. 
 
 By five o'clock we were ready to go. 
 
 Each man a warrior from his head to his toe. 
 
 When the whistle blew we stepped off in file 
 
 With many a grin and many a smile, 
 
 For though we were headed for the firing line 
 
 We were "raring to go" and feeling fine. 
 
 Each 30-inch step brings us nearer our fate 
 
 So we quickened our pace so we wouldn't be late. 
 
 For an hour or two we hiked through the woods. 
 
 Then out through a place where a village once stood. 
 
 We passed through its streets all torn up from shell 
 
 We uttered some phrases which here I won't tell ; 
 
 Then out through some fields which once had grown wheat, 
 
 But now just plain mud from the trampling of feet, 
 
 Then to the top of a hill and there on its crest 
 
 Our Captain, he told us to lie down and rest. 
 
 We no sooner did this, now let me tell, 
 
 When right in our midst there lit a big shell. 
 
 And no sooner that one than another one came 
 
 And soon they vv-ere falling as thickly as rain. 
 
 So we stretched out and rested the best way we could. 
 
 And counted the shells that came from the wood. 
 
 For it was in this wood that Fritz had his line 
 
 While we had a wheatfield in which shelter to find. 
 
 After resting, perhaps half an hour or so. 
 
 The order was given to get up and go. 
 
 That now we were in "No Man's Laiid," 
 
 And would fight to a finish to make a stand. 
 
 Then in war formation we entered the field. 
 
 Our rifles were loaded and bared was our steel, 
 
 41
 
 So we started across in the young of the day, 
 
 The woods our objective, a kilo away. 
 
 The air was soon sizzling and hissing with lead 
 
 That smashed up our limbs or knocked you cold dead, 
 
 And soon high explosive was taking its toll 
 
 And shrapnel was starting to make many a hole. 
 
 Now and then a buddy, a brave boy would drop, 
 
 With a hole in his heart or his head all shot. 
 
 And then a pitiful cry would come up 
 
 From a wounded pal with an ugly cut. 
 
 And again to add to our misery out there 
 
 A squadron of Boche swept down from the air 
 
 With guns that spit out their red hot fire 
 
 But we plowed through it all nor did we retire. 
 
 Our guns were still loaded and still bare was our steel 
 
 When we came to the edge of that waving wheat field. 
 
 Then 'twas like walking right straight into hell 
 
 For the field we now entered behind me when I tell 
 
 Was nothing but grass two or three inches high, 
 
 And there I heard many a buddie's last cry. 
 
 The bullets now spat like snakes at our feet. 
 
 And the shells fell so thick we could feel the heat, 
 
 But on we kept going and ne'er did we stop 
 
 Till we neared their front line just within a good shot, 
 
 And then it was our turn to take a hand in the fray 
 
 So we started a game that all of us could play. 
 
 Every one opened up and all at one time 
 
 Sent out our death-pills into Fritizie's front line, 
 
 And this we kept up an hour or two 
 
 And out of the Fritz we made hash and Boche stew. 
 
 Then something happened, our guns got the range, 
 
 And soon in the scene began a great change 
 
 And then all the woods where old Fritzie lay 
 
 Was quickly mown down just like so much hay. 
 
 And then as the harvest was fast being reaped 
 
 Right out in the open the "Devil Dogs" leaped. 
 
 We were ready to live or ready to die. 
 
 But did we die ? No ! but fighting like mad 
 
 We forced the last Fritz to holler "Kamerad" ! 
 
 We now were ready to run them through. 
 
 But there was only one thing allowed us to do ; 
 
 So we took back our prisoners and then stopped to rest ; 
 
 We had gained our victory ; we had done our best. 
 
 42
 
 OVER NO MAN'S LAND 
 
 I had a pal in the Marine Corps ; 
 
 It is hard for me to say, 
 But I'll tell you where I left him 
 
 Six months ago today. 
 We were up in the front line trenches 
 
 Dug down in the sand, 
 When our orders came to us one night 
 
 To go across No Man's Land. 
 So over to No Man's Land we wandered 
 
 Me and my old friend, Bill, 
 We placed our pack upon our back 
 
 And went winding up the hill. 
 We topped the hill at ten o'clock. 
 
 The moon was shining bright. 
 When across the lone old prairie 
 
 There was another hill in sight. 
 I says to Bill, "The coast is clear, 
 
 And we are on the way. 
 Let's try to make the hill 
 
 Before the break of day." 
 Bill said, "all right" and took the lead 
 
 And I was close behind, 
 Watching closely all along 
 
 For any German sign. 
 We crossed that lonely prairie 
 
 And reached that lonely hill 
 And went into the timber 
 
 While everything was still. 
 The sun rose up next morning 
 
 It was shining through the trees, 
 We heard a sound somewhere around. 
 
 And dropping to our knees, 
 Bill put his gun to his shoulder. 
 
 And while he was taking sight, 
 He says, "I see a German 
 
 And I'll get him all right." 
 I watched him pull the trigger 
 
 And at the crack of that old gun 
 He brought the German to the ground 
 
 As if he weighed a ton. 
 
 43
 
 We searched his clothing closely 
 
 No information could we find 
 So thought the Germans had retreated 
 
 And he'd been left behind. 
 
 We stayed there in the timber 
 
 As it was broad daylight 
 For we were out in No Man's Land 
 
 And must keep out of sight. 
 
 Bill said to me, "Some time today, 
 
 Before the sun goes down, 
 There'll be a German patrol come 
 
 From that little one horse town." 
 
 And sure enough that afternoon, 
 
 As sure as I'm alive, 
 A Hun patrol came slipping through. 
 
 But there were only five. 
 
 We watched them there as they drew near 
 
 To ninety steps or more 
 Bill brought the leader to the ground 
 
 And there were only four. 
 
 And then I loaded my old gun, 
 
 And took a rest across a tree. 
 This brought another to the ground 
 
 So there were only three. 
 
 Bill threw his arms up in the air 
 
 As he was shot clear through. 
 But he had got another one 
 
 Which left there only two. 
 Then many thoughts went through my head, 
 
 I said, "you dirty Hun !" 
 And then another bit the dust 
 
 And there Vv^as only one. 
 I'd bad luck with my rifle 
 
 And broke the firing pin. 
 So jerked my HP pistol from my belt 
 
 And got the last one through the chin. 
 So there lay five dead Huns 
 
 But my brave partner Bill, 
 Was dead as any German 
 
 Upon that dreary hill. 
 
 44
 
 I took my shovel from my pack 
 
 And dug a little grave — 
 Than cover Bill up with the sod, 
 
 I'd rather be a slave. 
 I rolled him in his blanket 
 
 And lined his grave with grass, 
 And covered him up with the cold sod, 
 
 And saw him for the last. 
 I took his mess kit cover 
 
 And hung it on a limb. 
 And wrote a verse across it 
 
 So they'd remember him. 
 "Here lies a long lost soldier, 
 
 His name was Billy Tart ; 
 He fought and died for his country 
 
 And surely did his part. 
 He could whip his weight in wild-cats 
 
 But he couldn't stop a shell, 
 But we know he went to Heaven 
 
 For he's done his hitch in Hell. 
 
 Following are Elmer's discharge and military record : 
 
 United States Marine Corps. 
 
 To all whom it may concern: Know ye that Elmer Theodore 
 Olthoff, a private of the U. S. Marine Corps, who was enlisted the 14th 
 day of December, 1916, at Marine Barracks, Paris Island, S. C, to 
 serve for the duration of the war, is hereby honorably discharged by 
 special order of the Major General Commandant. For the conven- 
 ience of the government. 
 
 Said Elmer Theodore Olthoff was born August 1st. 1895, at Terre 
 Haute, Ind., and when enlisted he was 65 3-4 inches high, with blue 
 eyes, auburn hair, ruddy complexion; occupation mechanic, citizen- 
 ship, U. S. Accepted for enlistment at St. Louis Mo. Given under 
 my hand and delivered at Marine Barracks, Quantico, Va., Head- 
 quarters 14th Regiment, this 13th day of June, 1919. Paid in full 
 $112.76, check No. 32652, dated June 10th, 1919. Character: Ex- 
 cellent. P. W. Bowman, Colonel U. S. M. C, Commanding Marines. 
 
 MILITARY RECORD 
 
 Previous service : None. Promotions and reductions : None. 
 Marksmanship qualification: Marksman, February 2, 1918. Sea 
 
 45
 
 Service: None. Foreign Service: France, March 26th, 1918 to 
 March 3rd, 1919. Wounds received in service: Gassed in action 
 June 16th, 1918; October 5, 1918. Battles, engagements, skirmish 
 expeditions : June 1st to July 4th, 1918, Bois de Belleau Sector ; July 
 18th to July 19th, 1918, Parey-Tigny ; October 2nd to October 5th, 
 1918, Champagne Sector. Military Efficiency: Very Good. 
 Obedience: Excellent. Sobriety: Excellent. Remarks: Service 
 honest and faithful ; issued honorable discharge button— P. W. Bow- 
 man, Colonel U. S. M. C. Commanding Marines. 
 
 EDWARD B. BOWMAN 
 
 Edward B. Bowman, son of Ben and Emma Bowman, and brother 
 to George, whose description is found in this book, was born on a farm 
 one half mile east of Bethalto May 22, 1896. He received a good 
 common school education at Bethalto, completing the Ninth grade 
 work; and after that continued to assist the parents with their farm 
 work. Later on he attended the Jones Commercial College in St. 
 Louis, completing the course there, and after graduation he became in- 
 structor at the college, a position he was holding at the time the 
 United States entered the World War against Germany. 
 
 A number of St. Louis boys began to volunteer for the service and 
 Ed. became one of the volunteers for the U. S. Marines, taking exami- 
 nation on the 26th of May, shortly after war was declared. Although 
 he was accepted, passing the physical test easily, he did not leave until 
 a sufficient number was procured; among the number being John 
 Wiedmer, of St. Louis, and Leo Struif of Alton. In the meantime 
 Ed. registered for the draft, June 5th, and on the 14th of June, Ed. 
 was on his way in company with 145 boys, all bound for Paris Island, 
 S. C. These 145 boys, who later became known as the St. Louis Unit, 
 formed the 75th and 76th companies after reaching Paris Island. At 
 the time the boys arrived Paris Island had not been developed as a 
 military camp for the Marines, but was being used as a Naval Prison, 
 and all that was on the Island at the time was the old prison with its 
 naval prisoners and their guards. 
 
 The 75th and 76th received uniforms at once, and on account of 
 such a large number from one place at the same time, they were at 
 once classed as a unit of some strength and importance. Ed. was 
 placed in the 75th company, after taking another rigid examination. 
 After Ed. had been on the Island but a short time he had been thor- 
 oughly initiated into the secrets of Marine life, and the next three 
 
 46
 
 months were devoted to drilling, hiking and in a word, training to be- 
 come a Marine to serve in a foreign land. The Island is about 25 
 miles wide and afforded room for all kinds of practice and training. 
 Major General George Barnett, Commandant Marine Corps, gave the 
 boys a talk on the mysteries of Marine life, and after the chaplain had 
 given them a brief talk the final step of initiation was taken by "cross- 
 ing the line" and the duties of a Marine were taken up. 
 
 At the end of the first two weeks the boys went farther inland 
 where a camp was being arranged ; it was about two miles from the 
 seacoast and when the tide was high the water came rolling all the 
 way to the camp, and after it had receded it left a beautiful drill 
 ground, smooth and firm. The tide also left thousands of tons of 
 oyster shells on the coast which the boys were wont to carry in 
 buckets a distance of two miles to build up the camp. The carrying 
 of these shells in buckets on a shoulder was tiresome and irksome, but 
 it helped to toughen and that was what was needed. 
 
 After remaining in the first camp about two weeks they went 
 farther inland where real intensive drilling commenced. The tide 
 came in at about 7 o'clock in the evening, and was gone before morn- 
 ing, leaving splendid grounds on which to drill. They built a galley 
 — (Marine name for kitchen)— filled up all around with shells, and 
 they started to build a mess hall. It was here they held their Fourth 
 of July meet. They had boxing, jumping, etc. Thus they completed 
 another step in their line of duty. Here amongst strangers these 
 burning summer days were spent ; here amongst palm trees Ed. spent 
 days amidst millions of buzzards and myriads of mosquitoes ; but he 
 felt he was doing his duty toward his country and but for this feeling 
 the work would have been unbearable. 
 
 Later on they went to another camp where drilling became more 
 intense. It became training in reality ; training from sunup until 
 sunset; work half a day, drill the other half. When they reached this 
 third camp they found it rough and full of seaweeds ; they smoothed 
 about one square mile of these grounds, carrying off all the weeds and 
 making it fit for drilling. They unloaded a large barge of lumber, 
 by carrying the lumber two miles inland to build barracks. They 
 were brown as bats, for they wore few clothes in this hot land, and no 
 one wore caps or hats. The object of this intensive training seemed to 
 be twofold ; one was to learn to obey orders, the other to toughten up. 
 If a Marine was the least negligent with his clothing he was punished 
 by having to carry from 20 to 50 buckets of oyster shells a distance 
 of two miles after drill hours ; it would sometimes take a week to ful- 
 fill this duty. At this camp they went on a rifle range for two weeks ; 
 
 47
 
 the first week was spent in what was called "snapping off" which 
 taught them to handle the gun but no shooting ; also taught them to 
 load and handle the gun with ease and precision. The second week 
 was spent in shooting, at the end of which time the boys qualified on 
 the range. The regular pay for the boys was $30.00 a month. If 
 a Marine made 202 out of 300 he qualified as marksman and received 
 $2.00 extra pay ; if he made 238 out of 300 he became a sharpshooter 
 and received $3.00 extra pay ; if he made 251 out of 300 he became an 
 expert rifleman and received $5.00 extra pay. Ed. made 261 out of 
 300, receiving extra pay of $5.00 a month for a year, and received ex- 
 pert rifleman's badge, but not until he reached France. 
 
 From these new barracks they went back to the old barracks 
 where the Old Naval Prison was located. Here they did guard duty ; 
 guarding prisoners and making them work ; guarding men who had 
 been court-martialed and sent to Paris Island for long prison terms. 
 Here he met Walter Wulf, of Bethalto, not as a prisoner, but as a 
 cook at headquarters. 
 
 By the first of September they had left Paris Island and reached 
 Quantico, a camp in Virginia exclusively used to train U. S. Marines. 
 Here Ed. received a ten-day furlough which time he spent with home 
 folks. After he returned he was placed in the 83rd company, 6th U. 
 S. Marines, 3rd Battalion. At Quantico they had more real training 
 in trench warfare, etc., until they got ready to sail for France, which 
 was on the 22nd of October, 1917, when they boarded the ship Von 
 Steuben, that had formerly been the Crown Prince Wilhelm. They 
 sailed from Philadelphia to New York where they joined the convoy 
 of four troop ships, four destroyers and one battle cruiser. The 
 Von Steuben sailed as an auxiliary cruiser. The convoy was under 
 American command ; the sea was smooth and everything went fine un- 
 til they reached the war zone. They sighted two German submarines, 
 one fired at them but no damage was done and the submarines were 
 made to disappear ; but about 8 o'clock at dusk one of the troop ships 
 called Agamemnon rammed the Von Steuben, causing the loss of sev- 
 eral lives. The jar threw the sailors from the Agamemnon on to 
 the Von Steuben, and five American Marines on deck of the Von 
 Steuben were thrown into the sea and lost. Ed. narrowly escaped by 
 holding to the railing. The bow of the Von Steuben had been torn 
 off, the life boats on one side all gone and the ship placed in a critical 
 position, and in a bad condition. No time to stop in the dark amidst 
 the enemy submarines, the balance of the convoy sailed on to St. 
 Nazaire while the Von Steuben managed to reach Brest, a nearer port, 
 on the 12th of November, 1917. 
 
 48
 
 They passed through the great sea walls that Napoleon had built 
 many years ago ; and after landing they went to the Napoleon Bar- 
 racks. They were the first Americans to reach this place, and they 
 sure did receive a royal welcome from the natives. The French were 
 downhearted, and when they saw relief coming — when they saw their 
 only hope coming — the city rejoiced and threw thousands of flowers 
 in the paths of the Marines. 
 
 They remained at Brest one day and then rode in box cars to Bor- 
 deaux, where the 5th and 6th Marines built docks and laid miles of 
 track. They drove piling, built warehouses and worked like slaves. 
 They drilled some, but worked most of the time. They remained at 
 Bordeau until the first of January, 1918, when they once more took a 
 4-day box car ride for the Verdun Sector, a ride through snow and 
 sleet, a cold and miserable ride until they reached Damblain, a town 
 right behind the lines. At Chaumont La Ville, their camp, they 
 were placed in reserve and were given more training in bomb throw- 
 ing, gas drills, etc. They had both English and French masks. They 
 had instructions in real live grenades and gas drills in real gas and 
 gas masks. 
 
 From reserve they were put in support and by the last of January 
 they took over the first line trenches, thus relieving the French for 
 the first time in their history. Thus the Marines became familiar 
 with trench warfare for they remained in these trenches from the last 
 of January until the 18th of May. During this time the Germans 
 made several attacks and the Marines were constantly under shell fire. 
 When they went to the trenches Ed. became corporal, and while in the 
 trenches he became acting-sergeant. He held outposts and was in 
 charge of nine men. 
 
 It may be mentioned here that in a nearby sector the Germans 
 made a heavy attack on the 74th company, causing the loss of nearly 
 the whole company, and it thus happened that Elmer Olthoff, of Be- 
 thalto, was sent there to help fill up the gaps thus made. They had 
 been near Dead Man's Hill at Somme Dieu. near the Meuse River. 
 After they were relieved they left this sector for a five days' rest at 
 Varray La Petit, a real rest, the first one for many a day. Here Ed. 
 received his pay and here he celebrated his 22nd birthday. 
 
 The 83rd, 84th, 82nd and 97th composed the Third Battalion un- 
 der the command of Major Sibley. The 83rd and 84th were always 
 billeted together, John Wiedmer, of St. Louis, was in the 84th, and 
 Leo Struif, of Alton in the 97th. After a five days' period of rest 
 they hiked four days and four nights to the little town of Montagny, 
 north of Paris, where they were placed in reserve of the First 
 
 49
 
 Division, and while at Montagny he met Elmer Olthoff, the first and 
 only time in France. This was on Decoration Day. 
 
 The First Division was expecting an attack from the Germans 
 and the Second Division was placed in readiness in the Mt. Didier Sec- 
 tor; but they (the Second Division) had hardly reached this place 
 when orders came for them to march toward Paris, for the Germans 
 were breaking through at Chateau Thierry. The boys started at once 
 in camions, or trucks as we call them, and rode all night, all next day 
 and the next night. They met sights little dreamed of ; men. women 
 and children, everybody, fleeing from their homes, having left all their 
 belongings ; some pulled carts, some carried a little baggage, but all 
 were hurrying from that awful scene they left behind ; as they drew 
 nearer soldiers were seen fleeing. The Germans had routed the 
 French ; they were in full retreat, a disorderly retreat, their line was 
 broken and the tide of retreat could not be stemmed. 
 
 It was here the French General in command told Major General 
 Bundy to have his men also fall back, as nothing could be done ; that 
 it would be best to form a line of defense 25 miles farther back ; but 
 our noble Major General Bundy answered him by saying: "Retreat 
 Hell, we did not come to retreat, we came to fight ; Marines never re- 
 treat — there is no such word in their dictionary." On and on they 
 went, and the French soldiers kept filtering through doing their best 
 to hold the Germans back, but with little success. The Marines finally 
 established their lines three kilos behind the place where the French 
 lines were supposed to have been, but the French had gradually left 
 their places, for the organization was broken. The boys on their 
 way met many a poor wounded soldier, they passed many dead, saw 
 many a demolished and ruined dwelling. They settled in their posi- 
 tion on the night of June the first, and by next morning the Germans, 
 expecting no resistance, came forward in full formation. 
 
 At Montagny Ed. had been made sergeant and a recommendation 
 for a commissioned officer, and the date of his going to officers' train- 
 ing school had been set, but now he was in charge of the bombing 
 section. As the enemy marched forward in full formation the un- 
 expected happened. The Marines were there, the "Devil Dogs" had 
 arrived on the scene ; and the withering fire that was sent into the 
 enemy's line was awful to behold ; but they kept on attacking and the 
 Marines held fast and so did their lines. The enemy would fall back, 
 then try again ; there were bayonet charges, bomb throwing, real fight- 
 ing in earnest all around, and all around lay the dead and wounded. 
 These attacks were desperate, but the enemy finally fell back and 
 waited for the next day. 
 
 50
 
 Ed. had received a shrapnel wound and went back to the dressing 
 station where it was dressed, but on account of the shortage of men 
 Ed. was sent back to where they made preparation to meet another 
 onslaught the next day, the third of June. On the third they were 
 attacked again harder than ever, the Uhlans made one charge after 
 another, many a brave son lost his life, but not in vain. The am- 
 munition ran low, their rations all gone, fighting continued, but their 
 lines held. They had not discovered the word "retreat," the order 
 had not been given, and if it had it would probably not have been 
 obeyed. It was too much for the enemy, and although the aeroplanes 
 kept swooping down with their machine guns and taking a heavy toll, 
 those who were left resisted and the enemy gave up the attack. 
 
 The Germans had failed in the second battle of Marne, they had 
 failed in their advance on Paris ; they had failed to break through, and 
 had failed to sweep down the beautiful valley to overwhelm the Pride 
 of France. 
 
 It was now coming time for the Americans to try a hand at the 
 offensive. The Fourth Brigade, composed of the Fifth and Sixth 
 Marines, started their advance movement toward Belleau Wood where 
 the Germans had concealed their infantry with machine guns and 
 trench mortars. They were hid in the woods, they were behind 
 rocks and were well protected from artillery fire. Into this we must 
 go and into this place we went. Can you imagine the hell our boys 
 went through ; can you imagine how our boys felt before they started 
 — when the Regimental Chaplain held services in the trenches ; and 
 can you imagine how Ed. felt when the gunnery sergeant told him at 
 5 p. m. on the 6th of June just as they started forward that "after to- 
 day the old lady will have to wear black." 
 
 They started forward in four waves, but there was only one wave 
 left when they reached the wood ; Ed. was in the first wave ; he was 
 shot in the left hip at 6 p. m. by a machine gun bullet ; the blood be- 
 gan to ooze down into his shoe but the excitement was too great, life 
 was nothing in the sight of so much carnage, and on he went until he 
 reached the wood. Many had fallen and their ranks fast depleting 
 but they succeeded. As was stated later by some German prisoners, 
 the Marines surely must have been drunk ; nay, it was the absence of 
 drink that had made them obedient and brave ; but no matter how 
 brave a soldier is he cannot stop a cannon ball. The cries of the 
 wounded, the roaring of the cannon, the swishing of machine gun bul- 
 lets, and the battle cries of "Lusitania" and others mingled when some- 
 thing happened. 
 
 51
 
 Ed. was unable to go on ; it was seven-thirty, he heard a roar, a 
 crash and he was whirled into the air. A high explosive shell had 
 lit amongst them; many were wounded and several killed, among 
 whom was his friend, the gunnery sergeant. A piece of shell had torn 
 a place out of Ed.'s leg, including about three inches of bone, and he 
 lay helpless. They dragged him into a ditch where shell fire was not 
 so fierce. Later on he was removed to a barn where his wounds were 
 dressed, but the Germans began shelling the barn and the able-bodied 
 men fled, but Ed., unable to flee, crawled under some hay in a semi- 
 conscious state where he lay until 12:30 at night when he imagined 
 the enemy had won the day ; and he also knew what it meant for him 
 if the enemy found him in this critical condition ; but the enemy did 
 not find him. Instead a French Red Cross man found him the next 
 morning and carried him to an ambulance and thus he rode through 
 a stream of shell fire, through the town of Lucy to a place of safety. 
 
 An American Red Cross station was situated in a church, and Ed. 
 was placed in it where he was given a "shot" to keep him from getting 
 lock-jaw, but Ed. had not long to stay there for the Germans began 
 to shell this hospital, wounding a nurse and killing several patients, 
 so they had to leave the church and Ed. was taken to a hospital in a 
 town called Jouy. Even at Jouy they bombarded them. It was at 
 Jouy Ed. was operated upon, he had had a severe hemorrhage and he 
 was unconscious most of the time ; he was being moved around more 
 than he could bear. For safety's sake he was removed to Base Hos- 
 pital No. 2 at Paris. Even the "Big Berthas" fell there. While at 
 Paris Ed. had another hemorrhage, for they could not get the bleeding 
 under control. ' 
 
 During the latter part of July, Ed. was taken from the hospital in 
 Paris and sent to Base Hospital No. 8 at Savenay, about 14 kilos from 
 St. Nazaire, arriving there about the first of August. At Jouy he had 
 the machine gun bullet taken from his hip and it had healed up by 
 this time, but the large wound would not heal and while he was at 
 Savenay he had another awful hemorrhage, which almost proved fatal ; 
 and would have proved so had it not been for the transfusion of blood 
 from a nurse and a doctor. He had lost so much blood that he dared 
 not move for two weeks. He was at this hospital until the first of 
 November and during his stay at the various hospitals his weight had 
 reduced from 170 pounds to 125 pounds. 
 
 On the first of November he was sent to Brest to the U. S. Base 
 Hospital No. 15, where he remained until November 12, when he set 
 sail for the United States on the Ship Pocahontas. He was sent as 
 S. C. D. — Surgeon's Certificate of Disability. 
 
 52
 
 While in France he had undergone four operations, one at Jouy, 
 one at Paris and two at Savenay. They had a rough voyage, but 
 they landed safely at Norfolk, Va., on the 22nd of November, and he 
 was sent to Portsmouth Hospital from where he was transferred to 
 the Great Lakes Hospital on the third of December. He was home 
 on a seven days' furlough between Christmas and New Year and upon 
 his return he was once more operated upon ; this time they grafted skin 
 on his wound that would not heal. In April he had another furlough 
 and when he returned he remained until he was discharged from the 
 service, receiving a Medical Disability Discharge. 
 
 UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. 
 
 To all whom it may concern: Know ye, that Edward B. Bow- 
 man, a private of the U. S. Marine Corps, who was enlisted at M. B. 
 Paris Island, S. C, on the 21st day of June, 1917, to serve four years, 
 is hereby honorably discharged upon report of medical survey for dis- 
 ability. Said Edward B. Bowman was born May 22nd, 1896, at Be- 
 thalto. 111., and when enlisted was 68 inches high, with brown eyes, 
 dark brown hair, fair complexion ; occupation, teacher, citizenship U. 
 S. Delivered at Chicago. Illinois, this 31st day of August, 1919. 
 Character: Excellent. R. E. Walker, Captain Ret'd U. S. M. C, 
 Commanding Marines. 
 
 MILITARY HISTORY. 
 
 Applied for enlistment June, 1917, at St. Louis, Mo. Previous 
 service: None. Noncommissioned officer: Corporal 2/5/18. Pri- 
 vate 11/20/18. Marksmanship qualification — None. Sea Service: 
 U. S. S. Von Steuben, Oct. 24, 1917, to Nov. 19, 1917. Foreign Ser- 
 vice: Served with 83rd Co. 6th Regt. U. S. M. C, A. E. F. France. 
 Battles, Engagements, Skirmishes, Expeditions : 
 
 (Record is incomplete on account of it being lost). 
 
 Wounded in action June 6, 1918. Military efficiency: Excellent. 
 Obedience : Excellent. Sobriety : Excellent. Remarks : Service 
 Honest and Faithful. Honorable discharge button delivered. Was 
 given opportunity to consult with a representative of the Federal 
 Board for Vocational Education prior to discharge. Mileage paid to 
 St. Louis, Mo. Paid in full. One Hundred forty-four and 10/100 
 Dollars. R. E. Walker, Captain Ret'd U. S. M. C, Commanding 
 Marines. 
 
 53
 
 HENI^Y EDWARD HENKHAUS 
 
 Henry Edward Henkhaus, better known to his friends as Ed. 
 Henkhaus, and by which name he will be known in this story, was the 
 son of Henry and Julia Henkhaus. He was born in Foster Township, 
 not far from Bethalto, September 25, 1892. The parents were both 
 born in Madison County in 1860. When Ed. was seven years of age 
 the family moved to Alton where he attended St. Mary's Parochial 
 school ; and for a while attended the public school of Alton. Like 
 his parents, being used to a healthy country atmosphere, Ed. soon 
 grew tired of indoor life at school and yearned for activity. 
 
 Thus it happened he went to work for the Illinois Glass Com- 
 pany when quite young. Even this life was too irksome for one born 
 and raised where life was free and activity unpent ; so as he grew 
 older he longed for that freedom that only the Western United States 
 can give. He went as it is commonly called "West." He traveled 
 through Kansas, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and other 
 Western States more than six years, earning his way ; for activity, 
 freedom and sobriety were parts of his make-up ; on account of these 
 qualifications he made friends wherever he went, for these are the 
 qualifications that form the backbone of our good citizens of Illinois 
 and the West. 
 
 Ed. was employed at the Federal Lead Plant when he enlisted 
 in the Marine Corps at St. Louis, Friday, December 13, 1917. He 
 was sent to Paris Island, S. C, reaching that place about the middle 
 of December, 1917. He was placed in the 79th company U. S. 
 Marines. Here he received the training that fitted him for the duties 
 that lay before him. Here his previous outdoor exercise, his love 
 of excitement, came in handy ; for hiking, drilling, and bayonet prac- 
 tice, although of the most intensive kind, suited his nature; for his 
 physical make-up was of such kind that he could endure all the hard- 
 ships imposed upon him. 
 
 Ed. qualified as marksman at Paris Island, thus increasing his 
 pay. Ed. and Elmer Olthoff, whose description is found in this book, 
 were on Paris Island at the same time, Ed. having arrived about a 
 week later than Elmer. They were together much of the time, al- 
 though Elmer was in the 64th company, and Ed. in the 70th. They 
 were sent to Quantico, Va., from Paris Island at the same time. The 
 second replacement battalion was formed at Quantico and Ed. was 
 placed in the 139th company and Elmer in the 137th. 
 
 Again, at Quantico training continued, for the word "Replace- 
 ment" battalion told them that they were soon to take the places of 
 those who had died or had been wounded on the field of battle. The 
 
 54
 
 137th, 138th and 139th companies were consigned for overseas duty 
 and the three companies left Ouantico together and sailed on the same 
 boat immediately after getting off the train at Philadelphia. 
 
 Besides letters written to home folks, probably the last letter 
 written in this country by him was written to a friend in Bethalto on 
 the seventh of March, 1918. In this letter he writes of the beautiful 
 life at Quantico in comparison to the life on Paris Island ; he speaks 
 of his disdain for a slacker; and states that he also had a few pacihst 
 tendencies at the beginning of the war, but since he understood the 
 situation in a real light the time for such thoughts is past ; and if he 
 never comes back it is certainly better than to be a slacker ; and be- 
 sides in a time of emergency like this our country needs us. He 
 states the military training comes easy to him on account of the 
 strenuous exercise he has had in the past. He is glad that he joined 
 the Marines for they become the best disciplined body of men in the 
 whole army ; he writes that he wants to be the first in the fight and 
 he knows the Marines must face the real phase of the war ; he knows 
 also that the Marines will remain in this country but a short time, and 
 there will be no time for a furlough, and therefore asks friends to pray 
 that all may end well. 
 
 With that feeling in his heart, with that depressed yet cheerful 
 spirit, he boarded the troop ship U. S. Henderson which was ex- 
 clusively used to transport U. S. Marines. He boarded the ship on 
 the 12th day of March, and landed at Brest, France, on the 26th day 
 of March, 1918. As soon as the 137th, 138th and 139th landed they 
 were sent to the famous Napoleon Barracks made famous for having 
 been used as a military prison in the Napoleonic days, and having 
 been built more than a hundred years ago. They rem.ained there but 
 a day and a night and again marched to Brest where they boarded 
 trains for somewhere in France. They stopped at Cham-Pla and re- 
 mained there for four days when again on the seventh day of April 
 they started out to go still farther east, for Cham-Pla was too small 
 for such a great number of Marines. This time they hiked to Cou- 
 Blanc where they received intensive training, such as climbing a 
 mountain, and marching around it ; doing rifle practice and anything 
 that would make a toughened Marine still tougher. Gas drills were 
 frequent and bayonet practice was fierce. 
 
 At Cou-Blanc the three companies received their helmets and 
 hobnailed shoes. Here the three companies split up, going in differ- 
 ent directions to fill up the gaps that had been made in the ranks of 
 the Marines that had gone before them ; so it happened that the boys 
 of the 137th and 139th parted. It was then that Elmer and Ed. 
 
 55
 
 parted, bidding each other a last farewell. The boys w6re scattered 
 to different sectors, Elmer going east of Paris, and Ed. remaining 
 northwest and west of Paris. Elmer was placed in the 5th U. S. 
 Marines and Ed. in the 6th, these two companies making up part of the 
 Second Division. 
 
 On Decoration Day word was received that the Germans were 
 breaking through at Chateau Thierry and if successful would en- 
 danger the city of Paris, where were located the ammunition works 
 and all other factories manufacturing war material and supplies. This 
 drive must be stopped immediately and the Fifth Regiment was sent 
 to Chateau Thierry and the Sixth to a town called Lucy, near Belleau 
 Wood. Chateau Thierry was being evacuated, old and young were 
 fleeing from the entire sector, even the French soldiers were seen 
 fleeing from the scene, for the enemy greatly outnumbered them. 
 
 It was to this place since made famous the world over, it was at 
 this place the Sixth Regiment stood fast, saying "they shall not pass !" 
 It was at this place the Sixth Regiment stopped the enemy when they 
 were not ready to stop ; here Ed. was in the thickest of the fray the 
 history of which you will read some day ; sufficient to know in this 
 connection that both Ed. Henkhaus and Ed. Bowman were wounded 
 while gallantly fighting. During these nineteen hours of continuous 
 fighting through the hot summer day the Marines succeeded in doing 
 what they had set out to do ; although the American casualties were 
 heavy and their ranks rapidly diminishing the trained Bavarians and 
 Saxons were taught that they cannot outfight the supposedly un- 
 trained American soldier. Ed. Henkhaus was not wounded as seri- 
 ously as Ed. Bowman, for on the 11th of June, 1918, a card was writ- 
 ten in Paris and mailed on the 13th to Edith Henkhaus, his sister, say- 
 ing that Ed. Henkhaus has asked to have a letter written to his sister 
 saying that he was slightly wounded in the left side and would write 
 as soon as he reached the hospital, — that he was feeling fine, and that 
 he sent his love. Signed : An American Girl. 
 
 On June 8th, Ed. wrote to a friend as follows : It has been a 
 long time since I heard from the folks. I don't know whether they 
 are living or dead. I am in the hospital in Paris with a small shell 
 wound in my left side. I am not in a serious condition and will be 
 ready to go back within a few days. I have heard nothing from any- 
 body since I left Paris Island more than four moriths ago. Paris is 
 a dandy place, I saw it from a Red Cross ambulance. The Americans 
 are doing some fighting, believe me ! Marines always on top. I 
 lost my old pal, "Red" (Elmer Olthoff) after we got to France, but he 
 has joined some company by this time. They took 187 out of our 
 
 56
 
 Replacement Battalion and after that I lost track of him. How I 
 would love to see home and mother. I feel they are praying for me 
 and with that feeling in my heart I feel comfort. Wishing I could 
 hear from you, I am, with love to all, 
 
 Your friend, Ed. 
 
 Little did Ed. dream how near his pal "Red" was when he was 
 wounded, although he did not see him, and little did he dream how 
 near they would be to each other soon after this. It is better thus. 
 It cannot be definitely stated how long Ed. was in the hospital, but we 
 know he soon recovered from the shell wound that he received at 
 Chateau Thierry. The 5th and 6th regiments were sent to the Sois- 
 sens Sector after the enemy had been defeated there and at Belleau 
 Wood. After Ed. recovered from the wound he received he returned 
 to his company which was by that time occupying the Soissens Sector. 
 
 The Germans were well entrenched in this region and the French 
 could not disengage them, so it was, as before, up to the Marines to 
 do it. The first effort was made on the 18th of July, the 5th regiment 
 taking the lead. Over the top they went. The onslaught was too 
 much for the enemy and they had to retreat to other fortified places 
 only to be driven out by the 6th regiment who "leap frogged" the 5th. 
 
 Only a few words describe this awful episode, but it ended the 
 fighting for one Bethalto boy — for one member of the 5th regiment, 
 and almost for one member of the 6th regiment of the U. S. Marines. 
 Here again Ed. and Elmer were near each other but did not know it. 
 
 Although many lives were lost in this fight, which lasted from 
 the 18th of July to the 21st of July, but two from here took part in 
 this fray to the glory of our community with the result that one is 
 wearing a wound stripe and the parents and relatives of the other are 
 praying that the gold star turn to blue. The rest of this story is 
 taken from telegrams and other reports. 
 
 On the 14th of August, 1918, Julia Henkhaus received a telegram, 
 which read as follows: Regret to inform you that cablegram from 
 abroad advises that Private Henry Edward Henkhaus, Marine Corps, 
 was wounded in action, degree undetermined, July 19th. No further 
 particulars available. Official cablegram cannot be sent asking about 
 his condition, but you will be notified should any details be received. 
 George Barnett, Maj. Gen. Commanding. 
 
 On October 1, 1919, Julia Henkhaus received the following 
 telegram : Deeply regret to inform you cablegram from abroad states 
 that Private Henry Edward Henkhaus, Marine Corps, died July 19th 
 of wound received in action. Remains will be interred abroad until 
 end of the war. Accept my sincere sympathy in your great loss. 
 
 57
 
 Your son nobly gave his life in service of his country. Charles G. 
 Long, Brigadier General. 
 
 The following letter was received by Mrs. Julia Henkhaus and 
 dated December, 1918. The American Red Cross National Head- 
 quarters, Washington, D. C. Bureau of Communication : Dear Mrs. 
 Henkhaus : You have no doubt been officially notified of the death 
 of your son, Henry E. Henkhaus, 75th company, 5th Marines. I 
 am told in a report dated November 15th, that he received a shell 
 wound in his neck on July 18th, from the effects of which he died on 
 the 20th. He was buried at Niel cemetery, Ozrion, and his grave is 
 number 566. I hope your pride in the brave soldier's valiant defense 
 of humanity will in time soften your grief. His country will always 
 honor him and you for the great sacrifice you have made. Please ac- 
 cept the deepest sympathy of the Red Cross in your loss. Sincerely 
 yours, W. R. Castle, Jr. 
 
 Florence T. Ossmun in the New York Herald expresses the senti- 
 ment of a brave mother which exemplifies the character of Ed's mother 
 and is appropriate. The poem, written since the war, is called : 
 
 I SHALL BE BRAVE. 
 
 I shall not be embittered on that day 
 
 When other mothers' hearts are beating high 
 
 With joy of homing boys and mine not by ; 
 
 I'll join them in their welcomes blithe and gay, 
 
 Nor let my burdened spirit once give way ; 
 
 I'll shout and cheer and share with them their joy. 
 
 These happy mothers, each with her own boy. 
 
 And then when I'm alone I'll think and pray. 
 
 Remembering how always mine was brave 
 
 And stood until the last, when all the rest. 
 
 Nor turned aside when danger round him pressed, 
 
 (God bless him !) I can see him now, my boy. 
 
 Full well I knew he'd stand the crucial test ; 
 
 That day for his dear sake I shall be brave. 
 
 WALTER WULF. 
 
 Walter Wulf, son of Anton and Fannie Wulf, was born in Foster 
 Township August 8, 1895. The parents moved to Bethalto when 
 Walter was seven years of age. He attended the Bethalto school 
 
 58
 
 until he completed the eighth grade. After he quit school he worked 
 for a year and a half at the Western Cartridge Company and nearly 
 five years for F. V. Mutz at Wood River. 
 
 In May, 1917, shortly after war was declared, Walter went to St. 
 Louis to enlist in the Marines. On account of his perfect physical 
 condition he was at once accepted. No one knew he was going and 
 the home folks did not know anything about it until he was sworn in 
 May 16, at Paris Island, S. C, when he ordered all his clothes to be 
 sent home. Walter was the first to leave from Bethalto ; and within 
 one day the last one to return, thus making his service the longest one 
 of the Bethalto boys. 
 
 After Walter was sworn in he was put in Drill Co. 17 F. Paris 
 Island was at this time not prepared to take care of more than 1000 
 Marines, but the volunteers were many and 5,000 arrived at once. St. 
 Louis was the receiving station for the West, South and Middle West, 
 and Atlanta, Ga., was the receiving station for the Southeast and the 
 North. When Walter reached the Island there was but one barracks 
 there, the rest were tents ; and on account of the great numbers flock- 
 ing in they crowded 12 men in a tent when it should hold but 4. In- 
 stead of having one cook for each company they had one for three 
 companies. 
 
 After Walter had been in Drill Co. three days he was ordered to 
 pack up, take a seven-mile hike to the maneuvering ground where he 
 remained 10 days learning the drill formations. Instead of guns they 
 drilled with sticks, reeds, etc. Later on they received rifles. After 
 ten days drilling he was sent to the main station. On account of the 
 shortage of cooks and messmen they called for 52 volunteers for those 
 positions. It was understood by the volunteers that they would get 
 to go overseas with the old bunch. Walter was one of the volunteers, 
 but it was only a ruse, and the old bunch left leaving behind a bunch 
 of 52 disappointed volunteers. Of course Walter received $5.00 
 extra pay, but by the time he paid for the broken dishes he had very 
 little of his extra pay left. 
 
 He remained at Headquarters Detachment from the 3rd of June, 
 1917, until the 11th of September, 1918. A messman or a cook for 
 15^ months meant drudgery for Walter, but as he had not finished all 
 the training he could not leave. He finally succeeded and was trans- 
 ferred to the 369th Co. which was just being recruited and he had to 
 go through the whole motion again. He remained there until the 
 latter part of October, when he was sent to Stragglers' Camp, where 
 he waited to be assigned. 
 
 59
 
 He was on the rifle range twice ; the first time in May, 1918, when 
 he made 234 out of 300 thus becoming marksman. The second time 
 he made 258 out of 300 and he should have become expert rifleman, 
 but no record was given because this was twice in the same year. 
 
 On October 29th he was transferred to Quantico, Va., with 400 
 men. On his way he received his first and only experience of hunger. 
 A train wreck caused their delay and one day's rations did not go far 
 enough in a delay of several days. But nothing serious happened 
 and he reached Quantico, Va., where he was put in 10th Co. Separate 
 Replacement Battalion. 
 
 They turned in everything and drew overseas equipment and 
 were ready to leave on the 3rd of November. The transport was pre- 
 pared but the night before they were to leave orders came to hold up 
 all troop movements. No more combat troops left after the second 
 of November. He was transferred to Barracks Detachment but 
 finally got a chance to be transferred and was sent to Washington, D. 
 C, a day before Thanskiving, where he did guard duty from Novem- 
 ber, 1918, until he was discharged in October, 1919. On the 8th of 
 October, 1919, he was transferred to the Navy Yard where he was to 
 do guard duty. He was there until the 16th, and did guard duty one 
 night when he received orders to get ready to be discharged. 
 
 Walter was in the Marines a long time ; he had his first furlough 
 Nov. 5th to 20th, 1917. While away he met a number of his ac- 
 quaintances, among whom were Ed. Bowman, Elmer Olthoff, Ed. 
 Henkhaus, Mr. Boynton and Pete Wulf. These he met on Paris 
 Island. He met Kitzmiller, of Alton, in the hospital at Washington. 
 Walter served his country faithfully ; he obeyed orders and when he 
 failed to cross the waters with the other boys the work became a 
 drudgery ; but he was a unit in the great force and remained until he 
 finally succeeded in receiving his discharge. 
 
 UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. 
 
 To all whom it may concern: Know ye, that Walter C. Wulf, a 
 private of the U. S. Marine Corps, who was enlisted the 16th day of 
 May, 1917, at M. B. Port Royal, S. C, to serve for the duration of the 
 war, is hereby honorably discharged. By special order of the Major 
 General Commandant. 8791-27 A-2 E. Z. F. 10-8-19. 
 
 Said Walter C. Wulf was born August 8, 1895, at Foster Town- 
 ship, 111., and when enlisted he was 66 1-4 inches high, with blue eyes, 
 dark brown hair, ruddy complexion ; occupation, grocery clerk ; citizen- 
 ship U. S. Accepted for enlistment at St. Louis, Mo. Given under 
 my hand and delivered at M. B. Navy Yard, Washington, D. C, this 
 
 60
 
 16th day of October, 1919. Paid in full, $180.59. Character: Ex- 
 cellent. P. W. Rixey, Lieut-Colonel U. S. M. C. Commanding 
 Marines. 
 
 MILITARY RECORD. 
 
 Previous Service: None claimed. Promotions and reductions: 
 None. Marksmanship qualifications : Marksman M. C. Q. 200 series 
 1918. Sea service : None. Foreign Service : None. Wounds re- 
 ceived in service : None. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expedi- 
 tions : None. Military efficiency, very good. Obedience : Excellent. 
 Sobriety : Excellent. Remarks : Service "honest and faithful." And 
 H. D. B. mileage paid to St. Louis, Mo. Paid $60.00 bonus, act of 
 Congress, 2-24-19. P. W. Rixey, Lieut.-Colonel, U. S. M. C. Com- 
 manding Marines. 
 
 ANDREW SANDERS. 
 
 Andrew Sanders, son of Fred and Hannah Sanders, was born in 
 Fort Russell Township about four miles east of Bethalto Nov. 13, 
 1895. He is a brother to Fred, whose description is found in this 
 book. Andrew received his education at the Liberty Prairie school 
 and worked on the farm at home until America entered the World 
 War, and Andrew yearned for activity. Without the knowledge of 
 his parents, who had already given one son, Andrew went to St. 
 Louis, December 21, 1917, and at once enlisted in the Marines. He 
 went to Miami, Florida, where the usual Marine life was learned. He 
 made a record of 264 out of 300 shots and on account of his vigorous 
 youth and perfect health he became a model Marine. He was at 
 Paris Island but a week. 
 
 Andrew was in the first Marine aviation corps and acted as dis- 
 patch rider. On the 5th of July, 1918, Andrew with 2200 others left 
 the U. S. shore on the DeKalb and sailed for Brest, France, where 
 they landed on the 16th. After landing at Brest they took the French 
 box car ride that every soldier knows something about and rode to 
 Dunkirk. He was under the U. S. Navy command and like many an- 
 other he suffered pangs of hunger many a time, and the food was often 
 very poor. Beans and hardtack were the principal articles of diet ; 
 besides as the boys received their pay irregularly it was not possible 
 to have a good time when there was a chance. 
 
 On July 28th, 1918, they went to the front in Belgium. From 
 that time on the work commenced. Andrew's duties varied. He 
 made 22 trips in aeroplanes. He participated in many air raids, his 
 principal duty being that of dropping and throwing bombs. His 
 
 61
 
 principal duty, however, was that of riding an Indian motorcycle, or 
 riding in an aeroplane carrying dispatches to and from headquarters. 
 The story, though told in a few words, meant much while Andrew was 
 with the U. S. M. C. U. S. Naval Aviation Forces in Belgium. He 
 served satisfactorily and arrived home safe after the war. 
 
 Andrew was 15 days in crossing the water the second time, and 
 reached Newport News, Va., on the 21st of December, 1918, just one 
 year from the day he applied at St. Louis. The last he saw of France 
 was St. Nazaire. He had received but one letter from home while 
 in France, and one from his brother Fred, who told him that he was 
 at the Argonne Forest. The sad news of his brother's death did not 
 reach him until he arrived home. 
 
 After a year's rough sailing and coming out of it unscratched and 
 learning the sad news at the end of the journey was indeed hard to 
 bear. The brothers have won honors that will live while our country 
 lives. They went forth to do their bit, and the nation honors them 
 for it. 
 
 ELMER A. ELLIOTT. 
 
 Elmer A. Elliott, son of Will and Catherine Elliott, was born in 
 Bethalto, Nov. 13, 1898. He attended the Bethalto public school un- 
 til he completed the eighth grade work, after which time he remained 
 at home and worked for the Western Cartridge Co. at East Alton. 
 Elmer's grandfather Elliott, a typical American, was a Civil War vet- 
 eran, having served through the entire war. His grandfather, Jean 
 Cherrier, was a typical Frenchman and had served in the French army 
 fourteen years, after which time he came to America, married an 
 American girl and thus becoming an American citizen. Elmer had 
 the spirit all right when war was declared between United States and 
 Germany, and he went to St. Louis to enlist in the navy when he was 
 barely eighteen years old ; he tried but once for his physical make-up 
 was perfect and of such a nature that he was accepted at once; this 
 was on the third of December, 1917, and by the seventh he was on his 
 way to Great Lakes Training School, situated about thirty miles north 
 of Chicago. 
 
 He was placed in Co. I, 4th Regiment, and began drilling at once 
 and learning the duties of a sailor and receiving instructions in the 
 duties pertaining to seamanship, spending three months in this line of 
 work, and for the next two months he did guard duty — a duty pain- 
 fully familiar to every soldier, seaman or Marine ; for guard duty is 
 the secret of success to Americanism. Elmer had a long spell of it 
 
 62
 
 after which time he received a furlough of twelve days. This was 
 in the latter part of April, 1918; returning for duty on the third of 
 May. He was then transferred to New York where he remained but 
 a week when he was put aboard a ship in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. 
 
 Here he received more training in seamanship, which consisted of 
 guard duty, rope climbing, painting, scrubbing decks, etc., he had been 
 placed on the West Gate, an American freighter that was being used 
 to carry army supplies to Europe, and as there was at that time noth- 
 ing that could be returned the West Gate often returned with sand for 
 ballast. 
 
 On June 7th Elmer left New York harbor on the West Gate in a 
 convoy of about eighteen ships, all freighters. On her first trip across 
 she began to have engine trou1:)le and had to stop at St. Johns, New- 
 foundland, for repairs while the others went on. After repairs had 
 been made she started off alone through the submarine-infested area 
 and although a slow traveler no submarine was sighted and she 
 reached St. Nazaire all right, but she was thirty days in crossing. The 
 freighter was unloaded and soon returned to the United States for 
 more supplies. As had been the habit of the Germans, the greatest 
 trouble with submarines was on the return voyage, so it happened 
 that two submarines gave chase ; one was disposed of on the third of 
 July, but the other followed that evening and all night,— nobody slept 
 that night ; the West Gate was alone, the night was dark and no lights 
 aboard. Everybody clung to their life belts. Thus the shivering 
 night went slowly by ; and at daybreak the periscope could again be 
 plainly seen. When the "sub" would dive a spray of water like a 
 whirlwind could be seen above the water and if she rose too near the 
 surface her periscope could be detected. Many shots were fired at the 
 submarine and she finally disappeared and was seen no more, so the 
 West Gate reached New York harbor in safety. 
 
 The second time she loaded up again and in a convoy of six 
 freighters she crossed again ; and again she unloaded her cargo of 
 army supplies. This was about the last of August. She reached 
 home safe again, was loaded with valuable war material, aeroplanes, 
 etc., and in a convoy of ten freighters, each hauling supplies, she 
 started to cross again. 
 
 The West Gate had never been in first class condition and each 
 time on her return trip had to have some work done on her. During 
 these trips Elmer would pass coal or do guard duty, and on her return 
 trip the second time he had helped carry wounded soldiers who were 
 returning to the United States. Things went on smoothly on the 
 third trip and it seemed as if it was going to be an uneventful one. 
 
 63
 
 Elmer was doing- guard duty on the fourth night out. He and 
 his. partner were guarding the engine room when at 2 :30 in the morn- 
 ing something crashed into the West Gate which threw both the 
 watchers across the room ; they picked themselves up thinking they 
 had rammed something ; but instead of that the American ship in the 
 convoy had struck the West Gate astern. The night was pitch dark, 
 no lights dared to be shown, and as the rudder of the West Gate was 
 not working very well she had gradually gone out of her course which 
 caused the American to ram her. 
 
 As soon as Elmer had got on his feet he heard men on deck ; he 
 heard the men get out of their bunks, he heard the siren blow and he 
 heard the call to abandon the ship ; all this he heard in a very short 
 space of time. He heard the order to put out the fire and to turn off 
 the steam. The West Gate had been struck a glance lick but the blow 
 was fatal. The engine room was in the center of the ship, conse- 
 quently Elmer remained unhurt and was able to put out the fire and 
 turn off the steam. The ship was an oil steamer and with the oil 
 turned off, steam pouring out and at the same time cold water pouring 
 in there was little danger of her exploding. By this time the water 
 was creeping into the engine room ; it was soon up to their knees and 
 the boys went on deck, for the order to man the life-boats had been 
 given. 
 
 Elmer and his partner reached deck safely, but to their dismay 
 the life boats were all gone ; the ship was abandoned, with the excep- 
 tion of good old Captain Vandervoort and six of the crew, including 
 Elmer. The captain stood on deck with a flash light, all the light to 
 be seen anywhere. Nothing could be done, with the boats gone, but 
 to wait and let her sink for she was fast settling down. There was 
 a life-raft on deck and the captain and his crew of six got on the raft 
 and waited for results, which was of short duration for just sixteen 
 minutes after the America had given her the fatal blow she sank be- 
 neath the waves. 
 
 The sinking was an easy matter and if everything had worked 
 as it should the men would simply have drifted away, but the life-raft 
 got caught in the rigging and as Elmer clung to the raft he naturally 
 followed the ship ; but as that would not do he let go his hold and with 
 the assistance of his life-belt he soon came to the surface. The raft 
 had in the meantime extricated itself and she came to the surface and 
 Elmer was the first to take advantage of it ; soon others bobbed their 
 heads out of the water and caught the raft, but the captain was no- 
 where to be seen, although they could hear him above the roar of 
 the waves. A radio shack had broke loose from the West Gate, and 
 
 64
 
 GEORGE HARMONING 
 
 18th Recruit Company 
 General Service Infantry 
 
 CHARLES H. BARTELS 
 
 Corp. 15th Co., 14th Bn. 
 159th D.B. 
 
 JOHN H. WEYEN 
 
 (Deceased) 
 343rd Fire and Guard Company 
 
 GEORGE HUMM 
 
 Sgt. 619 Aero Squadron
 
 LESLIE E. PREHN 
 
 Bn. Sgt. Maj., Headquarters Co. 
 327th Field Artillery 
 
 FRANK DRISCOLL 
 
 Battery F 
 327th Field Artillery 
 
 HENRY CARROLL ZIMMERMANN 
 
 Bugler, Headquarters Co. 
 
 327th Field Artillery 
 
 GENE McCRACKEN 
 Sgt. 110th Ordnance Depot Co.
 
 the captain was finally seen perched upon the cabin and as luck would 
 have it the raft floated in the direction of the cabin and the captain 
 joined the party. 
 
 Thus they floated for eight hours in this cold October night with 
 but few clothes on — an undershirt, a pair of overalls and a pair of 
 shoes was all Elmer had on. Morning dawned, nothing in sight ; they 
 rowed, they knew not where nor why, but they rowed as hard as they 
 could. The American finally hove in sight. She had remained be- 
 hind for she was much damaged ; she had three holes in her bow, but 
 her hatches had been closed, though she listed to the front she re- 
 mained afloat and she had already picked up those in the life boats. 
 
 The American had almost given up the search and the two crews 
 looked upon them in amazement upon seeing them upon the raft. 
 They were all sick, for they had swallowed much water. Elmer was 
 the only one who had tobacco and each got a big chew while they were 
 on the raft, — even the captain took a share. In lowering one of the 
 life boats of the West Gate one of them had capsized and they lost 
 four of their men. two of the crew had been killed in their bunks and 
 one (the cook) had gone crazy the moment the ship had been struck 
 and jumped overboard and was lost ; thus out of the crew of 125, seven 
 had lost their lives in the sinking of the West Gate. The American 
 was not in a condition to proceed, so she turned off her course and 
 sailed for Halifax. N. S. They remained a day and a night at Hali- 
 fax, then went to Digby Gut on the Bay of Fundy ; there they took a 
 passenger boat and went to St. Johns, New Brunswick. 
 
 One lady passenger on the boat looked upon the poor forlorn boys 
 and pointed them out to her friends and told them they must be Ger- 
 man prisoners for they looked forlorn and ragged. They were all 
 bare-headed and many were barefooted for they had scrambled out of 
 their bunks in a hurry. Upon being apprised of the real truth, that 
 they were American shipwrecked sailors, she came to them and apolo- 
 gized to the captain and then had her husband treat them to cigars and 
 refreshments. 
 
 At St. Johns, N. B., they entrained for Boston, where their cap- 
 tain left them and went to Officers' Headquarters at New York. Many 
 other stories could be related in connection with the sinking of the 
 West Gate, but space forbids. One other queer incident is as fol- 
 lows : One fellow whom they called "Speedy" on account of his 
 droll way of talking and his very slow movements, who was on the 
 raft wMth the other six, after he bobbed up out of the water and crawl- 
 ing upon the raft, wondered if Uncle Sam would give him a short fur- 
 lough after such an awful ducking, 
 
 65
 
 There was among the crew a pair of twins who were always to- 
 gether and were never known to be separated from each other. They 
 ate together and slept together and worked together; and when the • 
 ship went down and their life boat had capsized they were lost for a 
 time ; but upon break of day they were found sitting calmly upon an 
 aeroplane box that had floated away when the ship sank. It was ex- 
 pected that they had lost their lives, but they were much alive when 
 they w^ere picked up. 
 
 After remaining in Boston a week and drawing new clothing (no 
 other loss such as jewelry or money was refunded ; Elmer lost $80.00 
 in money, besides other valuables). They reached New York on the 
 20th of October where Elmer remained at the Navy Station Bay 
 Ridge until the second of February, 1919, where he had charge of a 
 boiler house ; he had four men working under him and he had a fine 
 time while he was there. On February 2nd he was put on the U. S. 
 S. Paysandu, an old German freighter, which had been converted into 
 a troop ship. 
 
 On the morning of the 5th of February he watched the soldiers 
 debarking from the ship H. W. Mallory which had just come back 
 from France with her cargo of humanity ; the Mallory was to be El- 
 mer's eating house while undergoing extensive repairs, for she was 
 not fit for the sea. Elmer wondered how they dare put such a large 
 bunch of men on such a frail old ship, little dreaming that she had 
 just brought over the 327th Field Artillery, and that while he gazed 
 at the mass two of his friends from Bethalto were in the throng, all 
 jaded and sick. They were Ted Zimmermann and Les Prehn, but 
 they were not looking for any acquaintances, but were looking for a 
 place where they could get something to eat, so the moment passed. 
 The reason the Mallory was used for a mess room was the galley or 
 kitchen of the Paysandu needed repairs. 
 
 At the end of the month the bottom hold of the Paysandu was 
 filled with supplies and Elmer was once more on the water. When 
 six days out her engine broke and they went back to New York ; but 
 the breaking of the engine retarded her speed to such an extent that 
 it took her ten days to get back. At the end of two weeks repairs had 
 been sufficiently made to try again. Traveling was better now for 
 they could run with lights burning. They reached France safely and 
 returned with troops, reaching Newport News, Va., safely ; took on 
 ship's stores, crossed again, returning again with a bunch of home- 
 sicks and seasicks. This time they reached Norfolk, Va., just across 
 from Newport News. After remaining at Norfolk a week they 
 crossed again with a cargo of supplies and again returning with 
 troops; this time the cargo consisted of half white troops and half 
 
 66
 
 colored troops ; they were also sick, but more seasick than homesick, 
 and to see such a large bunch of colored soldiers so awful sick was a 
 sight you don't want to see every day. Elmer was never seasick ; 
 he knew where the pickle barrels were. If you stop a moment and 
 think how a bunch of seasick, groaning, colored troops look, all lying 
 on decks, you can imagine how Elmer felt ; but as always they reached 
 Newport News in safety ; the boys got well and did not appear much 
 worse off, but this Fourth of July spent in such a fashion was an un- 
 usual one. 
 
 They reached port on the 13th of July. This was the Paysandu's 
 last trip for she was put out of commission and turned over to the 
 merchant marine. This was also Elmer's last trip, although the crew 
 had got ready to go to China on another vessel ; but just at the last 
 moment the order came to discharge the whole crew and Elmer was 
 sent to Great Lakes for discharge. 
 
 While Elmer was in the service there were times that passed 
 very slowly and to divert the monotony they often had sparring 
 matches and as Elmer was a stout built lad he soon became efficient 
 in boxing, so a great deal of camp life was spent in boxing, etc. There 
 was no limited time for the rounds, and it simply meant for one to 
 wear the other out. 
 
 The first real fight Elmer had was at Great Lakes when Jess 
 Willard refereed the fight ; he knocked his opponent out in four rounds 
 but he had to take an awful beating to do it. The second and third 
 encounters were for six rounds each, and on each occasion it was de- 
 clared a draw. While on board ship he boxed with many a sailor 
 but for practice only. He had one five-round bout with a French- 
 man whom he knocked out at the end of the fifth round. This was 
 the toughtest fight he had, for the Frenchman was a noted boxer and 
 only Elmer's sheer weight and will power won the fight for him ; but 
 the Frenchman was a good fellow and much wine flowed at his ex- 
 pense after the fight and everybody was happy. These were the 
 bouts he had before he was shipwrecked. After he returned to New 
 York he trained under Billy Ahearn, the champion boxer of Boston. 
 Elmer had three more bouts while he was in the navy ; the first was 
 for six rounds with a fellow from the Bronx, which he gained on 
 points. The second of six rounds with a navy fellow which was de- 
 clared a draw ; the third a ten round bout with a fellow from St. Louis 
 by the name of Lenhard, which also was a draw. Elmer could have 
 remained in the navy and would have had very little work, but he 
 found no pleasure in boxing, and preparation for a good match was 
 worse than the duties of a sailor, so he resolved to give up that kind 
 of life. 
 
 67
 
 On March 4, 1919, the Official U. S. Bulletin contained an article 
 commending eight men for bravery in emergencies due to an accident ; 
 although eight were commended only Elmer's name appears herein. 
 It reads as follows : Secretary Daniels has commended the follow- 
 ing men of the Navy, members of the crew of the U. S. S. West Gate 
 when that vessel was sunk October 7, following a collision with the 
 U. S. S. American. These men distinguished themselves by remain- 
 ing at their posts in the engine and fire rooms until the last moment, 
 when engine room bulkheads were carried away, taking every precau- 
 tion to prevent the boilers exploding. Elmer A. Elliott, fireman first 
 class. United States Navy ; father, William Elliott, Bethalto, 111. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES NAVY. 
 
 This is to certify that Elmer Albert Elliott, No. 53622, Service 
 No. 140-40-21, Fireman, 2nd class, as a "testimonial of fidelity and 
 obedience" is honorably discharged from the U. S. S. N. T. S. Great 
 Lakes and from the naval service of the United States this 4th day of 
 August, 1919, at Great Lakes, 111. Now, according to the provisions 
 of Section 1573 (as amended by act of Congress approved August 22, 
 1912) of the Revised Statutes, if within four months from this date 
 said Elmer Albert Elliott shall present this, his honorable discharge, 
 at any United States Naval Rendezvous, and is found physically quali- 
 fied and shall reenlist for four years, then he shall be entitled to pay 
 during the said four months equal to that which he would have been 
 entitled had he been employed in actual service. Upon reenlistment 
 and the surrender of this discharge, should he so desire he will receive 
 a Continuous Service Certificate showing his service and honorable 
 discharge, and shall receive an addition of one dollar and thirty-six 
 cents per month to the pay of rating of which he enlists or to which 
 he may be promoted. Rating best qualified to fill. Fireman, 2nd 
 class. F. B. Bassett, Commanding U. S. S. Naval Training, Great 
 Lakes, 111. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Scale of Marks: 0, Bad; 1, Indifferent; 2, Fair; 3, Good; 4, Very 
 Good; 5, Excellent. Name: Elmer Albert Elliott; Rate: App. Sea. ; en- 
 listed, Dec. 3rd, 1917, at St. Louis, Mo., for D. O. W. Years, total 
 naval service 1 8/12 years; served apprenticeship — ; Gun Captain 
 Certificate—; certificate of graduation P. O. school— Seaman Gun- 
 ner ; trade, miner ; citizenship, U. S. ; ratings held during enlistment, 
 A S— S 2 C— F 2 C ; proficiency in rating 3.0 ; seamanship ; ordnance ; 
 signaling ; marksmanship, small arms ; mechanical ability, 3.0 ; knowl- 
 
 68
 
 edge of Marine machinery, 3.0 ; knowledge of electrical machinery 
 and appliances ; sobriety, 4.0 ; obedience, 4.0 ; average standing for 
 the term of enlistment, 3.4. W. H. Burris, U. S. N. 
 
 DESCRIPTIVE LIST. 
 
 Where born, Bethalto, Illinois ; date, November 13, 1898 ; age 20 
 years, 8 months ; height 5 feet, 10 inches ; weight 158 lbs ; eyes blue ; 
 hair dark ; complexion ruddy ; personal characteristics, marks, etc., 
 Si & Pm 1 cheek, V ; Pm p neck ; percentage of time on sick list dur- 
 ing enlistment, none. Is physically qualified for reenlistment. Travel 
 allowance @ 5 cents per mile from Great Lakes, 111., to Bethalto, 111., 
 270 miles is $13.50. C. Fisher. I hereby certify that the above 
 named Elmer Albert Elliott has been paid ninety-three dollars and 
 sixty-nine cents ($93.69) in full to date. Pay per month at date of 
 discharge, $41.00. R. P. Shadburne, U. S. N., Ensign Pay Corps, U. 
 S. N. R. F. 
 
 ELMER 0. SCHOENEWEIS 
 
 Elmer O. Schoeneweis, son of Charles and Alice Schoeneweis, 
 was born in Bethalto February 2, 1897. He received his education 
 in the Bethalto school, completing the ninth grade, after which time 
 he assisted his parents with the work at home and for a time he was 
 his father's assistant rural mail carrier. As Elmer was not of age he 
 did not register in June, 1917. On May 24th, 1918, he tried to enlist 
 in the Navy but was rejected. He went to the hospital on the first 
 of June, where an operation was performed to fit him for the Navy, 
 and by the 27th of June, 1918, he was fit to join and was accepted. He 
 registered for the draft while he was in the hospital. 
 
 He left St. Louis on the 7th of July for Great Lakes Training 
 Station on Lake Michigan, about 30 miles north of Chicago, where 
 recruits for the Navy received their first training. The time was 
 spent in drilling, doing police duty, and such work as would fit him for 
 seamanship. At the end of four weeks he left Great Lakes for Phil- 
 adelphia, reaching that place on the 11th of August. Four days after 
 he reached Philadelphia he was ready to go on a destroyer, but he 
 was again sent to a hospital where he remained twelve days, and in 
 order to recover completely from this second operation he was given 
 fifteen days leave, which time he spent with home folks at Bethalto. 
 He reached Philadelphia on the 24th of September, where he remained 
 a month and two days, when, on the 26th of October, he was sent to 
 
 69
 
 Hoboken, N. J., where he boarded the President Grant, leaving on the 
 28th, crossing the ocean and landing at Brest 12 days after on the 9th 
 of November ; but they were not allowed to disembark until the 12th, 
 a day after the armistice was signed. 
 
 They did not seem to know what to do with the boys after the 
 armistice was signed, so it was thought they would remain on board 
 and return on the same boat ; but instead of that the sailors debarked 
 and wounded soldiers were put on board the ship. This was Elmer's 
 first duty in France — to assist in carrying wounded soldiers aboard. 
 They loaded about 200 wounded on board and the President Grant left 
 within a few hours afterward. 
 
 Elmer was sent to the Naval Air Station, where he remained one 
 night; he was then sent to Chateau, the old Napoleon Headquarters, 
 where he remained one night. The next day he was sent to Lorient, 
 a mine sweeping base. They reached the town all right but no orders 
 had preceded them, and as the boys had received no pay, and of course 
 had no money, the hotels would not accept them, so they were thrown 
 on the mercy of the Red Cross. Thirteen out of the seventy-two were 
 sent to Nantes to do guard duty. They did guard duty but had no 
 place to stay. Here the Red Cross kept the thirteen at their Canteen. 
 They were treated fine by the Red Cross and remained with them two 
 weeks, when they received their pay and extra allowance sufficient 
 to take rooms at a hotel. 
 
 They were put on patrol duty at once. One day they would go 
 on from 8 to 12 :30 and from 5 to 10 :30. They had one day off each 
 week. They changed time for their patrol duty. Every other day 
 they would go on duty from 12 :30 to 6, and from 6 :30 to 11 :30. There 
 was no officer in charge of the men excepting the first class gunner's 
 mate, who assumed charge, making the duty easy, for he knew very 
 little about guard duty and cared less. When at night they were on 
 patrol and everything was quiet around the docks they would sneak 
 off to their rooms. They continued with this kind of work until the 
 3rd of January when Elmer received a leave to visit the Paris area. 
 He visited Paris, Chateau Thierry, Belleau Wood, Versailles and other 
 places of interest. He saw where the long range guns had demolished 
 some of the beautiful buildings in Paris. Eighty-seven large shells 
 had fallen in the city, and while he was there the French were remov- 
 ing the sand bags and other protection from the Notre Dame Cathed- 
 ral, and were clearing away the debris caused by the long range guns. 
 Paris was full of visitors and sightseers, soldiers, sailors, of all na- 
 tionalities. The beautiful rose window in the Rheims Cathedral at 
 Rheims had not been put back but a fine imitation of the same had 
 
 70
 
 been puts in its place. While in Paris he stayed at the Y. M. C. A. 
 hotel, and the prices charged for the various accommodations were 
 very high. 
 
 While at the hotel he received a telegram to return immediately, 
 and by the next morning he took the first train to St. Nazaire, where 
 the ship was waiting for the boys, she was ready to take them back to 
 the United States ; but by the time they reached St. Nazaire the ship 
 had been gone four hours and Elmer, disheartened, went back to the 
 barracks at St. Nazaire where he remained all night. The next morn- 
 ing orders came to hold all the boys ; and Elmer was sent to Brest. 
 This was a gloomy spell for him. It was raining all the time, he had 
 to wear a raincoat and hip boots all the time. At Brest he was sent 
 to Chateau where he worked in the mess hall, his duty being general 
 detail and mess duty. This is not so bad when you don't care where 
 you are, or if it is for a few days only ; but when you do an eight- 
 month hitch at it, it gets monotonous ; it gets on your nerves. Think 
 of doing the same thing from the 15th day of January until the 16th 
 of September. Elmer had enlisted in the Navy and that is what he 
 got out of it. Finally the Sol Navis, a U. S. transport that had for- 
 merly been a cargo ship, arrived in the bay and Elmer boarded her. 
 
 While Elmer was at the Chateau an English fleet arrived at the 
 port of Brest and the English sailors started out for what they called 
 a good time. There were twelve destroyers and cruisers in the fleet 
 and this made up a pretty good bunch of sailors. They would go 
 up the streets, sometimes twelve abreast arm in arm, and everybody 
 got out of their way or got hurt. The American soldiers got out of 
 their way as long as there were but one or two of them ; but that did 
 not last long, they also would go in bunches with the result that every- 
 body knows, for the papers gave full accounts of it. The English 
 sailors were finally driven to the wharf, many were hurt, but after 
 that the freedom of our boys was gone for two weeks ; they were not 
 allowed to leave the Chateau. Some 2500 of our boys were held 
 prisoners for two weeks on account of this trouble. 
 
 The Sol Navis, on which Elmer left, had fine sailing and it took 
 but nine days to cross the water, landing at Pier 2, Brooklyn, from 
 where Elmer went to Bay Ridge, a receiving station. He was at Bay 
 Ridge 17 days and was discharged from there on the 17th of October. 
 Elmer had enlisted in the Navy, and all the navy he got out of it was 
 a trip across and back. 
 
 Following is his War Service Certificate. No. 144775. War 
 Service Certificate United States Navy. This certifies that Elmer O. 
 Schoeneweis, U. S. N. R. F. performed honorable active service in the 
 United States Navy from June 27, 1918, to October 13, 1919, on board 
 
 71
 
 the following ship and stations : Naval Training Station, Great 
 Lakes, 111. ; Naval Port Office, Nantes ; U. S. S. Carola R. S. at New 
 York. C. C. Krakow, Commanding Officer. 
 
 RELEASE FROM ACTIVE SERVICE. 
 
 The Receiving ship at New York, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 From Commanding officers to Elmer Oliver Schoeneweis, S. K. 3 C. 
 .U S. N. R. F. Subject: Release from active service. B. K. Parker, 
 for G. D. Gregory, Ensign, P. G. U. S. N. R. F. 
 
 L Your request to be released from active duty has been granted, 
 and in accordance with authority of the Navy Department, you are 
 hereby released from active duty in the United States Naval Reserve 
 Force, to proceed to your home at Bethalto, 111. You are free to ac- 
 cept any employment. You are not discharged from the United 
 States Naval Reserve Force, but will continue to be subject to the rules 
 and regulations governing the same. 
 
 2. Your health record and enrollment record will be forwarded 
 by the Commanding Officer to the 9th Naval District at St. Louis, in 
 which you were originally enrolled. Keep the commandant of your 
 district informed of any change of your mail address or residence. 
 
 3. Upon acceptance of these orders, you will have received and 
 receipted for all pay due you, including pay for the time necessary to 
 perform travel to your home, and the necessary transportation to your 
 home, or to such other point as you may elect (provided no additional 
 expense is incurred by the government). You will also receive the 
 necessary subsistence during your travel home. 
 
 4. You will be required to keep on hand your uniform and out- 
 fit, but will not wear the same while on inactive duty status longer 
 than necessary to obtain civilian clothing. 
 
 5. There is attached hereto and embodied in these orders, a letter 
 of instruction regarding your payments for Liberty Loan Bonds, to 
 which you have subscribed, and also the method and amounts of in- 
 surance premiums to be paid by you ; particular attention is invited to 
 copy of telegram from the Secretary of the Navy, relative to govern- 
 ment insurance attached hereto, which you are cautioned to read and 
 advised to follow. 
 
 6. Enrolled at St. Louis, Mo. G. W. Stutt, W. J. Confer. Lieut. 
 U. S. N. R. F. By direction. 
 
 72
 
 FRED D. OBERMILLER 
 
 Fred D. Obermiller, son of Henry and Mary Obermiller, was 
 born in Foster Township, four miles north of Bethalto, May 9, 1898. 
 He attended the Luman school until he was about 15 years of age, 
 when the parents retired from active farm duty and moved to Be- 
 thalto, where Fred completed the Eighth grade in the Bethalto school. 
 After his school years he assisted his brother-in-law, Frank Johnson, 
 with farm work until June 27, 1918, when he resolved to enter the 
 navy for Uncle Sam. 
 
 He had no difficulty in getting into the navy, for his physical 
 makeup was perfect and he was accepted at once ; he returned home 
 after the examination, bid good bye to the parents, and the next day 
 he left for St. Louis from which place he was sent to Great Lakes 
 Training School near Chicago. After he arrived at Great Lakes he 
 was placed in the 320th Company, Camp Boone, where he spent nine 
 days in drilling, doing company duty, and learning army discipline. 
 At the end of nine days he was transferred to another camp, Camp 
 Dewey, where he was placed in Co. I, and where he spent twelve days 
 in drilling, etc., when he was again transferred to another camp. Camp 
 Enterprise, where he again received more intensive training, such as 
 drilling, digging trenches, detail work, etc. 
 
 At Camp Boone he took what is known among army boys as two 
 "shots" and the last "shot" at Camp Dewey, and at Camp Enterprise 
 he made preparation to enter school. He took examination to enter 
 school, and having passed the examination he took up the mechanical 
 problems in aviation work, such as construction work and principles 
 of construction of aeroplanes. He studied and worked at this for 
 nine weeks at Camp Enterprise, when school closed. He had entered 
 school on the first of October and should have completed the course 
 in twelve weeks, but the school closed before he could complete the 
 course and Fred once more did guard duty, company duty, etc. He 
 received first class rating from the school, but as he did not complete 
 the course the Navy Department did not confirm the rating. 
 
 Fred was released from the service on the 13th of January, 1919, 
 serving nearly seven months. During this time, while in these camps 
 he had very little freedom, no vacation, no furlough, and while there 
 never saw a person whom he had known in this section of the country. 
 Fred did his bit, he served faithfully, and but for the ending of the 
 war would have become a valuable help in Uncle Sam's Navy. 
 
 Following is his release : U. S. Naval Training Station, Great 
 Lakes, Illinois, January 11, 1919. 6165, from Commander to Fred- 
 
 73
 
 erlck D. Obermiller, L. M. M. A. U. S. N. R. F. 5, Bethalto, 111. 
 Subject : Release from active duty. 
 
 1. You are ordered home in accordance with your request, and 
 upon arrival there you are released from active duty. 
 
 2. Transportation and subsistence to your home is furnished you 
 herewith. 
 
 3. You are enrolled in the Naval Reserve Force for four years, 
 and may be recalled into active duty any time before expiration of your 
 enrollment. 
 
 4. You are permitted to wear your uniform for a period not long- 
 er than three months, during which time you must provide yourself 
 with civilian clothes. You must, however, keep on hand the full out- 
 fit with which you were discharged. In the event you are recalled 
 into active duty you must report in the uniform with full outfit. 
 
 5. This release severs your connections with this station. All 
 correspondence in the future must be directed to the Commandant 9th, 
 10th and 11th Naval District at Great Lakes, 111., whom you must keep 
 informed of your address at all times during your enrollment, so that 
 your retainer pay may be sent to you. 
 
 6. Four years after your enrollment you are entitled to a dis- 
 charge from the U. S. Naval Reserve Force, which will be sent to you 
 upon your application to the District Commandant, under whose 
 direction you are serving. H. C. Ridgely, J. E. Lork. By direction. 
 
 EDWARD D. BAYLESS 
 
 Edward D. Bayless, son of Edward D. and Meta Bayless, was 
 born in Staunton, 111., Dec. 26, 1894. His mother died when Ed. was 
 but a week old, leaving his father and his grandmother Bayless to 
 care for him. When Ed. was but six years old his father died, leav- 
 ing Ed. solely in charge of his grandmother, who took care of him and 
 sent him to school. He attended the Staunton school a few years. 
 When Grandma Bayless moved to Bethalto she took Ed. with her and 
 sent him to school in Bethalto, where he completed his education. 
 
 After Ed. grew older and Grandma Bayless also grew older, he 
 took care of her as long as he could. When he was eighteen years 
 of age, his grandmother, on account of her extreme age, made her 
 home with her daughter, Mrs. Laura Spencer, where she remained un- 
 til her death, thus leaving Ed. to shift for himself. He went to St. 
 Louis where he obtained employment as chaufifeur and mechanic, for 
 he had learned a great deal about machines, engines, etc., while he 
 went to school. 
 
 74
 
 He was employed by the St. Louis Terminal R. R. Co. when war 
 was declared, and Ed. at once got the fever, for his Grandfather Bay- 
 less had been a Civil War soldier and he tried to follow in the foot- 
 steps of his grandfather, so he enlisted in the Second Engineer Re- 
 serve Corps on the 21st day of May, 1917. He registered for the 
 draft in June, 1917. The Second Engineer Reserve Corps became 
 the Twelfth Engineers, National Army, and the boys were sent to 
 Chain of Rocks, near St. Louis, to Camp Galliard, which was ex- 
 clusively used to train the Twelfth Engineers. The Twelfth En- 
 gineers was of St. Louis origin. 
 
 At camp the boys did infantry drills and work like other combat- 
 ants for they were considered a combatant regiment. They had en- 
 tered camp on the 26th of June and by the 26th of July they had com- 
 pleted their training and were on their way for overseas duty ; besides 
 they were badly needed in France. They received their overseas 
 equipment in camp, got on the British transport Carmanian on the 28th 
 of July and reached Liverpool August 12th. They had fine sailing, 
 fine food, and excellent treatment by the British, and consequently no 
 seasickness developed. The transport carried the 12th and 17th En- 
 gineers. The 17th came up from Atlanta, Ga., and was classed as a 
 construction regiment while the 12th was the operating regiment. 
 From Liverpool they went to Borden, Salisbury Plains, a British train- 
 ing camp about half way between Liverpool and London. 
 
 On the 15th of August the 12th paraded in London before the 
 King and a few American officers. This was the first of its kind in 
 England, and the city of London was in gala attire for the occasion. 
 The parade was a long one but they were rewarded by being served 
 a fine lunch at Buckingham Park, the royal park of England. Here 
 Ed. saw King George and the Queen, Lloyd George, Bonar Law, Gen. 
 Haig, and practically all the royalty. Although a tiresome one, it 
 was a memorable day for Ed. The 12th returned to Borden the 
 same day, and remained there till the 17th, when they entrained for 
 Southhampton, and on the night of the 17th they sailed on the Steamer 
 Antrim across the channel to Bologne, landing there the morning of 
 the 18th of August. 
 
 They received instructions in gas and the use of gas masks ; the 
 officer in charge being the only one left of Princess Pat's regiment, the 
 rest having been either gassed, killed or wounded. They received 
 their gas masks, helmets, and their final instructions before going in- 
 land. On the morning of the 21st they entrained for the front in sec- 
 ond class coaches arriving at Roisel, south of Perronne, about four 
 kilos behind the lines. They spent the first week constructing a 
 temporary camp, and reconstructed a narrow gauge railroad track, 
 
 75
 
 but the real and main object of their hurry in going to the front was 
 to raise the morale of the English, which was at this time at low tide. 
 From the time they reached the front to the following March the 
 Engineers rebuilt railroads, operated them, and when necessary dug 
 trenches. The 14th Engineers were with them a great part of the 
 time. 
 
 On November 20, 1917, General Bing started the great drive with 
 his cavalry and 400 tanks. It was a sight to behold and a sight a 
 person can never forget. The Cavalry, called the Fort Gary Horse, 
 consisted of Canadians, although many Americans were among them 
 for they had enlisted in the Canadian army long before then. This 
 drive was a grand spectacle and it had an awful affect on the Ger- 
 mans. Many thousand German prisoners were taken ; the entire sec- 
 tion was demoralized and the cavalry crossed the bridges and suc- 
 ceeded in getting into Cambrai, but when the tanks tried to cross the 
 canal the bridges broke down under them and the tanks had to give 
 up the fight. During this time the 12th was busy hauling Engineers' 
 supplies that was needed to carry on the forward movement but this 
 was of short duration for the cavalry remained in Cambrai but a few 
 hours — seeing the tanks could assist no further, they had to retreat. 
 
 On the 30th of November, 1917, the Germans made a great 
 counter attack with the result known in history. They drove the 
 British back five miles farther than where Gen. Bing had started from 
 and all that could be done during this drive was to hold the enemy 
 back as much as possible and retreat when necessary. They went as 
 far as the 12th Engineers' Headquarters, but the British, Canadians, 
 and the Engineers stood fast and finally drove the enemy back as far 
 as the place from where General Bing started. A complete story can- 
 not be told here for we are taking up Ed.'s history and all we can do 
 is to imagine Ed. in a 35-mile retreat with all his belongings gone. 
 Although the 12th lost no men, several were wounded. 
 
 The 11th Engineers, a Nevv' York outfit, was a construction regi- 
 ment, and were ahead of the 12th, and consequently got a worse deal. 
 They fought with picks and shovels ; and they lost heavily. During 
 this time they were with the British Third Army, and later on they 
 were attached to the British Fourth Army. From November 30th to 
 March 21st, 1918, it was ordinary raids, trench warfare and a con- 
 tinual bombing day and night on both sides. They were stationed on 
 Montigny Farm ; Co. E. had about 160 men with about 13,000 in the 
 whole regiment and they were all stationed in this sector. They were 
 continually under shell fire; it may be truthfully stated that Ed. was 
 under a continual shell fire from August 21, 1917, until the armistice 
 was signed, nearly fifteen months. 
 
 76
 
 The British intended to start another drive on the 26th of March, 
 but the Germans were too quick for them and they started the great 
 game — the greatest the world had ever known ; this was on the 21st 
 day of March, 1918. Read the history of this great drive and re- 
 member Ed. was in all of it. Although the British lost heavily they 
 retreated in order. They fell back and finally checked the Germans 
 and as the enemy began to retreat the English began to move forward 
 and the Engineers also went forward, building, always building, some- 
 times constructing something one day and blowing it up the next. 
 Sometimes they assisted in moving cannon forward one day and help 
 blow them up the next to keep them from falling into the hands of 
 the enemy. This blowing up of cannon, tractors, cars and trucks 
 was awful. The 6th Engineers were caught in a trap and suffered 
 terrible losses ; however Amiens, their objective, was not reached and 
 the 6th of April saw the end of that awful Alarch drive. 
 
 Ed. had been in two awful battles before any Bethalto boys got 
 across ; he had assisted in keeping up the British morale ; for without 
 the timely coming of our American boys, conditions might have looked 
 different ; the channel ports might have been captured and then no 
 one could have surmised what the outcome could have been. The 
 boys of the 12th Engineers, the Chinese laborers, and many other 
 classes called "Carey's Chickens," helped defeat the onslaught ; their 
 numbers were counted by the thousand, and the Germans, seeing the 
 many, many men — not all soldiers by any means — caused the Germans 
 to halt and pause which v/as their undoing. 
 
 Ed. assisted from this time on in digging trenches in the daytime 
 and putting up wire at night ; the worst condition at this time was the 
 scarcity of food. The allies expected another attack but it did not 
 come ; although the enemy did not go forward they stood pat when 
 the British tried to advance. 
 
 After they quit digging trenches they double-tracked thirty miles 
 of railroad near Albert and Amiens. Although Ed. liked the British, 
 for they treated him fine, he noticed one thing very keenly, that was 
 when an advance had to be made the Colonials had to do it while the 
 British held the lines ; and as a rule the Canadians or Australians did 
 the advancing. 
 
 About the middle of May every member in Ed.'s regiment took 
 the "flu". This put the boys in a bad shape for they were for a long 
 time too weak to do much hard work. By the first of August the 
 track was finished ; although on the 26th of July the 12th left the 
 English at Oisemont; entrained, came through Paris and went east 
 on a five-day ride to the Vosges mountains near the Swiss border. At 
 Baccarat they remained about a week to build a narrow gauge rail- 
 77
 
 road which was never used. They expected an attack at that place 
 but it did not come. At Baccarat all the new men were sent away for 
 instruction before they were destined to go to the big front. The 
 boys were not entirely over the "flu" and a great deal could not be ex- 
 pected of them. From Baccarat they went to Belleville — the name 
 making many a Belleville, III, soldier homesick. This was before 
 the St. Mihiel drive and they were but eight miles from Metz ; it was, 
 however, in the St. Mihiel Sector, and they constructed spurs of rail- 
 road for the guns on the cars. 
 
 The 12th had charge of the entire St. Mihiel Sector when the drive 
 began and their work to bring supplies to keep lines of communication 
 open. If a piece of track was torn away it was at once repaired by 
 the men of the 12th. After the St. Mihiel drive they continued to 
 build new track. On the first of October Ed. with several others, was 
 transferred to the 11th Engineers to operate a work train. On the 
 25th of October, while acting as brakeman, a German aeroplane came 
 down alongside Ed. and another brakeman. They made both pilot 
 and observer prisoners. These Germans claimed they had got lost, 
 they were out spreading German propaganda. Ed. and the other 
 brakemen held them prisoner until a sergeant and a corporal came 
 along, took the prisoners with them, reported same to headquarters 
 and received full credit for the capture. This Ed. claimed to be un- 
 fair as the sergeant and corporal had nothing to do with the capture 
 of these men ; yet the sergeant and corporal received a fine letter from 
 the Adjutant-General praising them for capturing these Germans and 
 the only German aeroplane ever captured undamaged and intact. 
 
 Thus the work continued, keeping up tracks, hauling rations, am- 
 munition supplies, much salvaged goods, etc. On January 27th, Ed. 
 went back to his company E, and was stationed 18 miles from St. 
 Mihiel. On the 28th Ed. received leave of absence for the first time ; 
 he had been in service more than 11 months and under shell fire as 
 long as shells flew and he deserved an 8-day leave, during which 
 time he went to Grenoble in southern France. This was the leave 
 area, but Ed. went farther on to Marseilles, Monte Carlo, and other 
 places where good times could be had and sights could be seen. 
 
 After his return the work of tearing up of 1000 miles of narrow 
 gauge commenced, which lasted from the first of February to the 
 first of April. From there they went to Sorcy in the Meuse River 
 district, back of Toul. Here they drliled a while. From there they 
 went to Bordeaux where Ed. went to the hospital for two weeks ; in the 
 meantime the 12th sailed for home on the 14th of April on the U. S. 
 S. Cape May, and landed in the U. S. on the 28th of May. 
 
 78
 
 With the 12th went the records of the 12th, and Ed.'s were among 
 them, so he had to remain until they were returned. During the 
 time Ed. waited for his records he felt a great deal better so he acted 
 as chauffeur for a captain of the Medical Corps and his wife. They 
 motored to Marseilles ; thence to Switzerland, thence to the German 
 border ; then back through Chateau Thierry, Belleau Wood and other 
 notable places back to Bordeaux. They got back on the 27th of May, 
 and Ed. sailed on the second of June on the Arcadian, a German 
 freighter. They left Bassens near Bordeaux, the voyage at first was 
 rough, the food was poor, not fit to eat, consequently Ed. was seasick 
 every day he was on the water. They landed at Newport News on the 
 16th of June, where he remained seven days, and was sent to Camp 
 Taylor, where he was discharged on the 25th of June, reaching St. 
 Louis on the 26th, after an absence of two years. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : Honorable 
 discharge from the United States Army. To all whom it may con- 
 cern. This is to certify that Ed. D. Bayless, 162505 Pvt. unassigned, 
 last assigned to Co. E. 12th Engrs., the United States Army, as a tes- 
 timonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honorably discharged 
 from the military service of the United States by reason of expiration 
 term of service. Par. S. U. 1174 Hd. 9., Co. Z. T. Ky., June 23, 1919. 
 Said Ed. D. Bayless was born in Staunton, 111. ; when enlisted he was 
 22 5-12 years of age and by occupation a switchman. He had brown 
 eyes, black hair, dark complexion, and was 5 feet 10 1-2 inches in 
 height. Given under my hand at Camp Taylor, Ky., this 25th day of 
 June, 1919. Arthur J. Taylor, Major F. A. U. S. A. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Edward D. Bayless. Grade: Prviate. Enlisted May 21, 
 1917, at St. Louis, Mo., serving in first enlistment period at date of 
 discharge. Prior service : None. Noncommissioned officer : Never. 
 ]\Iarksmanship, gunner qualification, rating: Not qualified. Horse- 
 manship : Not mounted ; battles, engagements, skirmishes, expedi- 
 tions : Cambrai Offensive : Nov 20, 1917, to Nov. 29, 1917. Cambrai 
 defensive: Nov. 30, 1917, to Dec. 4, 1917. Somme defensive, March 
 23, 1918, to April 6, 1918. St. Mihiel Offensive: Sept. 12, 1918, to 
 Sept. 14, 1918. Citations, decorations, badges, medals : None. 
 Knowledge of any vocation : Switchman. Wounds received in ser- 
 vice : None. Physical condition when discharged : Good. Typhoid 
 prophylaxis completed July 20, 1917. Paratyphoid prophylaxis com- 
 pleted: July 20, 1917. Married or single: Single. Remarks: 
 Last assigned to Co. E., 12th Engineers. Sailed from P. S. July 28th, 
 
 79
 
 1917, arrived in U. S., June 16, 1919. Signature of soldier: Edward 
 D. Bayless. A. K. Geesing-, 2nd Lieut. D. B. Commanding Casual 
 Bet. 
 
 FRED G. HASSMAN. 
 
 Fred G. Hassman, son of Henry and Emma Hassman, was born 
 near Bethalto July 18, 1886. He attended the Walnut Grove school 
 until he reached the Seventh grade work, when the family moved to 
 Newkirk, Okla., and Fred completed the Eighth grade work there. 
 After that Fred v^-ent to California, where for more than three years 
 he was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, after 
 which time, about 1912, he came back to Alton. He worked on the 
 farm for Wm. Klopmeyer about a year, and then for the Illinois Glass 
 Company at Alton and was working for the Standard Oil Company 
 when war was declared and he enlisted for the service. 
 
 He v/ent to St. Louis and enlisted in the Second Engineers, but 
 was not called until the 26th of June, 1917; in the meantime he reg- 
 istered for the draft for he was not quite out of the draft age. He 
 had enlisted in the Second Engineer Reserve Corps as a car repairer, 
 but during his entire stay in the service he did not have a wrench in 
 his hand. Fred was placed in Co. C. at Camp Galliard, at Chain of 
 Rocks, near St. Louis. The Second Engineers became the Twelfth 
 Engineers which was of St. Louis origin. Fred became acquainted 
 with Ed. Bayless while at Camp Galliard, although they were not in 
 the same company, Ed. being in Co. B. Fred's history is the same 
 as Ed.'s until the great Cambrai drive started. It was then that Fred 
 was doing carpenter work at headquarters and was far behind the 
 lines ; and although they did not retreat the Germans came all the way 
 up to them and those at headquarters stood to, they were issued am- 
 munition and got ready to check the onslaught, but the Germans stop- 
 ped and the retreat ended. 
 
 From Nov. 30, 1917, to March 31, 1918, Fred did carpenter work, 
 and guard duty. During these months they were continually under 
 shell fire ; but when the second drive started the latter part of March 
 everybody retreated, headquarters and all, it was too much and they 
 retreated about thirty miles. The retreat was orderly and at Terra 
 Menil they dug trenches for retreating soldiers. Co. C was stationed 
 at a place called Worriel, and while there Fred helped build track. 
 
 While there and around there the entire regiment was stricken 
 with Spanish Influenza in a severe form which took the "pep" out of 
 the boys. They became so weak that they were unable to do any 
 
 80
 
 work for many months. They would try but became exhausted so 
 soon that very little could be accomplished. Fred had the "flu" about 
 a week. The Spanish Influenza brought about not only suffering but 
 a bad state of affairs, for there was so much to do, so much track to 
 be laid and repaired, with no energy, that very little could be ac- 
 complished when sorely needed. 
 
 On the 26th of July the Twelfth Engineers left the English at 
 Oisemont and rode for five days to the Vosges mountains where an 
 attack was expected but it did not come. They had built a narro\\ 
 gauge railway at Baccarat and at the end of a week all but fifty left 
 the place. Fred and Ed. parted ; Fred remained at Baccarat until 
 September, 1918. Ed. had been sent to the St. Mihiel Sector. In 
 September Fred was sent to Termenil in the St. Mihiel Sector, south 
 of Verdun, to assist in keeping up the tracks. 
 
 They were continually under shell fire for when the tracks were 
 torn up by shells the members of the Twelfth had to build them up 
 as quickly as possible. This kind of work was kept up until the 
 armistice was signed. They were working where the American shells 
 were flying over them constantly. They built about a thousand miles 
 of track while they were there. Fred did not meet Ed. Bayless until 
 March, 1919, and when they finally started for Bordeaux he did not 
 meet Ed. any more, for Ed. was in the hospital and he had to be left 
 behind, when they left Bassens on the Cape May. 
 
 The sea was rough and Fred was seasick all the way across. When 
 they reached Nev/port News they were sent to Camp Upton where 
 the regiment split up, going in various directions to the nearest place 
 home to be discharged. At Camp Grant, Fred was in the hospital 
 about three weeks and was finally discharged on the 5th of June, 1919. 
 
 Fred had a rough life during his two years' army life ; a rough 
 life from beginning to the end. Many interesting stories could be 
 told but space does not allow it ; besides during the rough sea voyage 
 and his sickness he lost his diary. A diary in which he kept record 
 of all his movements. Sufficient to know that Fred and the entire 
 Twelfth Engineers saw very little pleasure. They had not enlisted 
 for pleasure and they sure did their bit in assisting to drive the 
 enemy from territory not theirs to the place from whence they came. 
 
 Fred started with Twelfth and received his honorable discharge 
 when the Twelfth was mustered out of service. 
 
 81
 
 GOTLIEB W. STAHLHUT 
 
 Gotlieb W. Stahlhut, son of Henry and Mary Stahlhut, was born 
 in Fort Russell Township, about five miles southeast of Bethalto, July 
 3, 1892. He attended the Oak Grove school and reached the Sixth 
 grade work. After his school years he continued to assist his par- 
 ents with their farm work. 
 
 He registered in June, 1917, claimed no exemption, and was ready 
 to go when he was needed. He was called on the 4th of October, 
 1917, and left Edwardsville in company with Charles Neunaber, Emil 
 Paul, Fred Sanders, Ed. Bangert, Wm. Dettmers and others. The 
 bunch went to Camp Taylor, Ky., and a jolly good ride they had. 
 With plenty of "Old Taylor" going to Camp Taylor, it was no wonder 
 when the coach arrived with its load of fighters there was not a single 
 lamp or window left in the coach. The conductor remarked that was 
 the kind of boys who would make good fellows for Uncle Sam's army, 
 which assertion will be verified by the description of the above named 
 fellows. 
 
 At Camp Taylor Gotlieb was placed in Co. B. 333rd Infantry, and 
 he at once set to work learning the art of soldierdom. He drilled and 
 hiked ; this was easy for him for he was used to hard work and he had 
 a healthy body and a willing spirit. Although many were sick at 
 Camp Taylor, Gotlieb got by fine, and his six months' stay there was 
 well spent, for every day spent at Camp Taylor meant proper develop- 
 ment in manner, mind, and muscle. 
 
 At the end of six months' drill he was transferred to the 35th 
 Engineers, and sent to Camp Merritt, where the 35th Engineers were 
 ready to cross the waters. He had received his full equipment, had 
 completed his training, and was ready to go. He left Camp Taylor 
 on the 28th of March, 1918, and although 200 left at the same time he 
 was the only one of his company to join the 35th Engineers. From 
 Merritt he went to Hoboken, where he boarded the Lincoln, an interned 
 German passenger boat. She was a large boat and had 6500 sol- 
 diers aboard, besides trucks and autos. The rations were fine ; they 
 received three good meals a day and no seasickness resulted on their 
 seventeen days' trip. 
 
 The Lincoln had formerly belonged to Germany, and for them to 
 see American troops sent across in what they termed their boat must 
 not be tolerated, so three submarines were sent out with instructions to 
 sink her at any cost. The officers and men were to receive a great 
 reward if they succeeded in sinking her, but if they failed death would 
 be meted out to the entire crews. When the Lincoln reached the war 
 zone the submarines started for her as their main objective; and al- 
 
 82
 
 though there were nine ships in the convoy, including a Red Cross ship, 
 the Lincohi was the one on which vengeance must be made ; but the 
 crew was prepared. Every soldier wore life belts, there w^as no sleep, 
 there was no light ; sure enough at nine o'clock in the morning the at- 
 tack began in earnest. x\fter several shots had been fired by the 
 Lincoln oil was seen floating on the water and they reached Brest 
 harbor safeh-. Upon reaching the harbor one of the U-boats sur- 
 rendered ; the) had followed the Lincoln in order that they could sur- 
 render. There they told the tale of reward or the consequences if 
 the Lincoln was not sunk. They told that the other U-boats had been 
 sunk from the shell fire of the Lincoln, and the fate of the crews was 
 unknown. 
 
 .\fter they landed at Brest they marched to the Napoleon Bar- 
 racks where they remained about a week and were then sent to Bor- 
 deaux in the famous French box cars which took them two days and 
 two nights. The cars were crowded, the doors were closed, it was 
 too crowded to sleep, they had no water to drink and all they had to 
 eat was pork and beans and bread. Many another description with 
 reference to the French box car rides is given in this book and it will 
 be but mere repetitions that millions of our boys have experienced, 
 and though it seems ludicrous now, it was serious then. 
 
 Upon reaching Bordeaux the 35th Engineers started at once to 
 build American engines and Gotlieb helped build the first American 
 engine in France : he had no experience of this kind but he soon 
 learned. He worked at putting up engines about five months, when 
 he was sent to La Rochelle. another seaport between Bordeaux and 
 Brest, about 100 miles from Bordeaux and Brest. At La Rochelle he 
 helped build American box cars. The pieces were sent across from 
 the U. S. and at La Rochelle the\' were put together. There were 
 aljout 3000 men at work putting up American box cars. A great 
 speed was attained by these engineers and they turned out cars at the 
 rate of one in eight minutes. It was while here that the boys cele- 
 brated Armistice Day, but they continued building box cars until 
 January, 1919. The work was steady ; seven days in a week and 
 twelve hours a day. 
 
 In January he made an effort to get home and at the same time 
 he was sent away from La Rochelle and was sent to Brest where he 
 ran an engine on the tug boat Cuba, that ran from the wharf to the 
 large vessels that were too large to go nearer the shore. The boat 
 liauled soldiers and their luggage from Brest harbor to the vessels get- 
 ting ready to return. It could haul about 400 at one time and had 
 a little more than a mile to go. 
 
 83
 
 Once while the Western Scout, a large freighter, had engine 
 trouble about 150 miles out, the Cuba was called and she went out and 
 towed her from where she lay through the Strait of Gibraltar into the 
 Mediterranean Sea. The Western Scout had on board a cargo of 
 lumber, and hailed from Portland, Oregon. The Cuba had been 
 called by wireless. 
 
 After his return Gotlieb continued his old line of duty between 
 wharf and vessel. He had four hours on and eight hours off, and 
 during his eight hours off he often watched the happy faces of return- 
 ing soldiers ; he would sometimes sit for hours to watch the happy fel- 
 lows and wondered if he would ever meet a fellow he knew ; but of all 
 the thousands who started on their homeward journey not a face did 
 he see that he recognized, and the only two whom he met during the 
 time that he was gone were Albert Smeder, of Wanda, and Ed. Har- 
 moning, of Edwardsville. It is strange to see so many thousand faces 
 and to know so few of them. 
 
 Finally the day was set for Gotlieb to return home, August the 
 26th. He had been across almost 18 months, long enough to receive 
 three service stripes. He returned on the U. S. Zeppelin, a German 
 boat. This was her maiden trip, for she had been built by the Ger- 
 mans during the war. It took her but ten days to cross ; she landed 
 at New York on the 5th of September. You might know Gotlieb had 
 a pleasant voyage, no seasickness of course, and Hoboken was reached 
 in safety. He went from there to Camp Merritt, where he remained 
 six days, and then went to Camp Grant, where he received his dis- 
 charge, and reached Edwardsville and home on the 17th of September, 
 after an absence of nearly 24 months. Following is his discharge and 
 enlistment record : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Gotlieb W. 
 Stalhut, 1976033, Corporal, Hdqrs. Det. 5th G. R. Transportation 
 Corps, the United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faith- 
 ful service, is hereby honorably discharged from the military service 
 of the United States by reason of convenience of the government, 
 demobilization of organization, per circular 108, W. D. 1918. Said 
 Gotlieb W. Stahlhut was born in Edwardsville in the State of Illinois. 
 When enlisted he was 25 3-12 years of age and by occupation a farmer. 
 He had brown eyes, dark hair, dark complexion, and was 5 feet 11 
 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp Grant, Illinois, this 
 15th day of September, 1919. Hamilton D. Turner, Major Infantry, 
 Commanding. 
 
 84
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Gotlieb W. Stahlhut. Grade: Corporal. Enlisted 10-3-1917 
 at Edwardsville, 111., serving- in first enlistment period at date of dis- 
 charge. Prior service : None. Noncommissioned Officer : Corporal 
 7-28-1919. Marksmanship, gunner qualifications or rating: Not 
 rated. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirm- 
 ishes, expeditions : None. Decorations, badges : A. E. F. medals, 
 citations : None. Knowledge of any vocation : Farming. Wounds 
 received in service: None. Physical condition when discharg-ed: 
 Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed: 2-14-1918; paratyphoid 
 prophylaxis completed 2-14-1918. Married or single : Single. 
 Character : Very good. Remarks : Entitled travel pay to Ed- 
 wardsville, 111. ; sailed from U. S. 3-31-1918 ; returned to U. S. 
 9-5-1919. Absence without leave under G. O. No. 31, W. D. 1912 and 
 No. 45 W. D. 1914 : None. Signature of soldier : Gotlieb W. Stahl- 
 hut. William A. Millard, 2nd Lieut. Demobilization Group, Command- 
 ing. Camp Grant, 111., Sept. 15, 1919. Paid in full $94.85 including 
 bonus of $60.00, Act of Feb. 24, 1919. P. G. Hoyt, Major I. M. C. 
 Per M. Peterson, 2nd Lt. A. M. C. 
 
 GEORGE C. HARMONING. 
 
 George C. Harmoning was born April 14, 1893, near Edwardsville, 
 111. His father was born in Germany in that part formerly called 
 Hanover, which had been an independent kingdom of Northern Ger- 
 many. Hanover was annexed to Prussia in the sixties. This an- 
 nexation was unpopular with the Hanoverians or Hanoveraner as they 
 call themselves, but no armed resistence was shown and those who re- 
 fused to abide by the Prussian decision or those opposed to Prussian- 
 ism left that country and emigrated to America. It happened thus 
 that George's father came to this country when a young- man. He 
 settled near Edwardsville, 111., married an Edwardsville girl and 
 farmed for a number of years. George's mother's name was Minnie 
 Kriege, of Edwardsville. 
 
 George went to the Pin Oak school in Pin Oak Township until 
 the family moved to Edwardsville. At Edwardsville, George went 
 to the German Parochial school. It thus happened George received 
 both a good English and German education. About four years ago 
 the family left Edwardsville and moved to Bethalto where they are 
 now located. After the family quit farming George worked on the 
 farm for others. He registered at Bethalto in June, 1917, and was 
 
 85
 
 called for examination early in 1918, but he failed in the test and was 
 sent to East St. Louis, where the test at Alton was sustained, and 
 George was put in the limited service class. 
 
 The limited service men were billed to go to Camp Grant, but on 
 account of blood poison it was impossible for George to go. He was 
 therefore not called again until the first of October, 1918, when he was 
 sent to Jefferson Barracks, Mo. Although there were many from 
 here who were put in the limited service George and John Weyen were 
 the only two from Bethalto to leave. His life in camp was of short 
 duration owing to the signing of the armistice. 
 
 The duties of the limited service men varied as the occasion de- 
 manded ; most of the work being general. There was no drilling or 
 guard duty or any special work usually performed by men in the reg- 
 ular service. Mumps being prevalent during the time George was at 
 Jefferson Barracks, he was in the hospital two weeks with mumps; 
 and the balance of the time that he was in the army he was working 
 for an army chaplain named Sam Dorrance. Thus George's work 
 was one of the tirst to end after the army was ordered to be de- 
 mobilized. Following is his discharge and enlistment record : 
 
 nLSCHAR(;E FROM THE UNITED STATES ARMV. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that George 
 Harmoning, No. 3779209, recruit, limited military Class C. unassigned, 
 attached 18th Recruit Co., general service infantry, the United States 
 Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service is hereby hon- 
 orably discharged from the military service of the United States by 
 reason of demobilization, auth. letter from A. 9. 0. dated November 
 23, 1918. Said George C. Harmoning, No. 3779209 was born in 
 Madison County, in the State of Illinois. W'hen enlisted he was 25 
 years of age, and by occupation a farmer. He had blue eyes No. 13, 
 brown hair, ruddy complexion, and was 5 feet 5 3-4 inches in height. 
 Given under my hand at Jefferson Barracks, this 12th day of Decem- 
 ber, 1918. George R. Hunter, Colonel U. S. A. retired. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : George C. Harmoning, No. 3779209. Grade : Recruit, 
 inducted Oct. 1, 1918, at Alton, 111., serving in first enlistment period 
 at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Noncommissioned 
 officer : Never. Knowledge of any vocation : Farmer. Wounds 
 received in service : None. Physical condition when discharged : 
 Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed : October 17, 1918. Para- 
 typhoid prophylaxis completed : October 17, 1918. Married or sin- 
 
 86
 
 gle: Single. Character: \'ery good. Remarks: Soldier en- 
 titled to travel pay to Alton, 111. No absence without leave. No 
 absence under general order 45, War Department 1914. Signature of 
 soldier: George C. Harmoning. W. B. Eress, 1st Lieut. Infantry, Com- 
 manding 18th Recruit Co. 
 
 JOHN H. WEYEN. 
 
 John H. Weyen, son of Heye and Meta Weyen, was born near 
 Gillespie, 111., on the 17th day of May, 1888. The parents resided on 
 a farm and John attended the Gillespie school until he was 14 years of 
 age, when the family purchased a home in Bethalto, moved there and 
 John completed his education in the Bethalto school. He completed 
 the Eighth grade work and after that he assisted the parents at home 
 until he was called to the colors. He was not quite 30 years of age 
 when the call was made and he registered for the draft in June, 1917. 
 Shortly after the registration he was called but upon examination he 
 was rejected and he was placed in the limited service. 
 
 He remained home until the time came for the limited service men 
 to be called, and John left home on the 28th of July, 1918. He went 
 to Edwardsville and from there he was sent to Syracuse, N. Y. He 
 was placed in a recruiting camp and was placed in 28 Co. 7, Bn. Ret. 
 Camp, but did not remain at Syracuse very long, for just one month 
 after he left Bethalto he landed in Columbus, Ohio. There was very 
 little to do at Syracuse so he was sent to Columbus, Ohio, to do guard 
 duty. He was placed in the 343rd Fire and Guard Company and as 
 the name of the company designated John was placed on guard most 
 of the time. 
 
 On October 5th, Spanish Influenza broke out in camp and every- 
 body was kept away from the patients, thus the physicians tried to pre- 
 vent the spread of the dreaded disease. John continued to do guard 
 duty until the 14th of October when he was taken suddenly ill with 
 the "flu". The first two days he did not seem seriously ill but on the 
 third day his fever rose rapidly which caused his sickness to develop 
 into pneumonia. The attending hospital physicians and nurses gave 
 him the best of attention and care, but all this was of no avail, for the 
 Almighty had chosen otherwise, and he was called away from his 
 mother, brother and sister, comrades, and a host of friends and rela- 
 tives. 
 
 About 2 o'clock on the morning of the 18th he unexpectedly lost 
 consciousness and at five minutes past three, without having previous 
 
 87
 
 ly suffered he expired. At 4:30 p. m. on the 17th of October a tele- 
 gram was sent to John's mother stating that he was seriously sick at 
 the hospital ; and at 10 :30 p. m. another telegram was sent stating that 
 he would live only a few hours. The next day she received a telegram 
 stating that John H. Weyen died at 3 :05 a. m. of that day. 
 
 The body arrived at Gillespie at 7 :55 p. m. October 19, for burial 
 and John was laid to rest on the 21st day of October in the Gillespie 
 cemetery, where lie buried his father and a sister. 
 
 John had lived with his parents in Bethalto sixteen years ; he had 
 made many friends and was loved by all who knew him. He was a 
 member of the L. O. O. M. of Alton, 111. 
 
 His sister Mabel writes the following lines to his memory : 
 To Son and Brother, John Weyen. 
 
 On August 31st, you were called to go 
 
 Across sea to fight a common foe. 
 
 To Syracuse. N. Y.. at first you went 
 
 And from there to Columbus, O., vvas sent. 
 
 To Fir^ and Guard duties they did assign 
 
 For each day in the week, in rain or shine. 
 
 For nearly two months this pace you kept, 
 
 Marching to and fro with measured step. 
 
 Though the trials of France you did not share. 
 
 You were on your way over there 
 
 When God saw fit to call you home. 
 
 And now your work on earth is done. 
 
 Although at home there's an empty chair, 
 
 May Heaven be brighter by your presence there. 
 
 And though it is not us, but God to please. 
 
 We can still retain the memories. 
 
 LESLIE PREHN. 
 
 Leslie Prehn, son of Theodore and Anna Prehn, was born in 
 Bunker Hill, 111., September 29, 1895. The parents, though of Ger- 
 man descent, were both born in Illinois and both being thoroughly 
 American, always favored American institutions and therefore a good 
 education and training for their children, so Leslie received his ele- 
 mentary education in the Bunker Hill schools, graduating from the 
 Eighth grade in 1910, and at the age of 18 he graduated from the High 
 school of that place. In 1915 Theodore Prehn, his father, went into 
 the lumber business in Bethalto and Leslie did all the clerical work 
 pertaining to that business, remaining most of the time in Bethalto 
 
 88
 
 while the parents resided in Bunker Hill, and although doing business 
 in Bethalto he registered for the draft in June, 1917, in Bunker Hill, 
 for that was still his home. 
 
 He was called to the colors in September, 1917, and left Staunton, 
 III., with the Macoupin county boys, Sept. 19, 1917, having been 
 sworn in at 2 p. m. Sept. 17. As soon as Leslie left the parents made 
 preparation to move to Bethalto and then moved in October, thus be- 
 coming citizens of Bethalto. 
 
 The boys were sent to Camp Taylor and Leslie became part of 
 Battery F, of the 327th Field Artillery that was being formed there 
 at the time the Macoupin county boys arrived, and thus Battery F 
 was formed from the Macoupin bunch. Three weeks after he ar- 
 rived he became Battery Clerk and his high school training became 
 valuable to him. Later on he did special duty as regimental statis- 
 tician. In February, 1918, he was transferred to Battery A, after 
 he had been made first class private while under Captain Weiland. 
 While in Battery A, he did special clerical duty at headquarters, but 
 under Captain J. E. Shaw, of Battery A, the finest officer in the 
 United States Army. 
 
 The duties as clerk in Battery F were taking care of the com- 
 pany's records and general correspondence, typewriting, etc. At 
 Regimental Headquarters it was regimental correspondence, which 
 was of larger scope and more of it. On March 1st, Leslie was pro- 
 moted to corporal, and although the work was the same as before the 
 promotion increased his pay to $38.00. During the winter of 1917- 
 1918 he took several courses in the army school completing wig-wag, 
 semaphore, buzzer, telephony, besides taking part of a course in 
 French. 
 
 On April 1. the regiment hiked to West Point, Ky.. a distance of 
 about 20 miles. A new camp v/as being made between the Ohio and 
 Salt Rivers and this regiment was sent there to help organize it and 
 this camp was to be used as a Field Artillery camp near which was 
 located the range. The camp consisted of tents vvhich had to be 
 pitched in the wilderness, but through the effort of the company it 
 was soon cleaned up and the little village nearby became a thriving 
 town during the existence of this camp. 
 
 On May 2 Leslie was promoted to Battalion Sergeant Major, 
 which put him in charge of battalion detail, which consisted of 38 
 men. He was to oversee the signaling, telephone and linemen, and 
 instrument men, besides taking care of the First Battalion records 
 under the direction of Major Chapman. This position increased his 
 pay to $48.00. 
 
 89
 
 The summer was spent in firing on the range, maneuvering, etc., 
 both by night and day. On August 25th at 9 a. m. the first train de- 
 parted from West Point with about 440 men being the First Battalion ; 
 the second battalion left soon after. There were three battalions to 
 a regiment, the 327th being motorized and the 325th and 326th were 
 horse-drawn outfits. The 327th used 155 millimeter guns, and the 
 325th and 326th used 75's. This material was left in camp when the 
 men departed, for these were fit only to be used on drill grounds. 
 
 They left on the Henderson line to Louisville, Ky., on the C. & O. 
 through Covington, Ky., Staunton, Va., Washington, D. C. on the 
 New Jersey road from Washington through Philadelphia, Trenton to 
 Jersey City. There they boarded a ferry, rounded New York City, 
 down the Hudson River, up East River under Brooklyn, Queensbury 
 and Manhattan bridges to Camp Mills, L. I. They remained at Camp 
 Mills from August 27th till September 8th, drawing their overseas 
 uniforms. They left Camp Mills on a ferry to New York docks and 
 boarded the S. S. Orduna on the 8th of September, pulled out, passing 
 the Goddess of Liberty on the 9th of September. 
 
 The convoy of 14 transports, 5 sub-chasers, and one battleship 
 escorted by one dirigible, and two aeroplanes on their journey. The 
 Orduna was pretty well crowded, for she had on board 1600 men of 
 the 327th, 135 men of Headquarters Detachment, 159th F. A. Brigade 
 and 100 Red Cross nurses, besides her crew. They had good sailing, 
 saw no submarines and the battleship escorted them two-thirds of the 
 way across and when they rounded Ireland an aeroplane came out to 
 meet them. They went around the north of Ireland through the North 
 Channel where the convoy split up, one-half going to Glasgow, Scot- 
 land and the other half going to Liverpool, Eng. They were about 14 
 days in crossing and landed at 3 a. m., Sunday, September 21st, and 
 put foot on English soil about 8 :30 that same morning. 
 
 They hiked through Liverpool to the railroad station where they 
 were greeted by the Red Cross and received hot coffee and rolls. They 
 boarded a train at 3 p. m., September 22. The train consisted of 
 wooden compartment coaches, each compartment holding eight men. 
 The coaches had neither air brakes nor patent couplers and the 
 entrances were from the side and each coach had several entrances. 
 The engines, though nicely polished with brass, were old-fashioned 
 and small ; they burned pressed coal, the pieces being of uniform size 
 and made no smoke. 
 
 They traveled at a fair rate of speed passing through much inter- 
 esting scenery ; and while at Winchester, Leslie had the chance of see- 
 ing the ruins of King Arthur's palace and the large historical Round 
 
 90
 
 Table, twenty-four feet in diameter. Winchester was the last stop 
 and they hiked to Camp Winnal Downs, a distance of three miles, 
 reaching- the place at 4 a. m. September 23. They ate breakfast and 
 went to bed in tents ; and although they went to bed there were in 
 reality no beds in these pyramidal tents, neither was there a floor in 
 the tent, so they unpacked, lay down on the wet ground while the rains 
 were pouring through the roof ; Leslie had company, for there were 24 
 others in his tent sharing the same fate. They remained there three 
 days during which time Leslie received two passes to Winchester, thus 
 becoming pretty well acquainted with English customs and English 
 scenery. They left Winnal Downs at 6 a. m. September 25, in heavy 
 marching order to Winchester railroad station, expecting to finish the 
 trip through England by rail, but they met with disappointment, for 
 the officers were informed that all men on railroads in England were 
 on a strike ; so they were ordered to proceed at once to hike to South- 
 ampton, this being the only way to get there. They went in heavy 
 marching order, packs consisting of a rifle, a belt, canteen, rations, 
 etc., consisting in all of about 85 pounds. They marched all day. 
 The rations were the lightest part of the burden ; they reached South- 
 ampton at 6 p. m. tired, mad, hungry and sore, and rested two hours 
 at the docks. At 6 p. m. they were loaded on a small, filthy and un- 
 comfortable bark called Margarete. They started across the channel 
 at 8 p. m. and rode all night. There was no sleep if you could not 
 sleep standing, for there was no chance to lie dowm even on some poor 
 tired soldier. 
 
 They finally landed at La Havre at 6 o'clock the next morning and 
 at onoe hiked through the town and up the steep bluff in a zig-zag 
 fashion to Camp No. 1 six miles away, where they were put in tents on 
 muddy ground. The tents, pyramidal in shape, were made to hold 
 six soldiers, but they crowded 14 in each tent and the only way this 
 could be accomplished was to pile their feet up in the center with their 
 heads sticking outside of the tents, in the rain. They remained at 
 Camp No. One 24 hours, still subsisting on skimpy British rations. 
 
 On the 27th of September they left Camp No. One and hiked 
 hack to La Havre, where they boarded the famous 40 Hommes Chavou 
 8. There were 32 men in Leslie's coach, which made it pretty 
 crowded. They subsisted on American food consisting of canned 
 beans, corn Willie and bread. They rode 72 hours from the northern 
 extremity of France to the southern extremity near the Spanish bor- 
 der, thus enabling them to see Western France. They went to Bor- 
 deaux and about 16 miles west to Camp De Souge, a French artillery 
 camp, where the 327th practiced with French artillery. They arrived 
 91
 
 at De Souge on the 29th of September and on the third of October 
 Leslie was taken down with the "flu". Upon reaching the hospital it 
 was found to be full, so he and about 90 others were billeted in bar- 
 racks, where medical attention was scarce. Leslie was very sick and 
 the treatment was rough which kept him in until the 17th of October, 
 during which time many died. He was unable to do much work for 
 a while. After he became stronger he attended the French school of 
 orientation, he also took a course of firing on the range, recording 
 shots, etc. This he did besides attending to the First Battalion detail. 
 
 After the armistice was signed movements were checked. They 
 had completed their practice, they had drawn all their material and 
 equipment, their artillery 155's, etc., and had been assigned with the 
 Third Army in the Verdun sector. The signing of the armistice put 
 a lull in the situation and Leslie had a comparatively easy time at De 
 Souge. 
 
 They had orders to leave for home on the 20th of November, but 
 there were too many ahead of them so they had to remain a few months 
 in the camp during which time Leslie took advantage of all the passes 
 he could procure to Bordeaux, thus getting acquainted with every 
 nook and corner in this large and beautiful city. 
 
 Finally the day arrived and orders were given to proceed by 
 marching to Genecourt No. 1. This was on the 12th of January, 
 1919. This was their first homeward movement. They remained 
 there 18 hours, during which time they were sent through a delouser, 
 whether you needed it or not. They drew new clothing and then 
 went to Genecourt No. 2, where they remained until the 21st of Jan- 
 uary policing the camp, dug ditches, built walks, and the balance of 
 the time waded in the mud. On Sunday, January 21st, they left 
 Genecourt No. 2 and marched to Bassens to the American docks about 
 9 kilos away, where they boarded the U. S. S. Mallory, leaving the 
 docks the next morning, and moving down the Gironde River about 40 
 kilos and entering the Bay of Biscay. They started for Brest but 
 v.hile on the ocean they received word by wireless that there was no 
 oil at Brest and they changed their course and went to the Azores 
 Islands where they got oil, for the H. W. Mallory was an oil burner. 
 
 After they left the Azores they had fine sailing for about ten 
 hours, lights burned brightly, and the sea was never more smooth ; but 
 this was a good indication for a storm and sure enough an awful five 
 days' storm broke in upon them which delayed their trip several days ; 
 for they could make no headway, the storm roared, waves rolled high 
 and the ship nothing but a coast wise steamer, that should not have 
 been sent across with a cargo of American soldiers. Ninety per cent 
 
 92
 
 of the boys were seasick and they remained so until the 4th of Feb- 
 ruary, when they dropped anchor at Pier No. 2 at Hoboken, from 
 which place they had sailed for France five months before. They 
 went by ferry and rail to Camp Merritt, where they remained eight 
 days. While at Merritt they went through another cootie mill and 
 their clothing went through a great steam pressure, killing every germ 
 imaginable and putting wrinkles in the clothing that never will come 
 out. 
 
 At Merritt, Leslie had several passes to see the city of New York. 
 He had six passes and availed himself of each one of these privileges. 
 The boys had good times at Camp Merritt. They had been seasick 
 all the way and were now getting fairly well over it and were naturally 
 hungry : but they could eat to their heart's content and they ate and 
 ate, never did anything taste so good. At Merritt the company split 
 up and the l)c>s wtre sent to the nearest camp for home, so Leslie, Ted 
 and Frank were sent to Camp Grant, reaching that place on the 14th 
 of February. Leslie was discharged on the 19th, and reached home 
 on the 20th, after having served in the army a year and five months. 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : 
 Honorable Discharge from the United States Army. To all 
 whom it may concern : This is to certify that Leslie E. Prehn, 
 1984861, Bn. Sgt. Mjr. Hdq. Co. 327th Field Artillery, the United 
 States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is here- 
 by honorably discharged from the military service of the United 
 States by reason of convenience of the government. Per S. O. 46 Par. 
 33, No. 9, Camp Grant, 111., 2-15-19. Said Leslie E. Prehn was born 
 in Bunker Hill in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 21 years 
 of age and by occupation a lumber merchant. He had blue eyes, 
 light hair, fair complexion and was 5 feet, 9 inches in height. Given 
 under my hand at Camp Grant, 111., this 19th day of February, 1919. 
 F. L. Martain, Major Air Service U. S. A. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Leslie E. Prehn. Grade: Bn. Sgt. Maj. Inducted 
 Sept. 18, 1917, at Staunton, 111. serving in first enlistment period at 
 date of discharge. Prior service : None. Noncommissioned officer : 
 Corporal from March 1, 1918; Bn. Sgt. Maj. from May 2, 1918. 
 Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Not qualified. 
 Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, ex- 
 peditions : American Expeditionary Forces from September 8, 1918, 
 to February 4, 1919. Knowledge of any vocation : Lumber mer- 
 chant. Wounds received in service : None. Physical condition 
 
 93
 
 when discharged: Good. Typhoid Prophylaxis completed Oct 9, 
 1917. Paratyphoid Prophylaxis completed Oct. 9, 1917. Married 
 or single: Single. Character: Excellent. Remarks: No A. 
 W. O. L. and no absence under G. O. 45-15 or 31-12 ; entitled to travel 
 pay. Signature of soldier: Leslie E. Prehn. — Marion C. Patton, 
 First Lieut. 327th F. A. Commanding PIdq. Co. 327 F. A. Camp Grant, 
 111., Feb. 19, 1919. Paid in full : $43.28, Alex. C. McKelvey, Capt. 
 Q. M. C, D. E. Cowdrey, 2nd Lieut.. O. M. C. 
 
 FRANK DRISCOL 
 
 Frank Driscol, a member of Battery F. 327th Field Artillery, was 
 born in Chicago. April 22, 1892. His father, of Irish-American de- 
 scent, died when Frank was seven years old. His mother was a Scotch- 
 Canadian. When the father died they had to shift for themselves. 
 They lived in Joliet, 111., then moved to Kansas City, Mo., then to 
 Springfield, Mo. When his father died they were living in Spring- 
 field, Mo. Leaving the two without means they were forced to work 
 for others for a living. They lived with a Lancaster family who 
 moved to Seymour, Mo., taking the two with them. Frank worked 
 a while for Dr. Jackson, who died within a year after Frank was there, 
 he was then taken to Dr. White but left on account of the hard work 
 due to his tender age. He received his early education from his 
 mother and started to Springfield school in the Third grade. At Sey- 
 mour he was doing Sixth grade work. The Lancasters moved back 
 to Springfield, taking Frank along and leaving the mother at Seymour. 
 
 Frank was employed at the Springfield Furniture Company for 
 two and one-half years; and it was during this time his mother died, 
 leaving him an orphan. He became a hard wood finisher ; but when 
 the Lancasters moved to East Alton, 111., he went with them, for they 
 were like home folks to him. They moved to East Alton to be near 
 the Earls family, John Earls, of East Alton being a brother to Mrs. 
 Lancaster. Frank went to work for the Western Cartridge Co., and 
 on account of poor health Mr. Lancaster went to the Soldiers' Home 
 at St. James, Mo. At the age of seventeen Frank w^as left alone, for 
 Mrs. Lancaster also went to the home at St. James. 
 
 At the Furniture Company Frank received but 35 cents a day 
 and would never have been able to remain there had it not been for 
 the kind hearted Lancasters. After Frank quit the Western he worked 
 on a C. C. C. & St. L. train for three months, then went to work for 
 Beall Bros. Tool Co. for six months. He decided that farm life 
 
 94
 
 suited him better, so he went to work for G. Y. Henry of East Alton. 
 He worked for two years for Mr. Henry, then for the next twelve 
 months he rambled over part of the northwest. He worked at East 
 Moline, 111., Minneapolis and Fergus Falls, Minn., and other places, 
 but he grew tired of such life and went back to G. Y. Henry's. In 
 January, 1917, Frank went to Hornsby to make his home with Mrs. 
 Sarah Rotsch. It thus happened that he registered for the draft in 
 June, 1917, from Macoupin county. When Frank left for the army 
 September 18, 1917, Mrs. Rotsch moved back to Bethalto, her former 
 home. It thus happened that Frank is classed as a Bethalto boy, for 
 his home was changed to Bethalto during his absence. 
 
 Frank left Staunton with the Macoupin county bunch ; he went 
 to Camp Taylor where he was placed in Battery F, 327th F. A., and 
 remained in the same battery until he was discharged from Camp 
 Grant, 111., Feb. 20, 1920. Frank and Leslie Prehn left for Camp 
 Taylor together, and were in the same battery for a short while. On 
 April 1st, the 325th, 326th, 327th F. A. of the 84th division went to 
 West Point, about 20 miles down the Ohio River from Camp Taylor. 
 Here Frank drilled until the 25th of August, when he entrained for 
 Camp Mills, L. I., to be equipped for overseas duty. He boarded 
 the British steamer Orduna on the 9th of September for a two weeks 
 ride on the ocean. Although no submarines were sighted the trip 
 across was not a pleasant one. 
 
 Being used to clean camp life, with clean and pure American 
 food, the soldiers at once classed the Orduna as too dirty and filthy for 
 a United States soldier. And to add to the discomforts, the meals, 
 although regular, were of such quality that the greatest quantity was 
 either saved by the boat's crew or fed to the fish by the soldiers. They 
 landed at Liverpool harbor September 21, where the Boy Scout band 
 played American airs for the soldiers. From Liverpool they went 
 to Winchester, where Frank's trials began in earnest. Food having 
 been scarce, and poor at that, on the boat, and very scarce after he 
 landed, he was easily fatigued. They hiked from Winchester to Win- 
 nal Down where they rested a while, then started to entrain for South- 
 ampton, but the English railroad men had started on a strike and 
 nobody rode ; so they started on a hike that morning to Southamp- 
 ton. Each soldier was given two sandwiches on which to hike 16 
 miles. With so little to eat for such a long march, full pack, it was 
 no wonder so many fell by the wayside and had to be carried to the 
 port in ambulances ; and though the boys received so little to eat the 
 British objected to give them even that amount. 
 
 95
 
 They reached Southampton about 5 o'clock in the evening and 
 were loaded on to a small English boat called Margarete, crossing the 
 channel and landed at La Havre the next morning. The boat was so 
 crowded it was impossible to lie down to rest and the only way to ob- 
 tain any rest was to lean against the walls of the boat. 
 
 No sooner had they landed when they were marched to Camp No. 
 One, about six miles up the hill and out of town, only to discover there 
 was no room for Battery F., and they were ordered back again to La 
 Flavre. During these trying hours Battery F. was still rationed by 
 the British government and a twelve mile hike in a day with little or 
 no food and no rest the previous night was simply intolerable, which 
 left a lasting impression on all the boys. As soon as they reached La 
 Havre they were huddled into box cars, or, to use plainer language, 
 cattle cars. 
 
 In these small cars they rode three days and three nights to their 
 new and final destination. Although the cjuantity of food did not in- 
 crease while in these cars the quality was better, for they were eating 
 American food nov/ ; and corn beef was sure appreciated after having 
 been fed on mutton stew for so many days. About thirty in a car 
 one-third the size of our American box cars told what that meant for 
 a bunch of fatigued and half-starved soldiers. 
 
 They finally landed at Camp De Souge, about 16 miles west of 
 Bordeaux. This was on the 29th of September. The 327th being 
 the heavy field artillery, accounted for its being placed on the range 
 so far from the lines. Camp De Souge had been used as an artillery 
 camp and was Avell suited for heavy artillery. They were given six 
 weeks of intensive training with Howitzers, French type using 155 
 millimeter shells ; completing their training on the 9th of November 
 just two days before the armistice was signed. The order had been 
 received to occupy a sector before Metz when fighting ceased. Every- 
 thing was ready to go, all was loaded at Tours ready for the front 
 when it suddenly ended. 
 
 So it happened Battery F. and Frank never left De Souge, and on 
 the 12th of January, 1919, they left the camp after a 105 day drill. 
 Camp life at De Souge was not always unpleasant and it would have 
 been better if it had not been for the "flu." Every meal that was 
 eaten at De Souge was eaten in the rain, and to sleep in the little pup 
 tents with rain pouring through aggravated life somewhat. "Flu" 
 played havoc v/ith some batteries, but F lost only two, although every 
 member had it. Frank was in the hospital eight days. 
 
 At Camp Taylor the boys drilled in the snow ; at West Point they 
 drilled in the hot sand ; and at De Souge they drilled in the mud and 
 
 96
 
 p» — — 1 
 
 ^^^/^•^ -^ 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
 \ K. 
 
 
 JAMES FRED JONES 
 
 (Deceased) 
 
 Hospital Corps, 47th Reg., C. A. C. 
 
 HERMAN OLTHOFF 
 
 Mech. Co. G, 78th Infantry 
 
 ARTHUR JONES 
 Co. L, 48th Infantry 
 
 ARTHUR GEORGE ELLIOTT 
 
 Co. G, 48th Infantry
 
 WILLIAM E. NEUNABER 
 
 4th Recruit Sq., 
 Air Service 
 
 LIMON NEUNABER 
 Co. E, 156th Infantry 
 
 EDWARD J. NEUNABER 
 Co. F, 10th Infantry 
 
 CHARLES NEUNABER 
 
 Headquarters Co., 138th Infantry
 
 rain ; but such is army life and it is fine if you like it. The boys in- 
 tended to start back in November, but they sent mules into the camp 
 by the thousands from Spain, to be fed and cleaned up for the Third 
 army, and Frank had good practice in currying mules until the 12th 
 of January, when the boys left camp, went to Genecourt No. 1, and 
 through a delousing process ; thence to Genecourt No. 2, where they 
 remained a week shoveling mud ; thence to the port of embarkation 
 for home. 
 
 They boarded the U. S. S. Henry R. Mallory to start on their 
 stormy trip of seventeen days, passing the Azores and landing at 
 Hoboken, N. J. From there they went to Camp Merritt. where they 
 split up, going some here, some there, to their homes. Frank, Ted 
 and Les. were sent to Camp Grant, where the majority were sent to 
 be discharged. He arrived at Camp Grant on the 14th day of Feb- 
 ruary, was discharged on the 21st, reaching Bethalto and home on 
 the 21st, where he was received by friends, neighbors and associates, 
 welcoming him back to civil life. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Frank Dris- 
 coll. 1984873, Private Battery F, 327th Field Artillery, the United 
 States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service is hereby 
 Honorably Discharged from the military service of the United States 
 by reason of convenience of the government Per S. O. 47, Par. 3, Feb. 
 16. 1919. Headquarters Camp Grant, 111. Said Frank Driscoll 
 1984873 was born in Chicago, Illinois. When enlisted he was 25 5-12 
 years of age and by occupation an engineer. He had grey eyes, dark 
 hair, dark complexion, and was 5 feet 6 1-4 inches in height. Given 
 under my hand at Camp Grant, Illinois, this 20th day of February, 
 1919. Signed, F. L. Martin, Maj. Air Service, Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : Frank Driscoll 1984873. Grade : Private. Inducted 
 September 18, 1917, at Staunton, 111., serving in first enlistment period 
 at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Noncommissioned offi- 
 cer: Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Not 
 qualified. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, 
 skirmishes, expeditions : American Expeditionary Forces. Knowledge 
 of any vocation : Engineer. Wounds received in service : None. 
 Physical condition when discharged : Good. Typhoid prophylaxis 
 completed Oct. 9, 1917; Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed October 
 6,1917. Married or single : Single. Character: Excellent. Re- 
 marks: No A. W. O. L. No absence under G. O. 31-12, 45-14; en- 
 
 97
 
 titled to travel pay. Signature of soldier : Frank Driscoll. Camp 
 Grant, 111., Feb. 20, 1919. Paid in full $32.21. Signed: Alex C. 
 McKelvey, Capt. Q. M. C, D. E. Cowdrey, 2nd Lieut. Q. M. C. Paul H. 
 Weiland, Capt. 327th F. A. Commanding Battery F. 
 
 Engineer School — 84th division : This is to certify that Frank 
 Driscoll Battery F. 327th F. A. completed the special short course 
 in the Gas and Flame and Smoke Department, including passage 
 through Gas House. Dated this 19th day of January, 1918. Clifford 
 E. Bill, 2nd Lieut. Engrs. R. C. Secretary. Jarvis J. Bain, Lieut. -Col. 
 Engrs. U. S. Commanding. 
 
 HENRY C. ZIMMERMANN 
 
 Henry Carrol Zimmermann, son of Henry W. and Lida Clark 
 Zimmermann, was born in Bethalto, January 7, 1896. The parents of 
 Carrol or "Ted" as he will be called in this book, have lived in Bethalto 
 more than forty years, and Ted spent all his life in Bethalto, receiving 
 a good common school education in the Bethalto public schools, com- 
 pleting the Eighth grade work at the age of 13, after which time he 
 assisted the parents with their work. 
 
 He registered for the draft in June, 1917, but was not called until 
 June 27, 1918, when he left for Camp Taylor, arriving at Camp Tay- 
 lor in company with Fred Jones and Charley Bartels, whose descrip- 
 tions are found in this book. Ted was placed in the 159th Depot 
 Brigade, 14th company, 4th Tr. Bn. ; he took the physical examination 
 on the 30th of June and the mental examination on the first of July, 
 passing both tests. Ted remained in the 159th D. B. 21 days, during 
 which time they drilled, hiked and exercised ; the treatment by the 
 officers was fine, even the corporals and sergeants fraternized with the 
 common soldiers. This fraternization between corporals, sergeants 
 and the new comers was especially noticable when the recruits received 
 cake, lunch or other dainties from loved ones at home. Ted never 
 got in bad with his superior officers while deviled eggs, roasted 
 pigeons, fruits, and well-filled sandwiches were forthcoming. 
 
 Thus the days sped along at Camp Taylor; it was, get up at 5 :15, 
 stand reveille, march back, wash up, line up for mess, wash dishes, 
 sweep out the barracks, police up outside ; at 7 march to the drill field, 
 drill till 11 :30, eat dinner, drill at 1 :30, play till 5 p. m., stand retreat 
 at 5 :45, eat supper and then be free for the rest of the evening. 
 
 Ted received his uniform on the 3rd of July, and a real gini on 
 the 15th. He had the gun just long enough to learn to love it and 
 
 9$
 
 about the time he was beginning to feel proud of it, he received orders 
 to surrender his weapon and get ready to leave his happy home. It 
 was on the evening of the day that he received his gun. He had 
 barely got his clothes packed up when he was sent to West Point, an 
 artillery camp about twenty miles away. He wondered what they 
 would give him next to play with ; when he lined up for mess the next 
 morning he looked around at the new bunch and wondered who all 
 those old timers were and what they wanted with him, only a recruit 
 among all those hardened soldiers. At the same time another soldier 
 in the line watched the new comer, whose actions seemed familiar to 
 him until their eyes met, and then the two, "Ted" and Les. Prehn 
 recognized each other. "Ted" had been placed in the same company. 
 He was ordered to take examination as bugler ; he was somewhat 
 familiar with that instrument, and passed examination all right and 
 thus became bugler Headquarters Company 327th Field Artillery. 
 
 He had gone to do his bit ; he had done his bit with the gun and 
 wondered if he had to keep that instrument more than a day ; but they 
 did not change any more and he soon became efficient in the art of 
 bugling. A bugler is not always in good standing with the other sol- 
 diers on account of that familiar call : "You got to get up, you got to 
 get up, you got to get up this morning :" but the parcels from home 
 and friends containing good things to eat soon put him in good stand- 
 ing with his associates and no serious trouble was anticipated. .\ 
 month glided smoothly by with nothing to do but practicing on the 
 bugle and making calls for others to obey. Pay call and mess call 
 were always welcome by the boys, and in a measure made up for those 
 not so much appreciated. 
 
 On the 25th of August the greatest portion of the 327th. 326th 
 and 325th F. A. left West Point for New York, but "Ted" remained 
 l)ehind. he being the only bugler left in camp for eight days. A few 
 guards were also left to guard the camp while a new bunch arrived. 
 "Ted" was beginning to think they did not want to take him along, 
 so he was on duty 192 hours without being relieved, for there was no 
 one to relieve him ; but at the end of that time he with a few others 
 were ordered to pack up and move. When they reached their desti- 
 nation they were at Camp Mills, L. I., where the others had gone be- 
 fore. They hurried up and equipped him with overseas clothing ; for 
 the others were ready to go ; and by the 8th of September he also was 
 ready to board the Orduna. the British ship that was to take them 
 across the water. 
 
 "Ted" fared pretty well on the boat — six meals a day — three 
 down and three up — ; but he had nothing to do but eat so the trip was 
 
 99
 
 made without any further trouble. He thought of the good things to 
 eat while at Taylor and West Point and really made himself believe 
 that the odor coming up from the ship's hold was not quite as pleasant 
 as that which came from the good old American cooking. This did 
 not last always, for after 14 days of zig-zagging and wig-wagging they 
 finally reached the English shore. 
 
 After getting on shore they traveled the same route that many 
 another boy traveled ; "Ted" saw several familiar names scribbled on 
 buildings, by that he knew that others had trod the same path. After 
 resting at Winnal Downs a few days they hiked a distance of about 
 16 miles ; for the English trainmen were on a strike. "Ted" felt that 
 the trainmen were not very patriotic but when he compared their ac- 
 tion with the quantity of food he received on his 16 mile hike he won- 
 dered why they did not strike long before that. He had a handful of 
 English money that he had received in changing a two dollar bill and 
 in order to forget all the past he gave the whole handful to a little boy 
 for a loaf of bread ; thus leaving the English shore as free as when he 
 landed. 
 
 On the evening of the 25th of September he was packed in a small 
 boat with the rest of his bunch and crossed the channel in the night. 
 The boat was barely large enough to afford standing room for the 
 boys ; but in spite of all they could do some lay down on the floor, ex- 
 hausted from the day's hike and lack of food. 
 
 About midnight "Ted" had stood up as long as he could 
 and he also went down. He laid his head on one fellow's 
 chest and stretched his feet out over another, who was also asleep, 
 but did not awake. "Ted" woke up about three in the 
 morning and found three on top of him, also asleep. Morn- 
 ing dawned and La Havre hove in sight and they scrambled to 
 the shore where they started on a six mile hike up the hill to Camp 
 No. One ; rested all day and all night and then went back to La Havre, 
 boarded the train for Bordeaux in southern France. The three-day 
 ride was not a pleasant one for the Pullmans were a little too crowded 
 to suit him ; but he was not paying for the ride and it suited him better 
 than the 16-mile hike in England ; and although crowded it was not 
 as bad as it had been on the Margarete in crossing the channel. He 
 knew if he fared poorly many another boy fared v/orse. 
 
 "Ted" had "flu" about eight days while they were at Camp De 
 Souge, the artillery camp about 16 miles west of Bordeaux, but he 
 did not have it as bad as many others, for he was able to eat his meals 
 at the hospital besides the skimpy rations of some of the others who 
 were unable to eat. He still had his bugle and he continued to blow it 
 
 100
 
 until they returned home. After the armistice was signed orders 
 slacked up some and the officers were not quite so rigid with the rules 
 and everything went along pretty fine. On the 12th of January they 
 got orders to go home and they at once packed up to leave. There 
 was no holding back by anybody. At Genecourt No. One, near Bor- 
 deaux they were deloused, whether it was needed or not. The camp 
 had been kept pretty clean and no cooties in the camp that anybody 
 knew of; but you had to go through the mill. At Genecourt No. Two, 
 they shoveled mud while they waited for the boat; but that mattered 
 nothing ; every step they took was putting themselves just that much 
 nearer home. Nobody was left behind, several boys who were bare- 
 ly able to creep went along with the officers and some of the stronger 
 ones carrying their baggage ; anything to get them on the boat. On 
 the 24th day of January they boarded the H. R. Mallory and started 
 out on the joy ride already described. It was an awful stormy trip, 
 they averaged about seven miles an hour on their entire trip of 17 
 days. On a good day's run they could turn their watches back about 
 a half hour, but some days they turned them back but about seven 
 minutes showing they were making not much headway. They were 
 going up and down, about twice as far as forward, but the up and 
 down, swaying, turning and twisting did not give them much head- 
 way. Unlike the Orduna the Mallory had good eats, but it would 
 not stay with the boys and some were sick all the way across and still 
 dizzy when they landed ; and no one expressed the desire to take a 
 trip like that over again. 
 
 The boat landed on the 5th of February and they proceeded at 
 once to Camp Merritt where the company split up to go to their near- 
 est camp to be discharged. "Ted" was sent to Camp Grant where he 
 was discharged on the 19th of February, reaching home early the 
 next morning. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : 
 Honorable Discharge from the United States Army. To all 
 whom it may concern: This is to certify that Henry Carroll Zim- 
 mermann, 3702473, Bugler Headquarters Company 327th Field Artil- 
 lery, the United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful 
 service is hereby honorably discharged from the military service of 
 the United States by reason of the convenience of the government. 
 Per S. O. 46. Par. 33 Hq. Camp Grant, 111., 2-15-19. Said Henry 
 Carroll Zimmermann was born in Bethalto in the State of Illinois. 
 When enlisted he was 22 years of age, and by occupation a bee keeper. 
 He had grey eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, and was 5 feet 8 3-4 
 
 101
 
 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp Grant, Illinois, this 
 19th day of February, 1919. F. L. Martin, Major Air Service, U. S. 
 A. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : Henry Carroll Zimmermann. Grade : Bugler. Inducted 
 June 28th, 1918, at Alton, Illinois. Serving in first enlistment period 
 at date of discharge. Prior service: None. Noncommissioned offi- 
 cer : Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualifications or rating : Not 
 qualified. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, 
 skirmishes, expeditions : .\merican Expeditionary Forces from 
 September 8, 1918, to February 4, 1919. Wounds received in service : 
 None. Physical condition when discharged : Good. Typhoid 
 Prophylaxis completed July 14, 1918; Paratyphoid Prophylaxis com- 
 pleted July 14, 1918. Married or single : Single. Character : Ex- 
 cellent. Remarks : No A. W. O. L. and no absence under G. O. 
 45-14 or 31-12; entitled to travel pay. Signature of soldier: Henry 
 Carroll Zimmermann. Marion C. Patton, 1st Lieut. 327th Field 
 Artillery Commanding Hq. Co. 327th F. A., Camp Grant, 111., Feb. 
 19, 1919. Paid in full, $30.42. Alex C. McKelvey, Capt. Q. M. 
 Corps. 
 
 GENE Mccracken 
 
 Gene McCracken, son of J. W. and Anna McCracken, was born 
 in Reno, 111., April 22, 1894. The family moved to Bethalto in 1902, 
 where Gene attended school. On account of a bruised shinbone he was 
 sent to the Litchfield hospital and in order to save the limb the shin- 
 bone had to be removed. He did not walk for more than a year ; but 
 after living in Bethalto awhile he grew in strength, and a new bone 
 grew where the old one had been removed. 
 
 His father having a good education, and being principal of the 
 Bethalto schools about eight years, gave Gene a good common school 
 education. After completing the course in the common schools he 
 took two terms of high school work ; after which time he went to the 
 Alton Business College, graduating in stenography and short-hand at 
 the age of 18. After graduating from the Business College he ac- 
 cepted a position as stenographer for the Western Cartridge Com- 
 pany, but on account of the low pay stenographers received at that 
 time he was forced to abandon this position ; and accepted a position 
 as inspector at the Western of shells for small arms and ammunition. 
 This position he held until the spring of 1918. 
 
 102
 
 He registered in June, 1917, and tried to enlist in the navy, but at 
 that time all enlistments were stopped, for the navy had more recruits 
 than it needed. As inspector of shells he had no release from the 
 Western; however, he received a release from the Exemption Board 
 to get into the navy. After making three attempts to get into some 
 branch of the service he finally succeeded in getting Mr. McAdams of 
 Alton, at that time on the exemption board, to consent to have him 
 take the place of some one who begged to be placed in the deferred 
 class. It happened thus that Gene left Alton on September 7th, 1918, 
 w^ith the Alton contingent for Camp Custer. Will Neunaber, Ed, 
 Neunaber and George Deist, from Bethalto, left for the same camp on 
 the same train ; landing at Camp Custer the next afternoon. Gene 
 was placed in the quarantine camp or Depot Brigade for 12 days and 
 after that time he was placed in the 42nd Field Artillery, remaining 
 in the 42nd F. A. but three days. He took chauffeur's examination, 
 thii king the 42nd would become motorized, and after finding out this 
 wa not true he begged to be transferred to the 10th infantry ; which 
 traiisfc. was granted and made, thus becoming part of the 10th in- 
 fantry, 14th division. 
 
 About the time the 14th Division was ready to cross the water, 
 Spanish influenza took such a hold on the division, nearly every mem- 
 ber of the 14th Division having "flu," and 600 dying with it, that the 
 preparation for the departure had to be postponed. 
 
 Gene was in the hospital more than a month and although having 
 a severe case of "flu," through the good care of the nurses and soldier 
 friends he recovered. These were sad days in camp for everybody. 
 The armistice was signed before the 14th Division had fully recovered 
 from this dreaded disease. Gene remained in the 10th Infantry, 14th 
 Division, until after the armistice was signed and expected to receive 
 his discharge on the 14th of December; but on account of the knowl- 
 edge he had gained as inspector of shells at the Western the order for 
 his discharge was withdrawn and he was placed in charge of the 
 ammunition magazine. 
 
 He was made sergeant in January, 1919, and the next month he 
 was made first sergeant. His duties at this time were mostly of a 
 clerical nature. The 14th Division was turning in all their supplies 
 and a record had to be kept of everything that was being turned in. 
 Capt. Bibberson was in charge of the 10th Infantry, Co. B. 
 
 Gene had two furloughs during his stay in the service, one on New 
 Year's Day, and the second in April, and returning on the 21st day 
 of April resumed his duty with the clerical force. Much of the 14th 
 division equipment had been turned in, such as artillery equipment, 
 
 103
 
 75's, etc., ammunition, rifles, etc., which required careful work ; and 
 besides Camp Custer had been made a demobilization camp where sol- 
 diers were discharged whose homes were in the north and west ; and 
 a list of their equipment, such as guns and packs, had to be listed and 
 taken care of. Gene held the position to within the last month of his 
 service and he held the rank of Sergeant, first-class, during the time 
 up to his discharge. 
 
 While he was in the army he made A-No. 1 rating in the psychol- 
 ogical test with which every soldier is familiar. Very few in the 
 army received this rating, even officers fell below B 2, which was de- 
 clared good, and many a soldier was satisfied to get a C rating. He 
 also made 258 out of 300, which, if he was shooting for a record would 
 give him expert rifleman, but he could not qualify on the range. Dur- 
 ing June, his last month in the army, he was chauffeur for Captain 
 Ordway, who was captain of the 110th Ordnance. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Gene E. 
 McCracken, No. 4723571, Sergeant, 1st class, 110th Ordnance Depot 
 Co., the United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful 
 service, is hereby honorably discharged from the military service of 
 the United States by reason of Cir. No. 77, W. D. 1918. Said Gene 
 E. McCracken, No. 4723571, was born in Reno, in the State of Illi- 
 nois. When enlisted he was 24 years, 4 months of age, and by occu- 
 pation a chauffeur. He had blue eyes, light brown hair, ruddy com- 
 plexion, and was 5 feet 6 1-2 inches in height. Given under my hand 
 at Camp Custer, Mich., this 3rd day of July. 1919. John F. Ordway, 
 Capt. Ord. U. S. A. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Gene E. McCracken, Grade Sergt. 1st class. Inducted 
 Sept. 5, 1918 at Alton, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date of 
 discharge. Prior service : None. Non commissioned officer. 
 Corporal S. O. Hqr. 11-8-18. Sgt. S. O. 64 Par. 1 Hqrs. 3-6-19; Sgt. 
 1st. S. O. 90 Par 4 Hqrs. 4-1-19. Unqualified score, 5 ranges 258. 
 Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, ex- 
 peditions : None. Knowledge of any vocation : Chauffeur, Wounds 
 received in service : None. Physical condition when discharged : 
 Good. Typhoid Prophylaxis completed Sept. 19, 1918. Paratyphoid 
 Prophylaxis completed Sept. 19, 1918. Married or single : Single. 
 Character : Excellent. Remarks : Service honest and faithful ; no 
 A. W. O. L. No absence under G. O. 45 or 31. Entitled to travel 
 
 104
 
 pay to Bethalto, 111. Signature of soldier: Gene E. McCracken. 
 John F. Ordway, Capt. Ord. U. S. A. Commanding 110th Ord. Depot 
 Co., Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Mich., July 3, 1919. Paid in full, 
 $131.15, including bonus gov. of $60.00. By Capt. F. A. Tallmadge, 
 F. A.. U. S. A. Disbursing Officer. 
 
 HERMAN OLTEOFF 
 
 Herman Olthofif, son of George and Wilhelmina Olthoff, and 
 brother of Elmer, whose description is found in this book, was born in 
 Bethalto on the first of March, 1899. His entire youth was spent in 
 Bethalto. He went to the Bethalto school completing his Eighth 
 grade work. During his student years and after he graduated from 
 the Bethalto school he remained home with his parents excepting a 
 short period when he worked for the Western Cartridge Company at 
 East Alton. He was working for the Western at the time he suc- 
 ceeded in getting into the Army. 
 
 Herman applied for enlistment in the Navy the 21st of June, 1917, 
 in St. Louis, but he failed to pass the examination. Undaunted, he 
 applied for enlistment in the U. S. Marines on the same day ; and as 
 before was rejected, failing in the physical examination. On July 4th 
 he tried again, this time applying for enlistment in the U. S. Army 
 and passed. He was sworn in on the 6th of July, 1917. He volun- 
 teered for the duration of the war. He was 18 years of age at the 
 time of his enlistment, and was one of the youngest to go from 
 Bethalto. 
 
 He was stationed at Jefferson Barracks from July 6th to July 
 16th, when he, with many others, was sent to Fort Snelling, Minn., 
 where he arrived the next day. Two new regiments of infantry were 
 being organized, the 40th and 41st infantry. He was in the 5th re- 
 cruiting camp eleven days and was then transferred to the 40th in- 
 fantry, Co. G, July 28, 1917. 
 
 On August 4th he received his first rifle, a Springfield model, 
 1996. On August 31st the 40th Infantry paraded at night in St. Paul, 
 Minn. On the 6th and 7th of September the 7th, 36th, 40th and 41st 
 Infantry paraded at the Minnesota State Fair. 
 
 On Nov. 2, the 3rd battalion of the 40th Infantry left Fort Snell- 
 ing to do guard duty at Fort Sheridan, 111. On Nov. 12, Herman 
 started shooting for a record at Fort Snelling ; he finished shooting on 
 the 17th, making 230 points, thus qualifying as marksman, and receiv- 
 ing two dollars a month more for a year. Boys in camps often 
 
 lOS
 
 showed patriotism not only in serving Uncle Sam in the Army but 
 also to parade for the benefit of Liberty Loan organizations, and in 
 October, 1917, Herman and every member of his company purchased 
 Liberty Bonds. 
 
 On Nov. 29th, the first battalion of the 40th Infantry was sent to 
 Fort Riley, Kansas, to do guard duty. On Dec. 8th, the second bat- 
 talion left Fort Snelling to join the third battalion at Fort Sheridan. 
 Weather was very severe during the winter of 1917 and 1918, and 
 when the boys left Fort Sheridan it was 26 degrees below zero. Arriv- 
 ing at Fort Sheridan Dec. 9, each member of the company received a 
 serial number, Herman's being 945734. On January 23, 1918, Her- 
 man received a five day pass to Bethalto, his home. On April 8 the 
 company paraded in Chicago. On April 30th seven gassed soldiers 
 arrived at Chicago from France and to honor the boys who had re- 
 turned, Companies G and H were sent to Chicago to welcome the boys 
 home. These companies and the gassed boys were used in Chicago 
 to assist in the Third Liberty Loan. On May 19th, Co. G was sent 
 on detached duty to Chicago to guard the Pennsylvania Terminal 
 freight depot on Polk and River street which the government had 
 taken over, and was using as a quartermaster corps storehouse. On 
 June 11th the company was relieved in Chicago and was sent back to 
 Fort Sheridan. On June 13 Herman received the new 1917 model 
 Enfield rifle and bayonet. On July 28th the company left Fort 
 Sheridan for Camp Custer, Mich. 
 
 The 14th Division was being organized at Camp Custer. Two 
 regiments, the 10th and 40th, had been sent there for the purpose of 
 organizing other regiments. The 10th organized the 77th infantry 
 and the 40th organized the 78th Infantry, and on August 5th Herman 
 with 34 other men was transferred to the 78th Infantry. Each com- 
 pany in the 40th Infantry sent 36 men to organize companies in the 
 new regiment. On August 26, Herman* became mechanic in Co. G. 
 of the 78th Infantry. In September, Herman received part of his 
 overseas equipment, having finished the gas drills, they had been in- 
 spected by the General Inspector from Washington, D. C. 
 
 They were scheduled to leave the embarkation camp for France 
 October 15th, but on the 28th of September Camp Custer was put 
 under quarantine on account of Spanish influenza and the quarantine 
 was not lifted until the 7th of November just four days before the 
 signing of the armistice which ended all preparation for any further 
 movements. 
 
 In January orders were issued to demobilize the 78th Infantry 
 and Herman received his discharge on the 28th day of January, 1919, 
 
 106
 
 serving faithfully one year and seven months. Following is a list of 
 officers under whom Herman served : Major Roche, commanding the 
 40th Infantry at Fort Snelling when Herman was assigned to Co. G. 
 40th Infantry ; Second Lieut. John Maurer was temporary commander 
 and was succeeded by First Lieut. W. E. Duvendeck. While at Fort 
 Sheridan, Duvendeck was promoted to captain, and he became Her- 
 man's company commander until Herman was transferred to the 78th 
 Infantry. Col. Ralph McCoy was in command of the 78th Infantry, 
 and Maj. Gen. Hutchinson in command of the 14th Division. 
 
 Following is his discharge from the U. S. Army. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Herman 
 Olthoff 945734, mechanic Co. G. 78th Infantry, the United States 
 Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honor- 
 ably discharged from the military service of the United States by rea- 
 son of general demobilization. Said Herman Olthoff was born in 
 Bethalto in the State of Illinois, when enlisted he was 18 4-12 years of 
 age, and by occupation a laborer. He had blue eyes, light brown 
 hair, ruddy complexion and was 5 feet 6 inches in height. Given 
 under my hand at Camp Custer, Mich., this 28th day of January, 1919. 
 Ralph McCoy, Colonel 78th Infantry, Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : Herman Olthoff, 945734, Grad : Mechanic. Enlisted : 
 July 6, 1917, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., serving in first enlistment 
 period at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned 
 officer: Mechanic Aug. 26, 1918. Marksmanship. Gunner qualifica- 
 tion or rating : Marksman. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, 
 engagements, skirmishes, expeditions : None. Knowledge of any 
 vocation: Laborer. Wounds received in service: None. Physical 
 condition when discharged: Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed 
 July 29, 1917. Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed, July 29, 1917. 
 Married or single : Single. Character : Excellent. Remarks : 
 Jefferson Barracks, Mo., July 6. 1917 to July 16, 1917., Co. G. 40th 
 Inf. July 16, 1917 to Aug. 5. 1918. Co. G. 78th Inf. Aug. 5, 1918 to 
 date of discharge. Signature of soldier: Herman Olthoff. W. E. 
 Buck, Capt. 78th Inf. Commanding Co. G. 
 
 107
 
 JAMES FRED JONES 
 
 James Fred Jones, son of Edward and Louisa E. Jones, was born 
 in Fort Russell township on the old Jones farm, one mile east of 
 Bethalto, December 16, 1893. His early childhood was spent on the 
 home farm and going to the home school until he was sixteen years 
 old. He received a good common school education at this, the Grove 
 school, and his teachers always considered him a model pupil on ac- 
 count of his mild and agreeable disposition. He was obedient to his 
 parents and remained with them until his father died. His father 
 died when Fred was 18 years old. His father was a Civil War vet- 
 eran, having served for three years and three months in Co. K, 10th 
 111. Vol. Inf., enlisting at the age of 19 under Captain Lusk, of Ed- 
 wardsville. 
 
 After the death of Edward Jones, Fred went to work for the 
 neighbors doing farm work. While working on a farm near Carroll- 
 ton, Greene county, it came time to register in June, 1917, and he reg- 
 istered in that district. It happened thus that Fred left for the army 
 from Carrollton, 111. Fred tried to enlist in the navy, but the Car- 
 rollton officials would give him no release, so he had to wait until his 
 name was drawn. He went with the Greene county contingent in the 
 draft that left Carrollton June 28th, 1918, for Camp Taylor, Ky. 
 
 Mrs. Louisia E. Jones, Fred's mother, left the farm several years 
 ago and moved the family to Bethalto. The description of Fred's 
 life from the time he reached Camp Taylor until his death at Camp 
 Eustis has been taken from letters that he wrote to his mother at 
 Bethalto. As stated before, Fred left for Camp Taylor, Ky., with the 
 Greene county contingent ; he was with the Greene county boys in- 
 stead of Bethalto boys with whom he was better acquainted. He 
 arrived at Camp Taylor in the morning of the 29th of June, and was 
 placed in the 35th Co. 9th Tr. Bn, 159th Depot Brigade. Although 
 many of his friends from this vicinity were on the same train, he men- 
 tions having seen Bill Stahlhut, Bill Zoelzer and "Ted" Zimmermann, 
 but being thrown out of their company he never got a chance to talk 
 to them, and on the 15th of July he left Camp Taylor, a place he had 
 learned to like. He was sent to Camp Greenleaf, Georgia. On the 
 way to Camp Greenleaf he passed many interesting spots, among which 
 was Lookout Mountain of Civil War fame. 
 
 At Camp Greenleaf, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., he v/as transferred to 
 the Medical Corps. Fort Oglethorpe contained old monuments and 
 many old cannon, having been some old battle ground in the Civil 
 war. Situated about three miles from the camp was a German prison 
 camp, where there were more than 5000 German prisoners. In com- 
 
 108
 
 parison with Camp Taylor, Camp Greenleaf was very hot and dry, and 
 though the food was pretty good at Greenleaf, Camp Taylor had it 
 beat and he wished he could be back at old Taylor ; but according to 
 reports he would not be long at Greenleaf and the 29th of July found 
 him at Camp Eustis, Va., 18 miles from Newport News. 
 
 Camp Eustis was a new camp and much work had to be done there 
 to drain a swamp which made it unhealthy, and before he had been 
 there a week he was in quarantine. Upon arrival at Camp Eustis Fred 
 was placed in the Hospital Corps, 47th regiment C. A. C. He had 
 very little chance to go anywhere on account of sickness in the camp 
 and shortage of food. He went to see his brother Arthur, who was 
 stationed at Newport News at that time, and Arthur visited him once. 
 The last letter from Fred that was received by the family was written 
 on the 28th of September ; in it he states that there are many sick with 
 Spanish Influenza, and that he is working in the hospital taking care 
 of the sick. 
 
 On the morning of October 4th, Mrs. Louisa E. Jones, mother of 
 Fred, received a telegram regretting to advise her that her son. Private 
 James F. Jones, Medical Detachment, is seriously ill at the base hos- 
 pital with influenza. The following morning she received a telegram 
 from Riley, the commanding officer, that her son had died at 8:15 
 a. m. October 5th. Cause of his death being influenza complicated by 
 broncho-pneumonia. 
 
 Thus ended the career of a brave and obedient son and soldier, a 
 son whose thoughts were always of home and mother, a soldier who 
 served his country as truly and died as truly as if he had fallen on the 
 field of battle. Fred will be remembered by everybody as a mild- 
 tempered boy and the mother and family receive the sympathy of 
 friends and neighbors in the great loss they have sustained. 
 
 ARTHUR JONES. 
 
 Arthur Jones, son of Edward and Louisa E. Jones, and brother of 
 the late Private Fred Jones, was born on the Jones farm March 25th, 
 1900. He attended the Grove school in Fort Russell township six 
 years and after his mother moved to Bethalto in 1913 he attended the 
 Bethalto school until he was 16 years of age, reaching the Eighth 
 grade work. His father died when Arthur was 11 years old. 
 
 After graduating from the Bethalto school he worked at the 
 Western Cartridge Works for a while ; but the fever that took his 
 father to the army when he was but 19 years old during the Civil 
 
 109
 
 War also took Arthur to the World War when he was but 18 years 
 old.. Emulating his father's bravery, he went to St. Louis, April 
 8, 1918, to enlist in the U. S. Army. Although only 18 years of age 
 he succeeded in the examination and was made a U. S. soldier on the 
 11th of April. He remained at Jefferson Barracks about ten days 
 and was sent from there to Camp Stuart, Va., where he was placed in 
 Co. L. 48th Infantry, serving in the same company during his enlist- 
 ment period. 
 
 Reaching Camp Stuart April 18th, he drilled for three weeks and 
 was then sent to Newport News, Va., to do military police duty up to 
 September 12th, when he was sent back to Camp Stuart. Camp 
 Stuart is located on the outskirts of Newport News on the James 
 river ; the camp being used only as an embarkation camp and the drill- 
 ing he received there was for the purpose of preparing him for mili- 
 tary police duty at Newport News. The 48th regiment was used to 
 do guard duty at Newport News until a company of domestic service 
 men from Syracuse, N. Y., reached the place to relieve them. Do- 
 mestic service men were those who failed in the examination for over- 
 seas duty. 
 
 Arthur left Camp Stuart, Va., September 14th, for Camp Sevier. 
 S. C, and landed there September 15th. He started training at once 
 for overseas duty, and trained and drilled every day on an average of 
 eight hours until the arm.istice was signed. After the armistice the 
 drilling lessened somewhat to about five hours a day until December 
 14, when he left Camp Sevier, S. C, for Camp Jackson, S. C, about 
 five miles from the city of Columbia. Although a few other outfits 
 received a little training at Camp Sevier it was mainly used as a train- 
 ing camp for the infantry. This camp was about four miles from 
 Greenville, S. C, an inland town. 
 
 At Jefferson Barracks the treatment and the food was good, but 
 the work was hard ; at Camp Stuart the treatment and food was also 
 good and the officers were fine fellov/s ; at Newport News, Arthur was 
 stationed on the third floor in a large building on Washington avenue. 
 Guard duty was light work. The soldiers were six hours "on" and 
 18 "off" as it was called. The main thing to do was to see that sol- 
 diers behaved according to the regulations of the army. White sol- 
 diers could roam over the city as much as they desired and needed no 
 passes, but the colored soldiers needed passes and it was the duty of 
 the guard to see that all colored soldiers who entered or roamed about 
 the city had passes. It was fine to soldier in Newport News. Meals 
 were regular and food was fine. At Camp Sevier the food was good, 
 and officers all fine fellows ; climate mild ; although the nights were 
 
 no
 
 cold the weather was more pleasant than any, food and general treat- 
 ment fine and nothing to do but guard duty, which consisted of 
 regimental guard and camp guard. Regimental guard meant two hours 
 on and four hours ofif for a day an average of twice a month. Camp 
 guard meant four hours on and eight hours oflf twice in 24 hours. One 
 day guard duty, the other drilling. 
 
 Although every soldier in Arthur's regiment had Spanish In- 
 fluenza not one was lost, owing to the good treatment and climatic 
 conditions favoring the patients. It was too early to experience much 
 influenza while at the other camps. It was early and the "flu" season 
 had not started. Thus the days rolled by until the 18th of March 
 arrived when he was discharged from the service having served almost 
 a year. He was home on a furlough only once and that was the time 
 he attended his brother's funeral, who was sent home from Camp 
 Eustis to be buried. 
 
 Arthur reached home on the 20th day of March, 1919. Follow- 
 ing is his discharge. Honorable discharge from the United States 
 Army. To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Arthur 
 A. Jones No. 464621, Private, Co. L. 48th Infantry, the United States 
 Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service is hereby honor- 
 ably discharged from the military of the United States Army, by rea- 
 son of Cir. 77 W. Dep. Rel. per par. 6, S. O. 72. Hqrs. Camp Jack- 
 son, S. C. Dated March 13, 1919. Said Arthur A. Jones, No. 464621, 
 was born in Bethalto in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 
 18 years of age, and by occupation a laborer. He had blue eyes, brown 
 hair, fair complexion, and was 5 feet 3 inches in height. Given under 
 my hand at Camp Jackson, S. C. this 18th day of March, 1919. G. E. 
 Cronin, Major 48th Infantry Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Arthur A. Jones, No. 464621. Grade: Private. Enlisted 
 April 11, 1918, at St. Louis, Mo., serving in first enlistment period at 
 date of discharge. Prior service : None. Noncommissioned officer : 
 Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Unqualified. 
 Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, 
 expeditions : None. Knowledge of any vocation : Laboring. Wounds 
 received in service : None. Physical condition when discharged : 
 Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed April 17, 1918, triple. Mar- 
 ried or single: Single. Character: Excellent. Remarks: Co. L. 
 48th Infantry from April 22, 1918. to date of discharge. No A. W. 
 O. L. under A. W. 107. Entitled to travel pay to St. Louis, Mo. 
 Signature of soldier : Arthur A. Jones. Final statement paid March 
 18, 1919, $111.05. John L. Hongardy, Captain 48th Infantry. Com- 
 manding Co. L. $60.00 bonus paid, 1406 Rev. Act, 1918. 
 
 Ill
 
 ARTHUR GEORGE ELLIOTT 
 
 Arthur G. Elliott, son of John R. and Lizzie Elliott, was born in 
 Bethalto July 19, 1898. He attended the Bethalto school until he 
 graduated from the Eighth grade. After he graduated he worked for 
 the Western Cartridge Company. When the war broke out he, like his 
 grandfather, John D. Elliott, who was a Civil War veteran, longed for 
 action and assisted Uncle Sam in the cause for freedom. 
 
 He tried the navy in December of 1917, but the examination board 
 told him he was color blind and rejected him. He waited until April 
 9, 1918, when he tried the army and was accepted. He was sent to 
 Jefferson Barracks and was placed in the 27th company until the 23rd 
 day of May, 1918, during which time he drilled and hiked, paraded 
 and practiced. He received his uniform, rifle and other equipment 
 at Jefferson Barracks. Arthur Elliott and Arthur Jones were pretty 
 much together; they had left Alton together to enlist and both had 
 succeeded and were together at Jefferson Barracks ; but for a time 
 only. Arthur was sent to Camp Stuart, Newport News, Va., re- 
 maining there two weeks and was then put in Co. G. 48th Infantry at 
 Camp Casino, right in the heart of Newport News. He was at once 
 put to work doing guard duty, guarding piers at the C. & O. railroad 
 terminus. This was a large shipping point and much war material 
 and many soldiers left the pier every day for France. Arthur and 
 his company soon became quite efficient in their line of duty and it 
 soon became known that guarding a pier was as important a duty as 
 guarding trenches. Large ships, such as the Martha Washington, 
 President Grant, and many others arrived or sailed. Their duty was 
 to see that no one entered without a pass properly signed and sealed. 
 Arthur was on duty two hours on and four hours off every other day ; 
 one day's rest and one day's duty, the same thing over and over until 
 the game became monotonous. Capt. Wayne Horton, Co. G, and Col. 
 Grote of the 48th regiment, were in command, and they performed 
 their duty with precision. The object was to let no one pass who had 
 no pass and Arthur while on duty had the pleasure to demand a pass 
 from Secretary Baker, Admiral Sims, many generals, and other high 
 officials. It mattered not to Arthur who he v/as or what position he 
 held, every one had to walk the chalk-line for him, and on account of 
 the good service this regiment was performing Washington ordered 
 the company to remain on duty while things looked suspicious. They 
 had tried other companies but found them too easy. Newport News 
 was dry territory, and much booze Vv^as being smuggled into the city 
 from the ships that were coming in every day. This smuggling was 
 checked to a great extent. Thus guarding continued until September, 
 
 112
 
 when they were relieved and sent to Camp Sevier, near Greenville, 
 S. C. At Camp Sevier they made preparation for overseas duty and 
 the bunch was happy. 
 
 The 48th up to war strength was made part of the 20th division. 
 They were getting ready to cross, so they started intensive drilling, 
 eight hours a day ; no guard duty but drill and hike every day until 
 the first of October when the "flu" set in good and hard, which stop- 
 ped all thought of going across for the present. It kept getting 
 worse until the first of November. Nine died in Arthur's company, 
 and many more in each of the other companies. Although Arthur 
 did not have the "flu" his bunkie died with it. They were at Camp 
 Sevier, Greenville, when the armistice was signed which was celebrated 
 with much commotion. Shops were raided, ten cent stores emptied, 
 mules driven into soda stands and other disturbances of like character 
 were caused by the soldiers of the 48th Infantry and their followers. 
 The result was that 197 were put in the stockade. 
 
 On the first of December the boys left Greenville for Camp Jack- 
 son near Columbia. Greenville and Columbia were both dry towns, 
 but dry in name only, for whisky and gin flowed as freely as if there 
 were no such law. The 48th were a bunch of regulars and the word 
 "regular" had preceded them to Columbia, although 140 miles away. 
 
 The artillery was stationed at Camp Jackson and the boys were 
 mostly from the South, so the red cord boys were favored more than 
 the blue cord boys. Woe to a blue cord if he violated the rules in the 
 least ; the result at one time was stockade for Arthur for being half an 
 hour over pass. But the 48th, though rough and ready, were also a 
 square set of boys. They allowed nothing that was unfair and up 
 to the time the blue cords had reached Columbia many business men 
 of low caliber had cheated the soldiers, had sold them worthless stuff 
 or short-changed them. When they tried this game on the blue cords 
 they made short work with such men, the result being that they were 
 soon admired by the inhabitants of the city, and when Christmas came 
 each blue cord soldier received an invitation to dine with members of 
 some private family. 
 
 Thus the months from the first of December to the first of July 
 passed ; the time was spent in target practice, drills, sham battles, and 
 anything to keep the boys in trim. On the first of July Arthur, with 
 a bunch of others, received two days' rations and sent to Camp Grant 
 to be discharged. With every one busted and two days' rations on a 
 four days' trip, created a little disturbance in the belt region, and if it 
 had not been for the Red Cross and the Salvation Army some of the 
 eat shops along the route might not have fared so well. The Y. M, 
 
 113
 
 C. A. men were not so well liked by a bunch of hungry boys with no 
 money. They however reached Camp Grant without a hitch on the 
 5th of July, where Arthur remained until the 9th when he was dis- 
 charged. He reached home the next day. He had been away from 
 home just 15 months during which time he was on duty just 15 
 months, meaning he had no furlough while he was gone. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record. Honorable 
 Discharge from the United States Army. To all whom it may con- 
 cern: This is to certify that Arthur G. Elliott, No. 463951, Private, 
 Company G. 48th Infantry, the United States Army, as a testimonial 
 of honest and faithful service is hereby honorably discharged from the 
 military service of the United States by reason of convenience of the 
 government, demobilization of organization, per circular 106 W. D. 
 1918. Said Arthur G. Elliott was born in Bethalto in the State of Illi- 
 nois. When enlisted he was 19 8-12 years of age and by occupation a 
 laborer. He had blue eyes, light brown hair, fair complexion, and 5 
 feet 6 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp Grant, III, 
 this 9th day of July, 1919. ]\Iilan A. Looseley, IMajor Signal Corps, 
 Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Arthur G. Elliott. Grade: Private, enlisted April 9, 
 1918, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., serving in first enlistment period at 
 date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : 
 Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Not rated. 
 Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, ex- 
 peditions : None. Decorations, badges : None. Medals, citations : 
 None. Knowledge of any vocation : Laborer. Wounds received in 
 battle : None. Physical condition when discharged : Good. Typhoid 
 prophylaxis completed April 16, 1918 ; Paratyphoid prophylaxis com- 
 pleted April 16, 1918. Married or single : Single. Character : Very 
 good. Remarks : Entitled to travel pay to Bethalto, 111. No A. W. 
 O. L. under G. O. 31, 2 D. 19.2 and No 45 W. D. 1914, never. Signa- 
 ture of soldier: Arthur G. Elliott. Camp Grant, 111., July 9, 1919. 
 Paid in full $139.44, including bonus of $60.00 Act of Feb. 24, 1919. 
 S. H. Francis, Captain Quartermaster Corps. Welln Chell, 1st Lieut. 
 C. A. C. Commanding Demb. Group. 
 
 114
 
 WILLIAM E. NEUNABER 
 
 William E. Neunaber, son of John C. and Lena Neunaber, was 
 born in Fort Russell township July 30, 1891, about two miles south- 
 east of Bethalto. The parents, at that time living on the Balster 
 farm, purchased a farm situated two miles west of Bethalto and moved 
 there when Will was about a year old. It was on this farm Will spent 
 his boyhood days ; and while living on this farm he attended the 
 Bethalto school, thus developing a sound mental and moral spirit as 
 well as a perfect physical body. He completed the Eighth grade at 
 the Bethalto school and after that he assisted his parents with their 
 farm work. After he became of age he helped others with their 
 farm work besides his parents until the time came for him to join 
 Uncle Sam's forces. 
 
 He registered for the draft in June, 1917, but was not called for 
 examination until the 8th of May, 1918. He was called to the colors 
 September 5th, and left with the Alton contingent for Camp Custer 
 in company with Gene McCracken, George Deist, Roy Locker, and his 
 brother, Ed. Neunaber. He was placed in the 36th Infantry of the 
 9th battalion at Camp Custer until October 26th. During this time 
 he did a great deal of drilling, and guard duty. He was then trans- 
 ferred from the 36th to Fort Wayne, Mich., on the outskirts of Detroit, 
 and was placed in the 4th recruit squadron. 
 
 While at Camp Custer, Spanish Influenza broke out and Will was 
 used principally to take care of the sick at night and on account of 
 such a great number having "flu" much more was loaded on to him 
 than those who were lucky enough to escape the dreaded disease. 
 Will escaped the "flu" but not the extra work and it was either take 
 care of the sick, do guard duty or fatigue duty ; either meant work all 
 the time. His sergeant at Custer was a crabbed person, but the offi- 
 cers at Fort Wayne were fine fellows. The object at the camp near 
 Detroit was to make the boys fit for overseas duty as quickly as pos- 
 sible, and they did a great deal of drilling and guard duty. 
 
 Will took the trade test about a week before the armistice was 
 signed and never found out whether he passed or not. In the test he 
 took chauffeur's examination. After the armistice the duties were 
 about the same as before until he received his discharge. After the 
 armistice twenty-four hour passes were easily obtained and Will had 
 many a chance to cross the Detroit river into Canada or to visit the 
 city of Detroit. The city hall was but three miles from the fort. On 
 New Year's day he received a five-day furlough which time he spent 
 with parents and friends at Bethalto. 
 
 115
 
 It was never definitely stated why the boys were held so long, for 
 Will did not receive his discharge until the 23rd of January, 1919. 
 Orders were received for the boys to leave camp for the trip across on 
 the 15th of November, but on account of the armistice they did not go. 
 Major Campion, commander of the camp, and Captain Cottel and 
 Lieut. Burns of the 4th Recruit Squadron, were fine fellows and are 
 remembered by all the boys who served under them. Being dis- 
 charged on the 23rd of January, Will arrived home the next day, Jan- 
 uary 24, 1919, once more a free and private citizen. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : Honorable 
 Discharge from the United States Army. To all whom it may con- 
 cern : This is to certify that William E. Neunaber, No. 4723383, 
 Private 4th Recruit Squadron, Air Service, the United States Army, 
 as a testimonial of honest and faithful service is hereby honorably dis- 
 charged from the military service of the United States by reason of 
 expiration of emergency enlistment. Said William E. Neunaber was 
 born in Bethalto in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 27 
 years of age and by occupation a farmer. He had blue eyes, dark 
 brown hair, ruddy complexion, and was 5 feet 11 1-2 inches in height. 
 Given under my hand at Fort Wayne, Mich., this 23rd day of January, 
 1919. Howard L. Campion, Major A. S. S. C. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: William E. Neunaber, No. 4723383. Grade: Private. 
 Enlisted or inducted September 5, 1918 at Alton, 111., serving in first 
 enlistment period at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non- 
 commissioned ofiicer : Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification 
 or rating : No rating. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, en- 
 gagements, skirmishes, expeditions : None. Knowledge of any voca- 
 tion : Drove own car. Wounds received in service : None. Physical 
 condition when discharged : Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed 
 Sept. 19, 1918; Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed Sept. 19, 1918. 
 Married or single : Single. Character : Excellent. Remarks : No 
 absence without leave ; no absence under G. O. 45 W. D. 1914. Sig- 
 nature of soldier: William E. Neunaber. Howard L. Campion, Major 
 A. S. S. C. Commanding. 
 
 116
 
 EDWARD J. NEUNABER 
 
 Edward J. Neunaber, son of John C. and Lena Neunaber, and 
 brother of Will, whose description precedes this one, was born on the 
 home farm two miles west of Bethalto, (Jctober 6, 1894. He attended 
 the Bethalto public school until he completed the Eighth grade work. 
 He continued to assist the parents with their farm work until he was 
 called to the colors September 5, 1918. 
 
 He registered in June, 1917, but did not leave for Camp Custer 
 from Alton until September 5, 1918. At Camp Custer, Battle Creek, 
 Mich., Ed. was placed in the 36th Co. 9th Battalion, 160 Depot 
 Brigade. He was in the 36th Company about two months but would 
 have been transferred before had it not been for the Spanish Influenza 
 having broken out in camp shortly after Ed. arrived. His brother 
 Will was transferred to Detroit, Mich., but Ed. had the "flu" about 
 a month during which time Will had left. In this way brothers, 
 friends or relatives often parted, some to travel one direction and some 
 another. While still in the Depot Brigade Ed. was transferred first to 
 the 6th, then to the 8th Company. On November 5th he was placed 
 in Co. F. 10th Infantry. After he left the Depot Brigade he went to 
 cooks' and bakers' school, a place where he received instructions in 
 cooking, baking and preparing meals for the soldiers. He held this 
 position for a long time ; for soon after the armistice was signed the 
 soldiers were returning to Camp Custer to receive their discharge. 
 Thus the days and months rolled by ; every day saw a new bunch of 
 boys to be discharged, and immediately leaving for home. 
 
 On New Year's day he came home on a furlough and upon his 
 return he did the same kind of work. He continued with this until 
 June, 1919, when he started to do guard duty, rifle practice, etc., for 
 about five weeks. He was on the rifle range, but it was not the sea- 
 son to qualify in shooting, and little did the boys care ; it was upper- 
 most in their minds to be discharged. 
 
 Ed. had made all preparation to go overseas, he was ready to join 
 the 14th Division that was soon to sail to take an active part in the 
 battle zone, and but for that dreadful disease the division probably 
 would have seen active service. It finally came to Ed.'s turn to be 
 discharged and he was sent to Camp Grant, 111., where he received his 
 honorable discharge on the 29th day of July, 1919, 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Edward J. 
 Neunaber, 4723662, Private Company F. 10th Infantry, the United 
 States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby 
 
 117
 
 honorably discharged from the military service of the United States 
 by reason of authorized circular 77, War Department, Nov. 21, 1918. 
 Said Edward J. Neunaber was born in Bethalto in the State of Illi- 
 nois. When enlisted he was 23 years of age and by occupation a 
 farmer. He had blue eyes, dark brown hair, ruddy complexion, and 
 was 5 feet 9 1-2 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp 
 Grant, Illinois, this 29th day of July, 1919. Harry B. Goodison, Maj. 
 Inf. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Edward J. Neunaber, 4723662. Grade: Private. In- 
 ducted September 5, 1918, at Alton, 111., serving in first enlistment 
 period at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned 
 officer : Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating : Un- 
 qualified, 1919. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, 
 skirmishes, expeditions: None. No medals, no decorations. Knowl- 
 edge of any vocation : Farmer. Wounds received in service : None. 
 Physical condition when discharged: Good. Typhoid prophylaxis 
 completed Sept. 19, 1918. Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed Sept. 
 19, 1918. Married or single: Single. Character: Excellent. Re- 
 marks : Service honest and faithful. No A. W. O. L., No G. O. 31 
 1912, No G. O. 45, 1914. Soldier is entitled to travel allowance to 
 Alton, 111. Sept. 5, 1918, to Oct. 24, 1918, Div. Military Aeronautics, 
 Ft. Wayne, Mich. Oct. 25, 1918, Nov. 4, 1918, 8th Co., 2nd Bn, 160 
 Dept. Brg. Nov. 5, 1918, to June 10, 1919, Co. F. 10th Inf. since June 
 11, 1919. Signature of soldier: Edward J. Neunaber. Virgil V. 
 Jones, 1st Lieut. Inf. Demob. Group, Commanding. Camp Grant, 111., 
 July 29, 1919. Paid in full 1103.40, including bonus of $60.00, Act of 
 Feb. 24, 1919. P. G. Hoyt, Maj. Q. M. C. 
 
 LIMON NEUNABER 
 
 Limon Neunaber, son of Michael and Mathilda Neunaber, was 
 born in Fort Russell township July 25, 1895. His home is about a 
 mile south of Bethalto and the farm where he was born and raised is 
 in the Bethalto school district and he therefore attended the Bethalto 
 schools, receiving a good German as well as an English education. 
 The parents both of German descent, were always in favor of giving 
 their children as good an education as possible. The father was 
 born in Germany, and was brought to America when he was quite 
 young and the mother was born in Madison county near Edwards- 
 
 118
 
 ville. Limon remained with his parents on the farm and on account 
 of the death of his father he had to assume a great part of the duties 
 that pertain to the managing of a large farm, so we find him working 
 on the farm when he registered for the draft in June, 1917. He was, 
 however, not called until June 24, 1918, when he was sent to Camp 
 Taylor, Ky., from Edwardsville with a number of his friends and rela- 
 tives. 
 
 At Camp Taylor he was put in the 159th Depot Brigade and later 
 transferred to Co. E. 156th regiment, doing about three weeks' drill- 
 ing and hiking. After that he was sent to Camp Beauregard, 
 Louisiana, about sixty miles north of New Orleans, the company hav- 
 ing its headquarters at Baton Rouge and became known as the Old 
 National Guard regiment. The company remained at Camp Beaure- 
 gard but a month, and during this time the boys received the only real 
 training that was to be given in preparation for duties overseas. Here 
 they had rifle practice, bayonet drills, and gas drills and such other 
 exercises as could be taught in this short space of time. 
 
 The Company left camp on the 10th of August for Camp Mills, 
 an embarkation camp for overseas soldiers. They remained at Camp 
 Mills about eight days, receiving their equipment for overseas service ; 
 they should have sailed sooner but the shortage of clothing delayed 
 them several days, although the ship lay ready and waiting for the 
 boys. They went on board on the 22nd of August. The ship was 
 the President Grant, that had been fitted out as a transport, for it had 
 formerly been a large freighter. The President Grant was about 800 
 feet long and 60 feet wide, and carried 4,500 soldiers. She headed 
 straight for Brest, France, reaching that place on the 1st of September. 
 
 After landing they were marched for six miles out into the coun- 
 try passing the Old Napoleon Barracks; they pitched their "pup" 
 tents on the hill sides for the camp had not been enlarged enough to 
 accommodate so many soldiers. They received their supplies from 
 the old barracks which was called Camp Pontenesen. The 155th and 
 the 156th regiments of infantry, machine gun battalion and artillery 
 were at this camp but six days and then went farther inland to a place 
 called Saint Florent. They rode two days and three nights in these side 
 door Pullmans. These cars were large enough to hold either eight 
 horses or 40 men and although they were only small cattle cars they 
 crowded nearly 40 soldiers into each car. 
 
 The only advantage these boys had over many others was that 
 they were rationed by the American government, for the American 
 food was fit to eat, both on sea and on land, and cleanliness marked the 
 places where you could see American soldiers eating American food. 
 
 119
 
 The food at this time consisted of hard tack, corned beef, tomatoes, 
 and a little jam to whoever was lucky enough to get at it. The trip 
 in the cars was not as pleasant as the soldiers would have it ; a distance 
 of 280 miles was quite fatiguing on such a large bunch of boys. As 
 soon as they got off at St. Florent they hiked 24 miles to a small 
 village called La Salle Conda ; this little inland town was soon filled 
 with soldiers. The officers got the best housing, the horses and mules 
 got next best, and the soldiers got what was left in the form of barns 
 and sheds. Limon got one of these third class billets. 
 
 At La Salle Conda they were once more put to the test ; they were 
 given gas drills, bayonet drills with gas masks on, and any other drills 
 that was intensive. These warm and rainy September days were not 
 very healthy and Limon contracted double pneumonia, which kept him 
 indoors quite a while. On account of his sickness Limon had to part 
 with his friends for they left him to go farther east to the lines of 
 trenches. However, Limon soon got strong enough to follow and he 
 left La Salle Conda on the 28th of October, having been at the place 
 about six weeks. 
 
 About 30 having left Edwardsville together, having gone to Camp 
 Taylor, Camp Beauregard, Camp Mills and the rest of the places to- 
 gether, made it pleasant for them, and when 117 out of 118 boys were 
 picked out and him the only one out of the original 30 left behind, 
 brought a depressed spirit in Limon, yet when he had a chance to go 
 forward he felt better for he hoped to see them again soon. On the 
 28th of October he was transferred to a replacement battalion and 
 was sent to St. Florent and from St. Florent to St. Aignan, remaining 
 there a few days when he was sent to the Verdun Sector to join the 
 32nd Division, to help fill up the gaps that had been made in the 
 division on the Verdun front. 
 
 Coming nearer and nearer he could hear the firing in the daytime 
 and see the flashes at night. He traveled on and on until he reached 
 a town called Commissary, a small place near the Verdun front. He 
 remained there but three days, for during one of these days the arm- 
 istice was signed and he went no farther ; although he had passed many 
 lines of trenches, had seen much misery and had heard and seen the 
 firing from a short distance ; when all at once quiet prevailed the feel- 
 ing can hardly be described. Now it was all over, Limon had almost 
 reached his brother soldiers who had gone before him, and had also 
 gone to the 32nd division. The quietude became intense, but Limon 
 had to bear very little of it, for he was again moved but not forward, 
 for no more had firing ceased than a retrograde movement was be- 
 gan, and he was almost the first to start west. 
 
 120
 
 He was sent back through St. Aignan to a place called Contres, a 
 distance of 12 miles, hiking the entire distance from St. Aignan. They 
 remained at Contres but one night in pup tents when 100 of the bunch 
 of which Limon was one were called out and transferred to the 162nd 
 Regiment of the 42nd or Sunset Division. They were stationed 2 1-2 
 miles from Contres where K and M companies were stationed, one- 
 half of the 100 joined K company, the other half joined M company, 
 Limon went with K company. 
 
 They remained there till the 29th of January doing guard duty, 
 drilling and such work that would keep the boys in trim to make the 
 trip homeward when it came time for them to go. Limon met very 
 few "flu" patients. At La Salle Conda there were only 96 sick and at 
 Contres the patients were at once separated from the others and trans- 
 ferred to a base hospital and nothing could be found out about the 
 welfare of the boys. Limon was among strangers, for his bunch had 
 left him about the 1st of October, and they were still farther east and 
 he knew very little about them and could find out less. 
 
 On the 29th of January, 1919, came the welcome order to hike 
 back to St. Aignan and board a side door Pullman for Brest, their 
 starting point. They remained at Brest nine days and during this 
 time he had a good chance to see the condition of the camp. The 
 camp at Brest was in an awful condition — mud, mud, mud. He had 
 heard a great deal about its condition, yet no pen could overdraw it. 
 While he was there they were building a fine rock road, for President 
 Wilson and General Pershing were going to give the boys a "once 
 over" and in order to show that the Brest scandal was overdrawn the 
 boys worked hard to build this rock road so that the appearance would 
 not be so bad. Limon helped on this rock road and when President 
 Wilson and General Pershing did appear he, among others, were lined 
 up along the beautiful dry road and were given a "once over" 
 by the heads of our army. It was a clear case of deceit, for back 
 of this two mile road was mud and more mud. 
 
 Thus the nine days finally ended and they embarked on the 8th 
 of February to sail for Home, Sweet Home. Limon left on the same 
 boat that had taken him across ; but this time more cheerful ; the first 
 time on the President Grant for somewhere in France, probably never 
 to return, now on the President Grant to return to the Good Old 
 U. S., a place more than ever before loved on account of the knowledge 
 of the difference between the old world and the new. On account of 
 the rough seas the ship was 18 days in crossing. She also had to 
 assist a ship in distress. The distressed ship had thrown everything 
 overboard and it was necessary to have her rudder repaired; after 
 
 121
 
 which both ships proceeded to their ports. The President Grant 
 reached the end of her journey on the 26th of February. The sea, 
 although rough, caused Httle seasickness, for the boat being a large 
 one could plow through the waves without much rolling and tossing. 
 
 After landing at Hoboken they were sent to Camp Dix, N. J. 
 They remained at Camp Dix ten days. The camp being about 25 
 miles from New York and 14 miles from Trenton Limon had no 
 chance to visit either of the cities, besides the weather was rough and 
 cold so the boys remained indoors until time to leave. All the Illinois 
 men were transferred to Camp Grant, to which place they were sent, 
 and after remaining there ten days Limon received his honorable dis- 
 charge which read as follows : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Limon Neu- 
 naber, 3104721, Private 1st class Infantry unassigned (Co. E. 156th 
 Inf.,) the United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful 
 service is hereby honorably discharged from the military service of 
 the United States by reason of convenience of government, March 12, 
 1919. Per Par. 40 S. O. No. 71 per Hq. Camp Grant, 111. Said 
 Limon Neunaber was born in Fort Russell, in the State of Illinois. 
 When enlisted he was 22 11-12 years of age and by occupation a 
 farmer. He had blue eyes, light hair, medium complexion and was 
 6 feet 2 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp Grant, 
 Illinois, this 18th day of March, 1919. Clinton Rush, Major Inf. 
 U. S. A. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Limon Neunaber. Grade: Private 1st class. Inducted 
 June 24, 1918, at Edwardsville, 111. Serving in first enlistment period 
 at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned offi- 
 cer: Private 1st class., January 1, 1919. Marksmanship, gunner 
 qualification or rating : Not qualified. Horsemanship : Not mounted. 
 Battles, skirmishes, expeditions: American Ex. Forces from Aug. 
 22, 1918, to Feb. 26, 1919. Knowledge of any vocation: General 
 farmer. Wounds received in service: None. Physical condition 
 when discharged: Very good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed 
 July 13, 1918, Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed July 13, 1918. 
 Married or single : Single. Character : Excellent. Remarks : No 
 A. W. O. L. No absence under G. O. 31-12—45-12 ; entitled to one 
 gold chevron. Signature of soldier : Limon Neunaber. Paul Weil- 
 and, Capt. F. A. U. S. A. Commanding 12th, 161st D. B. March 18, 
 
 122
 
 1919, Camp Grant, 111. Paid in full $125.57, including bonus of $60.00, 
 Act of Feb. 24, 1919. Alex. C. McKelvey, Capt. Q. M. C, H. A. New- 
 comb, 1st Lieut. Q. M. Corps. 
 
 CHARLES NEUNABER. 
 
 Charles Neunaber was born in Fort Russell township, two miles 
 southeast of Bethalto, January 1, 1896. The parents were born in Ger- 
 many and came to this country when they were young. The family 
 moved to a farm one mile west of Bethalto when Charley was but a 
 boy, and on account of the change in location putting them in the 
 Bethalto school district, Charley received his education at the Bethalto 
 school, completing the Eighth grade. His father died when Charley 
 was 20 years old, and he had to assist the family with their farm 
 work during the seven years' illness of his father. They retired from 
 the farm when Charley was 18 years old, and he remained home help- 
 ing take care of his father, besides when possible he worked on neigh- 
 boring farms until June, 1917, when he registered for the service, be- 
 ing then but 21 years of age. 
 
 He was one of the first from this section to be called, and October 
 3 saw him on the way from Fort Russell township to Edwardsville, 
 from which place these boys left for Camp Taylor October 4, 1917. 
 Camp Taylor was at that time a new camp, and was being used to form 
 the 84th Division of which Charley became a part. The division was 
 formed in September, 1917. He was placed in Co. A 333rd Infantry. 
 This company was composed entirely of Madison and Saline county 
 boys. Those who left with Charley from here were Will Dettmers, 
 Dick Balster and Fred Sanders. Their descriptions are found in this 
 book and their varied experiences told to show the different directions 
 each traveled. 
 
 On March 28th Charley was taken to Base Hospital to have his 
 tonsils removed and during his two weeks' stay in the hospital all of 
 his company with the exception of 25 men was transferred to the 33rd 
 Division. The 333rd Infantry band was being organized three weeks 
 after Charley reached camp. He was attached to this band as a 
 special detailed member, although still holding rank as private in Co. 
 A. He played second alto in this band for a while, traveling through 
 different parts of Kentucky and playing in the towns where they had 
 either Liberty Loan or Red Cross drives. He played in the band until 
 the 8th of May when he was appointed bugler of Co. A by the captain. 
 He did not like this job on account of his restless disposition, and 
 
 123
 
 after five weeks of this kind of work he was relieved and made 
 Corporal in Co. A, thus increasing his pay from $30 to $36 per month. 
 
 On June 8th, 1918, he left Camp Taylor and went to Camp Sher- 
 man, Ohio. During June and July the company was again filled to 
 war strength and Charley's duties as Corporal increased, for new re- 
 cruits meant more work for the corporals; and besides drilling the 
 Corporal Herring, of Worden, having been made Sergeant, made 
 new-comers he attended bayonet school in order to become more 
 efficient in the art. Will Dettmers having been made supply sergeant 
 Charley assisted him in equipping the men. Thus the time drifted on. 
 Corporal Herring, of Worden, having been made Sergeant, made 
 Charley Ranking Corporal of the company, and he held this position 
 as long as he remained in the 84th Division. 
 
 On August 22 the company left Camp Sherman for Camp Mills, 
 Charley riding on the 13th train that had 13 coaches. They arrived 
 at Camp Mills on Friday the 23rd of August. While at Camp Mills 
 he had one 24-hour pass during which time he took advantage of see- 
 ing New York, all that could be seen from the top of the Woolworth 
 building down to the shores of Coney Island. On August 31st the 
 company left Camp Mills for Hoboken, N. J., taking a train to Brook- 
 lyn and a ferry to the pier where the large steamer Baltic lay waiting. 
 They remained at dock until the morning of September 1st when they 
 sailed into the harbor, starting on their journey across. 
 
 The convoy of 13 troop ships, including a torpedo boat and the 
 battleship Montana, passed out of sight at 6 -.30 p. m. They were on 
 the boat 13 days, landing at Liverpool on the 13th of September. 
 The weather was calm and beautiful, the sea was smooth nearly the 
 whole distance and Charley did not become seasick although many 
 remained in their bunks the greater part of the time. While on the 
 boat he was corporal of the guard three days having 29 men under 
 him. Two days before they landed the convoy was met by 12 tor- 
 pedo boats and one sub-chaser making 13 protectors from submarine 
 danger. The battleship Montana fired many shots but he did not find 
 out whether submarines were hit or not. Landing at Liverpool they 
 were met by the British band who played "Hail ! Hail ! the Gang's All 
 Here." They were at once put into the English side entrance com- 
 partment coaches, and were sent to a rest camp at Southampton in 
 the southern part of England, where they remained but a night and 
 a day. They embarked on an American ship making her 13th trip 
 across the channel. They landed at La Havre on the morning of the 
 15th and hiked six miles up the bluffs to Camp No. 1. This bluff is 
 well remembered by all the boys who made the trip. Charley was 
 one of 13 men put in a tent ordinarily used for six men. Each soldier 
 
 124
 
 has his own idea about these accommodations, and therefore there 
 will be no remarks made here. They remained at this camp until the 
 afternoon of the 16th when they were marched to the docks at La- 
 Havre, where they got on a train the description of which may be 
 found elsewhere in this book ; but the description on the outside of 
 the cars made it clear that 40 men must stand where eight horses had 
 formerly stood, and the only error they made was that they did not 
 clean the car up a bit before they took this ride. 
 
 They traveled on and on through France passing through Paris, 
 Portiers, Tours and Bourges, and seeing the best farm land of France, 
 and although old-fashioned machinery some used as many as four 
 horses in front of a plow, not abreast, but single file, and they looked 
 from a distance like a string of ducks wading through the mud. After 
 riding a day and a night they came to a town called St. Austier where 
 they got off and hiked to the town of St. Aquilan, about 60 miles from 
 Bordeaux. While on this six-mile hike Charley, much fatigued and 
 thirsty, asked a kind old lady for a glass of water and she instead of 
 water gave him a big glass of wine which reduced the weight of his 
 74-pound pack to about two ounces. This was the first never-to-be-for- 
 gotten glass of wine he received in France. This section of the coun- 
 try was covered with vineyards. St. Aquilan was a town of some 
 twenty houses six miles from a railroad station. This company was 
 the only one that had ever been in this town, and no preparation had 
 been made for them so they had to put up wherever there was shed 
 room. 
 
 While at this place the company drilled every day. On October 
 2 Maj. Gen. Hale made a speech to the first battalion of the 333rd in- 
 fantry, saying they would go to the lines after October 16th as a fight- 
 ing unit. On the 5th orders came from Divisional Headquarters to 
 make replacements of all but 9 sergeants, 7 corporals, 1 cook, 1 
 mechanic, 1 bugler, and 6 privates of each company. The balance, 
 including Charley were transferred on October 7, and left the camp ; 
 those transferred also included John De Fries, of Dorsey, Hilbert 
 Brockmeyer of Edwardsville, and Will Dettmers. They marched 
 back to St. Austier fully equipped, for they received their full equip- 
 ment at St. Aquilan. Their equipment now consisted of a 74-pound 
 pack, gas mask, helmet, rifle and 100 rounds of ammunition. They 
 got on the train at St. Austier on the 7th of October, receiving six 
 days' rations, which consisted of corn beef and hard tack. They were 
 at first transferred to the 91st division. They went through St. Aig- 
 nan to a camp where they changed to the 35th division. The 35th 
 division had lost heavily and the gaps must be filled up. They went 
 back to St. Aignan remaining there but two hours, just long enough to 
 
 125
 
 eat one good meal and have their gas masks tested. They left St. 
 Aignan on the train and landed at Aivers at 2 a. m. on the 12th of 
 October. 
 
 They were by this time near the Argonne, and while they got ofif 
 the train they could see the flashes of the cannon and could hear the 
 guns in the distance. They hiked 12 miles to join the 35th division 
 near Recourt. By this time guns could be heard all day long, for 
 they were nearing the lines. It was during this time that his friend, 
 pal, and relative was killed. They pitched their "pup" tents along 
 the hillside in the mud and rain. During this time Charley was still 
 corporal of his company. The next morning he was assigned to the 
 138th regiment, which was composed of St. Louis National Guards. 
 The 138th band boys having been in the thick of the fight and lost 
 heavily, they needed musicians, and Charley was relieved as corporal 
 and was made a third-class musician, increasing his pay to $40.80 a 
 month. This was the morning of the 13th of October, just one month 
 after he landed in England. 
 
 That evening they left for the trenches near Verdun, passing 
 through many small towns on their way. Every town had been shelled 
 and some were still being shelled as they passed through ; it was a 
 desolate sight, very few civilians could be seen. The regiment en- 
 tered the front line trenches on the night of October 14th and the band 
 was sent to Somme Dieu, a small town near Verdun, to guard an am- 
 munition dump. They remained there three days, and while there 
 the band received their instruments that they had not seen for more 
 than two months, for the instruments had been stored at the base sup- 
 plies when the 138th went into action. When Charley joined the 
 138th Will Dettmers joined some other regiment. After the band 
 received their instruments they had to reorganize, for they had lost 
 ten of their members. 
 
 On the evening of the 19th they left Somme Dieu to a place near 
 Fort Rosiliers at the outskirts of Verdun. They had barely left the 
 place when the building in which Charley stayed was shot to pieces. 
 On October 23rd Charley met George Bowman and Gus Bangert, who 
 had just come out of the trenches to the left of Verdun. Gus had 
 just got back from the hospital after having been gassed while at the 
 front, and George had been in the trenches on the Verdun front 45 
 days. The first sight of George was pitiful to behold, for the few 
 clothes he had on barely held together ; and seeing George so cheer- 
 ful, even under such circumstances, made this meeting the happiest 
 moment in Charley's life. He gave him paper so that he could write 
 home which letter was received and most welcome, too, by the parents, 
 
 126
 
 and which letter was delivered to the parents by the writer of this 
 story ; they had been anxiously waiting for many a day. This letter 
 sure relieved the depressed spirit of the home folks. 
 
 On the 25th of October the band played at a funeral of a French 
 officer, the first funeral march Charley had ever played. On the 27th 
 the band played in Fort Rosaliers, and while in this fort Charley had 
 the chance to see the whole of the fort, which had not been damaged in 
 the least, for it was underground and so camouflaged that it could not 
 be found, and was therefore left intact. After remaining there dur- 
 ing the afternoon they went back to their dugouts in the woods, where 
 the enemy planes were ever and ever searching and firing. Here 
 they remained until the 7th of November, during which time they had 
 crossed the Meuse River many times. This was in the Somme Dieu 
 Sector and the Meuse at this place was about 75 feet wide. On the 
 7th they left Somme Dieu and hiked 12 miles south, reaching the place 
 on the 9th of November, where they received orders to enter the 
 trenches on the 12th of November and go over the top on the 13th. 
 
 They were stationed at Dagonville, the dirtiest, filthiest, and mud- 
 diest town under the sun, when the armistice was signed and Charley's 
 hotel was in the form of an old barn, hardly fit for cattle. While in 
 this town it rained every day and while in this barn he ate his Thanks- 
 giving dinner of beans and corn beef. He remained in this town, and 
 much of the time in this barn, until the first of February, 1919, ex- 
 cepting when boys made tours through the neighboring villages. 
 
 On Christmas day the 138th Headquarters Company drank two 
 and one-half barrels of beer, transferring half of the 138th for a time 
 to the "wig-wag" service. On the 30th the band left for the St. 
 Mihiel sector to start on a tour of concerts. On the 31st the band 
 played for a dance given for the officers and nurses. On January 2 
 they left for Sampigny, a place where 2,000 German prisoners were 
 kept. During January, 1919, the band made a tour through Comercy, 
 Enville, Bon Court, Pon der Meuse, Lerville, St. Maurice (on the Ver- 
 dun-Metz line) where they saw many German dugouts and fortifica- 
 tions. These were sights that only a soldier can realize and under- 
 stand. From there they went to Recourt, Thillanbaux and Wamboy, 
 where they joined the regiment on January 30, at Leroville, a French 
 camp. They remained at this place until the 8th of March, when the 
 band was reformed, and the tour of concerts being over, Charley was 
 taken out of the band and reduced to a private. 
 
 On March 8th Charley was sent to Sulart near Le Mans, taking 
 two days' ride to reach the place, remaining there until the 1st of April 
 when he hiked to Camp Levoure, near Champagne, France. At 
 Champagne he saw nearly all the men that had remained behind when 
 
 127
 
 the 333rd of the 84th division was skeletonized. On April 8th they 
 left for St. Nazaire, reaching there on the 9th, and remained there 
 until the 18th of April, when the company went on board the Aeolus, 
 which was a small boat and could not hold all of them, so Charley had 
 to wait for another ship, the U. S. S. Kroonland, with part of the 28th 
 division, after he had been deloused and inspected. The Kroonland 
 was a large ship and although the weather was stormy and the sea 
 rough she plovv^ed through the waves, causing little seasickness. While 
 on board Charley again played with the Naval band, thus getting the 
 meals and comforts of the crew. While playing with this band he 
 met Russell Deck, a bass player in the naval band. Russell Deck, 
 having many friends and relatives in and near Bethalto, was happy 
 to meet one who was acquainted with the Bethalto people. 
 
 They landed at Hoboken on the 28th of April and were sent to 
 Camp Mills, where many were held 17 days on account of the service 
 records having been lost. During his 17 days stay Charley spent 
 five days in New York sight-seeing besides visiting the city of Jamaica, 
 L. I., and other places of interest and amusement. After his service 
 record had been found Charley left Camp Mills and went to the rail- 
 road camps, reaching this place the 14th day of May. It was at this 
 place he met Ed. Schoenbaum, who was on his way home. Charley 
 left the railroad camp the next day, reaching Camp Grant on the 17th. 
 He remained at Camp Grant until the 20th, when he was discharged 
 from the army, reaching his home on the 21st day of May, after hav- 
 ing been absent almost twenty months. Following is his discharge 
 and enlistment record : 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Charles C. 
 Neunaber, 1975914, Private Hq. Co. 138th Inf., the United States 
 Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honor- 
 ably discharged from the military service of the United States, by rea- 
 son of convenience of government, per Cir. 106 W. D. 1918. Said 
 Charles C. Neunaber was born in Ft. Russell in the State of Illinois. 
 When enlisted he was 21 8-12 years of age and by occupation a farmer. 
 He had brown eyes, brown hair, light complexion, and was 5 feet 11 
 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp Grant, 111., this 20th 
 day of May, 1919. Frank A. Johnson, Maj. F. A., U. S. A., Com- 
 manding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Charles C. Neunaber. Grade: Private. Inducted: 
 Oct. 3, 1917 at Edwardsville, 111., serving in first enlistment period at 
 date of discharge. Prior service: None. Noncommissioned officer: 
 Corporal July 26, 1918. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating ; 
 
 128
 
 EDWARD A. STAHLHUT 
 
 Co. C, 128th Infantry 
 
 GOTLIEB W. STAHLHUT 
 
 Corp., Hdqrs. Det., 5th G. R. 
 Transportation Corps 
 
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 FRED F. STAHLHUT 
 2nd Rec. Sq., Air Service 
 
 EDWARD G. SCHOENBAUM 
 
 Co. E, 128th Infantry
 
 GEORGE WALTERS 
 
 Co. D, 36th Reg. Infantry 
 
 JOHN J. BALSTER 
 
 Co. E, 46th Infantry 
 
 JOHN B. REINKE 
 
 Co. E, 46th Infantry 
 
 REINHARD KRUCKEBURG 
 
 Co. F, Dis. Det. No. 2
 
 Not rated. Horsemanship: Not mounted. Battles, engagements, 
 skirmishes, expeditions : Somme Dieu, Oct. 15 to Nov. 7, 1918. 
 Knowledge of any vocation : Farmer. Wounds received in service : 
 None. Physical condition when discharged: Good. Typhoid 
 prophylaxis completed November 1, 1917. Paratyphoid prophylaxis 
 completed November 1, 1917. Married or single: Single. Char- 
 acter: Excellent. Signature of soldier: Charles C. Neunaber. 
 Chas. Edwardson, 1st. Lieut. 161 D. B. Commanding. Camp Grant, 
 111., May 20, 1919. Paid in full : $96.65, including bonus of $60.00, 
 Act of Feb. 24, 1919. S. H. Francis. 
 
 JOHN J. BALSTER. 
 
 John J. Balster, son of John and Adeline Balster, was born near 
 Summerfield. St. Clair County, Sept. 19, 1894. The parents moved to 
 Fort Russell township, on a farm southeast of Bethalto, and John 
 received his first education at the Grove school, and later went to 
 Bethalto public school, completing the Ninth grade work at Bethalto. 
 He remained at home assisting in the performance of the farm work 
 till June, 1918, with the exception of six months during which time 
 he attended the Auto school at Detroit, Mich. 
 
 He registered for the service in June, 1917, and was called to the 
 colors June 1, 1918. He left for camp in company with John Reinke, 
 leaving Edwardsville on the 1st of June and arriving at Fort Thomas, 
 Ky., the next day. The boys remained at Fort Thomas but three 
 days, and by the sixth of June they were at Camp Sheridan, where 
 they were placed in the 46th Inf. Co. E of the 9th Division. The 46th 
 Inf. consisting mostly of regulars, and w^as stationed at Camp Sher- 
 idan, which was near the city of Montgomery, Alabama. 
 
 The duties consisted of the usual line of drilling and hiking until 
 John was placed in the Divisional Intelligence Section, where he re- 
 ceived special training in observation, scouting, signal work, sketch- 
 ing, map drawing ; and going to snipers' school and studying and do- 
 ing advanced duty for the infantry. Among the other duties the boys 
 had were to guard prisoners, which consisted mostly of soldiers from 
 the camp ; there were no German prisoners at this camp. This line of 
 duty continued until long after the armistice was signed, when in Jan- 
 uary, 1919, about 50 per cent were discharged, among whom was John 
 Reinke; but John Balster was destined to remain for the object was 
 to keep up the quota and the volunteers were not coming in as fast 
 as the men were discharged. 
 
 129
 
 Camp Sheridan was finally abandoned, for it consisted of tents 
 only and as Fort Oglethorpe consisted of both tents and barracks the 
 balance who were not discharged were sent to Fort Oglethorpe on 
 the Chickamauga battle ground. Camp Forest and Camp Greenleaf 
 were also located here, but they were by this time merged into one 
 and called Fort Oglethorpe. The 89th Infantry and the 11th Cavalry 
 were stationed there. 
 
 There were many German prisoners stationed there, and one of 
 the principal duties was guarding prisoners, which meant 6 hours out 
 of every 24 every day in the week. On July 1st to 3rd John did guard 
 duty at the prison camp, while the regular guards took 2,000 German 
 prisoners to Charleston, S. C, from which place they were returned 
 to Germany. This left only about 300 German prisoners, mostly 
 those of interned German liners and raiders. For a while he did 
 provost guard at Chattanooga, Tenn., which was about ten miles north 
 of Fort Oglethorpe ; however, before being discharged he returned to 
 Fort Oglethorpe and from there he was sent to Camp Taylor, where 
 he remained two days before he was discharged. During John's 
 army life he had one furlough. He received this at Camp Sheridan 
 during Christmas, and visited home folks at Bethalto for five days. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that John J. 
 Balster, 428484, Private first class unassigned, last assigned to Co. E. 
 46th Infantry, the United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and 
 faithful service, is hereby honorably discharged from the military 
 service of the United States, by reason of expiration of term of service. 
 Par G. O. 220 Hq. C. Z. T., Ky., Aug. 8, 1919. Said John J. Balster 
 was born in Summerfield in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he 
 was 23 8-12 years of age and by occupation a laborer. He had grey 
 eyes, light brown hair, ruddy complexion, and was 5 feet 8 1-2 inches 
 in height. Given under my hand at Camp Zachary Taylor, Ky., this 
 8th day of August, 1919. Hans Elinger. Maj. F. A., U. S. A., Com- 
 manding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: John J. Balster. Grade: Private first class. Inducted 
 June 1, 1918, at Edwardsville, 111., serving in first enlistment period at 
 date of discharge. Prior service: Never. Noncommissioned officer: 
 Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Not quali- 
 fied. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirm- 
 ishes, expeditions : None. Citations, decorations, medals, badges : 
 None. Knowledge of any \ ocation : Laborer. Wounds received in 
 
 130
 
 service : None. Physical condition when discharged : Good. Typhoid 
 prophylaxis completed : June 22, 1918. Paratyphoid prophylaxis com- 
 pleted: June 22, 1918. Married or single: Single. Character: 
 Excellent. Remarks : Last assigned to Co. E. 46th Infantry. Ap- 
 pointed private 1st class, Sept. 1, 1918. No overseas service. Sig- 
 nature of soldier: John J. Balster. C. A. Reynolds, Captain Inf. 
 U. S. A. Commanding Casual Det. Bonus of $60.00 paid by Capt. F. 
 L. St. Clair, Q. M. C. U. S. Camp Taylor, Ky., Aug. 8, 1919. 
 
 JOHN BENJAMIN REINKE 
 
 John Benjamin Reinke was born in Wood River Town- 
 ship, one mile west of Bethalto, October 18, 1894, on what is 
 commonly called the John Deye farm. They lived for awhile 
 on the Deye farm, and then moved in the Grove school dis- 
 trict where John received his first schooling. When the 
 parents purchased the farm from the Balsters in Fort Russell, John 
 continued to go to the Grove school, where he completed the Sixth 
 grade work. He worked on the farm continually and registered for 
 the draft in June, 1917. He was called to the colors June 1st, 1918, 
 when he left for camp from Edwardsville. Among those who left 
 the same day was John Balster. They were sent to Fort Thomas, 
 Ky., where they remained but a few days when they were sent to Camp 
 Sheridan, Alabama. Before they were sent to Camp Sheridan they 
 received their uniforms. They reached Camp Sheridan about the 
 middle of June, when the weather was beginning to be quite hot. 
 
 John was placed in Co. E, 46th Infantry, 9th Division. There 
 were about 28,000 soldiers in the camp ; the camp was located near the 
 city of Montgomery, to which place John often received a pass. The 
 duties were about like the soldiers of other infantries, which consisted 
 of drilling, hiking, fatigue duty, guarding prisoners, rifle and revolver 
 practice, gas drills and any other duty that meant preparation for 
 overseas service. The officers under whom John served were all 
 noble fellows, which made soldier life not an unpleasant one. They 
 were: Maj. Gen. Holbrook, Captain Morton, Lieutenants Slicker, 
 Miller and Windorfen and Sergeant Gay. 
 
 They had tents at Camp Sheridan that were boarded up four feet, 
 had a wooden floor and a canvas top. There was room for eight sol- 
 diers, although only five were put in each tent. Food in camp was 
 clean and the entire camp was clean. Their bread, meat and pota- 
 toes were of the finest quality. The officers were well qualified for 
 their duty, and they gave the boys a good drilling and training. 
 
 131
 
 There was very little sickness in camp until Spanish Influenza 
 set in, when many got sick and many died. John had "flu" only a 
 day, and on account of his healthy condition and having lived a healthy 
 clean life his strength pulled him through easily. He took good care 
 of himself and therefore was the picture of health when he returned 
 home on the 25th of January, 1919, having received his honorable dis- 
 charge the day before. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that John B. 
 Reinke, 428575, Private first class infantry unassigned (last assigned 
 Company E 46th Inf.) the United States Army, as a testimonial of 
 honest and faithful service, is hereby honorably discharged from the 
 military service of the United States, by reason of W. D. Cir. 106 Dec. 
 3, 1918, and par. 1, S. O. 20, Hq. Camp Taylor, Jan. 20, 1919. Termi- 
 nation of Emergency. Said John B. Reinke was born in Wood River 
 in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 22 years of age and 
 by occupation a farmer. He had brown eyes, brown hair, ruddy 
 complexion and was 5 feet 9 3-4 inches in height. Given under my 
 hand at Camp Zachary Taylor, Ky., this 23rd day of January, 1919. 
 Earl McMannus, Major, Inf. U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : John B. Reinke. Grade : Private first class. Inducted 
 June 1, 1918, at Madison County, 111., serving in first enlistment period 
 at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Noncommissioned 
 officer : Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating : Not 
 qualified. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, 
 skirmishes, expeditions : None. Knowledge of any vocation : Farmer. 
 Wounds received in service : None. Physical condition when dis- 
 charged : Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed : June 22, 1918 ; 
 Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed June 22, 1918. Married or single : 
 Single. Character : Excellent. Remarks : Service honest and faith- 
 ful. No A. W. O. L. No absence under G. O. W. D. 31-12 or 45-14. 
 Signature of soldier: John B. Reinke. John F. Houck, Capt. Inf. 
 U. S. A. Com. Det. R. R. Ticket has been issued. Travel pay to 
 Madison Co., 111. 
 
 132
 
 REINHARD KRUCKEBURG 
 
 Reinhard Kruckeburg, son of William and Elizabeth Krucke- 
 burg, was born in Fort Russell township, east of Bethalto, June 2, 
 1895. He attended the Liberty Prairie school until he completed 
 the Seventh grade work. He worked on his parents' farm until he 
 was called to the colors. He registered for the draft in June, 1917, 
 and was called to leave for the army September 19, 1917, but shortly 
 before his going he was taken very sick with typhoid fever and 
 diphtheria. This left him in such a weakened condition that he could 
 not go at that time, and he was therefore not called until the 23rd day 
 of February, 1918. He went at the same time that Albert Kayser 
 left home. He went to Camp Taylor and was placed in the 159th 
 Depot Brigade until the latter part of April, when he was put in Co. 
 H, 335th regiment of the 84th Division, remaining at Camp Taylor 
 until the 25th of June, when he was sent to Fort McPherson, Georgia, 
 and placed in Co. B, 17th Battalion U. S. N. G. 
 
 Reinhard was with Albert Kayser until Easter, when Reinhard 
 took the measles and had to be quarantined, and when he got out Al- 
 bert had been transferred and they saw each other no niofe. At Fort 
 McPherson Reinhard was cook until the 15th of August, when he, with 
 a bunch of boys, was sent to Wilmington, N. C. a seaport town where 
 a great deal of war material and ammunition was stored. They did 
 guard duty at Wilmington and at the same time made preparation for 
 overseas duty. 
 
 When the best had been picked out and the poorer class sent to 
 some work camp, those fit would be sent to New York, from which 
 place they would cross the waters, going the same path that millions 
 had used. October 5th was set for the boys to leave Wilmington, 
 but when that day arrived orders had come to stop all movements of 
 troops. The reason for rescinding the order was that Spanish In- 
 fluenza was so severe in camp that nearly everybody was sick, and al- 
 though Reinhard never had it they died by the dozen ; they would 
 bury them as fast as they could, haul them off by the truck load. In 
 a nearby town more than one half were down at the same time. A 
 Portuguese ship landed at Wilmington with several hundred Porto 
 Ricans, but nearly every one was sick with the "flu" on board, and they 
 carried fifty dead bodies from the ship. Troop movements had been 
 stopped indefinitely and the boys were still doing guard duty on the 
 11th of November and continued to do the same until the 10th of De- 
 cember, when they left Wilmington and went to Camp Greene, Charles- 
 ton, N. C. where they would remain until they could be discharged, 
 which was three weeks later. During his time at Camp Greene he 
 
 133
 
 sprained his knee which laid him up until he was sent to Camp Grant 
 for discharge. He reached Camp Grant on the 8th of January, 1919, 
 and received his discharge on the 14th of January, 1919. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Reinhard 
 Kruckeburg, No. 1994062, Private Co. F, Discharge Detachment No. 
 2, Camp Grant, 111., the United States Army, as a testimonial of honest 
 and faithful service, is hereby honorably discharged from the military 
 service of the United States by reason of convenience of government, 
 per S. P. 10, par. 46, Hq. Camp Grant, 111., 1-10-19. Said Reinhard 
 Kruckeburg, 1994062, was born in Fort Russell in the State of Illinois. 
 When enlisted he was 22 8-12 years of age, and by occupation a 
 farmer. He had blue eyes, dark brown hair, fair complexion, and 
 was 5 feet 7 1-2 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp 
 Grant, 111., this 14th day of January, 1919. Amos Vandergrift, Capt. 
 Inf. U. S. A. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : Reinhard Kruckeburg. Grade : Private. Inducted Feb. 
 23, 1918, at Edwardsville, 111., serving in first enlistment period at 
 date of discharge. Prior service: None. Noncommissioned officer: 
 Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating : Not qualified. 
 Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, ex- 
 peditions : Never. Knowledge of any vocation: Farmer. Wounds 
 received in service : None. Physical condition when discharged : 
 Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed: March 14, 1918. Para- 
 typhoid prophylaxis completed March 14, 1918. Character: Ex- 
 cellent. Remarks : No A. W. O. L., no absence under G. O. 31-12 or 
 G. O. 45-17, L. B. No. 1. Entitled to travel pay to Edwardsville. Ill, 
 also to one silver chevron for service in U. S. from Feb. 23, 1918, to 
 Jan. 14, 1919. Signature of soldier: Reinhard Kruckeburg. D. G. 
 Hare, 1st Lieut. Inf. U. S. A. Commanding. Co. F. Disch, Det. No. 2. 
 Paid in full : $25.24. Alx. C. McDihery, Capt. Q. M. C. 
 
 134
 
 CHARLES BARTELS 
 
 Charles Bartels, son of Henry and Mary Bartels, was born in 
 Maryville, 111., Jan. 28, 1894. At the age of six the parents moved 
 to the farm south of Bethalto on which they had formerly resided. 
 He attended Oak Grove and Brushy Grove schools until he was 16 
 years of age, graduating from the Eighth grade work at the Brushy 
 Grove school. Although the parents were both of German descent, 
 the father having been born in Germany, they believed in giving the 
 children the best English education that the rural schools could give. 
 Charley's father died in 1910. and Charley had to help the mother on 
 the farm. He later worked on the farm for others until he was 21 
 years old, when he went to Wood River to work for the Standard Oil 
 Company. His mother died when he was 22 years old. In May, 
 shortly after war was declared, Charley tried to enlist in the Navy, 
 but was rejected in St. Louis; he registered in June, 1917, and re- 
 solved to wait until he was called and accept what was given to him, 
 whether it was his choice or not. 
 
 He was married to Loretta Wustenfeld, of Wood River, Jan. 5, 
 1918. He was called to the colors June 27, 1918. He went as an 
 alternate from Alton, and reached Camp Taylor June 28th. He was 
 placed in the Depot Brigade, 15th Co., 4th training battalion. He re- 
 mained in the 15th Co. and at Camp Taylor during his entire stay in 
 the army, serving under Capt. McMillen and Lieut. Waltons and 
 La Gore until La Gore was sent to France, and Lieut. Waltons became 
 captain of the 16th company, when Capt. Groat and Lieut. Redding, 
 both from Indiana, took their places. Shortly after Charley went 
 to Camp Taylor he was sent to the hospital suffering from malaria, 
 caused by the inoculations, and remained there two weeks, and was 
 made first-class private upon his return to the 15th company, which 
 was in the latter part of July. 
 
 On the 2nd of September he was made corporal and would have 
 been made sergeant the latter part of September but an order was is- 
 sued by the War Department that on account of the number of 
 sergeants in the Depot Brigade, no more be made for the present. 
 
 On account of Spanish Influenza the order was never rescinded, 
 and Charley was destined to remain corporal the rest of his army life. 
 He was on the rifle range but once, and although making 47 out of 50, 
 slow fire, it was not sufficient to receive marksmanship, where it was 
 necessary to make 45 out of 50 rapid fire. It was the only chance he 
 had and no badge was given to any one in the Depot Brigade. As 
 first class private his duties were Headquarters Orderly, as corporal 
 he was assistant to the sergeant and drilled the recruits the same as 
 
 135
 
 he received when he entered the service. As private he received 
 $30.00 a month ; as first class private he received $33.00 a month, and 
 as corporal his pay was $36.00 a month. 
 
 Spanish Influenza set in about the latter part of September at 
 Camp Taylor and there were still a number of cases after the armistice 
 was signed. Influenza was expected at Camp Taylor as early as 
 August for many at that time were taken out of the barracks and put 
 in tents. Men used to army life were put in barracks. Although in- 
 fluenza became serious the conditions were all in favor of the soldiers ; 
 only four died in Charley's company, although forty were sick at one 
 time. Weather conditions were good; care was excellent; nurses 
 were skillful; oft'icers were kind; camp was clean and healthful. It 
 was those conditions that gave the impression among soldiers that Old 
 Taylor was our country's model camp. 
 
 Thus the days glided by for Charley; he never had the "flu;" he 
 was studious all the time, but his improvement brought him no further 
 along. He attended school two weeks for non-commissioned officer 
 but he was never made sergeant. Finally the 5th of December, 1918, 
 arrived, and Charley received his discharge from good old Taylor and 
 sent to Alton and home. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Charles H. 
 Bartels, No. 3098651, Corporal 15th Co. 14th Bn. 159th Depot Brigade, 
 the United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, 
 is hereby honorably discharged from the military service of the 
 United States, by reason of telegram from Adjutant General of Army 
 and Par. 5, S. O. 336, Hq. Camp Zachary Taylor, Ky., Dec. 1918. 
 Said Charles H. Bartels, No. 3098651, was born in Maryville in the 
 State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 24 years of age and by occu- 
 pation a clerk. He had blue eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, and 
 was 5 feet 7 1-2 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp 
 Zachary Taylor, Ky., this 5th day of December, 1918. F. C. Braden, 
 Major Infantry, Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Charles H. Bartels. Grade: Corporal. Inducted 
 June 28, 1918, at Alton, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date 
 of discharge. Prior service : None. Noncommissioned officer : 
 Appointed Corporal Sept. 18, 1918. Marksmanship, gunner qualifi- 
 cation or rating: Horsemanship. Knowledge of any vocation: 
 Wounds received in service: None. Physical condition when dis- 
 
 136
 
 charged: Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed Aug. 4th, 1918. 
 Paratyphoid prophlaxis completed Aug. 4th, 1918. Married or 
 single: Married. Character: Excellent. Remarks — . Signature of 
 soldier : Charles H. Bartels. Harry R. Groat, Capt. Inf. 15th Co. 4th 
 Bn. 159th D. B. Due soldier travel pay to Alton, 111. H. R. G. 
 
 GEORGE WALTERS. 
 
 George Walters, son of George F. and Augusta J. Walters, was 
 born in Foster Township, December 2, 1895. His parents were both 
 born, raised, and educated in Illinois. His father of German and his 
 mother of Scotch-Irish descent, and both born in Illinois, made them 
 thorough Americans. George attended the Bockstruck school in 
 Foster Township until he completed the Eighth grade, and after that 
 remained home to help the parents on the farm until he was 18 years 
 of age, when he went to work on the farm near Bethalto, and later 
 worked in Alton for Noll Baking & Ice Cream Co., but farm life suited 
 him better, and he once more went to work on the farm near Bethalto. 
 George's sister, Mrs. Walter Arbuthnot, living in Bethalto, practically 
 made Bethalto his home. 
 
 He registered for the draft in June, 1917, but would not wait to 
 be called and in order to get a chance to go to France he enlisted in the 
 U S. infantry July 12, 1917. He enlisted in St. Louis and was 
 assigned to the 16th Company at Jefferson Barracks, and on the 23rd 
 of July he left for Fort Snelling, Minn., where he was transferred to 
 the 36th Inf. Co. D, under the command of Capt. Haiddleson and Col. 
 Palmeter. He remained at Fort Snelling from July 23rd to May 1, 
 1918. The 36th was making preparation to cross the Atlantic for 
 overseas duty, but George got only as far as Camp Devons, Mass. 
 This was in July, 1918. George had a severe case of pneumonia and 
 before he fully recovered it was found advisable to send him to Fort 
 Bayard, N. M., for fear that tuberculosis may be contracted after 
 such a severe case of pneumonia. He reached Fort Bayard on the 4th 
 of May and on account of this being a camp for convalescents he was 
 not transferred but remained in the 36th until he was discharged from 
 the service. 
 
 There were about 3,000 patients at Fort Bayard, and George acted 
 as cook for an open air mess where about 600 patients were fed. The 
 patients at Fort Bayard, N. M., were mostly those who were slowly 
 recovering from pneumonia. They were sent there for six months 
 for that purpose. There were also many tuberculosis patients there, 
 besides patients who had been gassed in France. 
 
 137
 
 Although Fort Bayard was a healthy place, with beautiful mild 
 climate, situated in the south western part of New Mexico, about 
 seventy miles from the Arizona line and about seven miles from Silver 
 City, and the hillsides making it the more picturesque, it was not alto- 
 gether pleasant; for a place with 3,000 patients each afflicted with the 
 dreaded disease, or worse still, with those gassed, caused one to come 
 in contact with many who should have been isolated from those not 
 so afflicted. There were many old soldiers there. Many died, some 
 old soldiers, some of those young soldiers afflicted, but as there were 
 new ones coming in every day the camp was kept at an even 3,000 con- 
 tinually. 
 
 The treatment George received both at Fort Snelling and at Fort 
 Bayard was the best possible, and there were none better than his offi- 
 cers, who have been mentioned before. At Fort Bayard he had less 
 freedom but good care, and he was examined every month, receiving 
 his last examination April 9th, 1919, after having been at Fort Bayard 
 nearly a year. He was in the service one year and nine months, and 
 although he did not get to do what he desired, and although he had 
 no chance to get into the fighting, he did his duty ; he tried his best ; 
 he volunteered and obeyed orders, saying, "Here I am, do with me 
 w^hat you want to; I have volunteered for the service and will obey 
 your command ;" but luck was against George, the fate of all the boys 
 is not alike ; George gave what he could, he came home safe but not 
 sound. In ending his story we will hope that he will recover com- 
 pletely and be one among us as strong and healthy as the day he vol- 
 unteered his services to Uncle Sam, on July 12th, 1917. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : To all whom 
 it may concern : This is to certify that George Walters, a private of 
 Company D of the 36th Regiment of Infantry, as a testimonial of hon- 
 est and faithful service, is hereby honorably discharged from the 
 military service of the United States, by reason of S. C. D. per letter 
 A. G. O. War Department No. 201, dated March 29, 1919. Said 
 George Walters was born in Fosterburg in the State of Illinois, and 
 when enlisted he was 21 7-12 years of age, and by occupation a farmer. 
 He had blue eyes, dark brown hair, fair complexion, and was 5 feet 4 
 inches in height. Given under my hand at Fort Bayard, New Mexico, 
 this 10th day of April, 1919. Final statement paid this date in full 
 in sum of $166.20, which amount includes the bonus of $60.00, author- 
 ized by Sec. 1406 of the Revenue act of 1918, and travel pay at the 
 rate of 5 cents per mile. Insurance premium collected to include the 
 month of March, 1919. Edward P. Rockhill, Lt. Colonel Medical 
 Corps, Commanding. Leo J. Dillon, Capt. U. S. A. Rtd. A. Q. M. 
 
 138
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : George Walters. Grade : Private. Enlisted July 12, 
 1917, at Jefferson Barracks for emergency years, serving in first en- 
 listment period at date of discharge. Previous service : None. Non- 
 commissioned officer : Never. Marksmanship : None. Horseman- 
 ship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expeditions : 
 None. Knowledge of any vocation : None of record. Wounds re- 
 ceived in service : None. Physical condition when discharged : Poor. 
 Typhoid prophylaxis completed August 26, 1917. Married or single: 
 Single. Character : Very good. Remarks : Identification number, 
 952986. Services : Honest and faithful. Entitled to admission to 
 the U. S. Army General Hospital, Fort Bayard, New Mexico; as an 
 inmate of U. S. soldiers home, Washington, D. C. Is not recommended 
 for reenlistment. This soldier is entitled to reduced railroad fare rates 
 from Bayard Station, New Mexico to St. Louis, Mo. Per Sub. Per 
 G. Circular No. 85 War Department dated November 23, 1918. Wm. 
 Greene, 2nd Lieut. Sanitary Corps, Commanding Det. Enl. Patients. 
 
 FRED F. STAHLHUT. 
 
 Fred F. Stahlhut, son of Henry H. and Christina Stahlhut, was 
 born on the farm in Fort Russell Township about four miles southeast 
 of Bethalto. He attended the Oak Grove school until he completed 
 the Eighth grade work. He worked on his father's farm until he 
 was called to the colors. He registered for the service in June, 1917, 
 but was not called until Sept. 5, 1918, when he left Edwardsville for 
 Camp Custer, Mich. He was placed in the Depot Brigade, 21st company, 
 where he remained until the 26th of October, when he was sent to De- 
 troit, Mich., having taken the trade test at Camp Custer. 
 
 September was the last big draft that was made, and several from 
 Bethalto left Alton district on the same day, among whom were Will 
 and Ed. Neunaber, George Deist, Gene McCracken and Roy Loker, all 
 from Bethalto and vicinity. Fred's brother Ed., whose description 
 is also found in this book, left for camp just ten weeks' before Fred ; 
 and by the time Fred reached Camp Custer Ed. was on his way into 
 France. He had by that time left Brest and was getting ready for the 
 firing line ; which shows that no preparation was made and Fred was 
 destined to make the trip in as short a time as his brother Ed., but 
 on account of the dread disease, "flu," as it was called in this country, 
 he was held during the quarantine. 
 
 139
 
 Fred had the ''flu" for three weeks and although he had some in- 
 tensive drilling the first part of his stay at Camp Custer he was re- 
 lieved of much of this training when he passed the trade test at Camp 
 Custer and was sent to Detroit, Mich., where he was employed as 
 carpenter, building garages and doing special duty in the building line. 
 He continued with this work until the armistice was signed, when his 
 work changed somewhat, but a great deal of building went on and was 
 still going on when he was discharged from the army on the second 
 of January, 1919. 
 
 Fred's army life had been about four months, and although he 
 did not see any real fighting he was a unit in the great force that kept 
 the organization together. He did his duty as a soldier; he obeyed 
 the orders of his superiors, thus assisting to accomplish the great 
 object, the greatest object ever obtained in human history, namely, do- 
 ing away wath military servitude without the consent of the servant. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : To all whom 
 it may concern : This is to certify that Fred F. Stahlhut, 4723293, 
 Private 2nd Recruit Squadron Air Service, the United States army, 
 as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honorably 
 discharged from the military service of the United States by reason of 
 expiration of emergency enlistment. Said Fred F. Stahlhut was born 
 in Edwardsville, 111. ; when enlisted he was 28 years of age and by oc- 
 cupation a farmer. He had blue eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion 
 and was 5 feet 9 3-4 inches in height. Given under my hand at Ft. 
 Wayne, Mich., this 2nd day of January, 1919. Norman L. Carigan, 
 Major S. S. C. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Fred F. Stahlhut. Grade: Private. Inducted Sept. 5, 
 1918, at Edwardsville, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date 
 of discharge. Prior service: None. Noncommissioned officer: 
 Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: No rating. 
 Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, ex- 
 peditions : None. Knowledge of any vocation : Farmer. Wounds 
 received in service: None. Physical condition when discharged: 
 Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed Sept. 20, 1918. Paratyphoid 
 prophylaxis completed Sept. 20, 1918. Remarks : No absence without 
 leave. No absence under G. O. W. D. 1914. Signature of soldier : 
 Fred F. Stahlhut. Norman L. Carrigan, Major A. S. S. C, Com- 
 manding, 
 
 14f
 
 GEORGE HUMM. 
 
 George Humm, son of John and Wilhelmina Humm, was born in 
 Bethalto, Feb. 16. 1885. His father was a Civil War veteran having- 
 served in Co. B, 29th 111. Infantry. His brother Fred Avas in the 
 Spanish-American war, serving in the Philippines two years in Co. A. 
 After completing the Eighth grade at the public schools at Bethalto, 
 George went to work for the Equitable Powder Company at the age 
 of 16, working for this company and for the Western Cartridge Com- 
 pany up to the time he joined the army. 
 
 He did not register for the draft in June, 1917, but this did not 
 bar him from the service, so he volunteered for the aviation service at 
 Jefferson Barracks, December 26, 1917, and was at once accepted. He 
 remained at Jefferson Barracks until January 17, 1918, when he was 
 sent to Kelly Field, Texas, near San Antonio. At Kelly Field he re- 
 ceived schooling in aeroplanes. He was put in the 619th Aero 
 Squadron. He reached Kelly Field on the 20th of January, and re- 
 mained there two months, during which time he took a course in 
 aviation, drilled, hiked, and did duty pertaining to the aero service. 
 On the 20th of March his squadron left Kelly Field and went to Rich- 
 field Aviation Field near Waco, Texas, where his training and school- 
 ing continued for another two months, when on the 21st day of May 
 they were sent to Detroit, Michigan. 
 
 The plan was for them to send the boys overseas where the air 
 service was being developed, but an accident marred their progress 
 and completely upset their plans. While on their way through 
 Arkansas, not far from Texarkana, a supposed German spy caused 
 a derailment of their train as it was crossing a deep ravine. Two 
 troop trains had just gone over the bridge, but they were going in op- 
 posite direction from which the aero squadron was going; as they in 
 the troop trains were not going to immediate service overseas they got 
 by unmolested, but when the trained troops, a well-disciplined bunch 
 of aviators, came along it was the object of the enemy to stop them if 
 possible and they succeeded partly. 
 
 The engine, going down, first turned upside down, killing the en- 
 gineer and porter and injuring the fireman. The next coach went 
 over, going end down into a deep water hole. This coach contained 
 the kitchen and the water put out the fire in the stove ; but this steam 
 and the fall killed two soldiers and crippled up the first lieutenant so 
 badly that he was taken to the hospital where he remained a long time 
 and finally had to be sent to the hospital for the insane. 
 
 The second coach in which George was went off the track, but did 
 not go over the precipice. They got out of the coaches immediately 
 to rescue those who had gone down. They saved the life of their 
 141
 
 lieutenant by pulling him out of the water. He had gone down head 
 first, and all that could be seen was his leather leggins. Thus quick 
 action on the part of the boys saved the lives of many a comrade, yet 
 twenty had to be taken back to a Texarkana hospital, where their in- 
 juries were treated. 
 
 Leaving them behind, the boys were sent on to Detroit where 
 their training continued. George's work at the Equitable Powder Com- 
 pany and at the Western Cartridge Company gave him an advantage ; 
 he enlisted as a machinist and was soon fit for such duty. At Detroit 
 he was put to work testing planes. The De Haviland, a regular bat- 
 tle plane and one of the fastest in the service, was the plane that was 
 tried out. They averaged from eight to ten machines a day. The 
 De Haviland had the Liberty motor which proved satisfactory in 
 every case. Each machine after it was put together was tested by 
 actual flight. It was then taken apart and boxed up and was sent 
 across for service. 
 
 Thus the days went by, and as they became more skillful the 
 average machines put up and tested increased until an average of 28 
 per day was reached. They were putting out machines at a terrible 
 rate and the speed the machines reached was 135 miles an hour. When 
 this high average was reached, both in number of machines and their 
 speed, the armistice was signed and work ceased. 
 
 After the armistice was signed there were no more machines 
 tested, but it can be imagined how many machines were tested, crated 
 and sent across from the 25th of May until the 11th of November, 
 when the average increased from 6 per day to 28 per day. As stated 
 before, it was not the object to keep this bunch of boys in this country 
 but the railroad accident caused a delay ; many of the principal 
 mechanics and officers had been injured and the others became quite 
 efficient in their calling. 
 
 The Caproni, a large high power machine, was just beginning to 
 come out. Six had been finished, two of which had been tested, when 
 fighting ceased across the waters, upsetting plans for many more of 
 their kind. These machines were manufactured and tested at the 
 Fisher Body Aero Works, but the whole works came to a standstill 
 on the 11th of November, 1918, and there was practically nothing to 
 do but guard duty and very little of that. 
 
 He had been made sergeant and his duties were even less than the 
 others. One day out of ten was his average until the 25th of Jan- 
 uary, 1919, when he received his honorable discharge, just thirteen 
 months to a day from the time he enlisted. 
 
 142
 
 GEORGE E. LUMAN 
 
 George E. Luman, son of George and Adeline Luman, was born 
 on a farm north of Bethalto April 22, 1893. George is a brother to 
 William Luman, whose description is found in this book, and a grand- 
 son of Hays Luman, who was a soldier in the Civil War, and who after 
 the war moved to Golden, Colorado, where he died. 
 
 George attended various schools wherever the family was living. 
 His first school was the Luman school north of Bethalto and he com- 
 pleted his school years by finishing the Seventh grade work at the 
 Bethalto school. After the family moved to East Alton, George was 
 employed at the Standard Oil Company at Wood River, and again re- 
 ceived employment there after he returned from the service. He reg- 
 istered in June, 1917, but was not called until Sept. 6, 1918. 
 
 He was one of the last to leave for the army. He left Alton with 
 eight others to Camp Forrest, near Chattanooga, Tenn., and about six 
 miles from the old battle ground of Chickamauga, which was an ideal 
 location for a camp. George was the only Bethalto boy at this camp. 
 Camp Forrest was a camp built for engineers. Pie was at first placed 
 in the 14th Recruit Company, but was soon transferred to Co. A, 125th 
 Engineers, remaining in this company at this place during his entire 
 stay in the army. He was offered the position as Mess Sergeant, but 
 accepted that of Head Cook on account of having to serve but every 
 other day from 3 a. m. till 8 p. m. This position he held until he was 
 discharged. His duties were overseeing the work of cooking and 
 assisting in preparing the meals, being under the instructions of the 
 mess sergeant. 
 
 He drilled but two days, never had a rifle, and no other duties 
 but cook. W'hile "flu" was in camp, George helped wait on the sick, 
 for in his company of 318 men 87 had "flu" at one time. Armistice 
 day was celebrated there in great style and many had their freedom 
 taken away from them for taking too much liberty without authority. 
 After Thanksgiving they began to demobilize, and the men were sent 
 from Camp Forrest to the camps nearest their homes. George had to 
 remain to cook, for many came into their camp to be discharged. He 
 was retained until the 26th of December, when he was discharged 
 there and he arrived home on the 28th. Following is his discharge 
 and enlistment record : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern. This is to certify that George E. 
 Luman, 3018058, Pvt. Co. A, 125th Regt. Engineers, the United States 
 Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honor- 
 
 143
 
 ably discharged from the military service of the United States by rea- 
 son of demobilization W. D. Circular 77. Said George E. Luman was 
 born in Bethalto, in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 
 25 5-12 years of age and by occupation a crane man. He had brown 
 eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, and was 5 feet 8 1-4 inches in 
 height. Given under my hand at Camp Forrest, Georgia, this 26th 
 day of December, 1918. John A. Benssee, Major Engineers, U. S. A., 
 Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 Name : George E. Luman. Grade : Private. Inducted Sept. 6, 
 1918, at Alton, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date of dis- 
 charge. Prior service: None. Noncommissioned officer: None. 
 Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: None. Horseman- 
 ship : None. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expeditions : None. 
 Knowledge of any vocation : Craneman. Wounds received in service : 
 None. Physical condition v/hen discharged : Persistent Tachycardia. 
 No organic lesion found. Triple typhoid prophylaxis completed Sept. 
 22, 1918. Married or single: Single. Character: Very good. Re- 
 marks : Honorably discharged, per S. O. 157, per 20 Dec. 26, 1918, 
 Camp Forrest, Georgia. Signature of soldier: George E. Luman. 
 John H. Zeither, Capt. Engineers U. S. A., Commanding. Co. A 125th 
 Engineers. Paid in full, $30.92, at Camp Forrest, Ga., this 26th day 
 of Dec. 1918. Geo. H. Chase, Capt. Q. M. C. Bonus $60.00, paid 
 April 26, 1919. 
 
 EDWARD A. STAHLHUT. 
 
 Edward A. Stahlhut, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Stahlhut, was 
 born near Mitchell, 111., May 20, 1888. The father, although of Ger- 
 man descent, was born in Illinois and the mother was born in Ger- 
 many ; but both are thorough Americans and insisted that their 
 children receive a good education in the American schools. The 
 family moved from Mitchell, 111., to the farm in Oak Grove school 
 district, in Fort Russell Township, about five miles from Bethalto. 
 
 Ed. received a good common school education, the first two years 
 of which was under the direction of the author of this book, who was 
 at that time employed as instructor by the directors of the Oak Grove 
 school. Ed. graduated from the Eighth grade, and after his school 
 life he spent his time at home assisting the family in running the large 
 farm they had purchased after they had moved from Mitchell. Ed. 
 remained home until three years ago, when he managed and worked 
 a farm for himself, and it was during this time, in June, 1917, that he 
 registered in Fort Russell Tovv^nship for the draft. 
 
 144
 
 On account of his agricultural enterprise he was not called to the 
 colors until June 24, 1918, when he left Edwardsville for Camp Taylor 
 in company with Ed. Schoenbaum, Limon Neunaber and other Fort 
 Russell boys, and whose descriptions are in part identical, and in many 
 instances it would be doing injustice to make any change in the de- 
 scription when they worked together, doing the same thing and travel- 
 ing the same route together. 
 
 Ed. was placed in the 159th Depot Brigade at Camp Taylor, and 
 later transferred to Company E, 156th regiment. While at Camp 
 Taylor the boys drilled and hiked for about three weeks and were sent 
 to Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, about 60 miles north of New Orleans, 
 the company having its headquarters at Baton Rouge, and it became 
 known as the Old National Guard Regiment. The company remained 
 at Camp Beauregard but a month, and during this time the boys re- 
 ceived the only real training that was to be given to them in prep- 
 aration for duties overseas. Here they had rifle practice, bayonet 
 drills and gas drills, and such other exercises as could be taught in this 
 short space of time. The company left camp on the 10th of August 
 for Camp Mills, an embarkation camp for overseas soldiers. Here 
 they remained eight days, receiving their equipment for overseas 
 duty ; they should have sailed sooner but the shortage of clothing de- 
 layed them several days, although the ship lay ready waiting for them. 
 
 They went on board the U. S. S. President Grant on the 22nd of 
 August. The ship had formerly been a large freighter, and was at 
 this time fitted out as a transport. She was an 18,000 ton ship and 
 carried 4,500 troops, 150 aeroplanes, 125 Ford trucks, ammunition and 
 rations of all description. She had a crew of 500, including the offi- 
 cers. They were all Americans and they ate Ail-American food 
 which was of good quality. She headed straight for Brest, France, 
 reaching that port on the third of September. 
 
 After landing they were marched for six miles out into the coun- 
 try to Camp Pontenesen, passing the Old Napoleon Barracks, which 
 later on became the center of the camp. On account of the size of 
 this camp they had to pitch tents to accommodate the soldiers. The 
 155th and 156th regiments of infantry, machine gun battalion and 
 artillery remained at this camp but six days and then went farther in- 
 land to a place called St. Florent. They rode two days and three 
 nights in French cattle cars that were large enough to hold either 
 eight horses or forty men, and although these cars were of such small 
 dimensions they crowded forty of our boys into each car. 
 
 The one advantage these companies had over many another com- 
 pany was that they were rationed by the American government; for 
 our pure American food was fit to eat, both on land and on sea, and 
 
 145
 
 cleanliness marked the jjlaces where you could see American soldiers 
 eating American food. The food at this time consisted of hard tack, 
 corned beef, tomatoes, and a little jam to the fellow who was lucky 
 enough to get it. This trip in the cars was not very pleasant, as every 
 soldier knows who has had a ride in one of them, and a distance of 
 more than 280 miles was quite fatiguing to the entire lot. 
 
 A soon as they got off at St. Florent they hiked 24 miles to a 
 small village called La Salle Conda ; this little inland town was soon 
 filled with soldiers. The officers, of course, were first taken care of, 
 their horses next, and the soldiers came next. Ed. was billeted in a 
 small barn. 
 
 At La Salle Conda they were once more put to the test ; they 
 were given gas drills, bayonet drills, with gas masks on, and any other 
 kind of drilling that would toughen the soldiers. These warm rainy 
 September days were not very healthy for the boys and many con- 
 tracted pneumonia, one of whom was Liman Neunaber, who on account 
 of double pneumonia had to remain in camp when Ed. and the others 
 left. They were at La Salle Conda from the 15th of September to the 
 21st of October, when they left for the Verdun Front. They again 
 left in the famous old French cars, reaching the front on the 24th 
 day of October, making the distance of about 400 miles in three days 
 and two nights. 
 
 Ed. was placed in Co. C, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division. After 
 joining the division at Avrecourt they left for the front line, crossing 
 the Meuse River. Avrecourt, once a beautiful city, now a mass of 
 ruins, was used by the Americans as a resting place. Here Ed. rested 
 up, cleaned up, went through the delouser and got ready for the next 
 dash. Avrecourt and vicinity were a sad sight. The forest near 
 was termed "Fly Woods," the Germans had left their dead unburied, 
 and as might be expected flies were thick there. Avrecourt lay in a 
 hollow and the woods and hills around it had formerly been part of 
 the great Hindenburg line. After this place had been evacuated by 
 the Germans the Americans occupied it, cleaned it up a bit so that 
 American troops had a place in which to rest. 
 
 The company remained here about five days. At this time they 
 were still in support and behind the fighting line, and only the big 
 shells would fall around them, but they either flew high or fell short ; 
 the worst feature of the game at this time was the aeroplane bomb- 
 ing. It seemed to be the enemy's intention to keep the American 
 reserves back as much as possible, but no enemy was seen at this time 
 and only the rattle of machine guns could be heard in the distance. 
 
 146
 
 Crossing the Meuse on the 6th of November, they traveled east. 
 On and on they went. So did the Germans. After they had crossed 
 the Meuse the first battalion joined the 5th Division, went through 
 Bantheville, and by the 8th of November again left the 5th Division 
 and went back to the 32nd Division which was stationed at Peuvilliers 
 in the Roman Sector. They had traveled eastward quite a long 
 distance ; when at Peuvilliers the 32nd Division made an attack on the 
 enemy, and although successful their casualties were very heavy. In 
 this fight they lost 6 officers, 137 men killed ; 6 officers, 198 men 
 wounded ; 11 officers, 236 men gassed ; 2 officers, 44 men missing, and 
 2 officers, 7 men died of wounds. 
 
 Many of the 128th were killed and they buried 56 out of the 1st 
 battalion. These, however, were not buried until after the armistice 
 was signed and firing had ceased. During these trying hours the con- 
 test was not altogether one-sided, for the enemy would sometimes stop 
 and react, sometimes causing our boys to hurriedly retreat to better 
 shelter. It was in one of these retreats made by the Americans on 
 account of having no support, or having gone too far and being with- 
 out shelter, that Ed. was w^ounded, having been shot in the hand ; the 
 boys retreated about one and one-half miles but it was impossible for 
 Ed. to make it, so he hid in a shell hole with two others who were 
 also unable to go any farther. Here the Germans found them and 
 made them prisoners. This was on the Argonne front on the eve 
 of the 10th of November, not many hours before firing ceased. This 
 was undoubtedly the last onslaught the Germans made. Besides be- 
 ing wounded in the hand, a piece was shot from his helmet, his leggins 
 cut, and he received a little tear gas which affected his eyes. 
 
 The Germans overrun this territory, throwing hand grenades ; 
 these were in the form of a potato masher and were named that by our 
 men. They were thrown with the handle in the hand and when 
 they would light they would touch the ground with the heavy end and 
 explode. 
 
 Although the enemy lost quite heavily, leaving 35 dead or 
 wounded on the battlefield, we lost in wounded and captured, one 
 lieutenant, one captain, one sergeant and 16 privates. On the night 
 of the 10th of November the Germans marched their prisoners into 
 their lines, past their artillery that was stuck hub deep in the mud 
 and unable to move, but that night they sent over the American lines 
 the most terrible barrage Ed. had ever heard. He was by that time 
 nearly two miles behind the cannon, but his hut shook and trembled 
 all night. There was no sleep that night, his wound having been 
 treated and the Germans having amputated his thumb caused him too 
 much discomfort for any rest. 
 
 147
 
 No sooner had the armistice been signed when the German 
 officers lost control of their men and they were seen leaving every- 
 thing. A Frenchman came to where Ed. was and asked him in a few 
 words of German he could speak, and Ed. understanding the few 
 words he could understand, if he wanted to go to the hospital, for his 
 arm was swollen to such an extent that it was feared blood poison 
 would set in. Ed. was not long in accepting the invitation, and this 
 kind Frenchman, who had been a prisoner of war for a long time, 
 took him to a private French hospital named Societe Des Acieries de 
 Longwy. This kind man, named Lugene Harry, gave him a "shot" 
 in the arm to kill blood poison germs. He had to walk a long 
 distance farther to reach this hospital ; when he finally reached the 
 place they treated his wound. Here he remained seven days and 
 while he was there he saw the most stuff moved toward Germany that 
 could be hauled or dragged homeward ; everything you could think 
 of was hauled homeward : Cannon, cavalry, cattle, feed, supplies and 
 ammunition ; and anything and everything that could be saved from 
 the wreckage made the rock roads impassable. 
 
 The food that he received at this hospital was very scarce, con- 
 sisting of light soups, but it was the best they had and even this small 
 amount was appreciated. A sister of Harry by the name of Carrie 
 and a relative of the owner of the hospital came over one day and 
 brought some cakes. She took him to her home where he had a 
 chance to clean up and shave, for he had not had a chance at a real 
 cleanup in the last three weeks and he felt like he looked. After this 
 he felt better, for the wound was healing nicely. He remained there 
 a day and a night. 
 
 The American officers had by this time reached the place ; they 
 sent him back into France, a distance of more than 200 miles to a 
 French hospital at Contrexeville, in the southern part of France, that 
 had never been visited by the invaders. He traveled in a first class 
 French passenger coach about 18 hours. This train was controlled 
 by the French Red Cross, who treated him fine. His arm was still 
 swollen and in a sling. He remained here two weeks and his hand 
 was treated every day. Cloth bandages were scarce and Ed. had his 
 hand wrapped in tissue paper instead of cloth. There were about 
 300 patients at this hospital ; wounded, shell shocked, gassed and 
 blind — the sight was pitiful to behold. This hospital at Contrexe- 
 ville, called Base 32, had formerly been a French summer resort, and 
 had been used as a summer resort for tourists, for they had the most 
 beautiful springs there. Some years before this Theodore Roose- 
 velt had visited this place, for his name was on the register as a guest 
 
 148
 
 while on a tour through France. Ed. remained there two weeks and 
 was sent to Base 28, about 128 miles from Bordeaux. 
 
 He traveled on an American train conducted by the American Red 
 Cross. At Base 28 he was classified as a casual, and remained there 
 10 days, when he boarded another Red Cross train for Bordeaux, where 
 he was again inspected. Before leaving any hospital he was deloused 
 and inspected. At Bordeaux Base 20, which was used as a receiving 
 station, he received four months' pay. 
 
 The 8,000 soldiers who were stationed here were classed as casuals 
 and consisted of wounded, shell shocked, gassed, and in truth soldiers 
 with all kinds of afflictions. Base 20 was stationed about five miles 
 from the city. 
 
 While at this place he met a person from St. Louis by the name 
 of Henry W. Kastrup, with whom he became well acquainted, and dur- 
 ing his five weeks' stay they became the same as brothers and were 
 together most of the time, for their sympathies were of the same 
 nature. 
 
 Ed. once more boarded a Red Cross train for Bordeaux where he 
 boarded the U. S. S. Siboney for home. This ship had been a U. S. 
 mail boat, but was now being used as a transport. The Siboney, a 
 fast boat, had on board many casuals, and when they left the shores 
 of France they were but 3268 miles from Broadway. They would 
 have reached this place in seven days, but the sea was so rough that 
 it took them twelve days to cross. On account of the terrible storms 
 they made only nine miles one night, and this roughness made them all 
 sicker than dogs and Ed. lost 13 pounds in those 12 days. He ate 
 but five meals while he was on the boat. He finally landed at New 
 York on the 3rd of March and was taken in an ambulance to Green 
 Hut Embarco No. 3, New York. He remained at Green Hut eleven 
 days, and was then sent to Camp Grant to a Hospital Ward 53. 
 
 The Red Cross treated him well wherever he went. Nothing was 
 too good for the boys. He remained at Camp Grant hospital eight 
 days when he received a 10-day pass to see home folks. He returned 
 to Camp Grant where his eyes were again treated and his hand also, 
 for it was not quite healed. He was then discharged from the hos- 
 pital and sent to a convalescent center at Camp Grant. He remained 
 there until the 19th day of April, when he was discharged, reaching 
 home Sunday, the 20th day of April, 1919. In conclusion it can 
 be stated here that he surprised his parents, for the moment he arrived 
 at Edwardsville he was picked up by the Mike Neunaber family, who 
 happened to be in Edwardsville at the time, and was at once taken to 
 his home, making this the happiest of Easter Sundays. 
 
 149
 
 From the time he left the States in September, 1918, he never re- 
 ceived any mail until he again reached the States and that was while 
 he was at Green Hut. It was not until then that he received the sad 
 news of his brother Henry's death. Ed. had received much returned 
 mail since he got home ; for on account of his being in a hospital or 
 on the firing line it was difficult to locate him. 
 
 While in France he saw many interesting sights, principally 
 among them were the Chinese laborers working in lumber yards. 
 There were as many as 5,000 at one place driving 150 teams of oxen ; 
 he noted the size of the oxen, each weighing more than a ton ; he also 
 noted the scarcity of horses ; at one place he saw cannon, ammunition 
 trains, war materials, aeroplanes and other supplies that the Americans 
 had captured from the Germans, that if put on cars would make a 
 train 50 miles long ; he saw tobacco so scarce that sometimes one cigar- 
 ette had to suffice for six ; he found himself so hungry at times that 
 he had to help steal bread to pacify his appetite ; thus the experiences 
 of the soldier both in this country and in Europe varied, and this will 
 have to suffice here, for the trials and tribulations besides their enjoy- 
 ments must be recorded in this book also. 
 
 We are glad Ed. is among us again ; he was a splendid pupil, a 
 jolly good youth among his pals, and now a valuable farmer and 
 citizen to the credit of his neighborhood. Following is his honorable 
 discharge and his enlistment record. His service record is not com- 
 plete and will follow the enlistment record if obtainable before this is 
 printed. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Edward A. 
 Stahlhut, No. 3104735, Private, Infantry unassigned, last assigned 
 Co. C, 128th Infantry, the United States Army, as a testimonial of 
 honest and faithful service, is hereby honorably discharged from the 
 military service of the United States, by reason of Per Par. S. O. Hq. 
 Camp Grant, 111. Said Edward A. Stahlhut was born in Edwards- 
 ville in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 30 years of age 
 and by occupation a farmer. He had blue eyes, light hair, light com- 
 plexion, and was 6 feet 1 inch in height. Given under my hand at 
 Camp Grant, 111., this 19th day of April, 1919. Roy T. Piatt, Major 
 Inf. U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Edward A. Stahlhut. Grade: Private. Inducted June 
 24, 1918, at Edwardsville, III, serving in first enlistment period at 
 date of discharge. Prior service: None. Non-commissioned officer: 
 
 150
 
 Private. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Not quali- 
 fied. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, 
 skirmishes, expeditions : No records available. Knowledge of any 
 vocation: Farmer. Wounds received in service: No records avail- 
 able. Physical condition when discharged : Good. Typhoid prophy- 
 laxis completed July, 1918. Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed July 
 1,1918. Married or single : Single. Character: Excellent. Re- 
 marks : Soldier's service honest and faithful. No A. W. O. L. or 
 absence under G. O. 31-12 or 45-14. Entitled to travel pay to Ed- 
 wardsville. 111. Signature of soldier : Edward A. Stahlhut. W. S. 
 Fuller, Capt. Inf. U. S. A., Commanding 1st Co. C. C. Camp Grant, 
 111., April 19, 1919. Paid in full: $118.45, including bonus of $60.00. 
 Act of Feb. 24, 1919. S. H. Francis, Captain Quartermaster Corps. 
 
 EDWARD G. SCHOENBAUM 
 
 Edward G. Schoenbaum, son of Ben and Mary Schcenbaum, was 
 born on a farm about three miles west of Bethalto, Dec. 10, 1893. His 
 father was born in Germany and came to America when he was about 
 18 years old. He came from that part of Germany that was formerly 
 called Hanover, which was termed in later years as "Must Be Prussia." 
 Ed.'s mother was born on the Plegge farm in Wood River township, 
 two miles west of Bethalto. Ed. attended the Walnut Grove school 
 west of Bethalto until he was nine years old, when the parents moved 
 to another farm four miles southeast of Bethalto, and Ed. finished his 
 schooling at the Grove school, completing the Eighth grade work. 
 On account of his father's death Ed. had to help manage the farm. He 
 registered for the draft in June, 1917, but was not called to the colors 
 until June 24, 1918. 
 
 He, with many other Fort Russell boys, left Edwardsville for 
 Camp Taylor June 24, 1918. He was placed in the 159th Depot 
 Brigade and later transferred to Company C, 156th regiment ; while at 
 Camp Taylor the boys drilled and hiked for about three weeks, after 
 that they were sent to Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, about 60 miles 
 north of New Orleans, the company having its headquarters at Baton 
 Rouge, and became known as the Old National Guard regiment. The 
 company remained at Camp Beauregard but a month and during this 
 time the boys received the only real training that was to be given 
 them in preparation for overseas service. Here they had rifle prac- 
 tice, bayonet drills and gas drills and such other exercises as could 
 be taught in this short space of time. 
 
 151
 
 The company left camp on the 10th of August for Camp Mills, 
 an embarkation camp for overseas soldiers. Here they remained 
 about eight days, receiving their equipment for overseas duty ; they 
 should have sailed sooner but the shortage of clothing delayed them 
 several days, although the ship lay ready waiting for the boys. They 
 went on board on the 22nd day of August. The ship was the Presi- 
 dent Grant that had formerly been a large freighter and having been 
 fitted out as a transport. 
 
 The President Grant was about 800 feet long and 60 feet wide, 
 and on this trip carried 4,500 soldiers. She headed straight for 
 Brest, France, reaching port on the 3rd of September. After land- 
 ing they were marched for six miles out into the country passing the 
 Old Napoleon Barracks; they pitched their "pup" tents on the hill- 
 sides, for the camp had not been enlarged enough to accommodate so 
 many soldiers. They received their supplies from the old barracks 
 and the camp was called Pontenesen. The 155th and 156th regiments of 
 infantry, machine gun battalion and artillery remained at this camp 
 but six days and then went farther inland to a place called St. Flor- 
 ent. They rode two days and three nights in these side door Pull- 
 mans. These cars were large enough to hold either 8 horses or 40 
 men, and although they were only small cattle cars they crowded near- 
 ly 40 soldiers into each car. The only advantage these companies 
 had over many another company was that they were rationed by the 
 American government, for our pure American food was fit to eat both 
 on land and on sea and cleanliness marked the places where you could 
 see American soldiers eating American food. The food at this time 
 consisted of hard tack, corned beef, tomatoes and a little jam to the 
 fellow who was lucky enough to get it. This trip in the cars was 
 not very pleasant as every soldier knows who has had a ride in one 
 of them, and a distance of more than 280 miles was quite fatiguing on 
 the entire lot. 
 
 As soon as they got off at St. Florent they hiked 24 miles to a 
 small village called La Salle Conda ; this little inland town was soon 
 filled with soldiers; the officers got the best housing, the horses and 
 mules got next best and the soldiers got what was left in the form of 
 barns and sheds. Ed. was billeted in one of these third-class billets. 
 At La Salle Conda they were once more put to the test; they were 
 given gas drills, bayonet drills with gas masks on and any other drills 
 that spelled intensive. These warm and rainy September days were 
 not very healthy days for the boys and many contracted pneumonia, 
 one of whom was Limon Neunaber who on account of that had to re- 
 main in camp when his friends left. 
 
 152
 
 Ed. was at La Salle Conda from September 15th to October 21st, 
 when he and his bunch left for the Verdun front. They again left 
 in the famous old cars reaching the front on the 24th day of October, 
 making the distance of about 400 miles in three days, and two nights. 
 He was placed in Co. E, 128th regiment 32nd Division. After join- 
 ing the division at Avrecourt they left for the front, crossing the 
 Meuse River, 
 
 Avrecourt, once a beautiful city, now a mass of ruins, was used 
 by the Americans as a resting place. Here Ed. rested up, cleaned 
 up, went through a delouser and got ready for another dash. Avre- 
 court and vicinity were a sad sight. The forest was termed "Fly 
 Woods" on account of the dead the Germans had left unburied in their 
 retreat, and the flies were thick in the woods. Avrecourt lay in a 
 hollow and the woods and hills around it had formerly been part of 
 the great Hindenburg line. 
 
 After this place had been evacuated by the Germans the 
 Americans occupied it ; cleaned it up a bit so that the American troops 
 had a place in which to rest. They remained there about five days ; 
 at this time they were still in support and behind the fighting line and 
 only the big shells would fall around them, but they either flew high 
 or fell short, the worst feature of the game at this time was the aero- 
 plane bombing. It seemed to be the enemy's intention to keep the 
 reserves back as much as possible. No Germans were seen at this 
 time and only the rattle of machine guns could be heard in the 
 distance. Crossing the Meuse on the 6th of November they trav- 
 eled east. On and on they went, so did the Germans. After they 
 had crossed the Meuse the first battalion joined the 5th Division, 
 went through Bantheville and by the 8th of November again left the 
 5th Division and back to the 32nd Division which was stationed at 
 Peuvilliers in the Romain Sector. They had traveled quite a long 
 distance when at Peuviliers the 32nd Division made an attack on the 
 enemy and although successful their casualties were quite heavy. 
 In this fight they lost 6 officers, 137 men killed ; 6 oft'icers, 198 men 
 wounded; 11 officers, 236 men gassed; 2 officers, 44 men missing, 2 
 officers, 7 men died of wounds. Many of the 128th were killed and 
 they buried 56 out of the 1st battalion. These, however, were not 
 buried until after the armistice was signed. It seems like this 
 slaughter could have been avoided on what was later on known as 
 the last real fighting day. They shot much gas but Ed. was very 
 careful with his gas mask and took no chances and those who risked 
 more were soon taken to the hospital, for many inhaled gas before 
 they realized what it was. 
 
 153
 
 It is said that in some instances the Americans fought to the last 
 hour; but their officers came to their boys on the morning of the 
 11th and told them to avoid further bloodshed, to shoot only when 
 a raiding party came on ; for the armistice would probably be signed 
 on that day when fighting would be at an end. The boys could hardly 
 believe their offcers for they had heard so many stories that later on 
 had been contradicted that it was hard to believe anything; yet the 
 orders of not firing were strictly adhered to and the enemy made no 
 advance, although they kept up a continual cannonading, but there 
 was no damage done for it was all in one line and it seemed they were 
 only completing their program in a mechanical way. 
 
 When the hour arrived, the hour of all hours, firing ceased and a 
 deadly stillness prevailed, but this stillness did not last long for soon 
 the Germans were seen coming across the lines to where the Americans 
 were, throwing everything away and their hats up in the air. Their 
 officers had lost control of them, and they came across to show their 
 friendship, but they were told this could not be allowed and unless 
 they wanted to be taken prisoner they had better hurry back which 
 they did, stating they were going straight home. These had been 
 trying hours for Ed. ; he assisted in burying his comrades, he did 
 some guard duty, he guarded a bridge on the morning of the 11th. 
 Ed. and five others were guarding the bridge when firing ceased, quiet 
 prevailed and fraternizing commenced and stopped. 
 
 Soon after the real excitement commenced. Prisoners were 
 turned loose and they came strolling into camp; all sorts and sizes, 
 with all sorts of clothing. It was sure some mixture that came 
 strolling back to the American lines ; some Americans in khaki, some 
 French, some Moroccans, and some Italians. But for some reason 
 unknown there were no English prisoners among them. But the 
 saddest yet the most laughable was the scene when upon closer in- 
 spection you could see the poor boys' clothing and general appear- 
 ance. After they had been taken prisoner they had been sadly neg- 
 lected and when they did come strolling back many had no shoes, 
 many wore German caps, many had whiskers and hair all over their 
 heads. The scene cannot be overdrawn and we will let the reader 
 alone in his own imagination, for this kept up from the 11th day of 
 November until the 17th, making six days of a continual flow of wel- 
 come boys. 
 
 On the 17th of November they started to march eastward, reach- 
 ing the Luxemburg line on the 23rd and remained there until the first 
 of December; for according to the armistice terms they were not 
 allowed to cross the line until then. 
 
 154
 
 They celebrated Thanksgiving on the Luxemburg line and ate 
 Thanksgiving dinner there. It consisted of food that had been 
 abandoned by the Germans in their hurried retreat. This was not a 
 fancy American Thanksgiving dinner but it was appreciated just the 
 same. They crossed the Sour River into Luxemburg at 7 :30 in the 
 morning of December 1st at a place called Rosport on the Sour. 
 Here in Luxemburg the soldiers ate and slept in houses ; they had al- 
 most forgotten what the inside of a house looked like, and this mode 
 of living was sure appreciated by the boys. Ed. was stationed in a 
 beautiful school house which was now exclusively used by the sol- 
 diers ; it was electrically lighted and heated. 
 
 From the Sour River they started their march across Luxemburg 
 traveling sometimes as much as 40 miles a day ; they would hike 50 
 minutes and rest 10 minutes. They reached the Rhine River on 
 the 12th, crossing the famous bridge at Engers on the 13th. Engers 
 is a few miles north and below Coblenz, and the bridge that they 
 crossed had been built by prisoners of war. It was said not an 
 American soldier had assisted in building this bridge consisting of 
 large arches and was large enough for a railroad and a wagon road. 
 They crossed this bridge on Friday, the 13th, which was construed 
 by many Americans as unlucky and they feared that they would never 
 get back. They hiked about 20 miles inland and took up positions 
 in various towns, making Dierdorf as the center of activity. The 
 principal duty was to guard the outposts to see that no one crossed 
 the ten mile neutral zone that had been established. No one could 
 cross in either direction without a pass, so the Americans guarded 
 one side of the neutral zone and the Germans the other. No fra- 
 ternizing was allowed. 
 
 They remained at Dierdorf until Dec. 26th, spending Christmas in 
 glorious style. The Germans prepared Christmas trees and they 
 served wine, cigars and everything the town could afford. After the 
 26th of December they occupied smaller towns such as Puderbach and 
 Steinmel, still guarding the line. They remained at Steinmel until 
 the 19th day of April, when they started for home. They were loaded 
 on trucks as soon as they had been relieved by the 2nd Division. They 
 traveled in trucks through the western part of Germany until they 
 once more reached Envers on the Rhine. Here they were put in 
 American box cars, passed through Coblenz, and on the 20th, Easter 
 morning, passed through Metz, then through Neuchateau, Toul, St. 
 Aignan, Rennes, St. Brieuc and Brest which they reached on the 22nd 
 of April after a 70 hour ride in American box cars which were much 
 
 155
 
 larger and gave them much better accommodations than the French 
 cars. 
 
 They remained at Brest until the 26th, when they boarded the 
 good ship George Washington at 11 a. m. They were on the sea 
 but eight days and although many became seasick Ed. was sick but 
 very little. They reached New York on the 5th of May, were sent 
 to Camp Mills and from there to Camp Grant, where he was dis- 
 charged on the 19th of May, just a month after they left Germany. 
 Following is his discharge: 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Edward G. 
 Schoenbaum, 3104730, Private, 1st class Co. E, 128th Infantry, the 
 United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is 
 hereby honorably discharged from the military service of the United 
 States by reason of convenience of government. Per Cir. 106 War 
 Dept., 1918. Said Edward G. Schoenbaum was born in East Alton 
 in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 24 6-12 years of age 
 and by occupation a farmer. He had blue eyes, dark hair, medium 
 complexion and was 5 feet 8 1-2 inches in height. Given under my 
 hand at Camp Grant, 111., this 19th day of April, 1919. F. J. Schnel- 
 ler. Major Infantry U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 Name: Edward G. Schoenbaum. Grade: Private 1st class. 
 Inducted June 24, 1918, at Edwardsville, 111., serving in first enlist- 
 ment period at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-com- 
 missioned officer: Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or 
 rating : Not rated. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engage- 
 ments, skirmishes, expeditions: Meuse-Argonne Offensive Oct. 24, 
 1918, to Nov. 11, 1918, Army of Occupation Nov. 17, 1918, to April 
 19, 1919. Knowledge of any vocation : Farming. Wounds received 
 in service: None. Physical condition when discharged: Good. 
 Typhoid prophylaxis completed : 3-16-1918. Paratyphoid prophylaxis 
 completed 3-16-1918. Married or single: Single. Character: Ex- 
 cellent. Remarks — . Signature of soldier: Edward G. Schoen- 
 baum. Chas. E. Wadamen, 1st Lieut. Inf. 161st D. B., Camp Grant, 
 111., May 19, 1919. Paid in full : $127.55, including bonus of $60.00, 
 Act of Feb. 24, 1919. S. H. Francis, Captain Quartermaster Corps. 
 
 156
 
 FRANK J. STARKEY 
 
 Frank J. Starkey, son of Frank and Fannie Starkey, was born in 
 Bethalto, January 16. 1893. He attended the Bethalto school, com- 
 pleting- the Ninth grade. After he quit school he worked on his 
 father's farm for a while but did not remain on the farm long for hav- 
 ing learned telegraphy he went to work for the Big Four Railroad 
 Company, St. Louis Division, as telegrapher. In June, 1917, he was 
 telegrapher at Shelbyville and it was there he registered but he gave 
 Bethalto as his home and it was from this district that he was called 
 to the colors, although he was working at Livingston when he was 
 called. 
 
 He left with the Alton contingent Sept. 20, 1917, having been 
 sworn in the day before. Frank reached Camp Taylor at 10:30 at 
 night and the next day he was placed in Co. E, 333rd Infantry. He was 
 one of the first to reach Camp Taylor. His principal duty was in- 
 fantry drills or company duty as it is often called. He was put in 
 the 333rd Headquarters band for two weeks, but he preferred other 
 line of duty and Frank finally succeeded in getting a transfer in 
 October, 1917, to Co. C, 309th Signal Battalion. This was more to 
 his liking and he was well qualified for this position. His principal 
 duties now were signaling, telephony, line work, telegraphy, radio, 
 heliography, electricity and many other duties connected with this 
 line of work, such as coding, semaphore, etc. 
 
 Frank entered as a private and became first class private in De- 
 cember, 1917, and corporal on the 15th of March, 1918, and sergeant 
 May 1, 1918. In February, 1918, he passed the examination in gas, 
 smoke and fiame school and received his certificate. On June 3 his 
 company was sent to Camp Sherman, Ohio, where his duties remained 
 the same. He was sent to the Gas Noncommissioned Officers' School, 
 and passing the examination was made a non-com. the middle of June, 
 His duties from then on varied. He became instructor in the gas 
 school. The object of this was to teach the soldiers gas warfare not 
 only from a defensive standpoint but for offensive purpose also. On 
 June 21, he took examination for sergeant first-class, the questions 
 having been prepared at Washington, and passing he was made 
 sergeant first class, on the 25th of June. His work was the same 
 as before until August, when his company left Camp Sherman for 
 overseas duty. They were sent to Camp Mills, L. L, where they 
 were equipped for overseas duty. The company had been in training 
 a long time and every one was ready and eager to go. 
 
 While at Camp Mills, Frank was put in charge of the 4th section 
 of Co. C, which consisted of 65 men. They left Hoboken at 10:45 
 
 157
 
 a. m. on the 9th of September, 1918, in the same convoy with many 
 other Bethalto boys, among- whom were Ted Zimmermann, Les Prehn 
 and Frank Driscol, and the trip across is fully described elsewhere. 
 There were 14 ships in the convoy and Frank sailed on H. M. S. 
 Grampian, a large British ship, and 8,000 of our American boys were 
 put under the rules of the British, especially in the line of food, and 
 the only word Frank had by way of softening the tone of his feel- 
 ing was "Bum," which means anything but fancy in our American 
 language. Part of the convoy went south down the Irish sea and 
 landed at Liverpool, and part entered the Firth of Clyde and landed 
 at Glasgow, Scotland. One submarine was sunk and one after they 
 left the convoy. They landed at 2 a. m. on the 20th day of September 
 and got on the train at once and went to Winchester, England ; and 
 at Camp Winnell Down Frank, to his surprise, met Ted and Les, who 
 had just arrived from Liverpool, for they had been in the same con- 
 voy. 
 
 Frank had a chance to visit many interesting places in Win- 
 chester, among which was the Winchester Cathedral, in which lie 
 buried the remains of Joan of Arc and many notable personages of 
 ancient time. Frank left Winnel Down before Ted and Les, thus 
 sparing him that memorable hike from there to Southampton for the 
 trainmen did not go on a strike until the next day. He rode to 
 Southampton and got on the boat to cross the channel that same 
 night. The sea was rough and the weather stormy. The boat was 
 used to carry German prisoners one way and American soldiers the 
 other. A submarine was encountered but the sea was too rough and 
 the submarine was chased away without doing any damage to the 
 boat, which crossed in ten hours and landed at Cherbourg, France, at 
 2 o'clock in the morning. 
 
 They marched to a British rest camp four miles away ; they were 
 rationed by the British and the principal rest they received was a 
 stomach rest. They rested in round tents large enough for eight, 
 but in this instance they put fourteen in each tent. They slept with 
 their heads outside and their feet up the tent pole. Thus they rested 
 two days when they were put in box cars and were hauled to Neuvic, 
 near Bordeaux. From Neuvic they hiked 24 miles to Monpont. 
 While there the Signal Platoon was attached to the 336th Infantry and 
 Frank was put in charge of 130 men. They established telegraph 
 and telephone lines between Mont and Mussidan, a distance of 17 
 miles. They installed telephones to get into direct communication 
 with the 84th Division of which they were a part. The object was to 
 establish communication between points in this area of southern 
 
 158
 
 France where the 84th Division was located. They remained there 
 until the first of October, then went back to Neuvic and from there 
 to Les Montiles in first class coaches to within about nine miles of 
 Blois, in the north central part of France. Then the battalion was 
 broke up and Frank was transferred to the 9th Field Signal Battalion, 
 5th Division. Here he became sergeant first class upon reaching the 
 Sedan front. In going from Blois to the front to join the 5th 
 Division Frank suflfered severely from cold. 
 
 Frank reached the front about the first of November, and 
 just as they were ready to go into action the armistice was 
 signed. Their headquarters were on the Mt. Faucon front, but 
 Frank did not reach Mt. Faucon. He remained between 
 Verdun and Dun Sur Meuse, after the armistice. He remained 
 one night at Dun Sur Meuse, then went north to Lion where 
 the Battalion and Division Headquarters were stationed. These 
 were usually together and Frank remained there two days. He was 
 next put on detached service, 407th Telephone Battalion. He then 
 went to Longuyon where he worked in the telegraph ofifice two days. 
 He then went to Lux City, where he worked in the telegraph office 
 until the first of February, 1919. Frank was on duty eight hours 
 a day, and the work seemed much like the work he had done while 
 he was in America. Up to the time and many days after the arm- 
 istice was signed a great deal of the time was spent in hiking from 
 place to place and the distance hiked can be counted only in hundreds 
 of miles, and although much devastated area was traversed, little could 
 be observed and although many bodies were still strewn along their 
 path little heed could be taken of it for during these long dreary hikes 
 the boys became weary and foot sore, and their personal welfare out- 
 shadowed all items of interest. This is the main reason so many of our 
 boys passed so many noted places without taking any notice of them. 
 The spirit was willing to note these things, but the body was too weary. 
 Thus it happened when Frank got back to steady employment and 
 again received fine treatment in Lion, where he roomed with a private 
 German family, Frank became Happy-Go-Lucky Frank again. \Miile 
 he was stationed in occupied territory he received excellent treatment 
 from the inhabitants. They spoke no English, but German and 
 French, besides their own, the Luxemburg language. 
 
 He remained until February 1, when he was relieved and sent 
 to Esch sur Alzette, where he did company duty and was put in 
 charge of the 1st platoon Co. C. Here they drilled a while but he 
 was soon put on special duty and he worked nights at Division Head- 
 quarters telegraph office. Although the weather was cold Frank 
 
 159
 
 did not suffer any for his work was mostly indoors. Though the in- 
 habitants of this section were not required to serve in the army, many 
 through sympathy joined the French army and many joined the Ger- 
 man army. 
 
 At Esch the duty was light and the telegraph work made the time 
 pass quite rapidly ; and while there he went as a courier with Major 
 Temple of the Signal Battalion on some mission to Berlin. Thus we 
 find Frank the only Bethalto boy to enter the city of Berlin. He 
 saw the beauties of the city ; he saw Unter Den Linden Street ; and 
 as many sights as could be seen in one day. From Berlin they trav- 
 eled to Coblenz, where he remained two days and took a trip up the 
 Rhine, the beauties of which is left to the imagination of the reader. 
 He went as far as Bingen-on-the-Rhine. He visited the Kaiser's 
 castle and saw the beautiful furniture, he saw many relics of Roman 
 times ; he saw the clock that was made in the 14th century. The 
 floors of this castle were so smooth and beautiful that you had to 
 wear felt shoes before you could enter any of these rooms. 
 
 After the second day at Coblenz he went back to Esch. In 
 March Frank received another pass and he took advantage of it by 
 going into Southern France ; he went to Chamouix near the Swiss 
 border, where the beauties of Mt. Blanc and the Alps were more pleas- 
 ant to behold than the scenes on the Rhine. 
 
 During Frank's stay in the army he had four passes ; the first one 
 a five-day pass at Camp Taylor in January, 1918, the second at Camp 
 Taylor in June, 1918 ; during this three-day pass he visited home folks 
 at Bethalto ; the third was a two-day pass to Coblenz ; and the fourth 
 a seven-day pass to southern France. On July 8th Frank once more 
 left Esch ; this time he was wending his way homeward. After a 
 three days' ride in American box cars he arrived at Brest on the 11th 
 and remained there four days and on July 15th he sailed from France 
 on the U. S. Radnor, landing at Hoboken on the 28th of July. He 
 was sent to Camp Mills, from which place he was sent to Camp Grant, 
 where he was discharged on the third of August, the last and longest 
 day during his entire army life. He reached Alton at 5 :40 the next 
 morning, from where he was taken to his home near Bethalto. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all v/hom it may concern : This is to certify that Frank J. 
 Starkey, 19SS156, sergeant 1st class Co. C, 9th Field Signal Bn., the 
 United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, 
 is hereby honorably discharged from the military service of the 
 
 160
 
 GEORGE LUMAN 
 
 Co. A, 125th Reg. Engineers 
 
 GEORGE F. SMITH 
 
 Co. I, 132nd Infantry 
 
 WILLIAM H. LUMAN 
 Corp., Co. K, 309th Infantry 
 
 FRANK J. STARKEY 
 
 Sgt., Co. C, 9th Field Sig. Bn.
 
 HENRY C. BANGERT 
 
 Co. F, 362nd Infantry 
 
 GUSTAVE H. BANGERT 
 Co. E, 132nd Infantry 
 
 EDWARD BANGERT 
 
 Co. E, 132nd Infantry 
 
 BEN T. ALBERS 
 
 Wag., 46th Infantry
 
 United States, by reason of convenience of government demobilization 
 of organization, per circular 106 W. D. 1918. Said Frank J. Starkey 
 was born in Bethalto in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 
 23 years of age and by occupation a telegrapher. He had blue eyes, 
 brown hair, light complexion, and was 5 feet 6 3-4 inches in height. 
 Given under my hand at Camp Grant, 111., this 4th day of August, 1919. 
 Harry B. Goodwin, Major Infantry, Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Frank J. Starkey. Grade: Sergeant 1st class. Inducted 
 9-19-1917, at Alton, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date of 
 discharge. Prior service: None. Non-commissioned officer: 
 Sergeant 1st class. Marksmanship, gimner qualification or rating: 
 Not rated. Horsemanship. Not mounted. Battles, engagements, 
 skirmishes, expeditions : None. A. E. F. decorations, badges : None. 
 Medals, citations : None. Knowledge of any vocation : Telegrapher. 
 Wounds received in service: None. Physical condition when dis- 
 charged: Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed 9-30-17. Para- 
 typhoid prophylaxis completed 9-30-17. Married or single: Single. 
 Character: Excellent. Remarks: Entitled to travel pay to Alton, 
 111. Sailed from U. S. 9-9-18, returned to U. S. 7-28-19. Absence 
 without leave under G. O. No. 3 W. D. 1912 and No. 45 W. D 1914 : 
 None Signature of soldier : Frank J. Starkey. H. F. Higgins, Inf. 
 Demob. Group, Commanding. Camp Grant, 111., Aug. 4, 1919. Paid 
 in full $119.35, including bonus of $60.00, Act of Feb. 24, 1919. 
 P. G. Hoyt, Maj. Q. M. C. 
 
 CLARENCE S. RYAN 
 
 Clarence S. Ryan, son of William and Katherine Ryan, was born 
 in Dorchester, 111., Feb. 17, 1899. The family moved to Bethalto 
 when Clarence was four years of age and he has considered this his 
 home since. He attended the Bethalto school, completing the Eighth 
 grade. After he quit school he worked for the Beall Bros. Tool 
 Company. During the summer of 1917 Companies I and M, of the 
 Illinois National Guard were stationed at East Alton, guarding the 
 Western Cartridge Co., which had at that time large contracts making 
 ammunition to prosecute the war. 
 
 Clarence, under these influences and circumstances, got the 
 patriotic spirit that so many had at the beginning of the vx^ar, and he 
 enlisted in the Illinois National Guard Company I on the 27th day 
 
 161
 
 of August, 1917, when he was but 18 years of age. On September 
 1st he was sent to Camp Logan, Texas, with his company, reaching 
 that place September 4, 1917. He remained in Co. I until December 
 26th, when his regiment, the Fifth, of which Co. I was a part, formed 
 the 122nd, 123rd, and 124th Machine Gun Battalion. He remained 
 in Co. D of the 123rd M. G. B. until March 5, 1918, when he was trans- 
 ferred to Supply Co. 131 si Infantry of the 33rd Division, which had 
 formerly been known as the First Illinois Infantry. His position in 
 the Supply Company of the 131st was that of Wagoner, which he held 
 throughout his entire period of enlistment. Before he became part 
 of the Supply Company his time was taken up in the usual line of 
 drilling, etc. ; after the change his duty was to haul ammunition, sup- 
 plies, and rations for his company. 
 
 Clarence remained at Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, until the 9th 
 of May, when he with his company was sent to Camp Upton, N. Y., 
 making his way to the East for transportation across for overseas 
 duty. After being equipped for this purpose he boarded the ship 
 "Leviathan," a large interned German liner that had formerly been the 
 "Fatherland." 
 
 The "Leviathan" left Hoboken on the eve of the 23rd of May; 
 she went alone and was eight days in crossing the waters. She had 
 good sailing and a smooth sea and Clarence did not become seasick, 
 for the boat was 954 feet long and could plow through the waves 
 easily. She had 16,000 soldiers and 250 Red Cross nurses on board. 
 Two days out of Brest she was met by five sub-chasers and they pro- 
 tected her from submarine attacks. Two hours before they landed 
 these chasers encountered five submarines that had been sent out to 
 either destroy the "Fatherland" or "Leviathan" as we called her, or 
 never return. The result was that three submarines were sunk and 
 the other two surrendered and told the story of having been sent out 
 to destroy the ship. 
 
 Clarence saw part of the fight, but he was soon called below and 
 could not witness this episode as he desired. This was the first time 
 he ever heard a cannon roar. They landed on Decoration Day, 1918, 
 and hiked to the Napoleon Camp, a small camp at that time, about 
 three miles out. They stayed there four days to rest, when on the 
 third of June they started into France in French box cars that are de- 
 scribed elsewhere in this book. 
 
 They rode in these cars three days and three nights until they 
 reached the Huppy Area, near Amiens and Albert. They were trained 
 under the British officers for two weeks and received their animals 
 
 162
 
 at Huppy. After that they hiked for three days to within about 12 
 miles from the lines back of Albert. 
 
 A great drive by the Germans was expected near Hamel and 
 C and G companies of the 131st and A and F companies of the 132nd 
 entered the lines, but the expected drive did not come. They entered 
 the lines on the 2nd of July and on th 4th they went over the top. 
 They went over with the Australians who were noble fellows and good 
 fighters ; after this first hop over that the Americans had made, the 
 colonel of the 35th Battalion of Australians in making a speech to the 
 Americans said, "You are fighting fools, but I am for you." The 
 131st lost a few men in this, their first fight. After that they hiked 
 to Chapilly in the same sector where another German drive was antici- 
 pated. At this place called Chapilly Ridge on the Somme River the 
 Americans fought with the English. Chapilly Ridge was in the hands 
 of the Germans and was well fortified and the company was continual- 
 ly under shell fire and aeroplanes were flying over them all the time, 
 dropping explosive shells all around them. 
 
 The English tried twice to take the ridge but were disastrously 
 defeated and driven back each time. It was now time for the 131st 
 to try which they did with their heavy packs, but unlike the English 
 they went over and though many lives were lost the objective was 
 gained and Chapilly Ridge was in the hands of the Americans. It 
 was at this place and at this time that the American soldiers told the 
 English soldiers that they would assist them in getting each a medal 
 for making such a grand retreat, much to the chagrin of the English, 
 who could do nothing but accept their taunting. This falling back 
 of the British and this glorious advance of our boys was a great day, 
 and any one of the 131st who reads this will verify Clarence's state- 
 ment. Clarence was by this time beginning to be a good hand at 
 hauling supplies to the front. It w^as here he lost his friend William 
 Hintz, of Sterling, 111., who was a wagoner. He was hit by a one- 
 pounder from a trench mortar which also killed one of the mules he 
 was riding and shell-shocked the other so he became useless. 
 
 On August 12th they hiked to Amiens, where they camped that 
 night in an old stubble field, and the next day they boarded the French 
 trains for the American sector near Verdun. They went through 
 Paris and Laon and detrained at Thronville and moved to Germon- 
 ville, four miles from Verdun, and from there into the lines of the 
 Verdun front. The French had driven the Germans back to Dead 
 Man's Hill but could get them back no farther. They moved into 
 Chatincourt at the foot of Dead Man's Hill, a place that had been 
 shelled nearly three years. On the 26th of September the 131st and 
 
 163
 
 132nd went over, driving- the Germans as far as Forges Woods. The 
 129th was in reserve of the 131st, and the 130th was in reserve of the 
 132nd. Forges swamp was on the other side of Dead Man's Hill, and 
 on the night of the 26th the 131st crossed Forges Swamp, and the 
 108th Engineers built a pontoon bridge across the Meuse so that the 
 131st could cross. 
 
 The engineers were continually under shell fire but they suc- 
 ceeded. They pushed the enemy back as far as Consenvoye, a small 
 village, and after they evacuated this village the 131st remained there 
 a few days during which time Clarence was continually hauling am- 
 munition, etc. From Consenvoye they hiked to a French village 
 called Dunodge, where they remained two days and three nights and 
 w^ere then moved to the St. Mihiel Sector where they remained until 
 the 11th of November, holding the lines. On the morning of Arm- 
 istice Day they made the last hop over which proved unsuccessful for 
 they tried hard to take the town of Doncourt by force. Had they 
 quietly marched to the town the Germans stated that they would have 
 given them the town, for they also knew that the armistice would be 
 signed, but since they came in such a manner the Germans resisted, 
 causing the loss of 64 killed and many more wounded. 
 
 When the hour struck, word came to cease firing ; the Germans 
 ceased first. The Americans did not advance into the town, for it 
 had been mined and it was needless to shed more blood. Several 
 heard the German buglers blow "Recall." Shortly after that they 
 could hear a blowing up of the mines and ammunition dumps, and then 
 a quiet, a terrible quiet, began to creep over them and the deadly still- 
 ness made everything seem weird. 
 
 After the armistice was signed a graveyard was established near 
 Hammonville where the dead were buried. Clarence assisted in haul- 
 ing the dead from the place where they had fallen to the graveyard. 
 Their lieutenant was captured by the Germans while he was out with 
 a patrol party. He was returned the next day. The Fourth Division 
 relieved the 33rd and they followed up the Germans as they evacuated 
 the sector, and the 131st went to rest up, which they needed badly, for 
 they had been in the fighting and in the trenches 44 days. 
 
 To show that the work was steady and no rest anywhere was ex- 
 plained by the fact that Clarence received no bath from the 26th of 
 September until the 19th of December. He was in a filthy condition, 
 and the cooties had nearly eaten him up. It was an awful and a 
 shameful condition to be in, but a wagoner had duties that kept him 
 constantly in the harness. 
 
 164
 
 They had been stationed at Thilotte and from there they hiked to 
 Mars La Tours, where they rested all night and then went to Wor- 
 meldingen in Luxemburg. They crossed Luxemburg and crossed the 
 Moselle River into Germany, hiking 20 miles to Serrig. Here he 
 slept in a bed the first time for many months, and they made it seem 
 like home, for the Germans at this place loved the Americans. Here 
 Clarence met two machine gunners the 131st had fought on Chapilly 
 Ridge in July ; but the feeling toward each other had changed ; now 
 it was friends and enemies no more. 
 
 They remained at Serrig six days when they were transferred to 
 the Army of Occupation under the command of the Third Army Corps. 
 They hiked to Fels reaching that place on the 19th of December, 
 where a bathhouse had been put up and Clarence received his first 
 bath since the 26th of September. Here he went through' a delouser, 
 a thing unknown to him. They remained at Fels from the 19th of 
 December until the 9th of May, nearly five months. His duties dur- 
 ing this time was the same as before, hauling supplies to feed the 
 companies. Fels, a Luxemburg town, was near the lines of several 
 countries and the inhabitants of this place, young and old, could speak 
 French, Belgium, High German and Low German, besides their own, 
 but could not speak English. On May 9th they boarded trains for 
 Brest, reaching that place within a few days. They sailed on the 
 14th on the Kaiserin Victoria Augusta, the Kaiser's wife's ship once 
 upon a time. The voyage was rough, but Clarence was not seasick. 
 There were 6,000 on board and they reached Hoboken on the 23rd of 
 May. They went to Camp Mills, and from there to Chicago, where 
 they paraded, and in the evening left for Camp Grant, remaining there 
 until the 5th of June when he was discharged, reaching home the same 
 day. 
 
 Thus the life of a volunteer is told briefly. Clarence did his 
 duty. He was exposed to shell fire more than four months ; his life 
 was not a pleasant one. During his entire stay in the army he re- 
 ceived neither furlough nor pass. Yet no complaint comes from the 
 brave boy's lips. Much more can be told but we leave the reader to 
 surmise the rest. His discharge — none better— reads as follows : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Clarence 
 S. Ryan, 1386236, wagoner, last assigned to Supply Co. 131st Inf., the 
 United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, 
 is hereby honorably discharged from the military service of the 
 United States, by reason of convenience of government, per par. 106, 
 
 165
 
 W. D. 1918. Said Clarence S. Ryan was born in Dorchester in the 
 State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 18 years of age and by 
 occupation a laborer. He had brown eyes, dark hair, dark com- 
 plexion and was 5 feet 2 inches in height. Given under my hand at 
 Camp Grant, 111., this 5th day of June, 1919. Fred E. Haines, Major 
 131st Infantry, Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : Clarence S. Ryan. Grade : Wagoner. Enlisted 111. N. G. 
 Aug. 27, 1917, at East Alton, 111., serving in first enlistment period at 
 date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : 
 Never, Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating : Not qualified. 
 Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, 
 expeditions : Somme Offensive 8-8-18 to 8-20-18 ; Meuse-Argonne 
 9-26-18 to 10-14-18; Army of Occupation 12-15-18 to 4-28-19. 
 Knowledge of any vocation : Laborer. Wounds received in service : 
 None. Physical condition when discharged : Good. Typhoid 
 prophylaxis completed : March 18, 1918. Paratyphoid prophylaxis 
 completed March 18, 1918. Married or single : Single. Character : 
 Excellent. Remarks : Entitled to travel pay. Decorations, medals, 
 badges, citations : None. Signature of soldier : Clarence S. Ryan. 
 Nathan J. Harkness, Captain 131st Infantry Command Sup. Co., 
 Camp Grant, 111., June 4, 1919. Paid in full $98.97, including bonus 
 of $60.00, Act of Feb. 24, 1919. S. H. Francis, Captain Quartermaster 
 Corps. 
 
 EDWARD BANGERT 
 
 Edward Bangert, son of Henry and Emma Bangert, was born in 
 Fort Russell Township, Dec. 18, 1892. He received his education at 
 Oak Grove school, four miles south of Bethalto, completing the 
 Seventh grade. He worked on his father's farm and neighbors' 
 farms until the time for registration, June 5, 1917. 
 
 He was called to the colors Sept. 19, 1917, and left Edwardsville 
 for Camp Taylor at 8 a. m. September 20th, reaching Camp Taylor at 
 10 o'clock at night. He was placed in Co. B of the 333rd Infantry, 
 and remained in this company and at Camp Taylor until the 5th of 
 April, when he was sent to Camp Logan, Texas, and there he was 
 placed in Co. E, 132nd Infantry. George Bowman and Gus Bangert, 
 Ed's cousin, were put in the same company and consequently shared 
 the treatment and in many instances did the same work. They re- 
 ceived more intensive training at Camp Logan than at Camp Taylor, 
 
 166
 
 but they did not remain long at Camp Logan, for on May 5th the com- 
 pany left for Camp Upton, N. Y., where they were to be equipped for 
 overseas duty. 
 
 After being equipped they went on board the Mount Vernon on 
 the 15th of May and set sail on the 16th in a convoy of five. The 
 Mount Vernon, a German interned liner, was manned by an American 
 crew and rationed by the American government, and consequently the 
 food was clean and good. There was no trouble on the way and all 
 the ships arrived at Brest on the 24th of May. They were sent to 
 Napoleon Barracks, where the boys put up their "pup" tents for the 
 night, then hiked back to Brest where they were loaded on French 
 box cars to be sent farther inland, for Brest camp was too small at 
 this time to accommodate many at the same time. They had re- 
 ceived their helmets and hobnails at Camp Upton, N. Y., and were 
 ready to travel at a moment's notice. 
 
 They rode two days and three nights to Oisemont, and hiked to 
 Allory, where they remained a week to receive training and drilling 
 of the English variety although under American officers. Then 
 they hiked for two days to Gerville, where they drew British rifles, 
 bayonets and gas masks. Here they received their first gas mask 
 drills, and this was under the instruction of British officers. 
 
 They remained there a little more than a week and were then 
 loaded on trucks to Molines Woods. Molines Woods had never been 
 in the hands of the Germans, but bombs were continually dropped day 
 and night by aeroplanes. Here Ed. received his first experience at 
 digging in and since the work was real and in earnest the work was 
 easily learned and soon accomplished. It was not necessary for the 
 officers to issue a hurry call for the enemy planes reminded them con- 
 stantly to complete their task in as short a space of time as possible. 
 
 They remained at Molines Woods until the middle of August, and 
 while here George Bowman caught up with his company, and Ed.'s 
 and George's history will for a while be identical for George had been 
 with them more than a month before they left Molines Woods. 
 Molines Woods was about six miles from the front lines and the 132nd 
 was in reserve. They were near enough to hear the cannon roar. 
 They were attached to the British forces and while in reserve they 
 went through a period of intensive drilling. 
 
 On July 4th Companies A and G went over the top and Company 
 E was held in reserve. They penetrated Hamel Woods, and the Brit- 
 ish, Australians and American troops mingled in the fight. They 
 were between Albert and Amiens, crossing the wide road that lay be- 
 tween these cities. 
 
 167
 
 After A and G companies had gained their objective by going over 
 the top on July 4th, they came in possession of Hamel Woods and 
 Vaire Woods. It seems these regiments were principally used as 
 shock troops, (to take that which others were unable to do). This 
 attack by these nationalities combined under the protection of a creep- 
 ing artillery barrage will be described elsewhere in this history, for Ed. 
 was not connected with this, only that his company was in reserve at 
 this place. 
 
 They remained in Hamel three days, then went back to Molines 
 Woods, about eight miles away. The division as a whole was not 
 holding the line but they were connected with the British and rationed 
 by the British Government. The fighting during July was fierce; 
 Albert was taken and retaken three times and the city was practically 
 destroyed by the British. 
 
 On August 6th the Americans relieved the British and they took 
 care of the line at Albert, expecting at any time to witness another 
 drive, but it never came. After the British left the place they held 
 the lines until August 11th, supporting the Australians. It can be 
 stated here as witnessed by others that the Australians were noble 
 fellows, sincere and excellent fighters and therefore a word of praise 
 should be given when it is deserved. The 132nd held the line around 
 Longeau until the 24th of August, when they were taken back to a rail- 
 road station in trucks and were sent to the American sector west of 
 Verdun. They had guarded No Man's Land and were now at a place 
 many miles east, where the enemy was still well intrenched. They 
 reached Culey on the 26th of August and became part of the American 
 Army who would from now on fight as a unit. 
 
 While they traveled eastward from Longeau to the Verdun front 
 they saw much devastated territory ; for the Germans had by this time 
 evacuated a large part of this territory. They were attached to the 
 French Second Army and were given the front line trenches of the 
 famous battlefields of Dead Man's Hill, a place that had seen much 
 fighting; a place where the French had sacrificed 500,000 of their 
 noble sons to save France, and the Germans an equal number in trying 
 to gain an objective in which they were disastrously unsuccessful. 
 
 They remained there until the morning of the 26th of September, 
 when orders came to make the first advance as an American unit. The 
 river Forges was to be crossed and beyond this was Bois De Forges or 
 Forges Woods. The river Forges was something like a swamp through 
 which the boys had to go; it was about waist deep excepting when 
 here or there a shell hole had been made and the water much deeper. 
 The second battalion went through and the third was in support. The 
 
 168
 
 French thought it could not be accomplished for the river Forges, 
 the barbed wire entanglements and other obstructions had been im- 
 proved upon to a great extent for the last three years, and the machine 
 gun nests on the edge of Forges Woo(Js made the hopover quite im- 
 possible. At 5:15 in the morning the order was given to go through 
 the swamp, two companies in line and two in support. The 130th 
 was in support of the 132nd and the 129th was in support of the 
 131st. Displaying courage that could hardly be equaled in the an- 
 nals of warfare, they went through carrying boards so that a bridge 
 could be constructed. They waded knee deep through the mud and 
 were continually under shell fire, but the fire of the enemy was too 
 high and the advance to and across the river was made without any 
 casualties. 
 
 They reached the edge of the Woods at 6:30 a. m. and the ad- 
 vance continued. The surprise was complete. The operation was 
 successful; the enemy lost heavily and 800 prisoners were taken be- 
 sides four 6-inch howitzers, 10 field pieces, 10 trench mortars, 190 
 machine guns, large quantities of ammunition and much material. 
 One ofticer and 15 men were killed and 72 men were wounded. Dress- 
 ing stations were established and the wounded were taken care of. 
 The hill, which was part of 304 or Dead Man's Hill, was made, and 
 through the woods they went until they reached the Meuse River. 
 They had advanced about four miles on schedule time. They held 
 the left bank of the Meuse and remained there until the 4th of October. 
 They were then taken back to support the lines until the 8th, hiding in 
 dugouts. 
 
 On October the 7th they built a bridge across the Meuse in the 
 night. The river there was 120 feet wide and 16 feet deep, which 
 they crossed on the 8th. This was the second hop over and the 
 casualties were light in comparison to what had been gained. They 
 took the town of Consenvoye by surprise and took a number of prison- 
 ers who were sent to the rear. They went through Chaume Woods 
 and Consenvoye Woods and kept on advancing until the evening of 
 the 8th. They started to dig themselves in, but after 6 o'clock on they 
 went. This was too much, for they had had no breakfast, no dinner, 
 no supper and now another advance drive that night, but the edge of 
 the Argonne Forest had been reached and the enemy was being driven 
 into the Woods. Three advances had been made in two days, and the 
 fourth drive which commenced on the morning of that memorable 9th 
 brought the fighting in the open where there were no trenches and 
 everything was man to man encounters that no human mind can 
 comprehend. 
 
 169
 
 At the Chaume Woods near Consenvoye, on October 9th, 1918, 
 the final point was reached, but the enemy made three fierce counter 
 attacks. These, as may be expected, were of a nature that caused the 
 132nd to lose heavily. The men started for shelter when these 
 attacks came from three sides. The fighting was close, men were 
 falling everywhere, the 132nd was losing most of their men, but they 
 remained all day, receiving three counter attacks that day. 
 
 We leave the boys in this story, fighting and holding on to the 
 last; we continue this story in some other description for Ed. leaves 
 the boys and cannot witness any more of this carnage ; for in the first 
 counter attack, when the boys lay down flat on the ground, Ed. was 
 wounded. Explosive bullets had been fired all around him and ex- 
 ploded everywhere. Ed. was shot in the upper arm, a bullet grazed 
 his shoulder, his fingers were almost shot off his right hand and 
 splinters flew into his mouth knocking out a tooth and breaking others, 
 cutting open his gum and getting several splinters of shell in his 
 tongue. 
 
 Seeing the boys falling all around him, and knowing that he could 
 fight no more for the present, Ed., although dazed, went to the rear, 
 for it was either that or be taken prisoner. All but two in Ed's squad 
 were either killed or wounded. Ed. left by crawling back of the lines 
 to Battalion Headquarters where the adjutant treated his wounds. As 
 soon as his wounds were treated he walked and crawled to Consen- 
 voye, three miles away, where there was another station to dress 
 wounds, although Consenvoye was still under fire. At Consenvoye 
 the doctors looked over his wounds, took his name and his company, 
 and described his wounds, but gave him no further treatment. Pity 
 for the poor soldier who was wounded and unable to walk or crawl, 
 for the ambulances could get no nearer, and many a poor boy lost his 
 life for the want of care, and it was several days before some could 
 be picked up and then probably too late. 
 
 There was no chance whatever for ambulances to come nearer for 
 there was no such a thing as a road, wires stretched everywhere, shell 
 holes and every obstruction such as fallen trees, etc., that would check 
 the ambulances from coming nearer. From Consenvoye Ed. walked 
 three miles to where the ambulances were and he was taken to a tent 
 hospital; they looked over his wounds and then put him in another 
 ambulance and he was taken to Sailly, another hospital far back of 
 the lines. Here his wounds were properly. treated and his teeth fixed 
 for they had up to this time not been touched. He remained in Sailly 
 one night and was then taken to AUery Base Hospital 56. 
 
 170
 
 At Allery his wounds were treated again. After complaining 
 about the condition of his tongue the doctor told him it was getting 
 too dark to do anything for him, so the nurse told him if there was 
 anything in his tongue she would pull it out if he would let her. He 
 told her to go to it, and although the splinters from an explosive 
 bullet had been in his tongue five days and his tongue swollen, she 
 succeeded in pulling one piece out and there is at this writing another 
 piece in his tongue which the nurse failed to detect. 
 
 He remained at this hospital until the 20th of December, when 
 he was sent to Merc Luxemburg. From there they hiked to Em- 
 bringen about twelve miles away. Here he met George Bowman 
 whom he had not seen since the 9th of October, and of whom he had 
 heard nothing since he left him. We can imagine the meeting was 
 a happy one. Ed. and George were now together and their story runs 
 pretty much the same. They remained in Luxemburg until the 25th 
 of April, 1919. They were received by General Pershing and Secre- 
 tary Baker on the 22nd of April. 
 
 On the 25th they left Luxemburg, reaching Brest on the 29th. 
 They boarded the ship Mount Vernon, the same ship Ed. had crossed 
 on before. They set sail on the 8th of May ; the voyage was fine, 
 only two stormy days and no seasickness for Ed. He had good com- 
 pany on the way back, for his pal, George Bowman, his cousin Gus 
 Bangert, and his friends, George Smith and Gus Memkin, were with 
 him and the trip was a pleasant one. 
 
 They landed at Hoboken on the 16th day of May and unloaded on 
 the 17th ; went at once to Camp Mills and from there to Chicago where 
 they paraded on the 27th, for the 132nd were mostly Illinois men. 
 That night they went to Camp Grant, from where Ed. was discharged 
 on the 31st day of May, reaching home on the first of June, Sunday 
 morning. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record: 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that Edward 
 Bangert, 1975963, Pvt. Co. E, 132nd Infantry, the United States Army, 
 as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honorably 
 discharged from the military service of the United States, by reason 
 of per Cir. No. 106, convenience of Govt., W. D. 1918. Said Edward 
 Bangert was born in Fort Russell Township, in the State of Illinois ; 
 when enlisted he was 24 years of age and by occupation a farmer. He 
 had blue eyes, dark hair, dark complexion, and was 5 feet 10 inches 
 in height. Given under my hand at Camp Grant, 111., this 31st day 
 of May, 1919. Paul C. Gale, Major Inf., U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
 171
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Edward Bangert. Grade: Private. Inducted Sept. 19, 
 1917, at Edwardsville, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date 
 of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : 
 Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Not rated. 
 Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, ex- 
 peditions : Argonne-Meuse Offensive, 9-26-18; Bois de Chaume 
 offensive, 10-10-18; Hamel attack, July 4, 1918; Army of Occupation, 
 Dec. 12, 1918 to April 25, 1919. Knowledge of any vocation : Farmer. 
 Wounds received in service: G. S. W. Verdun, 10-9-18, Physical 
 condition when discharged: Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed 
 10-12-17. Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed 10-12-17. Married 
 or single: Single. Character: Excellent. Signature of soldier: 
 Edward Bangert. Charles E. Davaum, 1st Lieut. 161st D. B., Com- 
 manding. Camp Grant, 111., May 30, 1919. Paid in full, $101.15, in- 
 cluding bonus of $60.00, Act of Feb. 24, 1919. S. H. Francis, Captain 
 Quartermaster Corps. 
 
 GEORGE BOWMAN 
 
 George Henry Bowman, son of Ben and Emma Bowman, was 
 born on the farm in Fort Russell Township one mile east of Bethalto, 
 Sept. 25, 1894. He attended the Bethalto schools, completing the 
 Eighth grade. When George was 15 years old the parents left the 
 farm east of Bethalto and moved to a farm a mile southwest of 
 Bethalto, thus putting him in the Walnut Grove District, where he 
 attended school one year in order to take review work in the Eighth 
 grade. He worked on his father's farm continually, registering for 
 the army in June, 1917, and was called to the colors September 19th 
 of the same year, being one among the first to leave from this section. 
 He left Alton for Camp Taylor, September 19, 1917, and there he was 
 placed in Co. D, 333rd Infantry, At this time the 333rd was being 
 formed and Camp Taylor was near its finishing of the main barracks. 
 He left Alton in company with George Smith and Henry Parker, of 
 East Alton. George remained in Co. D, 333rd, until April 5th, 1918, 
 when he was placed in Co. E, 132nd Infantry of the 33rd Division. 
 The object of the change was to put the 132nd to war strength for over- 
 seas duty. He left April 5th for Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, to 
 fill up the 33rd Division that was short of men. The 33rd Division 
 had its headquarters at Houston, Texas. 
 
 172
 
 They remained at Camp Logan for their usual drills. The 122nd, 
 123rd and 124th Artillery was connected with the Division and were 
 being trained there at the same time. The Division started to move 
 on the 5th of May, but George remained behind on account of being 
 quarantined, for there was measles in camp, although George did not 
 have it. The Division sailed on the 16th of May, but George did not 
 follow until the 26th of May when he was sent to Camp Merritt. 
 
 He sailed on the America, that had formerly been the interned 
 German liner Amerika. She was a large ship and carried 9,000 
 troops, one colored regiment and replacements. There were four 
 transports in the convoy, and they were escorted for three days while 
 going and three days before entering the port at Brest, leaving the 
 convoy unguarded for seven days. They were on the water 13 days, 
 had no mishaps, no trouble, saw no submarines and had fine weather 
 all the way. The camp at Brest was just begun, and they remained 
 there only one night when they boarded French box cars to St. 
 Aignan. George was still following his regiment. Remaining at St. 
 Aignan one day, he again boarded the cars riding a day and a night, 
 getting pretty far inland. He reached Eu, a rest camp. He re- 
 mained at Eu but a day and again got on a train to Canaples. from 
 where he hiked 18 miles to where his division was stationed, reaching 
 the division the last of June, 1918. 
 
 They were by this time stationed in Molines Woods, about six 
 miles from the front lines, and were now in reserve. Here they could 
 hear the cannon roar. They were bombed by aeroplanes nearly every 
 night. Thus it happened that George caught up with the boys, hav- 
 ing started to cross the United States from Texas on the 
 same day his regiment started across France from Brest, May 26. 
 The trip across France by his regiment cannot be taken up in this 
 story. 
 
 When George reached his regiment the latter part of June they 
 were attached to the British forces, and they went through a period of 
 intensive training. On July 4th Companies A and G went over the 
 top and Company E was held in reserve. They penetrated Hamel 
 Woods and the British, Australians and American troops mingled in 
 the fight. They were between Albert and Amiens, crossing the wide 
 road that lay between these cities. After A and G companies had 
 gained their objective by going over on July 4th they came in 
 possession of Hamel Woods and Vaire Woods. This attack by the 
 three nationalities combined under the protection of a creeping artil- 
 
 173
 
 lery barrage will be described elsewhere in this history, for George 
 was not connected with this only that his company was in reserve at 
 this place. 
 
 They remained in Hamel three days, then went back to Molines 
 Woods, about 8 miles away. The Division as a whole was not hold- 
 ing the line, but they were connected with the British and rationed by 
 the British Government. The fighting during July was fierce ; Albert 
 was taken and retaken three times and the city was practically de- 
 stroyed by the British. On August 6th the Americans relieved the 
 British and they took care of the line at Albert, expecting at any time 
 to witness another drive that never came. After the British left the 
 place they held the lines until August 11th, supporting the Australians. 
 It can be stated here as witnessed by others that the Australians were 
 noble fellows, sincere and excellent fighters and therefore a word of 
 praise should be given when it is deserved. The 132nd held the 
 line around Longeau until the 24th of August, when they were taken 
 back to a railroad station in trucks and were sent to the American 
 Sector west of Verdun. They had guarded No Man's Land and were 
 now at a place many miles east, where the enemy was still well in- 
 trenched. 
 
 They reached Culey on the 26th of August and became part of the 
 American Army who would from now on fight as a unit. While they 
 traveled east from Longeau to the Verdun front they saw much de- 
 vastated territory, for the Germans had by this time evacuated a large 
 part of this country. They were attached to the French Second 
 Army and were given the front line trenches of the famous battle- 
 fields of Dead Man's Hill ; a place that had seen much fighting, a place 
 where the French had sacrificed 500.000 of their noble sons to save 
 France and the Germans an equal number in trying to gain an objec- 
 tive in which they were disastrously unsuccessful. 
 
 They remained there until the morning of the 26th of Septem- 
 ber, when orders came to make the first advance as an American unit. 
 The river Forges was to be crossed and beyond this was Bois De 
 Forges or Forges Woods. The river Forges was something like a 
 swamp through which the boys had to go ; it was about waist deep 
 excepting where here or there a shell hole had been made and was 
 full of water. 
 
 The second battalion went through and the third was in support. 
 The French thought it could not be accomplished, for the river Forges, 
 the barbed wire entanglements and other obstructions had been im- 
 proved on both sides for the past three years and the machine gun 
 nests on the edge of Forges Woods made the hop over quite im- 
 
 174
 
 possible. At 5:15 in the morning the order was given to go through 
 the swamp ; two companies in line and two in support. Displaying 
 courage that could hardly be equalled in the annals of warfare they 
 went through carrying boards so that a bridge could be constructed. 
 They waded knee deep through the mud, and were continually under 
 shell fire, but the fire of the enemy was too high and the advance to 
 and across the river was made without any casualties. They reached 
 the edge of the Wood at 6 :30 a. m. and the advance continued. The 
 surprise was complete. The operation was successful, the enemy 
 lost heavily and 800 prisoners were taken besides four 6-inch Howitz- 
 ers, 10 field pieces, 10 trench mortars, 109 machine guns, large 
 quantities of ammunition and much material. One ofificer and 15 men 
 were killed and 75 men were wounded. Dressing stations were estab- 
 lished and the wounded were taken care of. 
 
 The hill was made, this being part of Dead Man's Hill 304 ; and 
 through the woods they went until they reached the Meuse River. 
 They had advanced about four miles on schedule time. They held 
 the left bank of the Meuse River and remained there until the 4th of 
 October. They were then taken back to support the lines until the 
 8th, hiding in dug-outs. 
 
 On October the 7th they built a bridge across the Meuse in the 
 night. The river there was 120 feet wide and 16 feet deep, which 
 they crossed on the 8th. This was the second hop over and the 
 casualties were light in comparison to what had been gained. They 
 took the town of Consenvoye by surprise and took a number of prison- 
 ers who were sent to the rear. They went through Bois de Chaume 
 and Consenvoye Woods and kept on advancing until the evening of 
 the 8th. They started to dig themselves in but after 6 o'clock on 
 they went. This was awful for they had had no breakfast, no dinner, 
 no supper and now another advance drive that night ; but the edge 
 of the Argonne Forest had been reached and the enemy was being 
 driven far into the Argonne Forest. Three advances had been made 
 in two days and the fourth drive which commenced on the morning 
 of that memorable 9th brought the fighting in the open where there 
 v,-ere no trenches and everything was man to man encounters that no 
 human mind can comprehend. 
 
 At Bois De Chaume, near Consenvoye, on October 9th, 1918, the 
 final point was reached, but the enemy made three counter attacks. 
 These as may be expected were of the fiercest kind and the 132nd 
 lost heavily. George and one other were all that was left in his 
 squad. The other squads fared the same. Every officer was either 
 killed or wounded. The story cannot be completely told here. Ed. 
 
 175
 
 Bangert who was in George's squad was wounded in one of these 
 counter attacks and went back to keep from being taken prisoner. 
 Many officers and men were cited for bravery. The coolness of some 
 of our men is explained in the following story : While the company 
 advanced through the woods Ed. Bangert and another soldier had 
 rooted out a machine gun nest and had found a box of cigars and 
 some cigarettes. Ed. got the cigars and distributed as many as he 
 could among the boys. The other soldier got the cigarettes. Later 
 on when the Germans made a fierce counter attack Ed. called to 
 George that they had got him. George looked up and saw that Ed. 
 had been shot in the side, his fingers were hanging limp and bleeding 
 on his right hand and blood was oozing out of his mouth. Ed. said 
 to George: Here is a handful of cigars; take them and smoke them 
 for my sake, for I am going to quit smoking awhile ; and pitching the 
 cigars to George took to his heels and in spite of his wounds and 
 bullets flying around made his getaway. 
 
 It was here and on this date, and in one of these attacks, that 
 Charles E. Maguire of Alton, Co. I, was killed. He was buried at 
 Binarville, Meuse. The boys of the 132nd who were still unhurt 
 would have fought on, but their ammunition had run out and they 
 picked from their dead and wounded comrades all the shells that 
 could be found and when all this was gone it was time to retreat ; and 
 although many Germans were killed or taken prisoner the 132nd lost 
 more than 70 per cent of their number. The scene was awful and 
 cannot be described ; there was no time for pity although the heart- 
 rending cries that came from the enemy as they were being mowed 
 down by our boys with their automatic rifles was indeed pitiful to 
 behold. George went through all this unhurt. His captain was 
 wounded in Forges Woods and his lieutenant was wounded while try- 
 ing to ward off the second counter attack. 
 
 When the stretcher bearers rushed to his side ready to take him 
 to the rear he ordered them away saying, "I can take care of myself ; 
 look after these other soldiers who are in worse shape than I am." 
 This brave lieutenant was taken prisoner in his disabled condition and 
 was transferred later from the German hospital to an American hos- 
 pital, where he died from wounds received in battle. 
 
 They were relieved by the 131st, for they did not have enough 
 men left to make another advance and there was no one left to give 
 orders. The 132nd had been filled to the proper strength twice since 
 the first of October and the 9th of October reduced them to such an 
 
 176
 
 extent that they were sent to the St. Mihiel front, 30 miles southwest 
 of Metz. This was a period of 45 days that will remain a separate 
 part in George's life history. 
 
 While going to the Troyan sector on the St. Mihiel front George 
 met Charles Neunaber, who gave him paper to write home for he had 
 nothing left to write on. This welcome missive was received by the 
 parents after the armistice was signed. They reached the Troyan 
 sector on the 24th of October and held the lines until the armistice 
 was signed and remained there until the 7th of December when they 
 started to hike into Germany. They got a short way into Germany 
 when they were sent back into Luxemburg. They remained in 
 Luxemburg until the 25th of April, 1919. They were reviewed by 
 General Pershing and Secretary Baker on the 22nd of April. 
 
 On the 25th of January George received a furlough and he went 
 to Aix Les Bains, one of the leave areas in southern France near the 
 Switzerland border, and remained there until the 15th of February. 
 They started through France for home on the 25th of April, reach- 
 ing Brest on the 29th. He boarded the ship Mount Vernon on the 
 7th of May and started to sail the next day. The Mount Vernon 
 had formerly been the Crown Princess Cecelia. The voyage was 
 fine, they had only two stormy days and no seasickness developed- 
 Ed. Bangert, Gus Bangert, Gus Memken and George Smith were on 
 the boat with George Bowman, making the voyage a pleasant one. 
 They landed at Hoboken on the 16th of May and unloaded on the 
 17th, went at once to Camp Mills and from there to Chicago where 
 they paraded on the 27th, for the 130th and the 132nd were mostly 
 Illinois men. That night they went to Camp Grant from where he 
 was discharged on the 31st of May reaching home June 1st, Sunday 
 morning. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that George H. 
 Bowman, No. 1976152, Corporal Co. E, 132nd Infantry, the United 
 States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service is hereby 
 honorably discharged from the military service of the United States 
 by reason of convenience of the government. Per circular 106 War 
 Dept. Said George H. Bowman was born in Bethalto in the State 
 of Illinois. When enlisted he was 22 11-12 years of age and by occu- 
 pation a farmer. He had brown eyes, dark brown hair, fair com- 
 plexion and was 5 feet 9 1-2 inches in height. Given under my 
 hand at Camp Grant, Illinois, this 31st day of May, 1919. Paul C. 
 Gale, Major Inf., U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
 177
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: George H. Bowman. Grade: Corporal. Inducted 
 9-19-1917 at Alton, Illinois, serving in first enlistment period at date 
 of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : 
 Corporal Nov. 22, 1918. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or 
 rating : Not rated. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engage- 
 ments, skirmishes, expeditions : Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Sept. 26, 
 1918. Amiens, Hamel, July 4, 1918, St. Mihiel Nov. 7-11-1918. 
 Knowledge of any vocation : Machinist. Wounds received in 
 service : None. Physical condition when discharged : Good. Ty- 
 phoid prophylaxis completed 10-12-17. Married or single: Single. 
 Character: Excellent. Signature of soldier: George H. Bowman. 
 Chas E. Davanum, 1st Lieut. Inf. 161st D. B. Camp Grant, 111., May 
 31st, 1919. Paid in full S107.03, including bonus of S60.00 Act of 
 Feb. 24, 1919. S. H. Francis, Captain Quartermaster Corps. 
 
 GEORGE F. SMITH, JR. 
 
 George Franklin Smith, son of George and Tena Smith, was born 
 in East Alton, 111., March 13th, 1894. He attended the East Alton 
 school, completing the Eighth grade, and then w^ent to Alton High 
 school completing the course there. After his school years George 
 helped his father on the farm. The parents moved to their newly- 
 purchased home on the Bethalto road about four miles southwest of 
 Bethalto. He continued to work on his parents' farm until June, 
 1917, when he registered for the service. The following August he 
 tried to enlist in the Navy but was rejected on account of physical 
 disability. He preferred the navy and seeing that they rejected him 
 there, he resolved to wait until he was called. This call came shortly 
 afterward, for he left with the Alton contingent on the 19th of Sep- 
 tember, 1917, and headed straight for Camp Taylor. He went with 
 Henry Parker of East Alton and George Bowman of Bethalto. 
 
 At Camp Taylor George was placed in Co. D, 333rd Infantry. 
 At this time the 333rd of the 84th Division was being formed at 
 Camp Taylor and the main barracks w'ere just being finished when the 
 boys arrived. George remained in Co. D, 333rd, until the 5th of 
 April when he was placed in Co. I, 132nd Infantry, 33rd Division. 
 The object of the change was to put the 33rd Division to war strength 
 for overseas duty. The 33rd Division was located at Camp Logan, 
 Houston, Texas. Here George was sent on the 5th of April, 1918. 
 Here they had their usual line of drilling; but they had not long to 
 
 178
 
 remain at Camp Logan, for a month from the time George left Camp 
 Taylor he was leaving Camp Logan; thus his moving began in earnest 
 and it will be learned later in this story that this was by no means his 
 last move. He left with the Division on the 5th of May for Camp 
 Upton, N. Y. He was on the train five days and at Camp Upton 
 four days ; during this time he was equipped with overseas clothing. 
 
 He sailed on the 16th of Mav on the Mount Vernon, which had 
 formerly been the Crown Princess Cecelia ; she had 6,000 soldiers on 
 board and she and her sister ship Agamemnon made up the convoy. 
 The two ships had a pleasant voyage, no mishaps, and they anchored 
 safely at Brest on the 24th of May and stepped on French soil on 
 the 26th the same day George Bowman stepped on the train at Hous- 
 ton, Texas. George Bowman had been detained awhile on account 
 of measles in the camp. They went at once to Pontenesen Barracks, 
 a little beyond the Old Napoleon Barracks. This camp, which was 
 later known as the famous mud camp, was now the famous dust camp. 
 George never saw dust so deep. They pitched their little "pup" 
 tents in a pasture amongst dust, dirt and drouth. They left camp on 
 Decoration Day for somewhere in France in the famous box cars with 
 which every American soldier who has seen France is painfully 
 familiar. 
 
 The rations, although American, while on the boat were poor ; 
 it was fairly clean, but it had no taste ; they were not fixed to feed 
 so many men. The bread got mouldy and overboard it went, and 
 from then on it was hard tack, boiled potatoes and stew. In the box 
 cars it was the same, minus the potatoes and stew ; but they were 
 traveling and new scenery brought new thoughts ; besides they rode 
 only three days and two nights with but 32 men in a car of a possible 
 capacity of 40. 
 
 They unloaded at Oisemont and hiked from there to Matigny, 
 near Gamaches, where their headquarters was stationed, and billeted 
 in barns, sheds, etc. On June 3rd they started training under the 
 English, who showed them their methods of bayonet fighting and gas 
 drills. On the night of the 4th of June they received the first thrill 
 in air bombing. They practiced until the 10th of June when again 
 they were on the move from Matigny for a 12-mile hike with extra 
 light breakfast and they resumed their forward movement of another 
 eight miles until they reached Bazinval. Here George experienced 
 the first real pangs of hunger ; they received one thin slice of bacon 
 and one thin piece of hard tack, but there was one consolation, namely, 
 they noticed that the English soldiers were hungry too, and they also 
 saw that the officers had good eats and plenty of it. 
 
 179
 
 They had extremely cool nights, copious rains and well ventil- 
 ated sheds during their stay at Bazinval, which lasted until June 24th, 
 when they left again, this time in trucks for Molines Woods. Here 
 they were taught how to act during a barrage, shell fire and like 
 bombing. On the 28th of June while in the third line they saw^ the 
 first artillery fire. 
 
 On the 4th of July, Cos. A, G, M and L went over the top and 
 lost several lives, among whom was Harry Inglehart, of Alton. Cos. 
 E and I were in reserve. They were near the city of Albert and 
 about 8 miles from the fighting. They were at Molines Woods from 
 the 24th of June until the 6th of August. They moved to Round 
 Woods about two miles away, remained one day and then went to 
 Dournacourt, where they held the first line trenches, but everything 
 was quiet and the Germans made no attack. They remained there till 
 the 12th of August and then went to Ouierien, remained there two 
 days and again sailed in trucks to Harbonniers, reaching that place 
 on the 15th, and on the 19th of August they were sent to the lines to 
 assist the Australians who were expecting a drive, but it did not come 
 and on the 20th they went to Longeau on trucks. 
 
 At Longeau and Amiens everything was deserted, not a civilian 
 could be seen, the two cities, in fact all the surrounding towns were 
 deserted. Houses that once had been inhabited by well-to-do 
 families were now deserted. They stood some roofless, some with- 
 out windows — every one damaged to some extent. Here in these 
 cities and deserted towns, here in this God-forsaken country, here in 
 these dilapidated dwellings, the boys put up for about a week. The 
 cities were theirs, no one to molest, no one to question their rights. 
 Here George v/as monarch ; here he held communion with forms that 
 had the deathly stillness of tombstones excepting when some aerial 
 visitors swooped down to wake the dead. Here he remained a week 
 and during this time the soldiers disposed of everything that was 
 English and took on everything that was American, and again started 
 on the move, like the Wandering Jew, no rest but on the move always ; 
 for after they were reequipped they boarded the 16 foot cars, 31 in 
 each car, and rode and rode until they reached Francois Tronville, 
 and hiked back to the old town of Resson. Here they took up the 
 American style of training with the use of the sure shot French auto- 
 matic rifle — the Enfield rifle had been discarded. September 6th 
 again saw them on the move ; they left Resson for the American lines 
 near Verdun, and went to Bar le Due about five miles from the Ver- 
 dun front. They went to a French camp in the woods, reaching the 
 place on the morning of the 7th of September, and again in the eve- 
 
 180
 
 ning of the 8th left the place. It was move, always move ; it seemed 
 to George they either did not know what to do with them or that they 
 used his bunch to place them where an attack by the Germans was 
 anticipated. Anyway they moved from place to place. They were 
 under shell fire nearly all the time, but they had got used to that. 
 
 On the evening of the 8th they went into the lines at Chatincourt 
 which was at the foot of Dead Man's Hill. Chatincourt was the 
 terminal point for the Germans, it was the turning point also. They 
 had got as far as Chatincourt, they had captured Chatincourt, but held 
 it only 30 minutes, and were driven out by the French. The Americans 
 were now going to hold the place. Another drive by the Germans 
 was expected but it did not come. The boys went into dugouts and 
 caves, they were being bombarded continually and they simply had 
 to remain in their places of safety and misery. Years ago the French 
 had made this place secure, they were 40 feet under the ground to keep 
 the large shells from going through. Can we imagine the uncomfort- 
 able positions the boys were in, with rain pouring down all the time, 
 water dripping continually through the walls? Can we imagine the 
 damp and lonely positions mingled wnth darkness, cooties and rats 
 to break the monotony when the shells ceased to fall for a spell? 
 This, however, was not to last always. They were at Chatincourt 18 
 days when the great drive commenced on the 26th of September, the 
 biggest drive in the world's history, the drive that every soldier knows ; 
 the drive that ended the war. The drive that was so well planned 
 that the Germans expected nothing of the kind. This drive ended 
 so gloriously for us, although it caused the hearts of thousands of 
 parents in America to be sad. This drive spread both joy and gloom 
 over the friends and relatives at home. 
 
 George again was in support ; he was in the third wave, probably 
 about 200 yards behind George Bowman. They also went into 
 Forges Swamp and through it although at some places waist deep. 
 The first and second waves had come together, putting the third wave 
 right at their heels. The swamp was dark even at 5:15 in the morn- 
 ing, for the fog was so thick that it was almost like night ; the Ger- 
 mans never noticed them until they were on top of them. They 
 should have made the drive on the eve of the 26th, several days before 
 this, but their right and left could not gain their objective so they had 
 to wait to keep from forming a wedge and thus become surrounded. 
 Things looked serious when the drive did start. They followed up 
 but the boys ahead of them had gone so fast that they had left some 
 machine gun nests still in action and one of their men got shot in the 
 
 181
 
 ankle, one in the foot, and one machine gun bullet penetrated the pack 
 of another before the gunner could be put out of action. 
 
 On the night of October 6th, George with his company was again 
 on the move. They went into the Argonne Forest to support the 4th 
 Division, thus leaving his friends to their fate. In the Argonne they 
 went over Mt. Faucon and many high hills, they held the front lines 
 from the night of the 6th to the 13th of October. They had gone in 
 with 180 men, they came out with 56 men and those who did come out 
 were sick. Now they had plenty to eat, but they were too sick and 
 worn out to eat. The 56 men had rations for 180 men, but what good 
 could salmon and more salmon do when they had it for breakfast, 
 dinner and supper, and their bodies not in a condition to relish it. 
 There was a scarcity of tomatoes and they were crazy for vegetables. 
 They had come out on the 13th of October and had gone into the 
 trenches at Bethincourt when orders came for the company to take 
 the first line trenches. The boys with three-fourths of their help 
 gone were not able to go, but they packed up just the same, and when 
 they were ready to enter the front lines the order was rescinded and 
 the boys remained in the caves. George and his pal remained in this 
 hiding place until the 19th of October, when they moved from Bethin- 
 court and hiked 8 miles through the rain. They reached an old 
 churcii where they put up for the night. They got about four hours' 
 sleep in spite of the rain coming through the roof and the wet con- 
 crete floor to sleep on. The weather was cold but they were on the 
 move again and soon were at the French barracks in the woods where 
 they had been before. They had wandered a great deal since they 
 had left this same place on the 8th of September when they stayed 
 there two days, but this time they left again at 2 o'clock in the morn- 
 ing. They had barely got settled down when the order came, "You 
 got to get up." They took another 16 mile hike to Genecourt, reach- 
 ing this place on the 20th of October and remained until the night 
 of the 21st. At Genecourt they received orders to move; they had 
 got to a cross road. One road led to and the other away from the 
 trenches. They hoped they would take the road that would lead 
 them to a quiet place for a while but they were soon undeceived when 
 they marched along the road that led to more trenches. They hiked 
 to an entirely different place this time. They hiked until they were 
 more than 40 miles from where they had been before. They went 
 to Hannonville in a valley, where they did outpost duty until the 29th 
 of October. 
 
 From Hannonville they went to Villiers, where George was one 
 of six to get a furlough. Only ten per cent of the company were allowed 
 
 182
 
 a furlough, and as there were 56 left only six got a furlough 
 and George took advantage of it. He went to Nancy where he went 
 through a delouser, received a fine bath and got a general cleanup. He 
 got all he could eat— cakes, candy and the like. He remained at 
 Nancy a day and a night ; from there he went to Chambry in the Alps 
 on the Swiss border. The air was exhilarating and George got to 
 feeling himself again. He stayed in a good hotel, had good food and 
 other enjoyments, and the scenery was beautiful. All this at the ex- 
 pense of the government made him feel it was not so bad after all, 
 for hard times, misery and danger are soon forgotten by the youth 
 of America. He remained at Chambry from the first until the ninth 
 of November. They celebrated the false peace report on the 7th 
 of November in grand style, and they had a real time for a while any- 
 way, the same as was experienced in this country. 
 
 After the 9th of November he started back to the lines and 
 reached the place just in time to hear the last cannon fired and calm 
 prevailed; excepting where here and there in the distance could be 
 heard the blowing up of ammunition dumps or mines. Major Bol- 
 ington, of Ramsey, Illinois, received praise among the boys that he 
 never heard of. He was a man beloved by all who were connected 
 with him. He had on the morning of the 11th of November re- 
 ceived orders to make another advance. He had done a great deal 
 in the past; three-fourths of his effectives had paid the price and 
 with so few left another advance when it would probably mean the 
 anihilation of his entire bunch and at a time when only hours or 
 minutes stood before him. Thus in order to save the lives of those 
 he loved he spent his time in making preparations for another drive. 
 Thus the hour struck, quiet prevailed, his men were saved and he 
 retained the love of his fellow soldiers and the good citizens of this 
 country. If the good citizens of Ramsey, Illinois, should feel proud 
 of anything they should feel proud of this Major Bolington, who was 
 unwilling to see his boys slaughtered when it was unnecessary. 
 
 The next day great times were had, for the moment the last gun 
 had sounded Germans and Americans mingled together. Hatred be- 
 tween them was no more. On the 13th many prisoners returned; 
 some had been prisoner nearly four years and had been held near the 
 lines to work and they could soon come across the lines. One 
 Italian returning who had been prisoner four years, accidently touched 
 off a grenade and had his arms shot off from the effects of which he 
 died. He had seen much fighting, had seen hardships during the 
 time he was prisoner and after he became free had to lose his life. 
 From this time on many prisoners returned daily. On the 16th of 
 
 183
 
 November the Division got the glorious news that they had been 
 selected to parade in the United States on Christmas day ; and when 
 they met the 5th going to the Army of Occupation they told them the 
 cheerful news, expecting to create a jealousy, but they said nothing; 
 and to their horror they — the 33rd Division — was soon on their way 
 into Germany and they found out the Christmas parade was nothing 
 but a hoax. 
 
 From the 19th of November until the 7th of December they 
 cleaned up towns and fields ; they picked up shells and grenades. In 
 this section only two good houses were left standing; these had been 
 built of better material and the cannon balls had only pierced them 
 but the walls and the roofs had stood the test. Besides these two 
 houses not a house could be seen that was not completely demolished 
 and that could in reality be called a residence. 
 
 During this time they also drilled some to put in the time until 
 the 7th of December when they hiked about 20 miles for Luxemburg. 
 They struck the town of Conflans where they rested until the 9th 
 when they hiked through the mining district of Briey, where many 
 miles of overhead cable was in operation carrying ore. This is the 
 famous district that different nations covet. On the night of the 
 11th of December they stopped at Esch, a beautiful town, where they 
 billeted in a school house over night. On the 12th they hiked five 
 kilos to Hesperangen, where the boys had pay day. On the 14th 
 they hiked 15 kilos to Remich on the Moselle River, which they 
 crossed the next day at Nenning-Wietern and remained in the neigh- 
 borhood until the 17th, when they went back to Renich on the 
 Moselle, where George had all the wine he could drink. They re- 
 mained at Renich until the 20th when they hiked to Burglinster in 
 Luxemburg. Here they billeted in houses and barns, some were and 
 others were not comfortable, for the weather was getting very cold. 
 
 They remained until the 9th of January, 1919, when again they 
 made another short hike to Godbringen. This was to be their last 
 hike. At Godbringen they drilled and exercised until the 25th of 
 April, their last day's stay in the Army of Occupation. While here 
 George received another furlough. There was not much going on 
 in this town so after going through a delouser, and passing inspection 
 George started to Paris on the 21st of March. He went from Luxem- 
 burg to Brussels, from Brussels to Lille, from there to Paris and 
 Versailles, passing through the place near Albert where he had re- 
 ceived his first baptism of fire. 
 
 In Paris he saw the palace of Louis XIV, he saws the hall of 
 mirrors, the table where the Germans signed up, he saw the house 
 
 184
 
 where Wilson stayed and he could have seen many more things but 
 his time was limited and he had to go back; besides in Lille and 
 Paris George paid for everything. Not so in Brussels, there every- 
 thing was free. He received good treatment from the Y. M. C. A.'s 
 while in Paris. He returned to his company, went through Metz and 
 reached Godbringen on the 28th of March. On the 22nd of April they 
 had inspection at Ettlebruck by General Pershing. General Persh- 
 ing and Secretary Baker made speeches. 
 
 They started for home through St. Mihiel on the 25th of April. 
 At New Chateau the Red Cross treated them to coffee, bread and jam. 
 They distributed 180 boxes of cookies, of which George received an 
 ample supply and to which he did justice. They reached Brest on 
 the 29th and boarded the ship Mount Vernon on the 7th of May. The 
 Mount Vernon had formerly been the Crown Princess Cecelia and was 
 a fine vessel which made the voyage a pleasant one ; they had but two 
 stormy days but no seasickness resulted. He was in company with 
 George Bowman, Gus Memken, Gus Bangert and Ed. Bangert, all 
 from this vicinity. They landed at Hoboken on the 16th of May and 
 debarked on the 17th. They went at once to Camp Alills and from 
 there to Chicago where they paraded, for the 130th and the 132nd were 
 mostly Illinois boys. 
 
 That night they went to Camp Grant, from where George was 
 discharged on the 31st of May, reaching home on Sunday morning, 
 June 1, 1919. George did not state how many miles he traveled or 
 hiked; we have learned, however, that he wandered a great deal. He 
 wandered amidst civilization, he wandered in No Man's Land, and in 
 other strange lands. When on the first of June his wandering had 
 ceased and he found his parents, his brother and sisters happy, joy 
 reigned supreme. 
 
 ■ Following is his discharge from the United States Army and his 
 enlistment record : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify, that George F. 
 Smith, 1976140, 1st class Private, Co. I, 132nd Infantry, the United 
 States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby 
 honorably discharge from the military service of the United States by 
 reason of convenience of government. Cir. 106, W. D., April 19, 1918. 
 Said George F. Smith was born in East Alton in the State of Illinois. 
 When enlisted he was 23 6-12 years of age and by occupation a farmer. 
 He had blue eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion, and was 5 feet 6 1-4 
 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp Grant, Illinois, this 
 31st day of May, 1919. Harry A. Yaale, Major Inf. U. S. A., Com- 
 manding. 
 185
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: George F. Smith. Grade: 1st class Private. Inducted: 
 September 19, 1917, at Alton, Illinois, serving in first enlistment period 
 at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned 
 officer: Corporal March 5, 1918, January 1, 1919. Marksmanship, 
 gunner qualification or rating : Not rated. Horsemanship : Not 
 mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expeditions : Verdun 
 Sept. 8-25, 1918; Meuse-Argonne Sept. 26 to Nov. 11-12, 1918. Army 
 of Occupation, Dec. 12, 1918- April. Wounds received in battle : 
 None : Physical condition when discharged : Good. Typhoid 
 prophylaxis completed Oct. 12, 1917; Paratyphoid prophylaxis com- 
 pleted Oct. 12, 1917. Married or single: Single. Character: Ex- 
 cellent. Signature of soldier: George F. Smith. John I. Fitz 
 Sommers, 1st Lieut. 16th D. B. Camp Grant, 111., May 31, 1919. Paid 
 in full, $103.69 including bonus of $60.00, Act of Feb. 24, 1919. 
 S. H. Francis, Captain Quartermaster Corps. 
 
 EMIL H. PAUL 
 
 Emil H. Paul, son of William H. and Carrie Paul, was born in 
 Fort Russell Township, five miles east of Bethalto, January 13, 1895. 
 He attended the Omphghent school until he completed the Eighth 
 grade. His parents lived on a farm and Emil assisted with the farm 
 work until he was called to the colors. He registered in June, 1917, 
 and was one of the first to leave for the army. He was called on the 
 19th of September, 1917, and left Edwardsville September 20, going 
 to Camp Taylor, Ky., in company with Fred Sanders, his friend, who 
 was also going to join Uncle Sam's Army. Many others left Ed- 
 wardsville, Alton, and Staunton on the same day, but only Fred's name 
 is mentioned in this connection, for the two, Fred and Emil, were 
 destined to become fast friends, for they were together until their final 
 parting many thousand miles away. Their history reads much the 
 same for they left together, remained together, went through the same 
 maneuvers together, slept together, and stood the hardships together. 
 
 Emil was placed in Co. B, 333rd Infantry. He received the 
 training that at once fitted him for service beyond the seas ; and con- 
 tinued with this until the 5th of April, 1918, when he left Camp Tay- 
 lor for Camp Logan, where the 33rd Division was receiving men to 
 fill up the division and put it on a war basis. At Camp Logan near 
 Houston, Texas, Emil was put in Co. M, 132nd Infantry. Again he 
 received more intensive training, for the 33rd Division was almost 
 
 186
 
 ready to go overseas. Emil was well qualified for the service, one 
 reason why he was sent to the 33rd Division, for it was soon to take 
 an active part in the affairs that were to settle forever that this coun- 
 try should uphold its honor, integrity and liberty. 
 
 After various kinds of training at Camp Logan the Division 
 started to move a month after he left Camp Taylor; this was on the 
 5th of May; when they crossed the great continent on their way to 
 Camp Upton, N. Y., where they remained a few days — long enough to 
 be equipped for overseas duty. They reached Camp Upton on the 16th 
 of May, and left on the Mount Vernon on the 24th. The Mount Vernon 
 was well fixed for the service, and as she was under American com- 
 mand, and the soldiers receiving good clean American rations, very 
 few got seasick, and the trip across was an uneventful one and they 
 landed safely at Brest. 
 
 On account of the smallness of the Camp at Brest they remained 
 there but three days when they started on the famous French box 
 car ride that need not be commented on here as some other soldier has 
 fully described a trip in one of these cars. They rode two days and 
 two nights, reaching Oisemont, from which place they hiked some 25 
 kilos to a place called Matigny, where they remained a month receiv- 
 ing instructions in gas drills and trench warfare. During the time 
 they were stationed at Matigny they were with the British, and while 
 with them the food conditions changed from bad to worse and at 
 times it was almost unbearable. 
 
 After a month's training they left Matigny and went to Molines 
 Wood about six miles behind the lines. The 132nd was held in re- 
 serve here and while here Emil was learning fast. It was a place of 
 real warfare, under shell fire all the time. After holding the lines 
 four days they went back for a two days' rest, when they were once 
 more sent to the trenches for four days, holding the lines at Hamel 
 Woods on the Albert front. On the evening of the third of July, 
 Emil with his company went over the top. They gained Chapilly 
 Ridge and held it two days until they were relieved. This was near 
 Hamel Wood and the Germans did not show as great a resistance as 
 was expected. After this they left the English command and were 
 put under American command. 
 
 They left in box cars for Bar le Due and remained there two 
 weeks. They were with the French five days and then left for the 
 trenches at the foot of Dead Man's Hill, near Chatincourt, about 14 
 miles from Verdun. They were in the trenches 18 days, constantly 
 under shell fire; often the fire was so intense that it was impossible to 
 get any rations hauled to them and when hunger would set in hard and 
 
 187
 
 they had a chance to get anything cooked or raw they would devour 
 it so ravenously that often cramps would result and the poor boys 
 would be worse off than if they had starved. These eighteen days 
 were trying to the boys, a long, long trial ; the 26th of September 
 had been reached, the 5:15 a. m. had come, the date and the hour that 
 thousands of our brave fellows will never forget. The hour for the 
 great game ; the hour for the greatest game that was ever played in 
 the annals of history ; the hour when the crucial test came ; the hour 
 when America's power was to be recognized. These brave fellows 
 now made the advance as an American unit, the brave boys had seen 
 no rest for the past 18 days, and without further notice they were to 
 move forvv'ard ; they were to go through on schedule time where the 
 French had failed several years. The Germans had lost an equal 
 number and had failed in their objective ; now the Americans must go 
 into the arena. 
 
 Emil and Fred were together ; they knew what must be done ; 
 they knew Forges Swamp must be crossed that morning; they knew 
 Forges Woods beyond must be taken. They went forward through 
 the swamp that was full of shell holes filled with vv^ater that would 
 cause them to sink down sometimes waist deep ; but the two went 
 through ; they went into Forges Wood ; yes and beyond it. The 
 French did not believe it could be done ; for they had tried three years ; 
 and the Germans had continually improved their positions with artil- 
 lery, machine gun nest, barbed wire entanglement, mines and other 
 death dealing devices ; so they felt comparatively safe, for they had 
 never heard of America's ingenuity. The object was accomplished 
 in a few days and many prisoners were captured and large quantities 
 of war material. One Bethalto boy, Ed. Bangert, was wounded in 
 Forges Wood, several who went through remained unhurt, among 
 whom were Emil and Fred and George Bowman. As soon as Forges 
 Woods was in their possession they went on without further rest into 
 Fay's Woods. It seemed like they knew the enemy had to be de- 
 feated and the quicker the better. Our boys stood firm, the machine 
 gun bullets were taking a heavy toll but they went on without flinch- 
 ing; those who remained unhurt went on far into the wood. 
 
 Emil's corporal had paid the price and Em.il took his place, be- 
 coming corporal on the 10th of October. Not a minute went by but 
 some one fell out of the ranks, yet Emil and Fred went on and on 
 until Fay's Woods also was in their hands ; yet they went on. These 
 were awful days and nights ; far into the woods with no food ; and no 
 chance for any ; thus five days went by — five days that no mortal man 
 can stand; five days when thousands, yea, millions of precious lives 
 
 188
 
 were cheap; a time when real prayers are sent heavenward. They 
 had gained their objective ; Fay's Woods was in their hands, and still 
 they pressed on and on through an open space where our men fell by 
 the score ; yet Emil and Fred went on, they were still together ; Fred's 
 corporal had sacrificed his life ; he had fallen and it became Fred's duty 
 to assume this position. Thus Emil and Fred went on, never more 
 than 20 yards apart ; they succeeded in reaching Bois de Forret or 
 Forret Wood amid a rain of bullets. As soon as they reached Forret 
 Wood they dug in, in other words, they hid behind anything that could 
 be found ; one would crouch behind a pile of earth ; Emil hid behind a 
 tree to escape the machine gun bullets that were flying ; they were 
 making one counter attack after another ; determination was marked 
 on their faces but it did little good. When the first scouting party of 
 the enemy came along several of our brave boys again had to pay the 
 price, several fell, among whom was Emil's best friend; yes, Fred also 
 had paid the price. 
 
 Although not in Fred's squad, Emil was but a few yards away 
 from him, and after the scouting party had been killed Emil walked 
 up to where his friend lay, he had been spied by an enemy scout who 
 had shot him. As soon as the first scouting party had been disposed 
 of another came along and then another ; both were terribly dealt with, 
 for not a single one of the enemy escaped. Fred was buried where 
 he fell, but he was afterward taken up and placed in an American 
 cemetery. 
 
 Fred lost his life on the last day of that terrible ordeal, for on the 
 following day, the 13th of October, the boys were ordered to leave the 
 place ; anotlier company had come to relieve them. They went to 
 Genecourt near Bar le Due, near the Aleuse. They remained there 
 two days and then went back for a rest. This should have been a long 
 rest but two days was all they got ; after that they v/ere sent to the St. 
 Mihiel front, about ten miles south of Metz, in the Lorraine Sector. 
 They were under shell fire constantly, and they hiked all the way. 
 
 Many a forsaken place did they pass, many a ruined house was 
 seen. This was truly No Man's Land, for it seemed as if no human 
 being could even exist there. The 31st of October was finally reached 
 for Emil ; a day when he would receive a seven-day leave for more 
 beautiful scenery. He went to Labron Bo, near the Switzerland 
 border, where the scenery was beautiful, where the Alps loomed up in 
 the distance with everything quiet at this place, with the fields full of 
 fall flowers, and snow-capped hills in the distance. Emil once more 
 became himself again ; he felt refreshed, for he had had several fine 
 baths, had excellent hotel accommodations, and a clean bed. This 
 
 189
 
 was the first time he had slept in a house in eight months. He had 
 a seven days' leave ; this did not include the time of his going and com- 
 ing ; and when his time expired and he was getting ready to leave this 
 quiet place to return to the cannon's roar the greatest of all things 
 happened, the 11th of November had come, the armistice was signed. 
 The French were the happiest of people, flags were flying everywhere, 
 wine was flowing freely wherever you saw the French celebrating. It 
 took Emil four days to get back to his company, which was on the 
 15th of November. They were starting on a hike to Doncourt in the 
 Metz area, where they remained three days cleaning up the battlefield ; 
 from there they went to Woel, where they remained a week doing the 
 same kind of work. They remained until the 7th of December when 
 they started on their famous hike into Luxemburg. There was no 
 danger of any mines, for the Germans had disposed of them on their 
 way back to Germany. They crossed the Mozelle and went across 
 Luxemburg, but did not get as far as the Rhine. They went as far 
 east as Weiten, w^here they remained but two days when they were 
 sent back into Luxemburg where they remained from the 20th of 
 December until the 25th of April doing guard duty and rifle practice 
 on the rifle range. On the 25th of April they were loaded on trucks 
 and they started on their way homeward; they rode to Graemen 
 Macker, which was a rail head; and where they were put into real 
 American box cars ; on their way home they went through Metz and 
 Verdun and other places of interest and finally reached Brest on the 
 29th of April and remaining there until the 9th of May, when they 
 once more boarded the Mount Vernon to return to America. The 
 voyage was by far more pleasant than when they crossed the first 
 time; there was no gloom, and lights burned brightly all the way 
 across. Several Bethalto boys were on the same boat and the re- 
 turn trip was rather a pleasant one for the boys had partly recovered 
 from the gloomy days that they had seen. They landed at Hoboken 
 on the 17th of May and were sent to Camp Mills where they remained 
 until the 21st and from there they went to Camp Grant from w^here 
 they were discharged on the 29th of May. Reaching home safely 
 and being welcomed by parents and relatives and friends, the verses 
 of Minna Irving constantly appeared to him. The poem, entitled 
 "The Soldier," runs thus : 
 
 When last in the Argonne with death on my trail, 
 
 And snipers all round us, and bullets like hail, 
 
 I thought of a robin far over the sea 
 
 That built in the top of a white lilac tree — 
 
 190
 
 The tall lilac tree that grew close to the door 
 
 Of the home that I thought I would never see more, 
 
 Now I sit on the porch with the sun in the west, 
 
 And the robin is thrilling his song by the nest, 
 
 In the green lilac boughs, but the world has gone dead. 
 
 For the music of bullets that sang overhead, 
 
 And the comrade who fell where the red rivers ran, 
 
 And taught me the measure God used for man. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Emil Henry 
 Paul, 1976015, Corporal Co. M, 132nd Infantry, the United States 
 Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honor- 
 ably discharged from the military service of the United States by 
 reason of convenience of government. Per Cir. 106, W. D. 1918. 
 Said Emil Henry Paul was born in Edwardsville, in the State of Illi- 
 nois. When enlisted he was 22 9-12 years of age and by occupation 
 a farmer. He had blue eyes, dark hair, ruddy complexion and was 
 5 feet 11 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp Grant, 
 111., this 31st day of May, 1919. Harry A. Yagle, Major Inf. U. S. A., 
 Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Emil Henry Paul. Grade: Corporal. Enlisted: Sep- 
 tember 19, 1917, at Edwardsville, 111., serving in first enlistment period 
 at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned 
 officer: Corporal from private 1st class, March, 1919. Marksman- 
 ship, gunner qualification, or rating : Not rated. Horsemanship : 
 Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expeditions : Verdun 
 lines ; June 23, Aug. 23, 1918. Verdun Sector, September 8-25, 1918. 
 Argonne-Meuse Offensive, Sept. 26, October 13, 1918. Troyan Sur 
 Meuse: Oct. 25, Nov. 11, 1918. Knowledge of any vocation: Farmer. 
 Wounds received in service : None. Physical condition when dis- 
 charged : Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed October 12, 1917; 
 Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed: October 12, 1917. Married or 
 single : Single. Character : Excellent. Signature of soldier : 
 Emil Henry Paul. John J. Fitzsimmons, 1st Lieut. 161st D. B., Com- 
 manding, Camp Grant, 111., May 31, 1919. Paid in full: $111.18, in- 
 cluding bonus of $60.00, Act of Feb. 24, 1919. S. H. Francis, Captain 
 Quartermaster Corps. 
 
 191
 
 FRED W. SANDERS 
 
 Fred W. Sanders, son of Fred W. and Hannah Sanders, was born 
 in Fort Russell Township, east of Bethalto, July 18, 1892. His 
 youth was spent at home on the farm and he received his education 
 at the Liberty Prairie school, completing the Eighth grade work. He 
 registered for the service in June, 1917, and was called to the colors on 
 the 19th of September, 1917. He left with a bunch of 172 boys for 
 Camp Taylor where he was placed in Co. B, 333rd Infantry. Fred 
 received the usual line of drilling, company duty, etc., until April 5, 
 1918, when he with other boys was sent to Camp Logan, Texas, near 
 the city of Houston. Here he was placed in Co. M, 132nd Infantry 
 of the 33rd Division, which was being strengthened in order to have 
 the proper number of men for overseas duty, the 33rd Division being 
 short of men. 
 
 At Camp Logan they received intensive training for they had not 
 long to remain in this country, and within a month, on the 5th of May, 
 they were on their way to Camp Upton, N. Y., where the boys re- 
 ceived their full equipment for overseas service. They left Camp 
 Upton on the 16th of May and sailed on the Mount Vernon for France, 
 where they arrived on the 24th of May, landing at Brest. They re- 
 mained in camp three days when they started in French box cars into 
 France. They rode two days and two nights reaching Oisemont 
 from which place they hiked 25 miles to a place called Matigny, where 
 they remained a month, receiving more training in gas and trench 
 v/arfare. During this time they were with the British. After they 
 left Matigny they went to another British Sector at Molines Woods, 
 about six miles behind the lines, and the 132nd was held in reserve. 
 While attached to the British forces they went through a period of in- 
 tensive training. 
 
 On June 21st Fred had his first experience in the trenches where 
 he was helping hold the lines for four days. Then they went back 
 for a two days' rest and again returned to the trenches for another 
 four days, holding the lines at Hamel Wood on the Albert Front, and 
 again went back for a rest. On the evening of the 3rd of July they 
 returned to the trenches and on the morning of the 4th of July Fred 
 had his first experience in "Going over the Top." This was at 
 Chapilly Ridge near Hamel Wood. The ridge was taken, for there 
 was not much resistance by the Germans, and after gaining their ob- 
 jective and holding their gains for two days they left the place and 
 were transferred to the American command. 
 
 They again left in box cars and went to Barle Due where they re- 
 mained two weeks. They were Vv-ith the French about five days and 
 
 192
 
 ^^«„^^ 
 
 -M 
 
 PH^^^^ - iii.'jM 
 
 ) * 
 
 ■•• -™^^^flp ^ 
 
 I 
 
 ft^ 
 
 r 
 
 Hi 
 
 1 
 
 GEORGE J. DEIST 
 Att'd to School for Bakers and Cooks 
 
 JESSE LENORD CLEMENTS 
 
 Headquarters Co., 66th Art., C. A. C. 
 
 WILLIAM H. DETTMERS 
 Sgt., Co. H, 139th Infantry 
 
 CLARENCE S. RYAN 
 Supply Co., 131st Infantry
 
 EMIL H. PAUL 
 Corp., Co. M, 132nd Infantry 
 
 ALBERT E. KAYSER 
 
 (Deceased) 
 Co. B, 113th Infantry 
 
 RUDOLPH LOHR 
 
 Wag. Sup. Co., 129th Infantry 
 
 FRED W. SANDERS 
 
 (Deceased) 
 Corp., Co. M, 132nd Infantry
 
 were then sent to the trenches at the foot of Dead Man's Hill near 
 Chatincourt and about 14 miles from the city of Verdun. Fred was 
 first gimner in the Automatic Squad, using French automatics. They 
 held the trenches for 18 days when on the 26th of September, at 5 :15 
 in the morning-, they were ordered to advance without having had a 
 rest. This going over the top was witnessed by many a soldier, yes 
 many thousand soldiers ; they went through Forges Swamp through 
 deep shell holes full of water, and through Forges Woods, where 
 many a brave son lost his life. 
 
 Fighting was intense ; here Ed. Bangert was wounded, but Fred 
 came out of it unhurt ; and the boys left Forges Woods after it was 
 in Americans' hands, and went to Fay's Woods. Without any further 
 rest they entered Fay's W^oods on the 6th of October; the German 
 patrol were within a short distance from our boys. The machine 
 gun bullets were constantly flying, but they went into the fray. Fred 
 was on the extreme right and they passed through Fay's Woods and 
 into the open beyond Fay's Woods and through the open space into 
 Forret \\'oods where they hid behind trees and piles of dirt that the 
 boys had hurriedly thrown up to protect themselves from machine gun 
 fire. 
 
 While they were thus lying down a German patrol came along 
 reconnoitering, little dreaming our boys had got so close, and as Fred 
 was on the extreme right and the patrol coming in on their flank he 
 heard them coming and upon looking up to see what the noise was a 
 German spied him and immediately shot in the direction where he had 
 seen Fred move, with the result that spread sorrow over parents, 
 relatives and friends. Yes, his aim had been accurate and Fred fell 
 back mortally wounded. The fighting by this tiiue became deathly 
 close. Fred's comrade, upon seeing what had happened, jumped up 
 and a pistol duel began in which Fred's buddie was the victor. Four 
 of the boys, including Fred, had been killed ; but the German patrol 
 paid dear for their daring, for only one escaped. Two other patrols 
 came along, each consisting of about thirty men, but each fared the 
 same fate or worse, for not one of them returned to the German lines. 
 Our boys had become desperate at having seen their comrades fall and 
 had disposed of both patrols. 
 
 Sadly they picked Fred up and buried him where he fell, but he 
 was not left there, for he was taken up and buried in an American 
 cemetery. Fred had been obedient to the last, he was an example in 
 the army, he set an example that only true Americans can do ; he took 
 the lead for we find him and leave him in the very lead ; no loyal 
 American could do more or go farther; his sacrifice was truly the 
 
 193
 
 supreme sacrifice and all true loyal American citizens do him the 
 greatest honor that can be bestowed. 
 
 Following is an abstract of a letter written to Fred's father by the 
 Colonel, Somewhere in France, Nov. 10, 1918. Mr. Fred Sander, 
 R.F.D., Moro, III: On October 12th, 1918, our regiment, together 
 with other American troops, took part in an engagement. Your son, 
 Fred W. Sander, Jr., Private Co. M, was killed on the battlefield. 
 From personal accounts of his comrades I may vouch that he died a 
 hero. The engagement terminated in a hand-to-hand fight in which 
 all of our men took part, your son among them. The officers and 
 men of the regiment mourn his loss and extend their condolence to 
 you. He has not died in vain. In future engagements in which 
 this regiment may take part your son's gallant and heroic deeds shall 
 be our inspiration to victory. Sincerely yours, Abel Davis, Colonel. 
 
 Another letter written to Fred's mother by the first lieutenant of 
 his company reads as follows: On active service with American 
 Expeditionary Forces, Dec. 22, 1918. Mrs. Fred Sanders, Moro, 111. 
 I am just in receipt of your letter in regard to Fred Sanders of this 
 company. I sincerely hope by the time this letter reaches you that 
 you will have been apprised of; your son's death, so this may not be 
 a shock to you. Your son was killed Oct. 12, 1918, in the Bois de 
 Faye, north of Verdun, along the Meuse river. He died just as you 
 would have wished him to die — every inch a man and fighting to the 
 last. He was killed in a surprise attack on this company in which 
 he and two others of our men were killed. He was a big favorite 
 with this company and every one feels his death very keenly. The 
 entire company extends its hand to you in your sorrow and I do cer- 
 tainly hope you will have received word of your son by now. Your 
 son is buried in Boise de Faye. Trusting I have given you all the 
 information you desire, and disliking very much to convey news of 
 this kind, I am respectfully yours, F. M. Dolven, 1st Lieut. 132nd In- 
 fantry, Commanding Co. M. 
 
 WILLIAM H. DETTMERS. 
 
 William H. Dettmers, son of George and Bertha Dettmers. was 
 born April 27, 1893, in Alton, but he spent his youth on the farm that 
 his parents purchased. This farm is located four miles north of 
 Bethalto. He attended the Dorsey school until he reached and com- 
 pleted the Eighth grade. He continued to assist his father at farm- 
 ing until he left for the army. He registered in June, 1917, and was 
 called to the colors the following October. 
 
 194
 
 He went to Edwardsville and was sworn in at 4 p. m. on the 3rd 
 of October, and left with the Edwardsville contingent the next morn- 
 ing. Charles Neunaber and others from around here went at the 
 same time. He went to Camp Taylor, where the 84th Division was 
 being formed. He was placed in Co. A, 333rd Infantry, 84th or Lin- 
 coln Division. The duties at Camp Taylor were varied ; drilling, 
 hiking and in general company duty. At the end of the three months 
 Will was made first class private. He went to mess sergeant school 
 and gas and flame school completing the work of both before he left 
 Camp Taylor. 
 
 On June 8th Will left Camp Taylor and went to Camp Sherman, 
 Ohio, where part of the 84th Division was located, and was being filled 
 to war strength. At Camp Sherman, Ohio, his duties were practically 
 the same as those at Camp Taylor, until he became company supply 
 sergeant. His pay was thus increased from $33 a month to $39 a 
 month. He held this position until he reached Camp Mills, L. I. 
 
 On Aug. 22nd the company left Camp Sherman for Camp Mills. 
 They had received their O. D. uniforms at Camp Sherman and at 
 Camp Mills they were equipped for overseas duty. At Camp Mills 
 Will was relieved as supply sergeant and was made duty sergeant, thus 
 holding the same rank. On Aug. 31 the company left Camp Mills for 
 Hoboken, N. J., taking a train to Brooklyn and a ferry to the pier 
 where the large steamer Baltic lay waiting. They remained at dock 
 until the morning of September 1st, when they sailed into the harbor, 
 starting on their journey across on Sunday evening. 
 
 The convoy of troop ships, including a torpedo boat and the bat- 
 tleship Montana, passed out of sight of land at 6:30 in the evening. 
 The weather was calm and the sea as smooth as glass and the trip 
 across was uneventful except that a submarine was sighted when they 
 were two days at sea. Eight shots were fired and the "sub" disap- 
 peared. The rations were poor and the trip was finally accomplished. 
 They landed at Liverpool, England, on the 13th of September. 
 
 Upon landing they entrained at once for Southampton on the 
 southern shore of England, reaching this place in the evening of the 
 same day, and went into camp for the night. They had two meals 
 while they were there, and they consisted of bread and bacon but no 
 coffee. The following evening they were loaded on a small boat 
 about the size of a river steamer and crossed the channel during the 
 night. The boat was so crowded there was no room to lie down and 
 rest, so it was either stand up and sleep or stand up and wake. Again 
 they succeeded in crossing, and they landed at La Havre in the morn- 
 ing, and hiked to and up the bluffs to an English rest camp, a camp of 
 
 195
 
 round tents, room enough for eight, but Will kept company with 
 eleven other sergeants in the same tent. Btu they had but a short 
 time to stay at this camp and after a sleepless night the usual call of 
 "Roll Packs" was heard and they were on the hike again and back to 
 La Havre they went where they received six days' rations and pre- 
 pared for a long box car ride which lasted four days and four nights. 
 They went as far as Austier, about 60 kilos from Bordeaux. 
 
 Southern France was occupied by the 84th Division, and the out- 
 lying villages were soon filled with American soldiers. Very few 
 sheds, barns, chicken houses and the like remained unoccupied in this 
 neck of the country. From St. Austier they hiked to St. Aquilan. 
 about 15 kilos, with their 80 pound packs. Will was in charge of 17 
 men and he and his men billeted in a barn. During his stay he had 
 the privilege of visiting Charley Neunaber's abode, which consisted of 
 a cow barn. Charley was also in charge of a bunch of boys and the 
 only advantage he had over his men was that his room in the hotel 
 was a manger. At this place the boys did a lot of drilling, hiking, 
 bayonet practice, gas drills and the like. Here they practiced going 
 over the top called the New French Formation. While there Maj. 
 Gen. Hale made a speech to the 333rd Infantry saying they would 
 soon go to the lines and that everybody do his best and learn all he 
 could to prepare him for the strenuous duties that lay before him. 
 
 On October 14th the 84th Division was broke up or skeletonized 
 as it was called. There were taken out of each company 210 men, 
 and just enough men left to hold the division. They hiked back to 
 St. Austier after eating dinner. They had drawn six days' rations 
 but they were ordered not to touch them, and when supper time came 
 and no supper the boys became restless and when they were loaded 
 into box cars at the rate of 49 in each small car they became irritable. 
 They rode all night, and when the l)oys received no breakfast the next 
 morning they became almost mutinous. It was not until noon that 
 the boys received the first eats since they had left St. Aquilan. 
 
 It is hardly possible to imagine how the boys felt when the train 
 stopped alongside some eating sheds, and right before them was a 
 spread of potatoes, beefsteak, coffee and the like. After eating corn 
 beef and hard tack for so long and without a bite to eat the past 24 
 hours, this beefsteak and potatoes looked too good and many had to 
 pinch themselves to see if they were asleep and dreaming; but this 
 was of only an hour's duration for they were stowed into box cars 
 again and the monotonous ride continued. 
 
 They were destined for the 91st division, but the order was 
 changed and they were sent to the 35th Division. They rode five 
 
 196
 
 days and five nights and a long and liixxmie ride it was with 49 men 
 in a car. One half had to stand while the other half slept. At one 
 time on their way they quelled a disturbance caused by some thinking 
 they were not properly treated, when in reality no one was treated 
 like he should have been. They finally reached the end of the line. 
 On their way they stopped at one i)lace long enough to go through a 
 gas house to test their gas masks. When they reached the end of 
 their journey they started on their 15 kilos hike to the 35th Division 
 that was stationed somewhere in the woods. This Division had 
 come from the front ; they had lost many of their efTectives and were 
 ready to have their ranks filled by these new men from the 84th 
 Division. They pitched their "pup" tents for the first time, went to 
 bed in the rain without supper, crawled out of their tents in the morn- 
 ing to find no breakfast for them, but rain, more rain ; here they had 
 the first experience of rain in France. They were separated here and 
 put into difi'erent companies and by eleven o'clock that day they re- 
 ceived their first meal. They were near the Argonne and when they 
 got off the train they saw the first flashes of the Germans' guns, and 
 heard the roar of their cannon. 
 
 Will was put in Co. F, 138th Infantry, and as a sergeant was 
 second in command of the 3rd platoon. He was called right guide. 
 They had supper about 5 p. m. and the second lieutenant who was in 
 command gave them a nice talk — it seemed so at least to the new boys, 
 but the old ones simply smiled for they knew better. He told them 
 that they had an 8 kilos hike before them, where they would all be 
 billeted in small villages so he ordered them to once more roll packs 
 and start, and by 5 :30 that afternoon they started on their 8 kilo hike, 
 and instead of billeting in nice little villages they were headed straight 
 for the first line trenches. They would hike 50 minutes and rest 10 
 minutes. Every soldier who reads this will have brought back to him 
 some memorable experiences. Fifty minutes hike, ten minutes rest, 
 became a familiar term with the boys. At one place they got lost 
 on account of the awful darkness ; with rain pouring down all the time 
 it was a tiresome journey and when they had a 15 minutes rest at 
 8:30 Will from sheer exhaustion went to sleep while sitting on the 
 butt of his gun. 
 
 Every soldier has had some hike some time and this was Will's 
 hike, but he stayed with it and so did all the new bunch, but the old 
 ones had remained behind somewhere during the night and they came 
 straggling in the next day. Their second lieutenant who had told 
 them such a wonderful story about the nice little hike they were go- 
 ing to have remained with them. He was plucky and complimented 
 
 197
 
 the new boys for being such hikers. They reached their destination 
 at 5 o'clock in the morning and they were ordered to rest, so Will and 
 Sergeant Brockmeyer, who was with him, unrolled their packs and 
 right in the open, rain or no rain, they slept until 2 o'clock that after- 
 noon when they were called to dinner which consisted of turnips, 
 pumpkin, beef, slum, etc. and their hunger was once more appeased, 
 for they had orders not to touch their reserve rations. 
 
 After dinner when the stragglers had caught up they formed on 
 a rock road each one half platoon of about 32 men and the platoons 
 about 50 yards apart. They hiked until midnight when they came up 
 to the lines. Here they stopped and slept in dugouts while the flares 
 of all colors could be seen issuing from the German's lines. 
 
 This was about the middle of October. After a good night's 
 sleep in the Company Commander's dugout, which consisted of a kind 
 of a cave where shells could do no damage, although flying all night. 
 They were now at company's headquarters. Early next morning they 
 took a section of a sector of a trench ; here Will, with Sergeant Good- 
 win of St. Louis, who was in command of the boys in the trench, had 
 his first experience in trench warfare. 
 
 Sergeant Goodwin had been in the trenches before and the mud 
 and dirt had finally got the best of him, and he became sick so Will 
 had to take charge, thus being put in command of the whole platoon. 
 During these three days of trench life Will also experienced his first 
 gas attack. At one o'clock at night a sort of sneezing gas crept 
 down their trench ; but the rattler used by the man on guard prevented 
 much damage. Some of the guards used Klaxon horns, some tri- 
 angles, but Will's platoon was equipped with an instrument called a 
 rattler, with which every soldier soon became familiar. The object 
 of this gas was to create sneezing, thus locating the camouflaged 
 trenches. 
 
 Their trench was at the foot of a high embankment that had 
 been poorly kept. The embankment had formerly been used for a 
 railroad track but was now all torn up by the shells. The French 
 had made these trenches, but had failed to keep them clean. The 
 mud about two feet deep was simply intolerable but the boys did not 
 remain long enough to clean out the mud. 
 
 Sergeant Goodwin had been in the trenches from the 26th of Sep- 
 tember to the first of October, and was unable to do anything, so Will, 
 being in charge, remained on duty day and night until they were re- 
 lieved. This was supposed to be a quiet sector, but if this was a 
 quiet sector Will wondered what a lively sector would seem like ; for 
 the artillery and machine gun bullets flew all the time cutting the grass 
 
 198
 
 as if mown by a reaper. At the end of the third day Will and four 
 privates received orders to report at P. C. — Post Command. They 
 rolled their packs and in this scramble Will had the good fortune of 
 getting a blanket belonging to one of the privates which caused him 
 to receive an involuntary introduction to the cootie. 
 
 All fagged out, they reached headquarters where they remained 
 until 3 p. m. and getting a good fill of rice, doughnuts, and French hard 
 tack. Real hunger had set in and this meal was sure appreciated. A 
 2nd lieutenant took the boys to the 140th Inf., Co. M, of the 35th 
 Division, and Will took charge of a platoon. The 140th was in re- 
 serve at the time. . They reached the place about midnight, 4 kilos 
 back of the front lines, but near enough for the big shells to scatter 
 his crowd now and then. At 4 p. m. the next day Will and another 
 sergeant got orders to join Co. D. who were holding the front line 
 trenches which was blocked off into four sections. Will was put in 
 charge of one corporal and 20 men at G. C. 4., G. C. meaning guard 
 command. They were now in the Somme Dieu Sector. It was truly 
 No Man's Land. They could see the beautiful Metz-Verdun road. 
 A short distance to their right lay what had once been the beautiful 
 town of Waternville ; but now all wrecked by the many thousand 
 shells that had been sent into the town ; for the enemy supposed the 
 Americans had been making this their stopping place. They could 
 see the gas shells falling continually among the ruins but there were 
 no soldiers there to receive this deadly poison. They were in these 
 muddy trenches seven days and seven nights. Here Will had his 
 first experience in dressing the wounds of a soldier who was shot 
 while in these trenches. During these trying hours they received but 
 two meals a day, which consisted of bacon and rice. At 9 a. m. and 
 at 4 p. m. a detail was sent out to get rations, and it was difficult to get 
 the detail for it was dangerous to make the trip. The French had 
 held these trenches and had left them in an awful condition but the 
 Americans succeeded in cleaning out the filth and mud to some ex- 
 tent, thus making them more habitable. 
 
 While in these trenches Will saw Germans about 2000 yards away 
 placing machine guns ; he also saw an American aeroplane shoot down 
 a German aeroplane, killing both occupants in the machine. They 
 were high in the air and it was impossible to ascertain who was the 
 successful combatant until the victor flew back toward the American 
 lines. Later the two who had downed the German machine came to 
 their trench and tried to find the machine that had fallen within the 
 American lines, but they were so near the Germans that they left as 
 
 199
 
 quickly as possible, for they had no guns, no masks, and no protec- 
 tion whatever. During the night some American officers located 
 the machine and found that both occupants had been killed. 
 
 At the end of seven days they were relieved by Co. L. They had 
 barely left the trenches when the Germans poured 3,200 gas shells into 
 Co. L. This mustard gas produced a pitiful sight. Thirty of these 
 gassed came into camp sadly disfigured for life. After Will was re- 
 lieved he stayed in a dugout 60 feet deep, some sort of a natural cave. 
 For seven days Will remained back of the lines but it meant no rest 
 for him for they had to drill under a large camouflaged place, for many 
 of the soldiers knew very little if any about gas masks. Some did not 
 know how to put them on, some did not even know how to load a rifle. 
 This seems strange, but too true. It was not known how they could 
 have been rushed to the front in such a condition. 
 
 At the end of seven days they went back to the lines for a few 
 days when the Division was relieved by the 82nd Division, known as 
 the "Wild Cat" Division. The name sure suited them for they were 
 all dare devils, caring nothing whether a noise was made or a match 
 was lighted. They were cautioned by the officers of the 35th 
 Division to keep quiet but it did little good and the 35th left the 82nd 
 in charge. They had hardly reached the trenches when they rushed 
 into the enemy. They were dare devils, but they paid dear for this 
 episode, for they lost many of their brave men in this unprepared on- 
 rush. 
 
 The 35th Division left this section and went southeast preparing 
 for the Metz drive. They hiked all the way, always under shell fire, 
 through many a torn up town. They went through places where 
 helmets could be counted by the carload, each helmet had once pro- 
 tected some loved one ; for on and around Dead Man's Hill many a 
 brave son had fought his last battle. They remained in Verdun one 
 day for a rest and continued their journey, always traveling at night 
 for they were always within range of the large guns. At one place 
 they had barely left a Y. M. C. A. building when a shell of large caliber 
 fell squarely on the building killing 17 American soldiers. They 
 reached Lens in the St. Mihiel Triangle where they remained until 4 
 p. m. the next day, then hiked all night to a town called Rupt, south 
 of Metz, and about 10 kilos from St. Mihiel. Here they found the 
 French just moving back into town and trying to repair some of their 
 homes. Here Will got his first chance at some bitter chocolate but it 
 tasted sweet to him. Here they had some hard drilling preparatory 
 to the Metz drive for they were by this time going pretty well into the 
 month of November. On the 10th orders were given to "roll packs" 
 
 200
 
 at 2 p. m., ready to leave at 5:15, the designated hour to leave; all 
 was ready and when they were ready to leave at 5:15 orders came 
 to hold the boys. They unrolled their packs and the next morning 
 order to "roll packs" once more came to the boys ; they waited with 
 their packs rolled until 9 a. m. when they were ordered to go back and 
 drill. During the time of their drilling the large cannon could be 
 continually heard above all the noise, when just at 11 o'clock the can- 
 nonading ceased, causing an exciting stillness ; for they knew what had 
 happened, for a fevv^ hours later, at 4 p. m. the real news came and the 
 celebration began. The weather was cold and they were billeted in a 
 barn where the warmth of the horses kept them from freezing.. 
 
 After the armistice was signed everybody wanted to go home; 
 but instead of going home they drilled 9 hours a day. They remained 
 in Rupt about three weeks and then went to Bondercourt, a small 
 village near St. Mihiel. They remained at Bondecourt about two 
 months. All sorts of reports about going home came in but they 
 were all false reports and each morning saw the boys on the drill 
 ground with their happiness all gone. 
 
 At Bondecourt they paraded for Gen. Pershing, who also made 
 them a fine talk. The Prince of Wales and his staff were also there. On 
 February 1 Will was transferred from Co. M, 140th Inf., to Co. H, 
 139th Infantry, and went to Enville, a little south of Bondercourt. 
 Here he remained until they started for an embarkation camp. They 
 hiked to Loerville and then got in real American box cars for another 
 ride. They rode to La Mons where the boys went on a rifle range 
 and completed a course in firing. Will made eight bulls-eyes out of 
 10 at 600 yards, but no sharpshooter's badges were g:iven, although 
 he qualified. They were at La Mons about two weeks when they 
 once more took to the box cars for their final ride. They went to St. 
 Nazaire, where they had daily inspection and daily parades. Here 
 they were beginning to live again. They went through the delouser 
 twice, lived in pretty good barracks and v/cre able to keep clean. They 
 remained at St. Nazaire about five weeks until the 15th of April, when 
 they set sail for America on the U. S. Matsonia. This was a happy 
 day and the boys could not keep quiet and many were sent back for 
 punishment, simply because they had shouted too much in the pres- 
 ence of officers — officers who had never seen a trench — officers who 
 had never heard a cannon — officers not like those who had been with 
 them, had seen their misery ; for those officers such as Captain Lud- 
 low and others would have helped out in the noise, for Captain Ludlow 
 was a prince among men. If the enemy would have had officers like 
 Captain Ludlow the entire world would never have defeated them. 
 
 201
 
 But Captain Ludlow and his kind were not in command at St. 
 Nazaire, and the boys had to keep quiet until they were out of hearing 
 distance. 
 
 They were on the water ten days. Will was not seasick and felt 
 fine when they landed at Newport News, Va., on the 25th of April, 
 1919. He remained there a week, leaving his comrades, some to go 
 here, some there. He rode to Chicago in a real American Pullman 
 sleeper. The Red Cross fed the boys at Cincinnati. They stopped 
 at Chicago for an hour, reaching Camp Grant on the first of May. 
 He was discharged on the second and reached home on the third. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that William H. 
 Dettmers, 1975869, Sergeant Co. H, 139th Infantry, 35th Division, 
 Infantry unassigned, last assigned, the United States Army, as a tes- 
 timonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honorably discharged 
 from the military service of the United States by reason of conven- 
 ience of government. Per Cir. 106, W. D. 1918. Said William H. 
 Dettmers was born in Alton in the State of Illinois. When enlisted 
 he was 24 years of age and by occupation a farmer. He had grey 
 eyes, brown hair, dark complexion, and was 5 feet 4 1-2 inches in 
 height. Given under my hand at Camp Grant, Illinois, this 2nd day 
 of May, 1919. Frank J. Clendeum, Major Inf. U. S. A., Command- 
 ing. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: William H. Dettmers. Grade: Sergeant. Enlisted or 
 inducted October 3, 1917, at Edwardsville, III, serving in first enlist- 
 ment period at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Noncom- 
 missioned officer: Sergeant July 16th, 1918. Marksmanship, gun- 
 ner qualification, or rating: Not qualified. Horsemanship: Not 
 mounted. Battles, skirmishes, expeditions: Verdun Sector Oct. 16 
 to Nov. 6, 1918. Knowledge of any vocation: Farmer. Wounds 
 received in service: None. Physical condition when discharged: 
 Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed: March 28, 1918. Para- 
 typhoid prophylaxis completed : March 28, 1918. Married or single : 
 Single. Character: Excellent. Remarks: Entitled to travel pay. 
 Signature of soldier: William H. Dettmers. Virgil D. Jones, 1st 
 Lieut. Inf. U. S. A., Commanding Gas Det. 2nd Bn. Camp Grant, 111., 
 May 2, 1919. Paid in full : $114.78, including bonus of $60.00, Act of 
 Feb. 24, 1919. S. H. Francis, Captain Quartermaster Corps. 
 
 202
 
 BEN T. ALBERS. 
 
 Ben T. Albers, son of Enoch and Tena Albcrs, was born in Bige- 
 low, Minn., April 11, 1895. The Albers family have always lived 
 around Bethalto, and when Ben was six years of age Enoch Albers 
 and family returned from Minnesota and moved back to Bethalto, 
 where they purchased a farm north of Bethalto. Ben attended the Lu- 
 man school for a while, and when a little later they were transferred 
 to the Bethalto school district on account of the inconvenience in go- 
 ing to the Luman school, Ben went to school at Bethalto for a while, 
 completing the Fifth grade work there. After his school years he 
 worked at home for a while besides working on the farm for the 
 neighbors. He was employed by John Nolte, south of Bethalto, in 
 June, 1917, which caused him to register in Fort Russell District; 
 but he did not leave for camp until June 1, 1918, when he left Ed- 
 wardsville in company with John Balster and John Reinke. 
 
 He arrived at Fort Thomas, Ky., the next day and was there but 
 three days when he was sent to Camp Sheridan, where he was placed 
 in Co. E, 46th Infantry, Ninth Division. He was in this company 
 four months, after which time he was transferred to the 46th Supply 
 Co., Ninth Division. His duty consisted principally of keeping track 
 of clothing, but he did a great deal of guard duty and what is termed 
 fatigue duty. At the end of four months he was made wagoner and 
 from that time on he did stable guard at Camp Sheridan. Ben, like 
 others, had his greatest trouble in being sick ; he had "flu" pretty 
 bad for three weeks. Ben was a wagoner from January until the 
 time he was discharged, July 22nd, 1919. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Ben T, 
 Albers, 428482, wagoner, unassigned, last assigned 46th Inf., the 
 United States Army as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is 
 hereby honorably discharged from the military service of the United 
 States by reason of expiration of term of service. Per S. O. 202 
 Hq. C. Z. T., Ky., July 21, 1919. 
 
 Said Ben T. Albers was born in Racine, in the State of Minnesota. 
 When enlisted he was 23 1-12 years of age and by occupation a farmer, 
 He had gray eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion, and was 5 feet 9 
 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp Zachary Taylor, 
 Ky., this 22nd of July, 1919. Hans Elinger, Major F. A., U. S. A., 
 Commanding. 
 
 203
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Ben T. Albers. Grade: Wagoner. Inducted June 1, 
 1918, at Edwardsville, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date 
 of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : 
 Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Not quali- 
 fied. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, 
 skirmishes, expeditions : None. Citations, decorations, medals, 
 badges : None. Knowledge of any vocation : Farming. Wounds 
 received in service : None. Physical condition when discharged : 
 Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed : June 22, 1918. Paratyphoid 
 prophylaxis completed : June 22, 1918. Married or single : Single. 
 Character : Excellent. Remarks : Last assigned Supply Co. 46th 
 Inf. Signature of soldier: Ben T. Albers. J. W. McCormick, Capt. 
 Inf. U. S. A., Commanding Casual Det. Entitled to travel pay to Ed- 
 vv^ardsville. 111. Bonus of $60.00, paid by F. L. St. Claire, Q. M. C. 
 
 GUSTAVE H. BANGERT. 
 
 Gustave H. Bangert, son of Fred and Amelia Bangert, \yas born 
 in Fort Russell Township about four miles south of Bethalto, Dec. 
 3, 1892. His parents lived on a farm in the Oak Grove District and 
 there is where Gus received his education, completing his Eighth 
 grade work. He remained at home until he was about 20 years old 
 when he went to work for the Standard Oil Company at Wood River. 
 Shortly afterward the family left the farm and also moved to Wood 
 River where Gus registered for the draft in June, 1917. 
 
 He was called to the colors Oct. 3, 1917, leaving Alton for Camp 
 Taylor, where he was placed in Co. D, 333rd Infantry. He was 
 placed in the same company with George Bowman and hence his duties 
 were the same which will not be mentioned here. He left the same 
 time that the others did, namely, April 5, 1918, for Camp Logan, Tex. 
 Here he was placed in Co. E, 132nd Infantry 33rd Division. Ed. 
 Bangert, his cousin, left Camp Taylor on the same day and was placed 
 in the same company ; hence the history of these boys runs somewhat 
 the same. 
 
 Gus was with Ed. a great deal of the time. He shared with him 
 the joys, trials, and troubles. He traveled the same route and the 
 history need not be repeated. They remained together until the 8th 
 of August. In the meantime Gus had traveled a great deal and we 
 find him on the Albert Front in reserve and very near the firing line. 
 We find him on the 8th of August with a squad carrying rations to 
 
 204
 
 the boys in the trenches. Gus was not with George or Ed. at this 
 time, for he was in the 4th Platoon while George and Ed. were in the 
 third. 
 
 On the morning of the 8th of August, while Gus with his squad 
 were carrying rations, a gas shell fell near them, just a few feet from 
 them and the mustard gas that was emitted from the shell crept into 
 their eyes. The entire squad got it at once. There was no time for 
 gas masks, besides it was not noticeable at first and they continued 
 with their load and delivered it but by evening the pain became un- 
 bearable and the whole bunch went to the hospital. The shell had 
 come unexpected and they were not prepared ; however they put on 
 their gas masks for many more gas shells exploded arovmd them. 
 They were sent to Battalion Headquarters, to the British First Aid 
 Station near, where their eyes were treated and bandaged. The v>rorst 
 symptom of the gas was the very sick feeling and the vomiting. He 
 was tagged at this hospital and for an ambulance for his eyes were 
 soon closed. 
 
 Wounded and gassed were coming in thick and fast by this time 
 but Gus had only a short time to wait. He was sent by ambulance 
 to a railroad station and from there to Rohen where he remained in 
 an English hospital three days and was then picked up and sent with 
 many others across the channel, landing at Southampton, from where 
 he was sent to Portsmouth in a hospital train. A fine American 
 hospital was located at Portsmouth, and the many gassed and 
 wounded w^ere well taken care of. 
 
 By Sept. 20th Gus, although weak, desired to go back to his 
 company and he took examination, passed all O. K. and then went to 
 Winchester, where a replacement camp was located, and where he re- 
 mained three days and once more crossed the channel, landing in 
 France on a Sunday morning for the second time. A few others 
 went with Gus ; they were well enough to go, but several had to re- 
 main, for the gas affected some worse than others. 
 
 Landing at La Havre, and after remaining at La Havre one day, 
 they were loaded into French box cars and traveled two days and two 
 nights to St. Aignan, where the boys remained four days ; after that 
 they rode on a passenger train to the Verdun front where the boys 
 were by this time continually in the fight, for the 7th of October had 
 been reached and the 33rd Division had gone pretty far into the 
 Argonne and were still going v/hen Gus got back. 
 
 Gus waited two days at the Supply Company and after that he 
 was sent forward, reaching his company on the 10th of October. 
 What he saw upon reaching his com.pany was pitiful. About 35 
 
 205
 
 were all that was left. He met George Bowman, and although he 
 looked jaded, worn, ragged and miserable, he was cheerful, for he 
 had come out of the 40-day fire unscratched. He learned then that 
 his cousin Ed. had been wounded. He learned also of the fate of 
 those who were not in the company any more. On account of his 
 condition he had been unable to be with them. He thought of the 
 many in his company who had fared worse than he had. He thought 
 of the many whom he never could see again. The boys were just 
 coming out of the fighting when Gus had caught up with them. They 
 did not have enough left to continue the fight, so they withdrew and 
 were sent to the St. Mihiel Sector, 30 miles south of Metz. 
 
 While going to the St. Mihiel Sector Gus met Charley Neunaber, 
 who was in the 35th Division, having been transferred from the 84th 
 Division. The boys remained there until the 7th of De- 
 cember, when they hiked into Germany, but soon returned to 
 Luxemberg, where they remained until the 25th of April, 1919. 
 They left for home on the 25th, reached Brest on the 29th, crossed the 
 water on the Mount Vernon, reaching Hoboken on the 16th of May. 
 From Hoboken they went to Camp Mills, from Camp Mills to Chi- 
 cago, where they paraded ; from Chicago to Camp Grant, where they 
 received their discharge on the 31st of May, and reaching home on 
 Sunday, June 1, 1919. 
 
 Many incidents could be mentioned but space forbids. On the 
 first of April Gus had a week's furlough, spending his time near the 
 southern border of Switzerland. While going from Allory to Oise- 
 mont he met Fred Hassman who was with the Twelfth Engineers. 
 Ed. Bangert reached the company about the first of January and re- 
 mained with the boys until they were discharged. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record: 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Gustave H. 
 Bangert, 1976148, Corporal Co. E, 132nd Infantry, the United States 
 Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honor- 
 ably discharged from the military service of the United States, by 
 reason of convenience of the government, per Circular 106 War Dept., 
 1919. Said Gustave H. Bangert was born in Madison County in the 
 State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 25 years of age and by 
 occupation a stillman. He had blue eyes, brown hair, fair com- 
 plexion and was 5 feet 7 1-2 inches in height. Given under my hand 
 at Camp Grant, 111., May 31st, 1919. Paul C. Gale, Major Inf. 
 U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
 206
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 Name : Gustave H. Bangert. Grade : Corporal. Inducted Oct. 
 4, 1917 at Alton, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date of his 
 discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer: May 
 22, 1919. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Not rated. 
 Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, ex- 
 peditions : Amiens Sector, Hamel Woods, July 4, 1918. Army of 
 Occupation Dec. 12-18 to April 12-19. Hamel Woods: Aug. 8, 
 1918. Wounds received in service : . Knowledge of any voca- 
 tion : Stillman. Physical condition when discharged : Good. 
 Typhoid prophylaxis completed: 11-1-17. Paratyphoid prophylaxis 
 completed: 11-1-17. IMarried or single: Single. Character: Ex- 
 cellent. Chas. E. Davaum, 1st Lieut., 161 D. B., Commanding. Camp 
 Grant, 111., May 30, 1919. Paid in full, $106.93, including bonus of 
 $60.00, Act of Feb. 24, 1919. S. H. Francis, Capt. Q. M. C. 
 
 ALBERT EUGENE KAYSER 
 
 Albert Eugene Kayser, son of Charles F. and Sophia C. Kayser, 
 was born in Fort Russell Township, at Liberty Prairie, about four 
 miles east of Bethalto, February 29, 1896. Pie was raised on the 
 farm and attended the Liberty Prairie school until he completed the 
 Eighth grade. After graduating he assisted his father on the farm. 
 He registered for the draft in June, 1917, but was not called until 
 February 23rd, 1918, when he left Edwardsville for Camp Taylor the 
 next morning. Although many left Edwardsville for Camp Taylor 
 at the same time, only Reinhard Kruckeburg left with Albert from 
 this neighborhood. Paul Johnson, of Dorsey, with whom Albert 
 associated later, became acquainted with Albert on account of both 
 having been quarantined and detained while the other associates and 
 friends went ahead of them. 
 
 Albert was placed in the 159th Depot Brigade, 17th Company, but 
 was later on transferred to the 4th Company and remained in this 
 company but four days when on the 30th of April he left Camp Taylor 
 for Camp Gordon. While at Camp Taylor measles broke out in his 
 company and Albert was quarantined for three weeks and on account 
 of a tuberculosis scare he was detained three weeks longer ; thus it 
 happened that his friends left Albert, some 80 in number. After he 
 had been placed in the 4th company, 159th Depot Brigade, Albert was 
 sent to Camp Gordon, Georgia, this camp being near Atlanta. He 
 was placed in the 335th Infantry, Co. H of the Second Replacement 
 Battalion. He remained in Co. H about a week when he was placed 
 in the 20th company of the 5th Replacement Battalion. 
 207
 
 On the 24th of May he was sent from Camp Gordon to Camp 
 McClellan, Alabama, near Anniston. At Camp McClellan he was 
 placed in Co. B 113th Infantry, where he remained until the 3rd of 
 June, when he was sent to Camp Stuart, Va. When they started from 
 Camp McClellan they headed for Camp Merritt, N. J., but got only 
 as far as' Camp Stuart, where they did some drilling and company 
 duty, but for a short time only, for they were ready to leave by the 
 13th of June. At Camp Gordon they had received their O. D. uni- 
 forms and at Camp McClellan they received their full overseas equip- 
 ment. By June 15th they left Newport News for the trip across. 
 
 During the months of May and June Albert had been at Camp 
 Taylor, Camp Gordon, Camp McClellan and Camp Stuart ; and by the 
 middle of June he was ready to cross. It is plainly seen here that 
 Albert received but little training, but what he did get was of the 
 fiercest kind for much had to be done in this short space of time. 
 
 They sailed on the Princess Matokia, an interned German 
 freighter; she was at this time under American command, and thus 
 the treatment the boys received was good compared to the treatment 
 of others who crossed on other vessels. Although they received but 
 two m.eals a day the rations were clean, and Albert crossed the waters 
 without experiencing any seasickness. 
 
 They landed at Brest on the 27th of June and remained there until 
 they entrained on July 1st in French coaches for some inland town, for 
 they rode a day and a half, stopped at Percy-Le-Petite where they 
 remained for three weeks and drilled and hiked and had target prac- 
 tice and bayonet drills. From Percy-Le-Petite they went to Belfort, 
 near the Switzerland border, riding in box cars two days and two 
 nights. From Belfort they hiked to Danutine where they had more 
 intensive drilling and hiking, thus making preparations to become 
 units for the big front. They were far east and were southeast of the 
 St. Mihiel Sector. After this drilling they hiked farther east for two 
 nights resting in the daytime and traveled through many towns such 
 as Dana Marie and Renecourt. After remaining in these towns a 
 short time they entered the front line trenches for nine days. During 
 this time Albert was in Co. B 113th Infantry, 29th Division. 
 
 After coming out of the trenches they billeted in the woods where 
 they had a few barracks. This sector was quiet, not much bombard- 
 ment going on, only now and then the Americans would be shelled 
 for probably half an hour and the Germans in turn would receive the 
 same from the Americans. 
 
 After remaining in the woods a few days Albert again went back 
 to the first line trenches for 15 days, during which time he carried 
 
 208
 
 rations to the soldiers. During a bombardment Albert set his buckets 
 of rations down and hid ; while hiding a shell of large caliber exploded 
 near and blowed up two of his buckets and buried the other two so 
 deep that they had to be dug out with a spade. Although Albert 
 remained unhurt these times were trying and severe. The Germans 
 and Americans were both holding the lines and neither could move 
 forward. On his return from the 15-day duty in the trenches he 
 received an order from the War Department that a farm furlough had 
 been granted. It seems his brother had applied for a furlough for 
 Albert to assist in the harvest field and as xA-lbert was constantly on 
 the move after the furlough was granted it followed him until it 
 reached its final destination, after he had been in the first line trenches 
 for the second time. 
 
 He showed his furlough to the captain but what could he do in a 
 time like this. The harvest was over and Albert many thousand 
 miles from home. They came out of the trenches about the middle of 
 September and billeted in towns and woods for a week and then started 
 their westward hike for the big front. They hiked 28 miles, rested 
 a few days and then entrained, gradually getting nearer and nearer 
 the place where the main force was to be utilized, where only strong 
 healthy, and tried forces could be used. By the 7th of October they 
 were in the Argonne Forest and Albert went forward into the forest 
 on that day. The last time that Paul Johnson of Dorsey saw Albert 
 was on the 3rd of October. Albert being in Co. B and Paul in Co. 
 A caused them to separate when they entered the lines. 
 
 Albert went in on the seventh and Paul went in on the tenth of 
 Octobr. On the twelfth of October Paul Johnson was wounded 
 severely having been shot in the arm and breaking the bone in his 
 upper arm by a high explosive shell was sent to the hospital and it 
 was while he was in the hospital that he heard of the death of Albert. 
 He had been with him from the time he was at Camp Taylor and they 
 had become fast friends. Friendship in times like these was firm, 
 but no one knew how long they would be together, no one knew how 
 soon the other would be cast into eternity. Paul heard that Albert 
 had paid the price and gloom spread over him for he had learned to 
 love him. Destiny had caused their acquaintance and destiny held 
 them together until the last few days. 
 
 Yes, Albert had paid the price ; he had left his home and friends 
 without a murmur ; he knew young men of stout heart and body were 
 needed; while away he had made many friends; for almost eight 
 months he had been moving nearer and nearer the place where it must 
 be shown that "America is the Home of the Brave;" he had finally 
 
 209
 
 reached the Ormont Woods, in Death Valley, where many another 
 brave son had fallen. Here in this valley of death he was mortally 
 wounded on the 12th day of October. He was hurried to the hos- 
 pital but all efforts to save his life were unavailable and he died on the 
 18th of October. He was buried on the 20th with military honors. 
 His grave is 134, Row 86, Cem. 414, and a cross marks his grave. 
 It is stated by those who were with him the last that he was a good 
 soldier, a friend to his comrades, and a noble Christian. Should he 
 be able to speak he would surely repeat the solemn words of Charlotte 
 Dryden who said : 
 
 I am not dead, 
 But have enlisted in that pulsing throng 
 Which, pressing onward, where the battle led 
 With screeching shells, and choking battle smoke, 
 Paid the great price, and stepped within the vale. 
 
 I range beyond. 
 O'er plains of light where living waters flow, 
 And know the rest from wound and battle smoke. 
 The heat, the cold, and all that harass man 
 Are known no more, for God had dried all tears. 
 
 There is no death ! 
 What seems so to our tear-dimmed aching eyes 
 Is but a step beyond, where God awaits. 
 The thrill of youth, the joy of heart and mind 
 Possess me wholly — now I truly live ! 
 
 Then mourn me not, 
 As one whose course was broken ere its end; 
 But know I breathed the fragrance of the flowers. 
 The springtime scent of new-turned earth, and grass, 
 And loved them all, and thrilled with joy of life. 
 
 Each daily sun 
 Gave some new joy, some taste of things unknown 
 Before that hour — and then the great day came! 
 I marched away with other souls who dared. 
 I felt the thrill that comes from noble deeds. 
 
 And so, rejoice! 
 For I have longer lived, than those who drag 
 Through years, which bear scant service to mankind. 
 Ready was I for that last "muster call," 
 And "greater love man never had than this." 
 
 210
 
 GEORGE J. DEIST. 
 
 George J. Deist, son of William and Lena Deist, was born on the 
 Deist farm about four miles north of Bethalto, March 23, 1895. He 
 attended the Luman school until he completed the Eighth grade work, 
 after which time he assisted the parents with their farm work. He 
 also worked on the farm for Frank Johnson for five years, prior to 
 his entering the service. He registered in June, 1917, but was not 
 called until September 5th. 1918. He left Alton on that day for Camp 
 Custer with a number of Bethalto boys, among whom were Ed. and 
 \\'ill Neunaber and Gene McCracken. 
 
 At Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Mich., George was placed in the 
 36th Co., 9th Battalion, 160th Depot Brigade. He was to be trans- 
 ferred to New York probably for overseas duty but he received the 
 notice when he was in the hospital with Spanish Influenza followed 
 by a severe case of pneumonia, so he knew nothing about the orders. 
 He was in the hospital eight weeks after which time he was too weak 
 to work or drill. Every soldier who has had a severe case of "flu" 
 remembers the weakness that follows. 
 
 After he got out of the hospital George was transferred first to 
 the 6th, then to the 8th company, where he remained doing light duty 
 until he was discharged from the service August 5, 1919. 
 
 Just before Christmas George had a few days furlough, during 
 which time he spent with home folks in Bethalto. Why he was kept 
 in the army so long was never made clear. He served just eleven 
 months, nine months after the armistice was signed. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that George J. 
 Deist, No. 4723412, Private U. S. A. unassigned, attached to School for 
 Bakers and Cooks, the United States Army, as a testimonial of honest 
 and faithful service, is hereby honorably discharged from the military 
 service of the United States by reason of W. D. Cir, No. 77, Nov. 21, 
 1918 (Industrial Grounds). Said George J. Deist was born in 
 Bethalto, in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 23 5-12 years 
 of age and by occupation a farmer. He had blue eyes, dark brown 
 hair, ruddy complexion, and was 6 feet one inch in height. Given 
 under my hand at Camp Custer, Michigan, this 5th day of August, 
 1919. John Biaber, Major H. G. D., U. S. A., Commanding School 
 for Bakers and Cooks. 
 
 211
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : George J. Deist. Grade : Private. Inducted September 
 5th, 1918, at Alton, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date of 
 discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : Never. 
 Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Not armed. Horse- 
 manship: Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expedi- 
 tions : None. Decorations, medals, badges, and citations : None. 
 Knowledge of any vocation : Farmer. Wounds received in service : 
 None. Physical condition when discharged: Good. Typhoid 
 prophylaxis completed September 19, 1918. Paratyphoid prophylaxis 
 completed Sept. 19, 1918. Married or single: Single. Character: 
 Very good. Remarks : 36th Co. 160 Depot Brigade fr. Sept. 6, 1918 
 to Nov. 5th. 1918; 8th Co. 160th Depot Brigade Nov. 6th, 1918 to 
 Nov. 12, 1918; 6th Co. 160th Depot Brigade from Nov. 13, 1918 to 
 Nov. 15, 1918; School for Bakers and Cooks, Nov. 16. 1918 to date 
 of discharge. No A. W. O. L. Service honest and faithful. Signa- 
 ture of soldier: George J. Deist. John Biaber, Major H. G. D., 
 U. S. A., Commanding School for Bakers and Cooks. 
 
 RUDOLPH LOHR. 
 
 Rudolph Lohr, son of George and Lena Lohr, was born in Upper 
 Alton Dec. 30, 1895. The family was a large one and Rudolph re- 
 ceived but a common school education, completing the Sixth grade. 
 After he quit school he spent most of his time working for farmers in 
 this vicinity, and was employed by John Jinkinson at the time of the 
 registration in June. 1917, and Jie therefore registered in Bethalto. 
 
 Besides Rudolph there were four of his brothers who also served 
 Uncle Sam in the Great World War. Harry served in a machine gun 
 company in France ; Frank volunteered and served in Co. F. 130th 
 Infantry, 33rd Division; Ed. and Albert served Uncle Sam in this 
 country. Rudolph left with the Alton contingent Oct. 5, 1917, and 
 went to Camp Taylor, where he was put in Co. E, 333rd Infantry. At 
 Camp Taylor he had the usual line of duty common to all, and by April 
 6, 1918, he was sent to Camp Logan, Texas, where he was placed in 
 the Supply Company, 129th Infantry, which was part of the 33rd 
 Division. This supply company had horsedrawn vehicles and when 
 they left Camp Logan on May 2 for overseas duty they took their 
 wagons and harness with them. They reached Camp Upton safely, 
 and embarked on the 10th on the Covington, a captured ship .and at 
 that time under American command. 
 
 212
 
 The food, though nothing- extra, was fair, and Rudolph did not 
 become seasick on his two weeks' trip across. They landed at Brest 
 on the 24th of May, and were put in the assorting yards, where they 
 guarded the supplies that were being stored at Brest. They remained 
 there about a month when they went east where they were held in 
 reserve at Molines Woods. They were attached to the British at 
 Albert where they had gas drills, etc. From Amiens they went to 
 Ligny and from there they went farther east finally reaching the 
 Argonne. During these days there was not much drilling for 
 Rudolph, for his main duty was to haul ammunition and supplies to 
 the front which caused him to be under shell fire much of the time. 
 When they moved forward they usually traveled at night ; the reason 
 for this is easily understood. 
 
 On the 26th of September they moved up to Brocort Wood with 
 their transports, and on the night of the 27th they moved forward ; on 
 the night of the 28th they moved on again, finally reaching Recourt, 
 where they remained about ten days. From Recourt they went to 
 Consenvoye near the Meuse River, where they remained two weeks. 
 They were in the Argonne Woods, as every soldier knows, and many 
 a soldier well remembers the town of Consenvoye along the Meuse 
 River. Rudolph was made wagoner and he hauled much ammunition 
 and rations. After their stay in Consenvoye they went back for a 
 rest in the St. Mihiel Sector, back of the lines, where they remained 
 until a few days before the armistice was signed. 
 
 After armistice day they went to Rupt Woods where they re- 
 mained a few weeks, and then left for Luxemburg, where they re- 
 mained in the Army of Occupation four months. His duties remained 
 the same until the boys started for home on the 28th of April, reaching 
 Brest on the first day of ]\Iay, sailing May loth on the Leviatian and 
 arriving safely at Hobokcn May 22. From there they went to Camp 
 Merritt. then to Chicago, where they paraded on the 2nd of June ; 
 from Chicago they went to Aurora, where they also paraded ; after 
 that they went to Camp Grant where Rudolph was discharged on the 
 6th of June, 1919. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record: 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Rudolph J. 
 Lohr, 1976250, Wagoner Sy. Company 129th Infantry, the United 
 States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby 
 honorably discharged from the military service of the United States 
 by reason of convenience of the government, per circular 106 W. D. 
 213
 
 1918. Said Rudolph Lohr was born in Alton, in the State of Illinois. 
 When enlisted he was 21 years of age and by occupation a farm 
 laborer. He had blue eyes, brown hair, dark complexion, and was 5 
 feet 9 1-2 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp Grant, 
 Illinois, this 6th day of June, 1919. Earle C. Thornton, Major, 129th 
 Infantry, Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : Rudolph J. Lohr. Grade : Wagoner. Inducted October 
 4th, 1917, at Alton, Illinois, serving in first enlistment period at date 
 of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : 
 Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: No rating. 
 Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, 
 expeditions: Meuse-Argonne offensive (26th Sept. to 11th Nov., 
 1918); Dammevoux-Gercourt (26th Sept. to 9th Oct., 1918). Boisede 
 Chaume-Bois de Platchene, 10th, llth-21 Oct., 1918, with XVII 
 French Corps on east bank of Meuse River, class "B," Somme-Amiens 
 Sector, with Australian Corps 26th July-Aug. 6th. Albert Sector with 
 18th Div. A. E. F., 11th to 20 Aug., 1918. Verdun Sector, Hill 304, 
 7th to 26th Sept., 1918. Troyon Sector, Woevre district 24th Oct. 
 to 9th Nov., 1918. Marcheville, St. Hilaire, Chateau d' Auelnois 10th- 
 11th Nov., 1918. Army of Occupation December 7, 1918 to April 
 27, 1919. Knowledge of any vocation : Farmer. Wounds received 
 in service : None. Physical condition when discharged : Good. 
 Triple typhoid prophylaxis completed Feb. 19, 1918. Paratyphoid 
 completed Nov. 7, 1917. Married or single: Single. Character: 
 Excellent. Remarks: Entitled to travel pay. Decorations, medals, 
 badges, citations : None. Signature of soldier : Rudolph J. Lohr. 
 C. W. Welch, Captain 129th Infantry, Commanding Supply Co. 
 
 ERNEST H. BRUNK. 
 
 Ernest H. Brunk, son of Hoffman and Carrie Brunk, was born 
 August 11, 1893, on a farm about two miles north of Bethalto. He 
 attended the Culp school until he was 11 years old when the family 
 moved to Missouri where Ernest attended the District school until he 
 completed the Sixth grade. When he was 18 years old the family 
 moved back to Bethalto where they have made their home since. 
 Ernest lived with his parents until he was called to the colors July 
 31st, 1918, He registered in June, 1917, but was not called until the 
 last contingent left Alton. John Duval and Homer Golike, of Foster 
 Township, left the same time, 
 
 214
 
 They reached Camp Taylor about the first of August and Ernest 
 was put in the 159th Depot Brigade where he received the usual line 
 of military training, but he remained at Camp Taylor only a short 
 time, for he left September 12th for Camp Joseph E. Johnson, Florida, 
 near Jacksonville. At Camp Taylor he was placed in Co. C, 2nd 
 Battalion Field Artilkry, and when he reached Camp Johnson he was 
 put in the Quartermaster Corps. He received very little training 
 here, he had some gas drills and such drills as pertain to the Quarter- 
 master Corps. 
 
 They remained at Johnson until the first of November when they 
 were sent to Camp Merritt, N. J., where he was equipped with over- 
 seas clothing. From Camp Merritt they went to Hoboken, N. J., 
 where they boarded the ship Northern Pacific on the morning of the 
 11th of November, the morning of the great armistice day. They 
 remained on the boat all day and all night at Hoboken when the next 
 morning, the 12th of November, the day after the armistice was 
 signed, she set sail for France. 
 
 The Northern Pacific was a large American boat and had on board 
 about 3,500 men, the Quartermaster Corps and the Medical Corps. 
 They did not belong to any particular division and they landed at 
 Brest on the 22nd of November. The voyage was fair and Ernest 
 experienced but little seasickness. 
 
 They were in camp at Brest only four days, but during this time 
 he experienced some real mud, for the condition was about as bad as 
 it could be. They left for Chateau de Lohr in box cars, crowding 40 
 men in each car ; they rode a day and a night. After they got off at 
 Chateau de Lohr they were there, and that was about all that could 
 be said. Not much of anything was done and therefore not much 
 of anything was accomplished. After remaining there about 12 days 
 they were packed in box cars and journeyed back to the coast. This 
 time they went to the embarkation camp at St. Nazaire, expecting to 
 be sent home again, but there was work to be done, besides there were 
 others whose turn came first so Ernest and the others of his company 
 had to remain about six months taking care of horses that were com- 
 ing in from Spain, the United States and other places. This kind of 
 work continued from December, 1918, to June, 1919. There were 
 many soldiers at St. Nazaire, they kept coming and going. 
 
 On the 14th of June orders were received to leave and they left 
 on the American ship De Kalb, a small boat. The weather while 
 crossing was fair and Ernest was seasick but a short time. They 
 landed at Newport News on the 23rd of June, remaining there about 
 a week when the company split up, going in all directions. 
 
 215
 
 Ernest was sent to Camp Grant where he remained about four 
 days when he was discharged on the first day of July, 1919. 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that Huffman 
 E. Brunk, 3895667, Private 325th Remount Depot, the United States 
 Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honor- 
 ably discharged from the military service of the United States by rea- 
 son of convenience of government, demobilization of organization, per 
 circular 106, W. D. 1918. Said Huffman E. Brunk was born in 
 Madison County in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 25 
 years of age and by occupation a farmer. He had blue eyes, brown 
 hair, ruddy complexion, and was 5 feet 5 1-2 inches in height. Given 
 under my hand at Camp Grant, Illinois, this 1st day of July, 1919. 
 Elmer G. Lindroth, Major Infantry Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Huffman E. Brunk. Grade: Private. Inducted July 
 31, 1918, at Alton, Illinois, serving in first enlistment period at date 
 of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : 
 Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating : Not qualified. 
 Horsemanship: Very good. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, ex- 
 peditions : A. E. F. decorations, badges : None. Medals, citations : 
 None. Knowledge of any vocation : Farming. Wounds received in 
 service: None. Physical condition when discharged: Good. Typhoid 
 prophylaxis completed: Aug. 19, 1918. Paratyphoid prophylaxis 
 completed Aug. 19, 1918. Married or single: Single. Character: 
 Excellent. Remarks: Entitled to travel pay to Alton, 111. Sailed 
 from the United States November 12th, 1918, returned to the United 
 States, June 23, 1919. No A. W. O. L. under G. O. 31 W. D. 1912, 
 and No 45 W. D. 1914. Signature of soldier: Huffman E. Brunk. 
 Virgil D. Jones, 1st Inf. Commanding. Cas. Det. Camp Grant, 111., 
 July 1, 1919. Paid in full $145.41, including bonus of $60.00, Act of 
 Feb. 24, 1919. S. H. Francis, Q. M. C. Disbursing Quartermaster, 
 M. Peterson, 2nd Lieut. Q. M. C. 
 
 216
 
 HEYE COLLMAN 
 
 Heye Edward Collman, son of Harm and Anna Collman, was born 
 in Moro Township one and one half miles north of Bethalto Feb. 13, 
 1892. The parents were both born in Germany and came to America 
 with their parents when quite young. Heye was born and raised on 
 the farm and received a good common school education, while attend- 
 ing the Moro, Oak Grove and Bethalto schools, completing the Eighth 
 grade at the Bethalto school. The family left the farm in Moro 
 Township when Heye was 15 years of age, and moved to the Tom Belk 
 farm, two miles south of Bethalto. On account of the size of the 
 farm Heye remained home helping with the farm work and later man- 
 aged the farm for the old folks. He never worked away from home 
 for there was always much work to do, and when he registered for 
 the draft in June, 1917, he registered in Bethalto, for the Tom Belk 
 farm lies in the Bethalto district. He continued the management of 
 the farm until Aug. 1, 1918, when he was called to the colors. He 
 left Alton Aug. 1 for Camp Taylor and was put in the 159th Depot 
 Brigade where he remained two weeks. He was then placed in the 
 F. A. R. D. at Camp Taylor. 
 
 Here he received the first artillery training during his six weeks' 
 stay and was then transferred to the O. A. R. D. where for three 
 weeks he received the training which would prepare him for overseas 
 service. While in the F. A. R. D. he was in Battery C, Second Bat- 
 talion, and in the O. A. R. D. he was in the Ninth Battery. Spanish 
 Influenza having got a good hold on the soldiers during this time 
 caused a delay in sending the soldiers across. It was at the end of 
 eleven weeks his company left Camp Taylor for Camp Merritt, reach- 
 ing that place on the 27th of October, 1918. At Camp Merritt they 
 were equipped for overseas duty. Everything now was hurry, hurry, 
 and the next day, October 28th, they boarded the Russian ship Krosh 
 and at once sailed for Brest, France. 
 
 There were 14 ships in the convoy, including a battleship. The 
 Krosh had 1,600 soldiers aboard; the boat was managed by a British 
 crew and they were rationed by the British government. Whether 
 it was the poor condition of the food, which consisted of potatoes, 
 corn meal and prunes, or whether it was the rocking of the boat that 
 made him sick during the entire stay on board he could not say ; yet 
 such was the case. The weather was fine all the way and but for the 
 seasickness he would have had a pleasant trip. The convoy reached 
 Brest on November the 9th, after a 12 days' voyage. They hiked to 
 Camp Pontenesen, passing the famous Napoleon Barracks. They re- 
 
 217
 
 mained there six days during which time they assisted in constructing 
 barracks for more incoming troops. While at this camp, between 
 the 9th and the 15th of November, the armistice was signed and Heye's 
 services were practically at an end. 
 
 They left camp and went to Camp Hunt, about 40 kilometers from 
 Bordeaux, landing there on the 19th day of November. There were 
 many Camp Taylor men at Camp Hunt but none from here and Heye 
 was apparently among strangers while stationed at this camp. His 
 battalion consisted of twelve batteries of 250 men each, and the entire 
 battalion was stationed at that camp. Heye remained in the 9th 
 Battery of the second battalion. 
 
 After the armistice they did very little drilling and most of the 
 work done was cleaning up the camp, clearing it of timber, etc., for 
 the officers, though fine fellows, had become quite neglectful. They 
 received their gas masks while at Camp Hunt and they had one gas 
 drill. On the 16th day of December 160 of them left Camp Hunt in 
 French box cars for Gondecourt, a place somewhere south of Metz 
 in the St. Mihiel Sector, reaching this place on the 19th of December. 
 Here they intended to join the 88th Division; instead of that they 
 joined the 57th Brigade of 32nd Division. 
 
 From Gondecourt they went to Mauvage where the 57th Brigade 
 was stationed. Heye was put in Battery C of the 119th Field Artil- 
 lery. He remained at Mauvage until April 14th, 1919 ; his principal 
 duty there was taking care of horses. While in France Heye saw 
 no "flu" patients during all his travels and he did not get it while he 
 was in the army. 
 
 On April 14th he left Mauvage for home. Although the arm- 
 istice was signed while he was at Brest, the place where he landed, he 
 traveled a great deal and was shifted from place to place until he 
 again reached Brest on his way home. His travels while in France 
 consisted of two days and two nights in French box cars from Brest 
 to Camp Hunt, and from Camp Hunt to Gondecourt in the same kind 
 of side door accommodations ; from Gondecourt to Mauvage and back 
 he hiked; and from Gondecourt to Brest he traveled south of Paris 
 through Tours, Orleans, Le Mans, and Rennes in American box cars. 
 The American cars were more roomy and were a great improvement 
 over the crowded French cars. While in France the treatment of 
 the officers and the condition of the American food were excellent. 
 
 They reached Brest after three days and two nights travel and 
 again found themselves at the famous old camp that had by this time 
 been improved. They had board walks, water works, a rocked street 
 and other advantages they did not have when most needed. They 
 
 21S
 
 remained at the Brest camp until the 22nd of April when they boarded 
 the U. S. Cruiser Frederick that had been fitted out for the purpose 
 of transporting soldiers. The ship landed at Hoboken on the 3rd 
 of May and the boys were sent to Camp Mills, where they remained 
 eight days. During his stay at Camp Mills he had several passes 
 but visited the city of Jamaica only, and on the 11th the Illinois boys 
 were sent to Camp Grant, but most of the boys were sent to a camp 
 in Michigan, for the 119th consisted principally of Michigan boys, and 
 it was called the Michigan National Guard. 
 
 Reaching Chicago on the 13th of May, where the Red Cross 
 served a splendid dinner at the Congress Hotel. Sixty-five of the IK 
 were sent to Camp Grant and arrived there the same evening. Heye 
 was discharged on the 15th of May and reached home the next day. 
 
 Thus we find Heye Collman once more safe at home after having 
 been gone a little over ten months and during his absence he had 
 traveled hundreds of miles in this country, thousands of miles on sea, 
 hundreds of miles in France ; across the sea and home. During his 
 stay in the army he averaged more than 1,000 miles a month. You 
 have a general outline of his duties and travels, and although he 
 never heard the cannon roar on the battlefield, and although he never 
 witnessed any of the horrors of war, he did his duty, he filled the place 
 of one man, he was a unit in the great force ; he obeyed orders and 
 did what he was commanded to do. This is shown by his discharge 
 and enlistment record which reads as follows : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Heye Ed- 
 ward Collman, 3895653, Private Bat. C. 119th F. A., the United States 
 Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honor- 
 ably discharged from the military service of the United States by rea- 
 son of convenience of government. Per Cir. 106 W. D., 1918. Said 
 Heye Edward Collman was born in Moro in the State of Illinois. 
 When enlisted he was 26 6-12 years of age and by occupation a 
 farmer. He had blue eyes, dark brown hair, ruddy complexion and 
 was 6 feet 1 inch in height. Given under my hand at Camp Grant, 
 111., this 15th day of May, 1919. Frank A. Johnson, Major F. A., 
 U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : Heye Edward Collman. Grade : Private. Inducted 
 
 Aug. 1, 1918, at Alton, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date 
 
 of discharge. Prior service : None. Noncommissioned officer : Never. 
 
 Marksmanship, gunner qualification, or rating: Not rated. Horse- 
 
 219
 
 i 
 
 manship: Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expedi- 
 tions: Served with A. E. F. in France from 10-23-18 to 5-3-19. 
 Knowledge of any vocation: Farmer. Wounds received in service: 
 None. Physical condition when discharged: Good. Typhoid 
 prophylaxis completed March 8, 1919. Paratyphoid prophylaxis 
 completed : March 8, 1919. Married or single : Single. Character : 
 Excellent. Signature of soldier: Heye Edward Collman. Fred 
 Hendrickson, 2nd Lieut. 161st D. B. Commanding, Camp Grant, 111., 
 May 15, 1919. Paid in full $116.75, including bonus of $80.00 Act 
 of Feb. 24, 1919. S. H. Francis, Captain, Quartermaster Corps. 
 
 JESSE LENORD CLEMENTS. 
 
 Jesse Lenord Clements, son of Richard and Louisa Clements, was 
 born in Davis County, Indiana, September 19, 1898. His parents 
 were born in Indiana, the father of Scotch and the mother of French 
 descent. His early youth was spent in Indiana attending school there 
 until he reached the 5th grade work. The father was a Methodist 
 minister and moved from place to place, and after leaving Indiana 
 they went to Chancey, 111., where Jesse took the 6th and 7th grade 
 work. The family then moved to Bethalto where he completed the 
 7th grade work. From Bethalto the family moved to Clay City, III, 
 where Jesse completed the 8th grade work and from Clay City, the 
 family moved to Hazelton, Ind., then moved to West Frankfort, 111., 
 and from there back to Bethalto. While the family resided at West 
 Frankfort and at Bethalto Jesse attended the McKendree Academy, 
 finishing the academy in 1916 and 1917, besides getting credit for one 
 one year's college work there. 
 
 Jesse taught school in Omphghent township during the winter of 
 1917 and 1918. This school is about 8 miles from Bethalto, which he 
 considers his home. When he closed his school on March 28, he went 
 to Hardin, 111., where the family had moved, and he remained there 
 but two days when he got the war fever again ; for the call came for 
 volunteers and he thought that this time he Vi^ould be successful, for 
 he had tried three times before within two years previous to this 
 time. 
 
 In 1917 he had tried on May 23, July 3, July 4th, and finally suc- 
 ceeded on April 3, 1918. He remained at Jefferson Barracks from 
 April 3 to April 13th, when he was sent with the Coast Artillery Corps 
 to Fort Adams, R. I., arriving there on the 15th. In going East it 
 was plainly seen that the war spirit was pitched higher than in the 
 
 220
 
 West, for there were roj^al receptions all along the line until he reached 
 the Fort. Jesse volunteered for overseas service and joined the 66th 
 Coast Artillery, which was being mobilized on the drill grounds at Fort 
 Adams, and was accepted May 3rd. They remained at Fort Adams, 
 which faced the Narragansett Bay, until July 18; for the dreadful 
 disease, spinal meningitis, had kept them in quarantine a month longer 
 than they had expected. 
 
 Before sailing he witnessed many farewell receptions, among 
 which were one given by Mrs. Vanderbilt at her summer home at 
 Newport, R. I., and one by Mrs. James at her summer home. The 
 parade was reviewed by Gov. Beacon of Rhode Island. They broke 
 camp in the morning of July 18, and at night walked to Newport, 
 R. I., a distance of three miles from camp, boarded a troop train for 
 Boston Pier, got on board after they had been inspected and had 
 drawn overseas equipment. 
 
 They boarded the Lancashire-Liverpool, a British troop ship that 
 had formerly been a cattle boat, and was being used for the first time 
 and was not up to the standard ; it was a British ship commanded by 
 a British crew of about 250 and the American soldiers were rationed 
 by the British Government. The ship was a large fast steamer and 
 the crew consisted of English, Hindoos and other colored boys. 
 
 She lifted anchor at 11 a. m. on the 19th and sailed for New York 
 to get into the convoy ; but did not reach New York harbor until the 
 21st, for no sooner had they left Boston harbor than a floating mine 
 destroyed a war vessel and on account of a circuitous route they got 
 lost in the storm. The Sunday they reached New York harbor was 
 spent in watching the formation of the convoy of 15 ships, including 
 the battleship Montana. 
 
 They started to cross on the 22nd, the first half of the trip being 
 pleasant, but the second half was stormy and the result was a great 
 deal of seasickness. Rations were very poor and consisted of two 
 buns, some fish, mutton and rabbit; you might imagine the stimula- 
 tion of your appetite when you go to get your plateful of hash and 
 see a goat's head on the table with eyes still in it, all boiled nicely, but 
 staring a cold stare at you. If a person could keep a strong stomach 
 at that it would be easy to turn canibal, at least Jesse thought so. 
 One of the pleasures, as well as a necessity, was to lie quiet and wait 
 for a nigger boy to come along returning with the "left-overs" from 
 the officers' tables and waylay him and take the eats that the officers 
 did not want, away from them. Thus the voyage ended, and though 
 dissatisfied they were none the worse off. 
 
 221
 
 During- the voyag-e they destroyed two submarines with depth 
 bombs. They landed safely at Liverpool on the morning of August 
 3rd. The first thing noticeable was the absence of young men, and 
 all you could see was the old men doing the work. They marched up 
 to Liverpool to camp Knotty Ash. On the way Jesse saw a sign 
 tacked on a house stating that this had been a Public House, or Saloon 
 as we call it, and because the proprietor had "Lied to His Majesty it 
 was "Closed." 
 
 The boys began at once to clean up ; the officers in charge of the 
 camp stated it was the cleanest regiment that had ever been in that 
 camp. They remained in that camp until the 5th, when they marched 
 to Liverpool, boarded trains for Winchester and then marched to Morn 
 Hill, an English Artillery camp. While near Winchester Jesse had 
 the chance to see Winchester Cathedral, Queen Victoria statue, King 
 Arthur's table, of Knights of the Round Table fame, and many other 
 historical scenes. They left Morn Hill on the 8th for Southampton, 
 arriving there the same day and boarded the side wheeler Queen 
 Mohair at 6 p. m., but were ordered to get off again for there was a 
 nest of submarines in their path. After 4 days stay at Southampton 
 they again made the venture and finally reached the French shore at 
 La Havre. They proceeded at once to Camp No. 1, an English rest 
 camp, where they were still rationed by the British Government. 
 Each soldier received five meal tickets, slept in squads of 12 in tents 
 big enough for six. After a few days' stay they again marched to 
 La Havre where they entered the famous side door Pullmans so often 
 described in this book and therefore need not to be retold here. 
 
 After a few hours' ride they were introduced to the first taste of 
 war, for six German aeroplanes raided that section with the intention 
 of crippling the traffic. One plane was brought down and two crip- 
 pled after one building on their right had been demolished. They, 
 however, remained in their cars until the afternoon of the 15th, pass- 
 ing through Rouen, where could be seen the statue of Joan of Arc; 
 and through Orleans where she was burned at stake. 
 
 They got off at Pierre Buffierre and finished their training there 
 and then went to La Moges, 18 kilos away, and attended an artillery 
 school for a month. While there he received the first real American 
 food which looked good to Jes. He went from place to place to eat 
 until he had his fill. From La Moges they went to La Courtina, a 
 French artillery range in the mountains. Here they qualified about 
 the middle of October and got ready waiting for orders. 
 
 While at this place Jes received a letter from his uncle, his father's 
 brother, that he was wounded. At the same time Jes received the 
 
 222
 
 letter a telegram arrived at Bethalto, addressed to R. L. Clements at 
 Bethalto, stating that Volney F. Clements had been seriously wounded. 
 This gave the impression that Jes had been wounded, for it was not 
 known that Mr. R. L. Clements had a brother as well as a son in the 
 service. 
 
 After October 15th they went to Tours, where they were being 
 fitted out for the front. They were still there when the armistice 
 w-as signed. They had not been assigned to any division, for they had 
 the 8-inch Howitzers. Their emblem was a big A, which was black 
 with red and white stripes. Black A stood for the first army, red for 
 artillery, and white for reserve. 
 
 On Thanksgiving day they returned to Pierre Buffierre, remain- 
 ing there until the 17th of December, when they went to La Brede, 28 
 miles south of Bordeau. By this time the rainy season had set in full 
 blast ; Spanish influenza and spinal meningitis took at least one-third 
 of their men. The moral condition of many was bad ; Jes knew, for 
 he helped take care of the sick ; he was and remained in perfect state 
 of health. Here is where his moral training aided him that he re- 
 ceived at home and while young; this also aided him in keeping up 
 his perfect physical condition. Although the regiment was strictly 
 clean, cooties were introduced early in the season. 
 
 At La Brede Jes did guard duty, for at this time there were many 
 A. W. O. L.'s on account of the fine class of people living at La Brede. 
 While at this place they had a great deal of drilling in order to keep 
 them in a healthy condition for their return homeward. They broke 
 camp February 4th, and marched to Bordeaux, and then to 
 Genecourt No. 1, seven miles away; remained there one day 
 and then went to Genecourt No. 2, where they went through 
 a delouser, the last delouser while in France. They re- 
 
 mained at Genecourt No. 2 a week and went to the American 
 docks at Bassans, about five miles away. At Bassans docks they 
 got on a tug boat, went down the Gironde River about 17 miles to 
 Paulic, an air service camp for the navy. They got on the ship Feb. 
 17th, when it was discovered that there were 102 cases of "flu" and six 
 cases of pneumonia on board. Twenty-five were taken off the boat, 
 and the others proved to be mild cases and none proved fatal. 
 
 They entered the Bay of Biscay on the 19th of February, the boat 
 — the U. S. S. Powhattan, a 9-decker, had formerly been the German 
 liner Hamburg. Jes had been in France eight months, had been 
 attached to the 44th Artillery, and though not on the fighting line he 
 had fought every day he was there. The weather at sea was stormy. 
 
 223
 
 and although the treatment was good many were seasick ; and although 
 there were many sick and wounded on board, not a death occurred in 
 crossing. 
 
 They landed at Hoboken Pier 3 at 7 o'clock in the morning of 
 March 5th, just as President Wilson was leaving the United States on 
 his second trip to France. He watched the salutes, and saw the 
 President and Mrs. Wilson on the George Washington. 
 
 After they got off the boat they were fed by the Red Cross ; they 
 were then ferried to the railroad station and entrained for Camp Mer- 
 ritt ; went through the delouser, turned in their equipment, were given 
 a pass and spent a pleasant time in New York. They left Camp 
 Merritt for Camp Grant, reaching that place on the 14th of March. 
 He was assigned to the 4th company, 167th Depot Brigade. He re- 
 mained at Camp Grant filling out papers, etc., until March 21st, when 
 at 9:30 in the morning he received his discharge, thus becoming a 
 civilian once more. He went from Camp Grant to Danville, thence 
 to Carmi, where his folks met him, giving him a royal welcome. Fol- 
 loAving is his discharge and enlistment record: 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that Jesse L. 
 Clements, 460823, Private 1st class, Hq. Co. 66th Art., C. A. C, the 
 United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is 
 hereby honorably discharged from the military service of the United 
 States, by reason of convenience of government, per S. O. 74, par 61, 
 Hq. Camp Grant, 111., 3-15-19. Said Jesse L. Clements was born in 
 Davis County, in the State of Indiana. When enlisted he was 20 
 years of age and by occupation a teacher. He had brown eyes, dark 
 hair, ruddy complexion and was 5 feet 9 inches in height. Given 
 under my hand at Camp Grant, 111., this 21st day of March, 1919. 
 Hamilton D. Turner, Maj. Inf. U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Jesse L. Clements. Grade: Private 1st class. Enlisted 
 April 3, 1918, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., serving in first enlistment 
 period at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commis- 
 sioned officer: No. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: 
 None. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirm- 
 ishes, expeditions : Left U. S. A. July 19, 1918, arrived in U. S. A. 
 March 5, 1919. Knowledge of any vocation: Teacher. Wounds 
 received in service : None. Physical condition when discharged : 
 Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed : April 16, 1918 ; Paratyphoid 
 
 224
 
 LEO WILLIS 
 
 Corp., Co. B, 138th Infantry 
 
 WILLIAM H. WOHLERT 
 Co. F, 147th Infantry 
 
 CHARLES KUHN 
 Co. F, 147th Infantry 
 
 EDWARD J. KRUSE 
 
 Co. A, 316th Supply Train
 
 ERNEST H. BRUNK 
 325th Remount Depot 
 
 GEORGE T. ECCLES 
 
 72nd Co., 18th Bn. Infantry, R. & T. C. 
 
 JOHN W. SILLAND 
 
 Co. G, 59th Infantry 
 
 HEYE COLLMAN 
 
 Battery C, 1 1 9th Field Artillery
 
 prophylaxis completed: April 16, 1918. Married or single: Single. 
 Character : Excellent. Remarks : No A. W. O. L., not absent under 
 G. O. 31-12 or G. O. 45-14. Entered service from Carmi, 111. Sig- 
 nature of soldier: Jesse L. Clements. Malcolm Wahlen, Capt. Inf. 
 U. S. A., Commanding 4th Co. D. B. Camp Grant, 111., March 21, 1919. 
 Paid in full $97.75. including bonus of $60.00, Act of Feb. 24, 1919. 
 Alex C. McKelvey, Capt. Q. M. C. 
 
 WILLIAM H. LUMAN. 
 
 William H. Luman, son of George and Adeline Luman, was born 
 on a farm two miles north of Bethalto. He went to the Luman school 
 for a while. The Luman school was so called on account of Grand- 
 father Luman donating the land for school purposes many years ago. 
 Later the family left this district and moved to Prairietown where 
 Will attended a school near Bunker Hill ; from Prairietown the family 
 moved to Moro, where Will attended school for a short time ; but on 
 account of the parents living far from school Will did not have the 
 advantage that other boys had and he went to school very little and 
 at the age of eleven his school years ended. He had reached the 
 Seventh grade work. 
 
 His father was a farmer and contractor, and Will became his main 
 helper. Later on the family moved to East Alton and Will received 
 employment at the Standard Oil Company running a locomotive crane. 
 
 He registered in June, 1917, but was not called until May 28, 
 1918, when he was examined, leaving Alton the next day for Camp 
 Shelby, Miss. Will was soon to be initiated into the excitement that 
 goes with army life, for no sooner had they got off the train at Jack- 
 son, Miss, for a short parade when one of the southern beauties, run- 
 ning an automobile and seeing so many soldier boys from the North, 
 lost her head and consequently the control of her machine and run 
 on to the walk close to Will, knocking his partner down and break- 
 ing his legs. This incident, though serious at that time, was but a 
 trifle to what he was destined to see some day. 
 
 Will reached Camp Shelby safely where he received the usual 
 line of amusement while at the detention camp, such as "shots" in the 
 arm, "ice cream" in a tin cup and the most awkward and unbecoming 
 uniform that could be wished on a soldier. Pants large enough to fit 
 three men at the same time, and as a rule, coat and shirt and shoes 
 to match the pants. When those Southerners saw the Northerners 
 coming in such a style they evidently .thought of Private Peck when 
 
 225
 
 he tried to put down the rebellion. This, however, mattered little to 
 Will for he had gone forth to do his duty, obey orders, take what was 
 given to him and accept nothing more. 
 
 He was placed in Co. L, 150th Infantry, of the 38th Division. 
 The soldiers of the 38th Division were mostly regulars and had been 
 on the Mexican border. They were called the National Guard 
 Division. These were ready to go overseas for duty ; but they needed 
 a few to fill the division up to war strength, and Will became one of 
 the few, and therefore became one of those who must make hurried 
 preparation. There was no loafing; it was drill and hike and do 
 everything that was necessary for hurried preparation. Ten hours 
 a day every day in the week ; rigid day for Will. The worst feature 
 was the five hours drilling in the morning without water, and the same 
 in the afternoon under the same condition. It could be easily under- 
 stood by him why they were putting the new boys through such serious 
 tests. The weather was hot and it seemed pretty much like war to 
 Will as it was. Frequent gas drills had to be gone through ; and be- 
 fore they had gone through gas houses many times Will could easily 
 distinguish between tear gas and mustard gas. 
 
 Will also took a course in bayonet school and one course in the 
 grenade school. There were other schools but Will thought it suffi- 
 cient for the present. On the rifle range Will did his part ; the boys 
 would hike ten miles to the range one day, target practice the next day, 
 and hike back on the third day. This was repeated three times a 
 month. It mattered not what the weather was like ; if they started 
 in the pouring rain they would continue just the same, for they could 
 dry their clothes later. On the range the targets of 100 yards to 500 
 yards distance were of all shapes, sizes and colors. Some were 
 camouflaged, others were not. The sole aim seemed to be to beat 
 the other fellow in the game. Thus the days of intensiveness passed 
 and September came and the boys started to move. They bid fare- 
 well to targets, wire entanglements, trenches, gas houses and heat, 
 and started north on the first of September ; went to Camp Mills where 
 they were equipped with overseas clothing, thus giving the boys a bet- 
 ter appearance. 
 
 They left Camp Mills shortly afterward, went farther north until 
 they reached Montreal, Canada. \Y'\\\ had been made corporal at 
 Camp Shelby but he gave that honor very little consideration for he 
 was aware of the distinction between corporal and a private. They 
 boarded the steamship Deltal at Montreal and sailed down the St. 
 Lawrence River, passing Quebec with its majestic fortifications and 
 finally passing Halifax, entered the great waters to cross to the other 
 
 226
 
 shores. The only real acquaintance Will had was Paul Koons, for- 
 merly from Bethalto. Each soldier has troubles of his own, yet the 
 trials of his comrades seemed worse to Will than he looked for ; for 
 many got seasick while still on the river ; some became so sick with 
 "flu" that they were left at Halifax. The "flu" season was appearing- 
 and it caught many before they left the river and many others after 
 they started to cross. If we could take time to reflect for a moment 
 and think of those conditions we would not treat the subject of war 
 so lightly. 
 
 The boat on which they crossed was a British steamer manned 
 by a British crew, and the food they received was outrageous. They 
 saw four large icebergs ; and passing between them they were con- 
 stantly in foggy and damp weather. With such weather, "flu" aboard, 
 food not fit for a dog ; cabbage for breakfast, mutton stew for dinner, 
 and oats without sugar, tasting like glue, for supper ; it was no wonder 
 so many were so very sick. They would make the boys do without 
 sugar, bake sweet doughnuts at night and sell them to the American 
 soldiers for five cents apiece the next day. This kind of profiteering 
 was unAmerican, and the boys lost not only their love but their friend- 
 ship for any English cook. 
 
 Misery and death mingled. The flags floated at half mast all the 
 time. They were 16 days in crossing. Fifteen of their boys died on 
 the boat on which Will crossed. One of his pals, a member of his 
 squad, got seasick, then took the "flu" and after eight days of suffer- 
 ing died. Will acted as pallbearer. They wrapped the poor boy in 
 canvass, sewed it up, put him on what is called a tilt board about two 
 feet wide, and with his feet in the direction of the water ; taps sounded, 
 the board raised and the body of his friend slipped quietly down into 
 the waters below. Thus 15 of their boys were buried beneath the 
 waves ; 64 from another vessel and in all more than a hundred died 
 Avhile the fleet was crossing the Atlantic. The regular rations were 
 too filthy for Will and the only eats he got while crossing were 
 doughnuts, and he ate them as long as his nickels lasted. Sympathy 
 exists in every true American but the rebellious nature becomes pre- 
 dominant when undue advantage is taken of him. He who would be 
 a friend to a good Western American should be careful how he treats 
 his stomach. 
 
 These days could not last always, and after 16 days travel they 
 finally reached Liverpool on the 3rd of October. They got on a train 
 at Liverpool, rode about eight hours to a rest camp, where they re- 
 mained two days. Again at this rest camp it was plenty of rest but 
 no eats. The result was, a bunch of boys broke through the guard 
 
 227
 
 line to get something to eat. The M. P.'s soon rounded them all up, 
 put Will, one of the violators, in charge of the bunch and he drilled 
 them good-naturedly back to camp, and nothing came of it, for they 
 had not long to stay. They were again put on trains and rode until 
 they reached Southampton. Many an American soldier has made 
 a trip cross England and the channel and if there is a reader who has 
 been through this let him bear with the writer until the soldier is 
 safely taken out of the path of tribulation. 
 
 Upon reading Southampton they were at once put on an American 
 boat that took the boys safely across the channel and landed them at 
 La Havre, from where they were taken to Rest Camp No. One. Rest 
 Camp No. One is pretty well known to the reader by this time. This 
 camp, six miles out of town, and upon a high hill, with its round tents, 
 room enough for eight, yet crowding 14 in each tent. They remained 
 v.t this camp two days, but not always^ in their tents for they did not 
 think it very comfortable with their heads outside and their feet and 
 legs piled up in the center ; but it was time the boys were getting 
 familiar with this crowded condition for they were going to have more 
 of it later on. 
 
 At the end of the second day they again hiked to La Havre where 
 they entered the famous side door Pullmans. The utmost capacity 
 of these cars was either 8 horses or 40 men, yet Will's car contained 
 42 men. There was no room to sit down. They rode for several 
 days until they reached La Mons. At La Mons they got off one train 
 and were put on another to be sent back to Nantes where they re- 
 mained a week. If the reader does not know where these places are 
 let him look them up in his geography and he will readily see where 
 the boys were taken, but he will not understand why ; neither could 
 the boys understand why they should be rustled around in that man- 
 ner ; for after a week's stay at Nantes where Will with 39 others 
 billeted in a chicken house with a damp floor, without straw, they 
 were again picked up and were once more on their way, this time to 
 their old stamping grounds. La Havre. 
 
 While at the camp two miles from the city they were still rationed 
 by the British and eats were beginning to get painfully scarce ; so that 
 through sheer hunger the boys made another breakout and broke in, 
 stole 11 loaves of bread, 2 sacks of potatoes, and 2 sides of bacon from 
 the kitchen, thus giving the saintly soldiers one good square meal. 
 
 Time was rolling on ; rain was coming down, making their shelter 
 halves serve but poorly their purpose. The boys remained but a short 
 time and were soon on the move again. This time they rode three 
 days and three nights and landed at a place called Les Lettes where 
 
 228
 
 they stopped and joined the 78th Division on the 9th of November, 
 having had 9 days and 9 nights free ride. Smile at this and a soldier 
 will tell you there was nothing to laugh about. 
 
 They were now on the old Hindenburg line; the Germans had 
 hurriedly evacuated this place two weeks before and had left some fine 
 places ; some electrically lighted, but Oh ! My ! so dirty and so full of 
 cooties. \\'ith no bath since they left the good old U. S. shore, only 
 one cold bath in England, and no chance to wash while riding in the 
 box cars, a person can imagine the cooties found fertile soil when the 
 boys arrived at Les eLttes. 
 
 Along the side of the roads many thousand shells were piled up 
 and it became their duty to camouflage these huge mountains of shells 
 to keep the Bochc planes from finding them ; but their labor was of 
 short duration for two days after they arrived on the line the armistice 
 was signed; and by the night of the 11th of November they had 
 reached the town of Butcher, 27 kilos away. This 11 hour hike 
 through the mud was a memorable one for Will. Many fell out of 
 line and came straggling into camp several days afterward. They 
 had been ordered to not eat their rations, but hunger would not allow 
 them to obey orders, and their bully beef and hard tack disappeared. 
 They were reprimanded severely by their officers and punished by 
 restricting their actions. The officers had ])lenty to eat, but the boys 
 must not eat even their own scanty food. 
 
 They remained at Butcher five days, vvhen they were again intro- 
 duced to their old acquaintance, Mr. Side Door. They sailed two 
 days and two nights to a town called Epossie from where they hiked 
 three kilos to Bard Epossie, where they remained four months repair- 
 ing French roads. Part of the company drilled while the rest cracked 
 stones to build roads. This was tedious work with nothing else be- 
 fore them to break the monotony. They billeted in an old shed with 
 two blankets apiece, no heating apparatus of any kind, so they made 
 a stove of sheet iron and stole some guttering for a stove pipe ; but 
 when the pipe got too hot the soldering melted and the pipe came 
 tumbling down, leaving them no better off than when they started ; and 
 although candy was issued to them regularly they did not receive any. 
 The boys knew where the candy went, but to keep from being court- 
 martialed they thought it better to keep quiet than to get into trouble 
 with their superiors. 
 
 The worst feature of their life in this detention camp was the 
 sham battles the officers tried to make their boys fight. It mattered 
 not about the weather, they had to capture imaginery trenches and 
 machine gun nests, and when the officer's whistle blew it meant "flop," 
 
 229
 
 mud or no mud. Thus the rough treatment went on until the first of 
 May, when orders were given to start for Bordeaux. 
 
 After reaching Bordeaux they were deloused and were put on 
 board the Santa Paula, an American boat, and set sail for good old 
 Hoboken, reaching that place on the 28th of May, making the trip in 
 14 days. From Hoboken they were sent to Camp Dix, where they 
 were again deloused. 
 
 After five days' stay at Camp Dix they went to Camp Grant, 
 where after remaining 36 hours they received their discharge on the 
 5th of June, 1919. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that William H. 
 Luman, 1557298, Corporal Co. K, 309th Infantry, the United States 
 Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service is hereby honor- 
 ably discharged from the military service of the United States by 
 reason of convenience of the government, per circular 108, War Dept., 
 1918. Said William H. Luman was born in Bethalto in the State of 
 Illinois. When enlisted he was 27 3-12 years of age and by occupa- 
 tion an Engineer. He had blue eyes, brown hair, dark complexion 
 and was 5 feet 9 1-2 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp 
 Grant, 111., this 5th day of June, 1919. Frank A. Johnson, Major 
 F. A., U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: William H. Luman. Grade: Corporal. Inducted May 
 28, 1918 at Alton, Illinois, serving in first enlistment period at date of 
 discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned ofiicer : 
 Corporal; Aug. 25, 1918. Marksmanship, gunner qualification, or 
 rating : Not rated. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engage- 
 ments, skirmishes, expeditions : Served in A. E. F. from Oct. 3, 1918, 
 to May 28, 1919. Knowledge of any vocation: General Engineer. 
 Wounds received in service: None. Physical condition w^hen dis- 
 charged: Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed 6-21-'18. Para- 
 typhoid prophylaxis completed 6-21-18. Married or single : Single. 
 Character: Excellent. Signature of soldier: William H. Luman. 
 Chas. E. Wavam, 1st Lieut. Infantry, Commanding Demobilization 
 Group. Camp Grant, 111., June 5, 1919. Paid in full $114.37, including 
 bonus of $60.00, Act of Feb. 24, 1919. S. H. Francis, Quartermaster 
 Corps. 
 
 230
 
 EDWARD J. KRUSE. 
 
 Edward J. Kruse, son of August and Gesche Kruse, was born in 
 Wood River Townsliip, three miles south of Bethalto, September 17, 
 1890. He attended the Wahiut Grove school completing the Eighth 
 grade. He remained at home working on the farm until he was 
 23 years of age when he went to Pomona. California, to work on an 
 orange farm. He went in October. 1913, and returned home the fol- 
 lowing April. California life was too fascinating for Ed. and the 
 climate suited him better than that of Illinois, so he went back to Cali- 
 fornia the second time in February, 1915. He went to work to 
 Pomona in the cold storage and ice plant for fruits and oranges. 
 
 It was at Pomona that Ed. registered for the service in June, 
 1917. He was called to the colors on his birthday, September 17, 
 1917, and took examination on the 8th of August, leaving Pomona on 
 the 20th of September for Camp Lewis, Wash. Camp Lewis was 
 just being organized. He was placed in the 316th Supply Train of 
 the 91st Division, or Wild West Division as it became known later on. 
 Part of the description is taken from the war diary which shows that 
 the 316th Supply Train was organized on the 25th of September, 
 
 1917, under the command of Lt. Allen R. Duncan; Col. Saville being 
 in command of the regiment. The duties at Camp Lewis were some- 
 what like those of other camps. Infantry drill, gas drills, school and 
 trucks and other mechanical lines. Ed. became bugler February 1, 
 
 1918, and in June they went through a siege of the hardest kind of 
 training. 
 
 They left camp on the 30th of June, 1918, for overseas duty. 
 They stopped at Spokane, Washington, on the 1st of July where they 
 paraded and in return received fruits, cigarettes, post cards, etc., from 
 the Red Cross. The next stop east was at Missoula, Montana, where 
 the boys received the best reception by the Red Cross and citizens of 
 that territory. At Billings, Montana, the Supply Train boys enjoyed 
 themselves in the public swimming pool ; at Forsythe, Montana, the 
 Supply Train waited a while to see the new boys leave for Camp Lewis. 
 The town of Paradise, Montana, will be remembered by the boys for 
 the industrious mosquitoes produced there. Thus they traveled east- 
 ward. At Fargo, North Dakota, they had physical exercise. At El- 
 roy, Wisconsin, they spent the 4th of July parading for the natives. 
 They arrived at Chicago at midnight on the 4th. More physical 
 exercise at Toledo, Ohio ; at Cleveland, Ohio, they had a fine swim in 
 Lake Erie. They stopped a short while at Buffalo, N. Y., and by 
 the 6th of July they were traveling south along the Hudson River, 
 and after passing many other interesting sights they finally reached 
 
 231
 
 Camp Mills in the evening of the 6th of July. They were at Camp 
 Mills from the 6th to the 13th. During this time the boys had passes 
 to the city of New York. At Camp Mills they received their overseas 
 equipment. 
 
 On the 13th they boarded the ship Alsatian, one of a convoy of 
 14 ships. From July 14th to July 26th they were on the ocean. On 
 the ship they had physical exercise, guard duty and boat drills. No 
 submarines were sighted and ten sub-chasers met them when they 
 were two days from their destination. They docked at Liverpool, 
 England, on the 26th and debarked on the 27th, boarded a train and 
 after touring for ten hours detrained at Southampton, and from there 
 marched a distance of four miles to an English rest camp. At dusk 
 of the 27th they left Southampton, spending the entire night on a 
 channel boat in crossing the channel, arriving at Cherbourg, France, 
 at 5 o'clock in the morning of the 28th ; from there they marched to 
 a British rest camp four miles from Cherbourg. 
 
 During the time they were on the boat and when they passed 
 through England and near Cherbourg, France, they were rationed by 
 the British government. The food was considered "bum" by the 
 boys, and the horse meat they were given on the boat was not very 
 palatable to a bunch of Wild West boys who knew nothing but pure 
 American food, and if possible would tolerate nothing else. It is not 
 stated for what reason, but while at Rest Camp No. 1 near Cherbourg 
 nobody was allowed to leave camp, and some of the western spirit 
 arose too high for some, with the result that 30 medicos were brought 
 in by the guards and put in the guard house. They had broke out, 
 orders or no orders. They loved the freedom and did not know how 
 to connect Western Freedom with Eastern Liberty. The boys were 
 used to pure food and they blamed the English soldiers for the poor 
 food that their government gave them ; for a hungry soldier is apt to 
 express his feelings in terms sometimes unbecoming to one who is 
 supposed to be a model citizen, though he is from the Free West ; how- 
 ever, this condition did not last long ; the sullen ill feeling soon passed 
 away for when they received American food quiet prevailed and on 
 the first of August they entrained for "Somewhere in France." 
 
 On August 2, they saw Paris from a distance, they saw the Eifel 
 Tower, the great 100 meter ferris wheel, and other distinguishing 
 marks of the great city. The boys did not know where they were 
 going but they were on their way, — yes, they had been on their way 
 more than a month but their spirits were as high as ever. They 
 traveled on and reached Neisey-le-sec, where they remained overnight. 
 
 232
 
 Here they had the first taste of French wine. Here they saw Ger- 
 man prisoners for the first time. 
 
 While being side-tracked overnight the boys in some mysterious 
 way discovered several barrels on the cars in a leaky condition ; they 
 discovered that the barrels contained wine. The result of this dis- 
 covery was that many Wild West boys started on a tour to shoot Ger- 
 mans. The insurrection was checked, however, by the Major's orders, 
 to have every canteen examined and if any wine was found to have it 
 reported at once. The sergeant was detailed to go on the tour of 
 inspection. After inspecting as many canteens as he was able, he 
 reported everything O. K. Thus Ed.'s canteen was found in good 
 condition. He did not state how good it was ; but good, good, good, 
 was all the canteen would say. The night passed and Neisey-le-Sec 
 passed out of existence so far as the 316th supply train was con- 
 cerned. They came to the end of their railroad journey after having 
 been in all kinds of cars. 
 
 In America they had Pullman; in England they had 1st, 2nd, and 
 3rd class compartment coaches, with which every soldier who has 
 made the trip is familiar, and in France they had 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 
 class coaches and a peculiar kind of a box car with which every one 
 of our overseas boys is painfully familiar. 
 
 They detrained at Andilly and marched to the village of Meuse- 
 Haute Marne. They marched the distance of seven miles full pack, 
 and settled down for a 35 days' stay at Meuse. While the division 
 hiked, drilled and practiced the 316th supplied them with grub. The 
 supply train left Meuse on the 6th of September via truck for Fouksin, 
 France, where they entrained for Gondecourt. Some men took the 
 trucks overland to the city while the rest of the Battalion were being 
 introduced to the 8 Chavaux side door Pullmans. 
 
 Reaching Gondecourt at 2 p. m. Sept. 7th, the officers set to work 
 at once to find rooms for themselves and stalls for the boys. They 
 left Gondecourt Sept. 12th, arriving at Troussey where they heard the 
 big guns for the first time. They were now in the reserve of the St. 
 Mihiel drive. While at Gondecourt Ed. had the privilege of visiting 
 an old castle built in the 14th century. The old castle was built of 
 rock and had openings in the walls put there for the purpose of de- 
 fense during the bow and arrow times. Up in the tower there was 
 an old court room with the trap door giving it the appearance of hav- 
 ing been inhabited by "Old Hurricane." Beneath this trap door by 
 many feet roared the river as it had done centuries ago when man 
 stood on the trap door one moment and the next was cast into oblivion. 
 Even the stalwart Western youth of America shuddered at the sight. 
 
 233
 
 After they reached the St. Mihiel Sector hauling of ammunition, 
 bully beef, hard tack, gold fish and all sorts of canned goods became 
 the daily routine of work. They left on Friday, the 13th of Sep- 
 tember, and arrived at Froidos at 6 p. m. on the 17th of September. 
 Whether lucky or unlucky it seemed the 13th haunted the supply train 
 all the time. 
 
 On this day Ed.'s truck broke down and he had to wait three days 
 to get it fixed. While there he saw a Red Cross Canteen for the first 
 time. They were now going toward the Argonne Forest and the 
 Hindenburg line. As soon as the men reached Froidos the men of 
 the 91st went to the front and Ed.'s work commenced by hauling 
 ammunition to the front. They had hauled a lot of ammunition to a 
 place called Very. While Ed. and other truck drivers were unloading- 
 ammunition the Germans had evidently located their ammunition dump 
 for they planted five shells of large caliber right around the dump 
 within a radius of 40 yards. The enemy tried to demolish the dumps 
 and trucks, and although very close, failed in the attempt. 
 
 At 10 :45 p. m. on the 25th of September the big show began, the 
 big guns began to play, and before morning of the 28th the boys went 
 over the top. The supply train of the 91st Division was kept busy 
 hauling ammunition and grub. The towns of Vraincourt, Cheppy, 
 Very, Montfaucon, Neuilly, Aubreville and Clermont became familiar 
 to the boys. At one place they traveled a mile and a half over a 
 board road where every other board had been removed by the Ger- 
 mans in their hasty retreat. They went through Death Valley where 
 the bones of hundreds of horses and many soldiers lay bleaching in 
 the sun. These were dangerous days, these were dangerous roads, 
 and when one M. P. misdirected Ed. and led him to the wrong place 
 he came within reach of machine gun bullets. He was ordered to 
 hurry back as quick as possible. And though aeroplanes swooped 
 down on him and at the same time gave signals to their artillery he 
 succeeded in getting over the hill. The M. P. had made a mistake, 
 but his load of 3000 hand grenades was safe. 
 
 At Epinonville the truck drivers were shelled again, but the fear 
 had partly disappeared and Ed. picked up a few pieces of shrapnel 
 while others hid under the trucks. Fortunately no one was hurt and 
 shortly afterward the Division was relieved. In this forsaken country 
 Ed. was kept busy driving a truck in a land where he knew not a 
 single soul, only those wath whom he got acquainted while in camp. 
 In this land of misery Ed. hauled death-dealing devices to and 
 wounded back from "No Man's Land." In this country of shell holes, 
 blowed up bridges, trenches, piles of stone and like obstructions, could 
 
 234
 
 be seen miles of trucks going- forward and always forward ; for the 
 enemy was by this time in full retreat. Travel was consequently 
 slow. At one place this train of trucks made one and one-half miles 
 in 15 hours. These large F. W. D.'s, or Four Wheeled Drive as they 
 were called, did the work of keeping the supplies to the boys on the 
 line. They were being constantly shelled and at one place while 
 taking wounded to a place of safety a shell fell on his truck killing two 
 who had already given all they had. They had been seriously 
 wounded in the fighting but were killed on their way to security. 
 
 On the 4th of October the Division was relieved from the line. 
 After that they went into the timber and cleared it up by hauling out 
 lost guns, material, and everything that the Germans had left behind. 
 Many things could be mentioned that would be of interest to the 
 reader, but they became general and therefore common. At one 
 place Ed. saw an American aeroplane bring down two Germans, while 
 a German plane downed two American observation balloons. 
 
 They had been in action from the 25th of September to the 5th 
 of October, and from the 6th of October to the 10th of October. 
 They worked clearing the Argonne and then moved to Revigny back 
 of the lines almost down to Barle Due. From October 17 to the 
 22nd the Supply Train moved from Revigny to somewhere in Bel- 
 gium. Some went on trains while others went in trucks. Ed. drove 
 a truck all the way, passing through the cities of Vitry, Eperney, 
 Chalons-sur-Marne, Chateau-Thierry and Noise-le-Sec then through 
 Paris and on through Amiens, Clemont, St. Pal, St. Omer, Ypres and 
 to St. Jean de Ypres. Here Ed. became acquainted with the cooties ; 
 here he saw where the first gas was used by the Germans. They 
 had reached St. Jean on the first of November after traveling two 
 dreary weeks in trucks. They were shelled every night while at 
 Iseghan, and to where they went after the first of November. They 
 were hauling rations instead of ammunition and continued with this 
 kind of work until the 12th of December, when they went to Proven, 
 a place of tin huts, barbed wire, mud and misery ; for Flanders mud 
 was deep at this place and at this time. Everything that can be 
 imagined belonging to warfare had been there. 
 
 Ed. received a pass at Proven and went to Brussels, a beautiful 
 town, where eats, carfare, shows and everything in the amusement 
 line was free to the American soldier. The city had not been damaged 
 by the Germans and the beautiful buildings and parks had been left 
 intact. ■•'' ^-il 
 
 On the 31st of October the 91st Division had gone into action in 
 Belgium in the Lys-Scheldt offensive, but the Germans were slowly 
 retreating although they visited the Americans every night with their 
 235
 
 bombing planes. November 9th vv^as the last air raid at Iseghan. 
 They had been at this place 42 days. On Dec. 29th they left Proven 
 on a train to Nogent-le-Rotron, the last stop ; this was in the La Mons 
 district. Here he saw an old-time community sale v/here everybody 
 sells his own produce. Here he saw another old castle of the 14th 
 century type ; a castle with walls around it 50 feet high where common 
 people were not, nor had never been allowed to enter. Ed. was in- 
 side the inclosure but not through this 6-story rock structure, and he 
 wondered while gazing how long a castle of this kind would stand in 
 the Free Wild West of the Liberty-Loving Americans. They, how- 
 ever, soon left Nogent and went to St. Nazaire for embarkation. They 
 sailed on the 8th of April, 1919 on the Santa Paula, an American troop 
 ship and landed safely in New York harbor, from where the boys were 
 sent to Camp Upton, L. L, and from there to California. 
 
 Ed. was in a California hospital awhile on account of the ordeal 
 through which he had gone. He soon recovered and received his dis- 
 charge and came home to see his parents, who at the present time live 
 near Jerseyville. He also spent several weeks with friends and 
 relatives in Bethalto, his old home town. Following is his discharge 
 and enlistment record: 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that Edward J. 
 Kruse, 2275610, Pvt. Co. A, 316th Sup. Tr., the United States Army, 
 as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honorably 
 discharged from the military service of the United States by reason 
 of Cir. 106, W. D. 1918. Said Edward J. K Kruse was born in East 
 Alton in the State of Illinois ; when enlisted he was 27 years of age, 
 and by occupation a laborer. He had brown eyes, brown hair, dark 
 complexion, and was 5 feet 8 1-2 inches in height. Given under my 
 hand at Camp Kearney, Calif., this 9th day of June, 1919. Guy J. 
 Rour, Lieut. Col. Infantry, Commanding. Bonus of $60.00, Act ap- 
 proved Feb. 24, 1919 paid this date. Camp Kearney, Calif., June 9, 
 1919. Paid in full, $104.70. Edgar A. Supples, Capt. Q. M. C. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : Edward J. Kruse. Grade : Private. Inducted Sept. 20, 
 1917, at Pamona, Calif., serving in first enlistment period at date of 
 discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : Never. 
 Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Not rated. Horse- 
 manship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expedi- 
 tions : St. Mihiel, Sept. 9-10-ll-13th; Argonne, Sept. 16-Oct. 4; 
 
 236
 
 Ypres, Belgium, Oct. 31 to Nov. 11, 1918. Knowledge of any voca- 
 tion : Laborer. Wounds received in battle : None. Physical condi- 
 tion when discharged: Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed Oct. 
 16, 1917. Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed Oct. 16, 1917. Married 
 or single : Single. Remarks : No A. W. O. L. under G. O. 31-12 or 
 G. O. 45-14. Entitled to travel pay. Assigned Co. A, 316th Eng., 
 Oct. 11, 1917. Signature of soldier: Edward J. Kruse. George 
 Rank, 1st Lieut. Inf. Commanding C. H. 32nd Inf. Demob. 
 
 HENRY BARBER. 
 
 David Henry Barber, son of David and Manda Barber, was born 
 in Alton, 111., in 1891. The parents were both Americans and the 
 father served in the Civil War from 1861 to 1865, having been wounded 
 in the forehead. The family moved to Bethalto when Henry was 
 eight years old. They purchased a home in Bethalto and Henry re- 
 ceived a good school education. After the death of the parents the 
 children had to shift for themselves and Henry worked awhile as fire- 
 man on the C. & A. He registered for the draft in June, 1917, while 
 working for H. L. Gulp. When he was called to the colors he was 
 sent to Camp Sherman, Ohio, and put in the 334th Headquarters Com- 
 pany of the Signal Corps, 84th Division. 
 
 He trained for two months, when on August 28th the 334th Com- 
 pany left for Camp Mills and set sail for France on the 1st of Sep- 
 tember, and landed at Southampton. They sailed on the S. S. 
 Aquitania and had on board 10,000 troops and 250 Red Cross Nurses. 
 The food was poor, mostly fish, but the ship crossed in eight days, 
 traveling alone, and no subs were sighted. They fired 18 shots at 
 what was thought to be one. The Aquitania had 8 subs to her credit 
 and this was the 19th trip across with troops. No lights at night, no 
 smoking, and nothing was allowed to be thrown overboard. They 
 landed at Southampton on the 8th of September and crossed the chan- 
 nel two days afterward on the Margarete, too small for such business. 
 They landed at La Havre on the 11th and were loaded into box cars 
 7x26, with 44 in each car. There would have been a rebellion had it 
 not been for the timely arrival of bully beef, hard tack and a little jam ; 
 this however appeased them for awhile. When do we eat? When 
 do we drink? were the cries. Many officers were often drunk. 
 
 They finally reached La Mons where they remained a week drill- 
 ing and hiking. One hundred and eighty men o fthe 334th were 
 assigned to the 91st Division and Henry was one of the 180 and they 
 were at once sent to the Argonne Forest. These boys v.-ere from 
 
 237
 
 Ohio and they filled gaps that the enemy had made in the California 
 bunch. They rode in trains to within 28 miles of the Argonne and 
 hiked the 28 miles in two days. Henry and two others were trans- 
 ferred to Headquarters Company 364th regiment. Food conditions 
 were normal and the rains were copious. They reached the Forest 
 on the 25th of September. Henry reached the front in time to take 
 part in four drives before fighting ceased. They were in the St. 
 jMihiel Sector, Verdun Sector at Beuzee Audenarde, and those in which 
 the Wild West fought. The 35th Division was on their right and 
 the 77th on their left. Many Germans were killed in the Forest and 
 few prisoners were taken. 
 
 After the armistice was signed and fighting ceased they held the 
 line awhile, then went north into Belgium, a distance of almost 100 
 miles. Wlien fighting ceased quiet became painful, the feeling can 
 hardly be understood. The nerves were on such a keen edge that 
 when all was quiet soldiers could not sleep, although many were worn 
 out. The French cavalry relieved them. After they had been in 
 Belgium a while they were sent into France where they were attached 
 to the S. O. S. making preparation to go to some port of embarkation. 
 They went to school at Le Bernard 14 days. They left St. Aignan 
 for a port of embarkation. They remained at the port 24 hours and 
 sailed on the S. S. Sidney, leaving on the 22nd of March, reaching the 
 good old U. S. A. April 3rd. 
 
 The Sidney was much smaller than the Aquitania and not so com- 
 fortable, but Henry was sick but five days. The Aquitania was 941 
 feet long, the Sidney 390. After reaching New York they were sent 
 to Camp ]\Iills where they remained ten days and were then sent to 
 Camp Sherman, Ohio, where he received his honorable discharge 
 which reads as near as could be ascertained from Henry, 
 a To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that David 
 Henry Barber, 3526845, Private Headquarters Company 364th In- 
 fantry, the United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faith- 
 ful service is hereby honorably discharged from the military service of 
 the United States by reason of Cir. 77 W. D. per par. 6 S .O. 72. Said 
 David Henry Barber was born in Alton, Illinois. When enlisted he 
 was 27 years of age and by occupation a truck driver. He had brown 
 eyes, dark hair, dark complexion and was 5 feet seven inches in height. 
 Given under my hand at Camp Sherman, Ohio, April 11, 1919. Lieut. 
 Meyers, Commanding. 
 
 238
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 Name: David Henry Barber. Grade: Private. Enlisted June 
 17, 1918, at Irvington, Indiana, serving in first enlistment period at 
 date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : 
 Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification, or rating: Not rated. 
 Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, ex- 
 peditions : Four battles, holding lines four days, with the A. E. F. 
 Knowledge of any vocation: Truck Driver. Wounds received in 
 service : None. Physical condition when discharged : Good. Typhoid 
 prophylaxis completed June 30, 1918. Married or single: Single. 
 Character: Excellent. Signature of soldier: David Plenry Barber. 
 Remarks : No A. W. O. L. No absence under G-O. 45 W. D. 1914. 
 Floyd Hamilton, Captain ; Lieut. Meyers, in command of company. 
 
 HENRY C. BANGERT. 
 
 Henry C. Bangert, son of Henry and Emma Bangert, and brother 
 of Ed. whose description is found in this book, was born in Fort Rus- 
 sell Township June 28, 1895. He compelted the 8th grade work at 
 the Oak Grove school, the only school he attended during his school 
 years, and after he quit school he continued to work for his parents on 
 the farm until he was called to the colors Feb. 23, 1918. 
 
 He registered for the draft in June, 1917, and left Edwardsville 
 in company with Louis Smith and Henry Engleman, of Fort Russell 
 Township on the 23rd of February, 1918, for Camp Taylor, Ky., ar- 
 riving there at 10 o'clock at night. He was placed in the 17th Co., 
 159th Depot Brigade, where he remained three weeks on account of 
 being quarantined with measles, although Henry did not have it. 
 
 After that time he was transferred to Co. G, 33oth Infantry. The 
 four regiments of infantry comprising the 84th Division were the 
 333rd, 334th, 335th and 336th. After Henry was placed in 335th In- 
 fantry, he drilled, hiked and did company duty common to all; de- 
 scriptions of which is found elsewhere in this book. Henry was 
 recommended for corporal, but he refused, saying he desired to remain 
 a private during his stay in the service. 
 
 On June 7th he was transferred to Camp Sherman, Ohio, near 
 Chillicothe, where the same monotonous duty continued until the 23rd 
 of August, when the regiment was sent to Camp Mills to be equipped 
 for overseas duty. He had been in training just six months, and he 
 was considered fit for actual warfare. On the way to Camp Mills they 
 239
 
 stopped at Ravina, N. Y., where they took a bath in the Hudson River 
 and the Red Cross gave them a fine supper ; after that time the soldiers 
 spent an enjoyable evening in dancing. 
 
 They remained at Camp Mills until the 2nd of September, long 
 enough to receive the balance of their overseas equipment. They 
 boarded the English ship Manilla at Hoboken and started on their 
 journey, a journey of 14 days of miserable existence. Although he 
 was not seasick he ate but five meals during his entire trip. The 
 food that the British fed to the American soldiers did not seem to suit 
 the taste of the American soldiers who were used to cleanser, purer 
 and more palatable food. Henry does not state what there was to 
 eat, only that which they had was not fit to put into a stomach of a 
 human and he therefore let the stuff alone. 
 
 They landed safely at Liverpool, England, at 5 p. m. on the 16th 
 of September, got off the boat on the 17th and hiked to Knotty Ash, 
 a camp about five miles away, where they remained three days. The 
 mud at Knotty Ash was deep and slimy and the camp was so closely 
 guarded that no one dared to sneak out to get a breath of pure air. 
 They were cooped up and nobody was allowed out for three days when 
 after this time they left the camp and started on their way to South- 
 ampton in the southern part of England, on the channel, from where 
 they could cross to France. They stayed long enough in Birming- 
 ham to parade then went to Southampton, where they went to a rest 
 camp about seven miles away. They hiked all the way, and a little 
 rest was all they got and nothing else, for they soon picked up their 
 baggage and hiked back again when they were loaded on a large 
 American steamer that took them safely across the channel, landing at 
 La Havre the next morning ; and as soon as they landed they started 
 on their next hike up the hill to another rest camp where they remained 
 in round tents from 10 a. m. until 10 p. m., when they returned to 
 La Havre and entrained in the famous French box cars on which it 
 said "40 Hommes, Chavoux 8," which meant there was standing room 
 for either 8 horses or 40 men. 
 
 In these small French box cars they rode three days and three 
 nights. There were 35 soldiers in each car, and their bread and other 
 rations were piled up in the center of the car except where some was 
 used for pillows, etc. They landed at St. Nugent at 5 o'clock in the 
 evening, but no quarters had been provided for them so they just flop- 
 ped down on the ground for the night. The next morning they found 
 barns and sheds, old deserted houses, or anything that was left after 
 the officers had had their pick. 
 
 240
 
 They remained at Nugent two weeks, and they were fast beghi- 
 ning to get disgusted or to care little what was going on. They hiked 
 and drilled every day. It was at this place that Henry was transferred 
 to Co. F of the 334th Infantry. "Flu" had hit them hard and much 
 transferring had to be done to get the regiments in regular order 
 again. 
 
 At the end of two weeks Henry was sent to Ypres, where he joined 
 the 91st Division, or Wild West Division. Henry was learning what 
 real warfare is and found that hiking and starving were two of 
 misery's ingredients. He had hiked two days before he reached the 
 91st Division in Belgium. He had a good supper that Saturday 
 night, he slept in a "pup" tent that night ; he got up early Sunday 
 morning and without any breakfast started off on an all day's hike ; 
 he put up for the night and the next morning he continued his journey. 
 It seemed their kitchen did not travel as fast as they did ; for it was 
 not until Monday evening at 6 o'clock that he got a bite to eat since 
 Saturday night. As may be realized he was exhausted, for his pack 
 was heavy, roads were rough and muddy. Thus he reached the Wild 
 W^est Division, whose men had fared even worse, for by that time 
 many of their soldiers had fallen and they had seen much misery and 
 they needed replacements. 
 
 The boys had arrived on the 21st of October, and Henry had been 
 placed in Co. F, 362nd Infantry. On October 29th they moved to the 
 lines and by 5 :30 on the morning of the 31st of October they went over 
 the top. This was on the Flanders Front in Belgium on the Scheldt, 
 The Germans, however, retreated after blowing up bridges which had 
 to be repaired or pontoon bridges had to be put up before they could 
 cross. They continued to follow the Germans until the 11th of No- 
 vember, when firing ceased. They had followed the Germans con- 
 tinually for five days, — five days of misery, five days with nothing to 
 sustain life but turnips and water, with the enemy artillery firing at 
 them and the aeroplanes continually dropping shells on them. These 
 five days of travel, or hiding in dugouts, made all of the boys sick ; it 
 gave them cramps, for this raw food was not fitfor them under these 
 trying conditions. 
 
 At the end of the five days the 364th Kitchen finally reached 
 them and they got their first meal. Shortly after fighting ceased, the 
 cannon ceased to roar, the bombing planes ceased to drop shells, and 
 everything turned into a deathly calmness. Henry heard the last 
 shot of the war fired and soon he was on the march back to St. Nazaire, 
 several hundred miles away, where they could embark for home. 
 They hiked every day. On Sunday they crossed No Man's Land. 
 
 241
 
 hiking 33 miles to get to a place to sleep. Everything was dismal and 
 desolate, not a living soul there, the French had not even returned and 
 from appearances it seemed as if this section of the country can never 
 be cultivated again or can ever be made fit for man to live. No pen 
 can describe the desolate condition of this country. Bones of animals 
 and humans piled up ; at this place the Germans had first used their 
 gas and it seemed the smell of the gas was still noticeable. 
 
 But anything to get out of this, and they finally reached a town 
 called Ostervetter where they remained until the 31st of December, 
 when they took the train and rode all New Year's Day, landing at St. 
 Nazaire at 10 a. m. on the second day of January, 1919. From St. 
 Nazaire they hiked 25 miles to a town called St. Fluent, where they 
 remained until the 23rd of March, when they once more hiked back to 
 St. Nazaire. from where they went to Camp No. 4, where they re- 
 mained until the first of April when they boarded the ship Lancaster, 
 an American freighter, which had been converted into a troop ship. 
 
 They set sail on the second of April and started on a 14 days' 
 trip across, landing at Hoboken on the 16th day of April. Henry 
 had been gone nearly eight months and during this time he had seen 
 no one with whom he was acquainted, excepting Louis Schmidt, whom 
 he saw the last week he was in France. Louis had been with the 
 309th Engineers, and had been stationed on the coast all the time. 
 
 Henry landed at Hoboken on the 16th, went to Camp Mills where 
 he remained a week, and was then sent to Camp Grant, where he re- 
 ceived his discharge on the last of April, reaching home on the first 
 day of May, after an absence of nearly 15 months. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that Henry C. 
 Bangert, 1993943, Private Co. F, 362nd Infantry, the United States 
 Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honor- 
 ably discharged from the military service of the United States, by 
 reason of convenience of government, Cir. 106, W. D., 1918. Said 
 Henry C. Bangert was born in Fort Russell in the State of Illinois. 
 When enlisted he was 22 years of age and by occupation a farmer. 
 He had blue eyes, light hair, fair complexion, and was 5 feet 6 inches 
 in height. Given under my hand at Camp Grant, 111., this 29th day 
 of April, 1919. Clinton Rush, Maj. Inf. U. S. A. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : Henry C. Bangert. Grade : Private. Inducted Feb. 23, 
 1918, at Madison Co., 111., serving in first enlistment period at date of 
 discharge. Prior service: None. Non-commissioned officer: Never. 
 
 242
 
 Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Not qualified. Horse- 
 manship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expedi- 
 tions : Served A. E. F. Sept. 30, 1918, to April 16, 1919, Lys-Scheldt 
 (Belgium) October 31, 1918, to November 11, 1918. Knowledge of 
 any vocation : Farmer. Wounds received in service : None. Physical 
 condition when discharged : Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed 
 3-14-18. Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed 3-14-'18. Married 
 or single : Single. Character : Excellent. Signature of soldier : 
 Henry C. Bangert. Clyde Bledson, 2nd Lieut. 161st D. B. Command- 
 ing. Camp Grant, 111., April 29, 1919. Paid in full, $106.65, including 
 bonus of S60.00, Act of February 24. 1919. S. H. Francis, Captain 
 Quartermaster Corps. 
 
 JOHN W. SILLAND 
 
 John \\'. Silland. son of Charles and Hettie Silland, was born on 
 a farm a mile east of Bethalto Dec. 19, 1893. He attended the Grove 
 school, completing the Sixth grade work ; and after he quit school he 
 remained at home working for the parents until he was called to the 
 colors in 1917. 
 
 He registered in June, 1917, and was one of the first to leave Fort 
 Russell Township. He was called to the colors September the 19th 
 and left Edwardsville on that date in company with Ed. Bangert and 
 Gus Memkin; and was sent to Camp Taylor, Ky., a camp just being 
 formed and where the 84th Division received its origin. He reached 
 Camp Taylor on the 20th of September and was placed in Co. B, 333rd 
 Infantry. During his short stay at Camp Taylor he received training 
 in infantry drills and the ordinary company duty, remaining there 
 until the 29th of ^larch, when he with others left Camp Taylor for 
 Camp Merritt, where they were to be fitted out for overseas duty. 
 
 John was at ]\Ierritt eight days and during his stay he was fitted 
 out with overseas clothing. He did not receive any other equipment 
 until he got across. On the morning of the 8th of April they left 
 Camp Merritt for Hoboken, N. J., where they boarded the large trans- 
 port Covington that had formerly been a German liner, but was now 
 under American command, and consequently they received American 
 food which was considered only fair. The sea was very rough for 
 three days and John became seasick for a while. After that the 
 waters became calm and the rest of the way was smooth sailing, sight- 
 ing but one submarine, and it made no attempt to torpedo the boat, 
 although every soldier was scared up a bit. 
 
 243
 
 They landed at Brest, France, on the 22nd of April having been 
 on the water 14 days. They remained at the Old Napoleon Barracks 
 about a week and on account of the smallness of the camp and more 
 soldiers coming in the boys left for their inland journey. They were 
 placed in small box cars, 42 in each car not large enough to accom- 
 modate one half that number, and as a consequence there was no room 
 to lie down and sleep, so they sat down or stood up to sleep. They 
 rode in this crowded condition three days and two nights and stopped 
 at St. Aignan, where a large camp was located. After he was in 
 camp two days John was attached to the military police or M. P.'s as 
 they were called, and was used to guard warehouses, storehouses and 
 other places, where much material was stored. The M. P.'s guarded 
 six hours at a time from 6 to 12 a. m., from 12 to 6 p. m. and from 
 6 to 12 P. M. There was no guard duty the latter part of the night 
 excepting at railroad crossings where guards were continually sta- 
 tioned. There was much traffic at St. Aignan and the crossings had 
 to be continually guarded. John was on this police force for three 
 months until the 22nd of July, when he left the 116th M. P. to join 
 the Fourth Division. 
 
 The Fourth Division had been in action quite a while and had 
 lost many of its men in their second battle which had started on the 
 15th of July. The Fourth Division was organized at Camp Greene, 
 N. C, and embarked for France in April, 1918. Their artillery trained 
 at Camp De Souge, while the infantry went to the Marne where in 
 June they assisted the French in the battle of the Marne and later on 
 they assisted them on July 18th to 20th. 
 
 The Fourth Division had taken part in the second battle of the 
 Marne and many had lost their lives and these gaps had to be filled by 
 others so John helped fill up the gap that had been made. He joined 
 the Fourth Division at Lizy and was placed in Co. G, 59th Infantry, 
 at 8 p. m. on the 25th of July. The place was not the pleasantest in 
 the world ; they received the promise of a good supper, that was all, 
 a promise; they received the promise of a good warm breakfast but 
 a promise was all they received. They finally received a good fill 
 at 11 o'clock the next day. 
 
 The 59th had been over the top ; they had gained their objective 
 but they had paid dear for it, and by the 25th they had not fully re- 
 covered ; they were resting up for another dash and a night without 
 supper and a morning without breakfast mattered little to the old 
 ones, but it was almost unbearable to the new comers for they had 
 much to learn. 
 
 The new ones received their equipment such as caps, wrapped leg- 
 
 244
 
 gins, masks, and helmets at Lizy and loaded it on trucks and the men 
 hiked until 8 p. m. until they reached a big woods where their com- 
 pany was stationed. They remained at this place until the 28th of 
 July when the Division moved forward to the St. Mihiel Sector. They 
 passed the Chateau Thierry Front, saw the big Chateau from a short 
 distance. They traveled through a large area of ruined territory. 
 
 They traveled easterly and hiked all the way ; they traveled in 
 the day time and rested at night, although they were continually under 
 shell fire of the large guns. After three days hiking they came nearer 
 the lines and instead of hiking in the day time they hiked for three 
 nights and rested and hid in the daytime. They crossed the Vesle 
 River on a bridge made of poles and logs, for the bridges were all 
 gone. They remained in the valley and along the railroad track four 
 days ; at the end of this time the company on their right made an at- 
 tack while the other companies expected a counter attack but it did 
 not come ; but the enemy put over a terrible gas barrage all morning 
 and a large number were gassed and wounded. John carried chow 
 during these days, which was a dangerous job. 
 
 The next morning they received orders to continue their journey 
 for the St. Mihiel Sector ; this took about a week's hike. When they 
 reached this sector they were put in the front line trenches for 10 days. 
 On the 6th of September the 59th Infantry relieved the French troops 
 in the Toulon Sector south of Verdun. Again John carried eats in 
 the trenches ; when they reached the trenches this sector was quiet but 
 by the 12th of September it became more disturbing and on the 15th 
 the infantry was relieved from the line, and the Division was moved 
 to the woods near Lemmes on the night of September 19-20, where 
 they were out of range of small guns. 
 
 Shortly after that they received orders to "roll packs" and move 
 forward and they started for the Argonne over into "No Man's Land," 
 where everything was devastated. They hiked two days through ter- 
 ritory that the Germans had evacuated, rested awhile, then hiked three 
 more days before reaching the Argonne on the 29th of September. 
 They went to the front lines on Sunday morning and remained there 
 six days, returned for a rest but it was only of a few hours' duration, 
 for they received orders to move forward at once for the Germans 
 were threatening to make an attack to split the Division in two and 
 by piercing their center would surround them. 
 
 The morale of our boys was good, the.y had lots of "pep" and 
 were ready for the onslaught. They crossed a large open field and 
 entered the woods beyond. This was costly. John acted as stretcher 
 bearer. There were ten stretcher bearers but this was not enough and 
 
 245
 
 a number of others had to l)e pressed into the service. It took four 
 men for one stretcher and the men fell thick and fast. They were 
 far beyond the place where an ambulance could go and the wounded 
 had to be carried a long distance. This was a long dreary time for 
 John, it was a nerve-breaking time, more wounded than could be quick- 
 ly relieved. Even two stretcher bearers were wounded while he was 
 v.'ith them, yet John got through it all right and he received not a 
 scratch. 
 
 During these twenty days of fighting many a brave boy lost his 
 life. Company G started with 219 men and when the woods, their 
 objective, was reached only 65 men remained, the rest were either 
 killed, wounded or missing. 
 
 Not all vvho were wounded had to be carried from the field ; at 
 one time John led two brave fellows to a place that was safe; they 
 were able to walk but had to lean on John for support. Machine gun 
 bullets were flying everywhere, it was no wonder so many fell. After 
 they got into the center of the wood they rested and held the lines. 
 German and American dead often lay side by side; oh, why should 
 this have been ! the encounter was too awful to think about ; the price 
 was high and the toll was heavy, but it was over at last and the 
 enemy was in full retreat. 
 
 This was the greatest blow in the greatest of all battles ; it had 
 started at 5 :30 a. m. on the 26th of September ; they were northwest 
 of Verdun ; the first phase was in Forges Woods, the second in Fay's 
 Woods, and the third phase was beyond Fay's Woods. The whole 
 Division had lost 6,000 men, but they had penetrated the enemy's de- 
 fenses to a depth of about ten miles, had captured 2731 prisoners, 57 
 cannon, 228 machine guns and much ammunition. John can be proud 
 of having done his part in this Division. 
 
 They were relieved on the 24th of October by another Division 
 and they went back of the lines for a rest. While resting up they 
 cleaned up and got their ranks filled again for another drive. They 
 started back reaching the woods that was full of French barracks, at 
 1 :30 of the morning of the eleventh of November. They knew noth- 
 ing of what was soon to happen ; but it happened and the boys re- 
 mained in these barracks until the 19th of November ; during this stay 
 John was made Company Mechanic. The boys drew new and clean 
 clothes, — shoes, uniforms, etc. 
 
 After that they started on their famous hike into Germany. Sev- 
 eral other Bethalto boys had this same hike, although not passing 
 through the same towns. John's hike will be explained in detail 
 judging therefrom what the others did. On the 19th they hiked 13 
 
 246
 
 kilos to Essay; on the 20th, 44 kilos to Harlitz ; on the 21st, 25 kilos 
 to Gondremont ; on the 22nd, 20 kilos to Garsch. 
 
 At Garsch they had a good fill of bully beef and hard tack ; they 
 went deer hunting with the officers, bagging two deer and 60 jack rab- 
 bits. Col. Wise, who was in charge of the 4th Division, was with 
 them at Garsch. They were nearing the line where the German and 
 French languages were spoken ; they remained on this line until the 
 second of December, when the march was resumed. 
 
 On the 2nd of December they hiked 25 kilos into Luxemburg to 
 Reinish on the 3rd, 25 kilos to a German castle ; on the 4th, 29 kilos to 
 Greiners ; on the 5th 28 kilos to Joan ; on the 7th 15 kilos to Herneskel ; 
 on the 8th. 39 kilos to Sencemeber ; on the 9th, 20 kilos to Rehanner; 
 on the 10th. 18 kilos to Heinzebach ; on the 12th, 22 kilos to Moritz- 
 hem ; on the 15th, 16 kilos to Brenn ; on the 16th, 16 kilos to Ellenz, 
 where they remained until April, 1919. Here in the neighborhood 
 they were stationed with the German people ; they were on the rifle 
 range two weeks. After leaving Ellenz they went to Potensdorn where 
 they remained a week, thence to Kaiser's Ash, Bell, Franken, Vallen- 
 der, Engers, Bendorf, and Remagen. At Remagen they stayed with 
 the German people until they started for home. 
 
 During his 15 months' stay in France, Luxemburg and Germany 
 he never met a soul whom he knew in this country. During his 15 
 months' stay he never received a pass or furlough, and John was 
 happy when the day came for the boys to leave for home and mother. 
 They remained at Remagen until the 10th of July, during which time 
 they drilled and kept in trim for their journey. They left Remagen 
 at 3 a. m. on the 10th of July for Sinzig where on the following 
 morning at 4 :30 they sailed for Brest in American box cars. They 
 were now on their homeward journey ; it is true the American box 
 cars were larger than those of the French but they also were crowded ; 
 yet it mattered not about that, these cars seemed like palaces to them 
 now. They were comfortable and content for every turn of the 
 wheel brought them nearer home. They made these cars their home 
 for three days. They were at Brest five days and left on the Mount 
 Vernon, reaching Hoboken on the first of August. The sea was 
 smooth as glass ; a fine voyage and no sea-sickness ; rations were good 
 and but eight days on the water. 
 
 From Hoboken they went to Camp Merritt where they remained 
 a few days, after which the Illinois boys were sent to Camp Grant to 
 be discharged. They remained at Camp Grant a few days — long 
 enough to have their papers made out — and were discharged on the 
 
 247
 
 9th of August, 1919; reaching home the next day, Sunday, August 
 10th, 1919. 
 
 Extract: Special Order 145, July 20, 1919. Under the pro- 
 visions of General Orders No. 75, G. H. I., A. E. F., 1919, John W. 
 Silland, Mechanic 1976032 Co. G, 59th Infantry, is entitled to wear 
 the service ribbon with fciur bronze stars for participation in the 
 AisTie-Marne Offensive July 18— Aug. 6, 1918; St. Mihiel Offensive 
 Sept. 12— Sept. 16th, 1918; Meuse-Argonne Offensive Sept. 26th- 
 Nov. 11th, 1918. By order of Colonel Garber, William F. Rehm, 
 Capt. 59th Infantry Personal Adjutant. 
 
 Extract: Special Order 131. Under authority contained in 
 Paragraph 8, G. O. No. 110, G. H. I., A. E. F., 1918, Pvt. Silland, John 
 W. 1976032, Co. G 59th U. S. Infantry is entitled to wear 2 war service 
 chevrons. By order of Colonel Garver, William F. Rehm, Captain 
 59th Infantry, Personal Adjutant. 
 
 The Division Commander publishes with pride the following letter 
 to the Command: American Expeditionary Forces, Office of the 
 Commander-in-Chief. France, March 25, 1919. Major General 
 Mark L. Hersey, Commanding 4th Division, A. E. F. Germany. My 
 Dear General Hersey : It is with deep gratification that I observed 
 the excellent condition of the 4th Division on the occasion of my in- 
 spection on Alarch 18. The transportation and artillery of the 
 Division were in splendid shape and the general appearance of the 
 men was equal to the highest standards. Throughout the inspection 
 and review, the high morale existing in all the ranks was evident. 
 Arriving in France in May, the 4th Division was first engaged in the 
 Marne counter-offensive on July 18th as a part of the French VI. The 
 army detachments aided in the crossing of the Ourck and on August 
 3rd-4th the Division advanced on the Vesle. In the reduction of the 
 St. Mihiel salient, it carried its objectives with effectiveness and pre- 
 cision. For the opening attack of the Meuse-Argonne offensive, the 
 4th Division was put into the line as the center unit of the 3rd Corps 
 and by its aggressiveness made a total advance of 13 kilometers, 
 despite continued and heavy resistance. As a part of the 3rd Army, 
 the Division participated in the march into Germany and the subse- 
 quent occupation of enemy territory. I am pleased to mention the ex- 
 cellent conduct of the men in these difficult circumstances, for which, 
 as well as for their services in battle, they are due the gratitude of the 
 nation. I wish to express to each man my own appreciation of the 
 splendid work that has been done and the assurance of my continued 
 interest in his welfare. Most sincerely yours, John J. Pershing. By 
 Command of Major General Hersey, C. A. Bach, Colonel General 
 
 248
 
 Staff, Chief of Staff. Max B. Garber, Lt. Col. 58th Infantry, Acthig 
 Adjutant. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that John W. 
 Silland, 1976032, Private Co; G 59th Infantry, the United States Army, 
 as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honorably 
 discharged from the military service of the United States by reason of 
 convenience of government, demobilization of organization, per Cir- 
 cular 106, W. D. 1918. Said John W. Silland was born in Ft. Rus- 
 sell, in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 23 years of age 
 and by occupation a farmer. He had blue eyes, light hair, ruddy com- 
 plexion, and was 5 feet 6 inches in height. Given under my hand at 
 Camp Grant, 111., this 9th day of August, 1919. Frank W. Sherwood, 
 Major Signal Corps, Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD 
 Name : John W. Silland. Grade : Private. Inducted Sept. 19, 
 1917, at Edwardsville, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date 
 of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : Ap- 
 pointed mechanic Dec. 16, 1918, Mechanic to private, June 10, 1919. 
 Marksmanship, gunner qualification, or rating: 2nd class. Horse- 
 manship: Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expedi- 
 tions. Allied offensive, S. Marne 27 July, 13 Aug. 1918, St. Mihiel 
 Aug. 12-18, 1918. Meuse Argonne Sept. 26, Nov. 11, 1918. Decor- 
 ations, badges : None. Medals, citations : None. Knowledge of any 
 vocation: Farmer. Wounds received in battle: None. Physical 
 condition when discharged: Good. Typhoid prophylaxis com- 
 pleted Oct. 12, 1917. Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed Oct. 12, 
 1917. Married or single : Single. Character : Excellent. Remarks : 
 Entitled to travel pay to Edwardsville, 111. Sailed from U. S. April 
 8. 1918 ; returned to U. S. Aug. 1, 1919. Absence without leave under 
 G. O. No. 31, W. D. 1912, and No. 45 W. D. 1914: None. Signature 
 of soldier : John W. Silland. Wheeler Wells, 1st Lieut. C. A. C. Com- 
 manding Demob. Group. Camp Grant, 111., Aug. 9th, 1919. Paid in 
 full $111.55, including bonus of $60.00, Act of Feb. 24, 1919. P. G. 
 Hoyt, Major Q. M. C. 
 
 249
 
 LEO. F. WILLIS. 
 
 Leo F. Willis, son of Peter and Clementine Willis, was born in 
 New Haven, Mo., July 19, 1890. His father died when Leo was a 
 child and the mother moved to St. Louis where Leo received his edu- 
 cation at the Catholic Parochial Schools, completing the Eighth grade 
 work. In 1908 the family moved to Godfrey Township, north of Al- 
 ton, and they engaged in florist business where Leo became quite an 
 efficient helper until June 5, 1917, when he registered for the service 
 and immediately after he had registered he went to St. Louis to enlist 
 in the army. It did not matter what branch of the service. He was 
 accepted and sent to the Armory at Grand and Market streets. This 
 was a recruiting station for the St. Louis National Guard. 
 
 He enlisted in the First Missouri Guard, Co. B, which afterward 
 merged into Co. B, 138th Infantry, 35th Division. Those who en- 
 listed were mostly from Kansas and Missouri besides some from towns 
 near St. Louis. After Leo enlisted he was sent to Alton, his home 
 town, to guard bridges for nearly two months, after v/hich time his 
 company left and went to Camp Maxwelton, where they put up tents 
 and where they remained until the 25th of August, when the mobiliza- 
 tion was completed. They were then sent to Camp Clark, near 
 Nevada, Mo., where all the Missouri regiments were being mobilized. 
 
 At Camp Clark the St. Louis contingent joined other Missouri 
 elements and they were called Missouri National Guards. On Sept. 
 29th they left Camp Clark and went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where 
 Camp Doniphan was located. This was a desert looking place, shaped 
 like a horseshoe, and well fitted for trying conditions that were im- 
 posed upon them. They had reached this place on the 2nd of October. 
 1917, and were at once put to the test. The first and fifth combined 
 and formed the famous 138th, composed chiefly of St. Louis and 
 vicinity boys. The training was intense ; rifle and bayonet practice 
 amidst hot sandstorms was not an unusual occurrence. 
 
 They finally started on their beautiful trip through 14 states to 
 Camp Mills, L. I., where they made preparation in the line of over- 
 seas equipment for overseas duty. They were on the train five days 
 from Port Sill to Camp Mills. They stopped at St. Louis where they 
 could bid good-bye to their folks, but very few saw them, for they 
 reached the city in a downpouring rain at midnight. 
 
 They remained at Camp Mills twelve days on account of shortage 
 of equipment, and on May 2nd, 1918, they hiked to Hoboken, crossed 
 on a ferry and were put on ship at 2 p. m. This was an English 
 steamer, Leicestershire, English crew, Hindoo servants, British food, 
 rice, rabbit, tea, etc. Superstition was strong among the servants; 
 they would eat nothing unless the meal was watched over by a live 
 
 250
 
 goat. The cooks baked crullers at night and sold them to the sea- 
 sick soldiers in the daytime. The "eats" kept getting worse until the 
 Americans took charge of the cooking, and they received American 
 cooking on the rest of their journey, and all was well. 
 
 There were 14 ships in the convoy, no subs were sighted, no inci- 
 dents on the way, and they landed safely at Liverpool on the 16th of 
 May. From Liverpool they went to Winchester to a rest camp where 
 they remained nearly two days, then went to Southampton where they 
 remained all day and at night crossed the channel on the steamer 
 Prince George. 
 
 The trip across the channel was another episode that dare not be 
 fully described, so it will be stated that the boat was quite crowded or 
 in other terms very much packed. Leo had been made corporal in 
 New York on the 22nd day of April, and from then on he had charge 
 of a squadron. They landed safely at La Havre, and the first sight 
 that met their eyes was that of a large bunch of American wounded 
 soldiers. Leo never forgot the look those wounded soldiers gave 
 them; although they said nothing, their look expressed the thought 
 of "God pity you, boys," but the new bunch had no time to think and 
 besides there was no time for such thoughts when there was work to 
 be done that required an iron spirit. They went from La Havre to 
 Camp No. 1, up hill, full pack, to the round tents, British rations, 
 British gas instructions, etc. and a hike back down the long winding 
 hill after a day's rest, drill, sleep and gas house tests. 
 
 At La Havre they got rid of all surplus baggage containing their 
 valuables, etc., their barracks bag and all. This should all have been 
 returned to Hoboken where they could receive them on their return 
 home ; but it was never seen again. What became of all of this was 
 never known. The last they saw of it was when it was piled up in 
 the streets at La Havre. Many of our boys followed Leo later and 
 all remember well Rest Camp No. 1, about six miles up the hill from 
 La Havre. After again reaching La Havre they rode in compartment 
 trains all night without being molested by aeroplanes that tried to de- 
 stroy the train at midnight. 
 
 They got off the train at Eu in the morning and were led to break- 
 fast by a bunch of Scotch musicians with their pipes. After break- 
 fast they hiked 10 kilos to Dargneirs, where they remained two weeks, 
 and received a good rest. While there they were constantly trained 
 by the British and were in support at the same time, for the Germans 
 were expected to break through at any time. Their training was 
 mostly in discipline, although they had some machine gun and bayonet 
 practice. They could hear the roar of the large guns. 
 
 251
 
 They left that place on a hike — an all day's hike, — to a town 
 called New Chatel, got in box cars, some open, some closed, rode three 
 days and three nights rain or shine, finally reaching Hadol Heights in 
 Alsace Lorraine. No American box cars were seen at this time and 
 the famous French box cars were resorted to. After American en- 
 gineers reached France they changed the model and mode of the en- 
 gines and cars. After they got out of the cars in Alsace they slept 
 in fields, and the next day they went down the valley to the town of 
 Hadol Heights in lorries or trucks. 
 
 They had had a little fighting there but the town had not been 
 shelled very much as the location was of not much vital importance 
 to the Germans. This was high up in the mountains, and it seemed 
 this place had been captured by the French at the beginning of the 
 war in 1914, and now the lines were being tightly held by both parties, 
 and as it was of little importance they used this territory to train sol- 
 diers in trench warfare before they were ready for the big front. 
 
 They left Hadol Heights for Wesserling, where they remained 
 several days; the inhabitants spoke both French and German and no 
 hatred was shown toward each other ; there was no animosity between 
 the two nations, and above all a love for America and everything 
 American was plainly discerned which showed that it was easy for 
 American soldiers to spread American propaganda into the enemy 
 territory. 
 
 On the 29th of June they left Wesserling on a hike higher up in 
 the mountains for the trenches. This hike took two days, reaching 
 Camp Fochiday in the night. They always traveled at night and hid 
 and rested in the day time. They were high up in the mountains, 
 and although it was June 29th when they reached the trenches the 
 weather, though beautiful and the scenery more beautiful, the climate 
 was very cold. The rule with both French and Germans seemed to 
 be let each other alone and "nobody gets hurt ;" but our boys had not 
 gone those thousands of miles to make a playhouse in the Vosges 
 mountains, so on the 6th of July they had a chance to show their skill 
 and courage. This was their first experience in going over the top. 
 The Americans lost six men killed but no real gain was made, and the 
 next morning they found their dead and took them back and buried 
 them during which time no firing was done on either side. Such is 
 life, such is war ; no hatred, but duty. 
 
 The main object of trench raiding was the training they were get- 
 ting. The trench had yielded about 16 prisoners. After many days 
 of intensive training and guarding they were relieved by the French. 
 They had been in the first line trenches from July 2 to July 10th. 
 
 252
 
 Spy system seemed to be perfect among the Germans, for when- 
 ever they changed posts the Germans would always be ready to fire 
 upon them and when they were relieved the Germans fired incessantly. 
 How they received their information no one knew. 
 
 From the trenches they went through Wesserling to Kruft. where 
 they had a few hours sleep, and from there they went to Theifosse 
 which was still in the Lorraine Sector. There they received intensive 
 training in open warfare. There Leo was transferred to the Intelli- 
 gence Department where he learned patrolling, sniping, etc., to get 
 information, and above all he learned to keep up the liaison. 
 
 On August 11th they left in lorries for the trenches near Le Ruh- 
 lin, a town that had been heavily shelled. There they had their first 
 experience in No Man's Land. They were in the trenches from Aug. 
 11th to Sept. 1st, still in Alsace Lorraine, but in a different sector. 
 During this time it was scouting, guarding, patrolling, etc., every 
 night ; hiding in an old German Convent in the daytime and guarding, 
 always guarding, at night. This was called the Paree Sector and al- 
 though badly torn up by shells it was now a lonely quiet sector and 
 appeared to be deserted by everybody and everything. 
 
 On the first of September they left this sector; and although the 
 rain was coming down something awful the Germans gave them 
 another heavy shelling upon being relieved. Their casualties were 
 greater than before. They left for the St. Mihiel Sector to a town 
 called Fraize, still in the Vosges Mountains, where they remained until 
 the 4th of September, when the time came for the awful and unmerci- 
 ful hiking that every member of the 138th who is alive well re- 
 members. 
 
 They hiked and rode to Luneville in the rain, a long and dreary 
 hike and upon reaching Luneville they hiked four kilos more where 
 they received coffee and bread ; the rain seemed to never cease. After 
 an hour's rest they went on the hike again. By this time their "pep" 
 was beginning to go down some. While on this hike they passed the 
 graves of the first Americans who lost their lives in France. It was 
 enough to lose their vim and strength but with all the hiking in the 
 rain and bad weather their morale was still ascending and they were 
 ready to push on. Upon reaching Rosiers they found that another 
 company had occupied the town and they had to hike to another town 
 that night and although the town looked beautiful from a distance, 
 upon reaching it found it to be the filthiest of all filthy places ever 
 observed by an American soldier. Happily they remained there but 
 two days and they were ordered to leave this town of Barbonville. 
 
 They left on the 9th of September and hiked about 15 kilos in 
 
 25i3
 
 the rain, flopped right down in the mud to rest. They hiked through 
 Nancy and remained in the outskirts all day and again hiked through 
 Nancy and in the neighborhood until the soldiers got restless. They 
 were beginning to get dissatisfied with so much useless hiking in the 
 rain and mud with no shelter and so little to eat. But the sun soon 
 appeared, their kitchen arrived, and things went better and they 
 reached the St. Mihiel sector on the 12th of September. 
 
 On the 16th they started on the hike again ; they were in reserve 
 but they were not needed, for the Germans were rapidly retreating 
 from the St. Mihiel Sector; but the 35th Division received the credit 
 just the same for they were the unseen force in this territory. They 
 hiked and rode until they reached the woods where they remained till 
 midnight. They thought they would get a little rest but no more rest 
 for the 35th Division for they were on the way to the Argonne, al- 
 though they did not know it. On and on they went, no rest but on 
 and on. 
 
 They had not been at the front in the St. Mihiel Sector but they 
 had been a force there. It would probably have been better for them 
 in the future if they had been at the front, for when they went into the 
 Argonne Forest they still lacked the real experience of fighting in the 
 open. 
 
 They reached the woods on the night of the 19th of September. 
 They were east of Beauchamp, where they relieved the 73rd French 
 Division. They remained there until the morning of that memorable 
 26th of September. On the evening before, they got rid of their 
 surplus equipment and retained their rations, a raincoat, two bandol- 
 eers of ammunition, five grenades, a rifle and bayonet, a belt of am- 
 munition and a gas mask. The rations consisted of a box of hard 
 tack, a can of gold fish, a can of corn beef, and two canteens of water. 
 On that evening they received a good supper and the information that 
 the big game was soon to commence. Their objective was the town 
 of Buzancy, but many a boy did not reach this railroad town with its 
 mines and other industries. 
 
 They hiked all night until 3 o'clock in the morning ; and were sub- 
 jected to an awful barrage which caused them to witness some awful 
 scenes. They were beginning to enter upon the real horrors of war. 
 They were ordered to lie down and rest, but the morning was too cold. 
 They had but a short time to wait for 5:15 a. m. was soon reached. 
 When the Americans started their terrible barrage at 5 :55 they started 
 down the hill. A heavy fog lay in the valley, a beautiful scene ; but 
 the beautiful scene was counter-balanced by the sight of the dead and 
 wounded that were strewn everywhere. 
 
 254
 
 On account of the fog many got lost and Major Saurwein ordered 
 Leo to find Co. A, but he did not succeed until 4 p. m., and when he 
 returned he learned that the major had- paid the price. They lay quiet 
 all that night and the next morning they went out to find the stragglers 
 and here they again met awful sights. Americans and Germans lay 
 around everywhere. 
 
 The 91st Division was east of them, and the 28th Division was 
 west of them. Besides several other divisions, these were also in the 
 thick of the fight. :Many stragglers got mixed up on account of the 
 thick fog, and it was difficult to keep up the liaison. Leo acted as 
 runner for the First Battalion Headquarters. Later on they went 
 closer to the lines. They were now in the open, high up in the hills. 
 Between 10 and 11 o'clock the fog lifted and the sun began to shine. 
 They were not prepared for this but the Germans were and the 35th 
 Division received an awful punishment from their machine guns and 
 artillery. They were too much exposed. 
 
 They entrenched themselves in a hurry, for had they not hurried 
 the whole bunch would have been annihilated. While thus hid a 
 shell of large caliber came along and buried itself in the ground under- 
 neath Leo and another Alton boy, but luckily it did not explode. It 
 was what was termed a "dud." The partner remarked that the "dud" 
 had "damn near got them" for the earth trembled underneath them. 
 This brought a smile in spite of the seriousness, for not all were dead 
 ones, not all were "duds." 
 
 Finally seven tanks— some French, some American— came along 
 and the Germans increased their fire and many of our boys who were 
 near were killed, for the tanks drew the enemy's fire. Among those 
 who fell v.as Leo's friend, Thad Vaughn, from Alton. At 5:30 
 orders came to follov^^ the tanks. The 140th took the lead and the 
 138th followed close behind. They had by this time crossed the open 
 plain and were ready to go down the hill into the valley beyond. The 
 Germans let the 140th go down over the brow of the hill but evidently 
 tried to keep the 138th and the 140th separated, for they put up an 
 awful fire between the two in order to annihilate the 138th and sur- 
 round the 140th. The enemy could see their movements from the 
 hill beyond, the sky was clear and they were familiar with every foot 
 of the ground and their fire was almost perfect. 
 
 This crest of the hill at the end of the plateau will remain forever 
 in the minds of those who partook in this effort to cross. Some suc- 
 ceeded in getting through this barrage. Nobody knows how. Leo 
 was corporal of the second squad and leading it when they reached the 
 brow. On they went, each about five spaces from the other. He 
 saw two flashes, he heard an explosion. The result of this was, two 
 
 255
 
 boys in front of him in the first squad were wounded and he felt that 
 he was hit. He called to the one behind him that they had got him, 
 that he was done for, but he received no answer. Scotty, a pal just 
 behind him, being a tall man, had received the piece of shell that had 
 flown over Leo's head. The top of Scotty's head had been shot off. 
 
 A large piece of shell had flown between Leo's knees while his 
 right fo6t was in front of the left, thus causing the muscle of his right 
 leg to be shot away and the shin bone of his left to go, besides shatter- 
 ing the other small bone in his left leg. It had torn his leg almost off, 
 and he lay helpless on the ground. The other boys, seeing Leo helpless, 
 disregarded orders not to stop and help a wounded soldier, but he was 
 not only a soldier but also a friend and pal. They carried him be- 
 hind a knoll, for there were no stretcher bearers in sight. They made 
 a stretcher by taking two rifles and two coats and rolled him on this, 
 but his leg fell off the litter and he could not bear the pain, so they 
 laid him down again and waited for the stretcher bearers. While 
 lying waiting for stretcher bearers to come up he learned why Scotty 
 had not answered. 
 
 When the stretcher bearers came up they carried him back about 
 a hundred yards where the 129th machine gun battalion had put up a 
 first aid station in an old dry creek bed. The shells were shrieking 
 over something terrific, but none cared. Here he met Walter Stiritz, 
 of Alton, who had got hurt the day before and was unable to go on 
 on account of his swollen ankle. Walter realized the seriousness of 
 Leo's condition and in spite of his own injury he and three others car- 
 ried Leo through the barrage to the 138th Battalion First Aid Station, 
 after receiving two shots of anti-tetanic serum to defeat the probabil- 
 ity of tetanus or lock jaw as the boys are wont to call it. 
 
 He lay on the ground from the evening of the 27th until the next 
 afternoon, for they were short of ambulances. They finally took him 
 down the Very Road to Field Hospital Mobile No. 2, located some- 
 where in the field near Very. They redressed his wounds, put splints 
 on both legs and sent him to Hospital No. 10 in an ambulance at 5 p. m. 
 on the same day. Leo never lost consciousness during all this time. 
 He saw many a "buddie" in misery. He saw all the tables full and he 
 saw also what he had to go through. He was finally placed on the 
 table where he became unconscious and remained so for three days 
 after which time he awoke and called for his pipe. 
 
 From this hospital he was shipped to Base 42. This was back 
 of the Argonne. His legs were badly infected, and the order was 
 given to have the left leg amputated to save his life, but while tagging 
 soldiers to be sent to Base 30 they placed one on him through mistake 
 and he was sent there without the operation. George Juttemeyer of 
 
 256
 
 Alton informed him later tiiat only this error saved his leg. The 
 wounded were placed in French box cars and they rode three days 
 and three nights to Base 30 in that awful condition without any 
 medical attention. They finally reached the place, located at Royate 
 near Clermont. He was at Base 30 five weeks and during that time 
 he received excellent treatment. He was put in Class D and was 
 billed for the States. 
 
 He was at this hospital when the armistice was signed and he felt 
 happy for those who had survived the awful ordeal and for those who 
 were about to enter the arena. On Nov. 17 he left on an American 
 Red Cross train for Brest. There was a great difference between this 
 ride and the one he had taken five weeks before. He rode two days, 
 finally reaching Brest, which was at this time in the midst of its rainy 
 season. Through some error he waited five weeks to sail for home. 
 The boys were sure a happy bunch when they finally received orders 
 to go. The boys were crazy to hear from home ; they had heard 
 nothing since the 10th of September. When they finally reached New 
 York, having arrived there Jan 5, 1919, on the Agamemnon, they re- 
 ceived their mail. Plere he had plenty of time to read his letters. 
 From New York he was sent to Camp Grant, where another oper- 
 ation was performed upon his left leg. They again figured on cut- 
 ting the leg ofT but he pulled through, and on the 19th of March he 
 was transferred to Fort Sheridan where is located the best of hospitals. 
 Here he received a 5-day pass to come home. This was the first time 
 he had seen Alton after an absence of two years. His thoughts ran 
 fast and he planned to express his thoughts to his friends upon his ar- 
 rival but when he reached the good old town he was choked with emo- 
 tion and all he said was "I'm Glad!" He was discharged from the 
 hospital October 25, 1919. 
 
 Leo became part of Bethalto several years ago ; he gained many 
 friends around here on account of his mild disposition. He became 
 acquainted with Miss Edna Culp, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Iferb Culp, 
 who live a few miles north of Bethalto. This acquaintance grew into 
 friendship, and this friendship developed to such a degree that after 
 Leo joined the great forces, many a missive and many a parcel of 
 good things left Bethalto to make life more pleasant for him ; the con- 
 clusion of which was that friends and relatives of both parties had a 
 real chance to send congratulations on the 12th of August, 1919. On 
 this day Leo and Edna were married at Chicago shortly before he was 
 discharged from the army. 
 
 2S7
 
 Following- is his discharge and enlistment record : 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Leo. F. 
 Willis, 1451498, Corporal B, 138th Infantry, the United States Army, 
 as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honorably 
 discharged from the military service of the United States by reason 
 of S. C. D. L. D. 4th Md. H. C. D., Chicago, 111., Oct. 15, 1919. Said 
 Leo F. Willis was born in New Haven, in the State of Missouri. When 
 enlisted he was 26 years of age and by occupation a florist designen 
 He had brown eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion and was 5 feet 
 7 1-2 inches in height. Given under my hand at G. H. No. 28, Fort 
 Sheridan, 111., this 25th day of October, 1919. Daniel E. Egan, 
 Major Med. Corps. U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 Name: Leo F. Willis, 1451498. Grade: Corporal. Enlisted 
 June 5, 1917, at St. Louis, Mo., serving in first enlistment period at date 
 of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : 
 Corporal, April 22, 1918. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rat- 
 ing : Not rated. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engage- 
 ments, skirmishes, expeditions : St. Mihiel Sept. 12-16, 1918, Meuse- 
 Argonne Sept. 26-27, 1918. Decorations, medals, badges, or citations : 
 None. Knowledge of any vocation : Florist Designer. Wounds re- 
 ceived in service : G. S. W. leg left thigh rt., Sept. 27, 1918. Physical 
 condition when discharged : Poor. Typhoid prophylaxis completed 
 Sept., 1917. Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed Sept., 1917. Married 
 or single : Married. Character : Excellent. Remarks : No A. W. O. L., 
 no absence under G. O. 31-12 or 45-14. Entitled to travel pay to St. 
 Louis, Mo. Entitled to $60.00 bonus, served in France. Left U. S. 
 May 3, 1918, arrived in U. S. Jan. 6, 1919. Signature of soldier: 
 Leo F. Willis. E. J. Down, Capt. Son Corps U. S. A., Commanding 
 Dt. of Patients. 
 
 GEORGE THOMAS ECCLES. 
 
 George Thomas Eccles, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Eccles, 
 was born in Berkshire, England, May 24, 1899. His parents were 
 English and his father died when George was three years old. Shortly 
 after his father's death his mother came to America with her sons, 
 George and Sydney, and they lived in Alton until the mother also died, 
 leaving the two brothers alone. They had lived in Alton about ten 
 years and George received his first schooling in the Alton public 
 
 258
 
 school. After the mother's death George, then ten years old. was 
 adopted by August Henke of Moro township, a few miles east of 
 Bethalto. Mr. Henke, a prominent farmer and kind man, gave 
 George all the advantages possible ; he sent him to the Yorkville school 
 where he received a good common school education, completing the 
 Eighth grade. George had a good home at Henke's and he remained 
 with them until he became old enough to receive his naturalization 
 papers. 
 
 George felt he had a duty to perform, even though he was but 
 19 years of age, and that was to assist Uncle Sam in time of need, for 
 the United States was by that time his country. He went to St. Louis 
 and enlisted in the Tank Corps on the 2nd of November, 1918, took 
 the oath on the 6th, and on the 8th he left Edwardsville for Camp 
 Polk, Raleigh. N. C, reaching that place on the 10th, just a day before 
 the armistice was signed. He was found fit for the duties and he 
 was put in Co. A. 343rd Battalion. The 343rd was rapidly filling up 
 to war strength and was getting ready to leave for France on the 5th 
 of December. 
 
 The signing of the armistice did not retard the progress that was 
 being made in the Tank Service, and George started to learn the 
 various infantry drills, gas drills and rifle drills; but his principal 
 study was in tanks and tank service. There were many tanks of all 
 classes at Camp Polk, for the camp was exclusively used for the tank 
 corps. Nearly all the tanks were American made, although a few 
 were British tanks. The trucks were of all sizes and some as large 
 as 40 tons. 
 
 George continued studying for awhile, and was then sent to Camp 
 Greene, Charlotte, N. C, where he did company duty for two weeks, 
 when he received orders that he would be sent to Camp Grant to be 
 mustered out of the service. He had enlisted for the duration of the 
 war and as it was considered that war was over he received his dis- 
 charge at Camp Grant after he had been at Camp Grant seven days. 
 Although he had followed his own inclinations, he felt he was doing 
 his duty to enlist and although he was in the service but two months 
 he had done his bit ; he was ready to remain if the government needed 
 him. He was discharged from the Tank Corps on the second of 
 January, 1919. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that George 
 Thomas Eccles, 5651018, Private 72, Co. 18 Bn. Inf., R. & T. T., the 
 United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, 
 is hereby honorably discharged from the military service of the United 
 
 259
 
 States by reason of S. B. 360, Hdq. Camp Grant, for Con. of Gov. per 
 par. 1, Dec. 29, 1918. Said Private George Thomas Eccles was born 
 in Berkshire in the State of England. When enlisted he was 19 years 
 of age and by occupation a farmer. He had blue eyes, brown hair, 
 fair complexion, and was 5 feet 5 3-4 inches in height. Given under 
 my hand at Camp Grant, 111., this 2nd day of January, 1919. Hamil- 
 ton D. Turner, Major in U. S. A., 18th Bn. Inf. Repl. and Trng. 
 Troops Discharge Detch., Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : George Thomas Eccles. Grade : Private. Enlisted Nov. 
 8, 1918, at Edwardsville, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date 
 of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned ofticer : Pvt. 
 Co. A, 343 Bn. Tank Corps. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or 
 rating : Not rated. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engage- 
 ments, skirmishes, expeditions : None. Knowledge of any vocation : 
 Farmer. Wounds received in service : None. Physical condition 
 when discharged : Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed ; Para- 
 typhoid prophylaxis is completed. Married or single : Single. Char- 
 acter : Excellent. Remarks : No A. W. O. L. or absent under G. O. 
 45 or 31-12. Signature of soldier : George Thomas Eccles. Robert 
 J. Hawkins, 2nd Lieut. U. S. Army, Commanding 72 C. 18 Bn. Inf. 
 R. & T T. Paid in full $59.84, Jan. 2, 1919, Camp Grant, 111. Alex C. 
 McKelvey, Capt. Q. M. Corps ; E. B. Weller, 2nd Lieut. Q. M. C. 
 
 WILLIAM H. WOHLERT. 
 
 William H. Wohlert, son of Henry and Mary \^'ohlert, was born 
 in Bethalto, March 12th, 1893. His father came to America with his 
 parents when he was eight years old, and his mother was brought to 
 America when she was a year old. Will's grandfather Wohlert, who 
 came to America in 1879, was a soldier in the Franco-Prussian war, 
 being a member of the Prussian Guards. Will was fond of hearing 
 the stories his grandfather told him while he was in the war. He 
 told him he had belonged to the Prussian Guards, of which he always 
 seemed proud, and Will wondered what Prussian Guards looked like 
 when in their uniforms. In relating stories of the Franco-Prussian 
 war he would sometimes display two large scars, one across his chest 
 and one across his legs, having received them from the French cavalry 
 while he was with the Prussian Guards. Those large gashes in his 
 grandfather's body meant much to Will, and when the old man would 
 tell him he received them in the Argonne Forest while they were taking 
 
 260
 
 Alsace-Lorraine away from the French, Will again wondered why they 
 took Alsace-Lorraine away from France and wondered what Alsace- 
 Lorraine and Argonne Forest were. 
 
 Thus Will in his youth was taught things he could not under- 
 stand. He was taught something he could not comprehend. He 
 could not realize what all this could be about, that they should make 
 such deep scars in his grandfather's body. He dreamed of cavalry, 
 of the Argonne and Lorraine, little realizing he would some day meet 
 the Prussian Guards in the Argonne in Lorraine. He did not realize 
 at this time that he would be selected to help undo what his grand- 
 father had helped to do. He did not realize that he would meet 
 Prussian Guards face to face and be treated by them in the same man- 
 ner at the same place that the French had treated his grandfather. 
 
 However, Will had but a short time of his dream-life that he could 
 call his own ; for as soon as he completed the Eighth grade work at 
 school at Bethalto he at once went to work for his father, who was 
 section foreman at Bethalto at the time. On account of the poor 
 health of his father Will became section foreman at Bethalto at the 
 age of 15, and also for a while at Alton. He became section foreman 
 at Dorchester when he was 17 years old, and the family moved there 
 in order to be near Will's work. 
 
 In 1911 when Will was 18 years old his father died and Will held 
 the position as section foreman until September, 1911, when he went 
 to work in the railroad office for the Big 4 and C. and E. I. at Nokomis, 
 111. In 1914 the family moved to East Alton and Will quit the R. R. 
 office and went to work for the Western Cartridge Company. He 
 worked for the Western about a year when the family moved to Alton 
 and Will went to work as shipping clerk at Duncan's Foundry <S: 
 Machine Works, a position he was holding when he registered for the 
 service, a position he was holding when he joined the colors, and 
 again received after he was discharged from the service. 
 
 He registered for the service in June, 1917. He tried to enlist in 
 the navy in July, 1917, but was found too light for his height. In 
 September, 1917, he tried the navy again and also the army, but they 
 rejected him both times on account of enlargement of the heart, so he 
 had to wait until his number was drawn. 
 
 When a ruling was made by the War Department that a person 
 could go ahead of his time by volunteering, Will took advantage of 
 this and went ahead of his turn by 2,000 and he went in the place of 
 another on the 29th of April, 1918. He was sent to Camp Dix, N. J., 
 with 82 Alton boys and was placed in Co. 6, 152nd Depot Brigade. 
 There was very little drilling at Camp Dix, no uniforms were received 
 
 261
 
 there, and during his three weeks stay not much of anything but wait- 
 ing was done while in the Depot Brigade. 
 
 Finally word was received that they were going to leave. In the 
 latter part of May they were sent to Camp Lee, Va., w^here Will was 
 put in Co. F, 147th Infantry, 37th Division. This Division was made 
 up of Ohio National Guards. The Ohio National Guards had been in 
 training since the beginning of the war and Will among others was 
 sent there to fill up the regiment to war strength. At Camp Lee, 
 therefore, the new men had to drill and hike early and late. They 
 had to complete in a few weeks what the others had done in as many 
 years. They received their rifles at Camp Lee. 
 
 The 37th Division had come up from Camp Sheridan, Alabama, 
 about ten days before; they were all well trained and in order to re- 
 ceive the same traiting the new ones drilled from five o'clock in the 
 morning until 10 o'clock at night ; not only one day but every day dur- 
 ing their entire stay at this camp, which was happily not very long, for 
 on the 22nd of June they hiked from Camp Lee with full packs to City 
 Point, got on a boat and floated down the James River to Newport 
 News, Va., where they got on the ship Pocahontas and left Newport 
 News on the morning of the 23rd to cross the waters with American 
 Expeditionary Forces. 
 
 The Pocahontas, formerly the Princess Irene, had been the 
 Kaiser's pleasure boat, but she was now in the hands of the Americans 
 and the boys were fed by the Americans and were given American 
 food and therefore everything went lovely, and the convoy of 13 boats 
 had no mishaps and they reached Brest on the oth of July, 1918. 
 
 They went to the Pontenesen Camp, but remained there only 
 four hours and were again marched to Brest, where they boarded sec- 
 ond class passenger coaches on which they rode three days and three 
 nights, reaching Damblain, in the Leuneville Sector, about 50 miles 
 from Nancy. They were traveling eastward and while going through 
 Nancy they had their first experience in warfare, for here they heard 
 the cannon for the first time. Here after having left home a little 
 more than two months before they were under shell fire more than 
 6,000 miles away. 
 
 Will had volunteered to take another's place in order to hurry 
 matters along, but he did not expect to get along in such a hurry. 
 They remained at Damblain until the night of the 16th of July, when 
 they boarded trains to within 10 miles from the lines. Landing at 3 
 o'clock in the morning of the 17th they started on a 30-mile hike along 
 the line and reached the town of Rehaire, about 1 1-2 miles from the 
 front lines. They were sent there to relieve the 77th Division so that 
 
 262
 
 they could receive further instructions. The 77th had lost about 3 
 miles of ground and the 37th relieved them and held the lines. Will 
 at once became one of the boys for outpost duty and remained there 
 ten days; they had their rations carried to them at night when pos- 
 sible and if at times it was impossible to receive rations they used their 
 reserve rations. 
 
 During- these ten days they were continually under shell fire and 
 machine gun fire. On the first night Will received his first dose of 
 gas ; this was on the 18th of August. It was bad enough to have 
 to be sent to a hospital and the gas made him sick for a few hours, 
 but he remained on duty ; besides it was next to impossible to leave 
 excepting at night, for they were now in No Man's Land and the 
 place could be called by no other name. 
 
 They were in the trenches that the Germans had abandoned dur- 
 ing their 1914 drive. This was high up in the Vosges Mountains. 
 After coming out of the lines they were sent to a patrol school to get 
 more training in patrol duty and trench warfare. They were learn- 
 ing how to keep out of a barrage. They had learned how to use the 
 sureshot French Automatic rifle at Damblain, and at the school Ram- 
 bler Villier they practiced in raiding and taking machine gun nests and 
 pill boxes for a week and were again sent out on patrol duty for fifteen 
 days. They were happy-go-lucky fellows, and although sometimes 
 only a stone's throv/ from the Germans, fear had left them and this 
 absence of fear often resulted in the Germans retreating and only once 
 did our boys retreat, that was when they fell into an ambush patrol. 
 The night was pitch dark, the carrier had got lost and the loader was 
 not needed when there was no ammunition. At times when new men 
 went along they would get lost, where old ones who were familiar with 
 the scenery could find their way back even in the darkness. It thus 
 happened that when a grenade burst in the center of their diamond 
 shaped formation that seven got lost and had to hide two days before 
 they could be rescued, for they did not dare to show themselves in the 
 daytime and had no knowledge of the routes at night. Will was 
 rifleman, his carrier acted as scout. At one time while creeping along 
 to find out who was opposing them Will put his hand on a German 
 who lay still as death ; it was a creepy feeling, but he kept his hand on 
 the German while he communicated with the other hand with the 
 sergeant and the two took the prisoner but since the sergeant was in 
 charge of the patrol he received credit for it. They turned the 
 prisoner in to the intelligence department to ascertain if possible who 
 were opposing them, and then returned him to his company, for they 
 had no means of taking care of prisoners ; when, however, five Alsace 
 
 263
 
 Lorrainers came up and surrendered, they sent them to a prison camp. 
 These were of French origin and were opposed to fighting the French, 
 and when the opportunity arose they sneaked away and surrendered. 
 
 Thus the time went on until the 18th of September came and they 
 left for the \'erdun front, reaching that place on the 21st of September. 
 Some had walked, some had rode in box cars ; and when they did reach 
 their destination they had traveled too fast to have their food supplies 
 keep up with them, so they lay around four days with practically noth- 
 ing to eat. 
 
 On the 25th of September they hiked for the lines and on the 26th 
 the Division advanced 12 kilometers, or about 7 miles. They were 
 entering the Argonne Forest. They were entering Lorraine territory. 
 They were now at a place where the grandfather had stood forty-seven 
 years before. They were now in the act of wresting from the Ger- 
 mans what they had wrested from the French. Here the grandchild 
 was given the duty to help undo what his grandfather had helped to 
 do. Will's thoughts were now of his boyhood days. The lessons 
 he had learned when a boy were clearing up. He had learned what 
 the Argonne Forest is; he had learned what Lorraine is; he had 
 learned what Prussian Guards were ; for the regiment had faced noth- 
 ing but Prussian Guards and here again in the Argonne the Prussian 
 Guards were opposing them. The grandfather had been proud of his 
 wounds, he had been proud of belonging to as noble a division as the 
 Prussian Guards. Will's feelings were aroused, and, liberty-loving, 
 he was proud that he had stood face to face with Prussian Guards and 
 here again at Ivery in the Argonne east of Blanc Mont hill 210 was 
 taken before Mt. Faucon could be reached. 
 
 Hill No. 210 was bare as a floor and it had to be climbed. They 
 would run a few steps then lie down. The hill had to be taken in 
 broad daylight. Will was in the lead and while lying still waiting 
 for the barrage to lift he was shot in the foot, the first one shot on hill 
 No. 210. Fire from the enemy's machine guns was too hot and they 
 were driven down only to try again. Will got to try but once ; how- 
 ever, they tried five times and each time they were driven back, but 
 they succeeded the sixth time and before night the hill was won. Will 
 was wounded at 12 o'clock noon. 
 
 The Germans had the advantage, for they were well entrenched 
 and the hill being bare gave our boys no protection, yet the hill was 
 won by the brave 37th Division. While the Division went on Will 
 went back of the lines about five miles to the first aid station where 
 his wound was dressed. His wound did not seem serious at first, 
 for after he had his foot dressed he intended to go back to his outfit, 
 
 264
 
 but they were out of reach and he went to the nearest Division, which 
 was the First Division, with whom he remained two days and one 
 night. The First Division was at this time in the thick of the fight. 
 On the eve of the 29th of September a shot penetrated his gas mask 
 but he did not know it, but the mustard gas had got in his eyes. Short- 
 ly afterward a large shell burst near him, which tore his gas mask off, 
 and Will got it all over his body and he was blinded. He had to be 
 taken to a hospital in a truck, for the wound in his foot had gradually 
 got worse instead of better, and the gas was too awful to think about. 
 Will had met the Prussian Guards with their brutal weapons. He 
 had gone as long and as often as he could ; but now he had to be taken 
 back of the lines to a hospital in a truck. He was taken to New 
 Chateau, Base Hospital 66, where he found many wounded of all de- 
 scription. This was some kind of an evacuation hospital, and he re- 
 mained there but a week when he was removed to Vichy in southern 
 France. He was by this time beginning to see a little and his foot 
 was healing nicely but his skin was all festered. He went to Vichy 
 on an American Red Cross train, but this place was so crowded with 
 wounded that it was impossible to take care of all of them or house all, 
 so many of the wounded had to lie out in the street. On account of 
 the crowded condition they shipped 150 of the wounded to a con- 
 valescent camp at Roanne and there Will was sent and remained there 
 until the 16th of November. He was at Roanne when the armistice 
 was signed. His eyes got better and he could wear shoes again. 
 
 From Roanne he went to Blois, a reclassification camp, where he 
 was put in Class B 2, which meant light duty from three to six months 
 behind the lines according to his physical condition ; but the signing 
 of the armistice put a stop to this and on the 24th of November Will 
 was ordered back to the States and he left Blois on the 25th for Brest. 
 He reached Brest on the 27th and remained there 11 days during which 
 time he saw real mud ; mud knee deep, and the term Mud Camp was 
 putting it mildly. 
 
 On the 8th of December Will sailed on the Leviathan or Father- 
 land as she used to be called ; they had a splendid trip across on a large 
 boat with a large crowd. He landed at Hoboken on the 16th of 
 December, 1918, and was sent to Camp Merritt. He was at Camp 
 Merritt four days and from there he was sent to Columbus Barracks, 
 Ohio, from where he was discharged on the 4th of January, 1919, 
 reaching home the next day. 
 
 During his time in the army he went through a great deal of 
 hardship ; yet he was under American command and always had 
 American treatment and American food and although short sometimes 
 
 265
 
 it was always clean. The reason the supplies were short was that it 
 was sometimes impossible for the food supply to reach them. 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record. 
 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 Office of the Quartermaster, Columbus Barracks, Ohio. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that William 
 H. Wohlert, 2417710, private, Blois Casual Co., the United States 
 Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honor- 
 ably discharged from the military service of the United States by 
 reason of 1st Ind. A. G. O. dated December 14, 1918. Said William 
 H. Wohlert was born in Bethalto in the State of Illinois. When en- 
 listed he was 25 years of age and by occupation an Engineer. He had 
 blue eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion, and was 6 feet 1 inch in 
 height. Given under my hand at Columbus Barracks, Ohio, this 4th 
 day of January, 1919. F. O. Johnson, Colonel of Cavalry, Com- 
 manding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: William H. Wohlert. Grade: Private, 2717710. En- 
 listed April 29th, 1918, at Alton, Illinois; serving in first enlistment 
 period at date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned 
 officer: Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: No 
 practice. Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, 
 skirmishes, expeditions: Lorraine Front, France, July 17th, 1918; 
 Verdun Front, Sept. 23rd, 1918. Knowledge of any vocation : En- 
 gineer. Wounds received in service : Gas inhalation, Lorraine Front, 
 France, July 18th, 1918 ; G. S. W. right heel. Physical condition when 
 discharged : Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed : No record. 
 Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed : No record. Married or single : 
 Single. Character : Excellent. Remarks : Service honest and faith- 
 ful. No A. W. O. L. ; no absence under G. O. 45-1914. Entitled to 
 travel allowance to Alton, Illinois. Served in the American Expedi- 
 tionary Forces in France, June 4, 1918, to Dec. 8, 1918. Signature 
 of soldier: William H. Wohlert. Victor L. Colson, 1st Lieut, of Inf. 
 Commanding 307 Blois Casual Co. Paid in full : $175.21 ; J. M. Ward, 
 Capt. Q. M. R. C. 
 
 CHARLES KUHN. 
 
 Charles Kuhn, son of W. F. and Emman Belk Kuhn, was born in 
 Youngstown, Ohio, Feb. 17, 1889. The mother came to her parents' 
 home south of Bethalto when Charles was eleven months old ; and 
 shortly afterward the mother died, leaving Charles in care of his 
 
 266
 
 Aunt Alice and his grand-parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. W. L. Belk, who 
 were living on the farm two miles south of Bethalto. The Belks re- 
 tired from the farm and moved to Bethalto where Charles received his 
 first education and when later the grandparents moved to Upper Alton 
 Charles completed his education there. 
 
 Charles comes from an old family of Americans. His mother's 
 mother was Eliza Montgomery before her marriage to Mr. Belk. Mrs. 
 Belk's grandfather, Thomas Montgomery, and her grandfather, John 
 Rattan, came to America in the middle of the eighteenth century and 
 both fought under Greene in the Revolutionary War. History shows 
 that both were present at the siege of Yorktown and assisted in the 
 downfall of Lord Cornwallis and consequently in the closing of the 
 Revolutionary War which was the first real war for liberty. History 
 repeats itself; for what the two great-great grandfathers assisted in 
 starting the great-great grandchild assisted in completing 140 years 
 later. John Rattan is the only Revolutionary soldier buried in this 
 section of the State. He lies buried in the Vaughn cemetery, about 
 three miles south of Bethalto. The Montgomery family purchased 
 land from the U. S. Government, part of which is still in the hands of 
 one of the Montgomery heirs. The original grant is still in his pos- 
 session. 
 
 Charles' Aunt Alice is proud of her nephew, for he was in her 
 care from childhood and after he grew older and the nation needed him 
 she was proud that her nephew could serve in the 37th Division in 
 France and in the Argonne, which Division assisted in settling forever 
 what our forefathers of the great Revolution began in 1776, namely, 
 Liberty for All and Acts of Aggression for None. 
 
 Mrs. Alice Hart and her sister, Mrs. Mae Worden, are Daughters 
 of the American Revolution, having joined the National Society of the 
 Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, D. C, in 1913. 
 They are the lineal descendants of Thomas Montgomery, who was 
 born in Ireland in 1747 and came to America in 1769. While acting 
 in the capacity of soldier he assisted in establishing American inde- 
 pendence under General Nathaniel Greene. 
 
 Charles had two great uncles in the Mexican war, namely : Thomas 
 Montgomery and William Belk. William Belk also fought in the 
 war between the States from 1861 to 1865. 
 
 Charles visited his father in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1905 and while 
 there he enlisted in the Ohio National Guards and served three years. 
 He little dreamed that thirteen years later he would again become part 
 of the Ohio National Guards, which had become the 37th Division. 
 
 267
 
 While going to school at Bethalto, Charles had many playmates 
 and friends, among them was Willie Wohlert; but after he left 
 Bethalto and moved to Upper Alton the two never met to know each 
 other until by chance they became acquainted again just before they 
 were ready to step off the ship at Brest. Charles and Willie were 
 living in Alton then, and each was anxious to go ; so in order to hurry 
 matters along each took some other's place, and both left Alton on the 
 same train. Their history from then on reads much the same; for 
 they were together before they became acquainted and remained to- 
 gether to within the last few days of their service. 
 
 Charles went in another's place by more than a 1,000, and left on 
 the 29th of April, 1918. He was sent to Camp Dix, N. J., and by the 
 latter part of May they went to Camp Lee, Va., where the Ohio Na- 
 tional Guards, Charles' old regiment, had been training since the be- 
 ginning of the war. These new boys were sent to Camp Lee to put 
 this Division to war strength. While they were at Camp Lee they 
 drilled hard early and late for they had to learn in a short time what 
 the others had learned in years. 
 
 On the 22nd of June they boarded the ship Pocahontas at New- 
 port News and started on their journey across the next morning. They 
 landed safely at Brest on the 5th of July. They went to the Pont- 
 enesen Camp near the Old Napoleon Barracks, and from there they left 
 in second class passenger coaches and rode three days and nights, 
 finally reaching Damblain through Nancy where they had their first 
 experience in warfare for here they heard the roar of the cannon for 
 the first time. They remained in Damblain until the 16th of July, 
 then boarded trains and going to within ten miles of the lines. 
 
 At one time when Charles was at Patrol School he was accidental- 
 ly cut in the hand with a knife ; he was at once sent to the infirmary 
 and although he protested they gave him two shots of anti-tetanic 
 preparation of 1,500 units. Great care was taken to prevent lockjaw. 
 
 On the 21st of September they went to the Avoucourt Sector, and 
 on the 25th they hiked to the front lines in the Argonne drive. The 
 happy-go-lucky spirit was fast fading from the faces of the boys, for 
 after the 25th of September misery was in store for all. When too 
 thirsty, some would drink out of shell holes, little dreaming the water 
 was covered with gas which made them sick ; but they were without 
 water and sheer desperation drove them to disobey orders about drink- 
 ing water ; but they cared little for they went into the arena amidst the 
 dead, wounded and dying. Over the top they went, over the hills, 
 down into the valleys beyond they strode. Many Germans were killed, 
 many who were able evacuated the territory when the Americans' on- 
 
 2GS
 
 slaught began in earnest. At one place our boys captured a German 
 who was still chained to a machine gun. He was a happy man when 
 taken prisoner. He stated he was 45 years old, a baker by trade, and 
 had been forced into the service, leaving a wife and seven children at 
 home. 
 
 The boys captured many prisoners but the sergeants received 
 credit for everything they took and the privates got the balance. On 
 the night of the 26th of September it rained hard, their overcoats were 
 thrown away and the boys were a sorry looking sight. On the morn- 
 ing of the 27th thev ate breakfast and started into the fray again. At 
 noon he heard that his friend Willie had been wounded, the first one 
 in his companv. Later on in the afternoon Hill 210 was taken and 
 held by our boys. Will went back of the lines, where he got hi with 
 the First Division who were ready to relieve the 35th Division. 
 Charles went on. Hill No. 210 was in their possession. The enemy 
 had evacuated hurriedly, leaving cigars, cigarettes, etc., behind them. 
 Charles got a razor and a pair of scissors which he kept as tokens. 
 
 On the morning of the 28th they started for Ivery. They fought 
 all day for that town and captured it by night ; but they paid dear for 
 it. Their first lieutenant was killed and the second lieutenant was put 
 in charge. Their sergeant also was killed besides many privates. 
 
 In reading over this hurriedly we little realize what 72 hours of 
 fighting means, we little realize the strain it produces on the nerves 
 of our youth. Seventy-two hours are in reality so many months to 
 those who witnessed this ordeal. 
 
 The next day, on the 29th of September they started to advance on 
 Ceirge. In capturing Ivery they were assisted by eleven French 
 tanks and they also assisted in taking Ceirge. They would advance 
 some distance, then hide in some shell hole. During these times 
 Charles noted the accuracy of our American gunners. At several 
 places he saw where an American shell had completely covered up a 
 machine gun nest and had dug a hole deep enough for our boys to 
 crawl into to get a fresh start. 
 
 But the Americans were not the only ones doing the shooting. 
 Machine gun bullets were hissing everywhere and high explosive 
 shells were falling here and there. Finally while in an old German 
 trench mounting an automatic rifle a German shell lit near, exploded, 
 killed his loader and wounded Charles in the right hip and right ankle. 
 The shell fire was so intense that he had to lie in the shell hole in the 
 trench two hours before he could be taken away. Corporal Burke 
 carried him to the first aid station where he was tagged and sent to 
 the Field Hospital at Souey, where the pieces of shrapnel were re- 
 
 269
 
 moved from the hip and ankle. There he had the first experience of 
 ether. He saw many a poor boy in a worse shape. 
 
 From Souey he was sent to Base Hospital 15, at Chaumont, where 
 Pershing had his headquarters. He was at Chaumont two days, then 
 they loaded him into an American Red Cross train and sent him to 
 Nantes. At Nantes Base 11, he received excellent treatment and was 
 able to be sent back to his outfit on armistice day. He was sent to 
 Ghent, Belgium, but by the time he reached Ghent his outfit was in 
 the Army of Occupation and he was sent to La Mans where he met 
 Walter (Punk) Woods, who was in charge of the 341st Machine Gun 
 Battalion, being 1st lieutenant. While at La Mans, Charles took the 
 "flu" and he was sent to the Hospital Base 52 and remained there 
 seven days, then he was transferred to a Belgium camp where he met 
 a large bunch of Alton boys who had been in the 84th Division. In 
 the meantime his Division was relieved from the Army of Occupation 
 and the whole bunch went to La Mans where he joined them and they 
 all received their pay, the first since the 18th of August. During the 
 time he was receiving no money the Red Cross furnished him tobacco, 
 etc. 
 
 On the 16th of February he went to the hospital on account of 
 ear trouble and there he spent his birthday. On the 17th his outfit 
 received orders to move to some port of embarkation. In the mean- 
 time Charles rode 40 kilos in an ambulance to a hospital Base 52, 
 where he remained four days, after which time he was sent to Base 85 
 at Angers where he remained about 10 days. From there he was 
 sent to Brest, where he found his outfit ready to sail for home. They 
 loaded onto the Von Steuben on the 13th of March and sailed on the 
 15th and within a week they arrived at Hoboken. From Hoboken 
 Charles went to Camp Mills, where he remained 15 days, and was 
 then sent to Camp Grant, where he remained five days when he was 
 discharged, reaching home on the 16th of April, 1919. Charles had 
 been through much, he had everything from the size of a cannon ball 
 down to a cootie, only the latter came in great numbers. After he 
 got out of the trenches he was deloused wherever and whenever he 
 changed his boarding place. The last cootie mill he went through 
 was at Camp Mills, with the result that the wrinkles never will get out 
 of his clothes. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record: 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that Charles E. 
 Kuhn, 2417679, 1st class private Co. F, 147th Infantry, the United 
 States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faithful service, is hereby 
 
 270
 
 honorably discharged from the military service of the United States 
 by reason of convenience of the government G. O. 100, Par. 2, Camp 
 Grant, 111., April 11, 1919. Said Charles E. Kuhn was born in 
 Youngstown in the State of Ohio. When enlisted he was 29 2-12 
 years of age and by occupation a machine operator. He had blue eyes, 
 dark hair, ruddy complexion and was 5 feet 5 1-2 inches in height. 
 Given under my hand at Camp Grant, 111., this 14th day of April, 1919. 
 Hamilton D. Turner, Major Inf. U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name: Charles E. Kuhn. Grade: 1st grade private. Inducted 
 April 29, 1918, at Alton, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date 
 of discharge. Prior service: None, except 4 years Ohio National 
 Guards, 1908-1912. Non-commissioned officer : Never. Marksman- 
 ship, gunner qualification or rating : Not rated. Horsemanship : Not 
 mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expeditions: With 
 A. E. F. from June 22. 1918 to March 22, 1919, Barcarat Sector Aug. 4 
 to Sept. 16, Avocourt 9-21 to 9-25, Meuse-Argonne Sept. 26-29-18. 
 Knowledge of any vocation : Machine operator. Wounds received in 
 service : Two, slightly, Sept. 29, 1918. Physical condition when dis- 
 charged : Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed : Unknown. Mar- 
 ried or single: Character: Excellent. Remarks: No A. W. O. L. 
 under G. O. 45 W. D. 1914 or G. O. 31 W. D. 1912. Signature of 
 soldier : Charles E. Kuhn. \\\ Bush, Capt. Inf. U. S. A. Command- 
 ing 2nd Co. 161st D. B. Camp Grant, 111., April 14, 1919. Paid in full 
 $149.11, including bonus. S. H. Francis, Capt. Q. M. C. 
 
 CHARLES COOPER. 
 
 Charles M. Cooper, son of Ernest and Julia Cooper, was born in 
 Moro township about seven miles northeast of Bethalto, March 23, 
 1893. He attended the Yorkville school until he completed the 
 Eighth grade, after which time he assisted his parents on the farm 
 until he was called to the colors Feb. 23, 1918, when he left Edwards- 
 ville in company with J. S. Conroy of Worden, Albert Kayser, Rein- 
 hart Kruckeburg, Henry Bangert of Fort Russell, and others, for 
 Camp Taylor. After reaching the camp the boys soon scattered in 
 different directions and Charley was put in the 17th Co. 5th Tr. Bn., 
 but was afterward transferred to the 335th Infantry, 84th Division, 
 and remained in the 335th until he was transferred to the First 
 Division. 
 
 271
 
 In July they left Camp Taylor for Camp Sherman, Ohio, where 
 Charley became corporal, a position he held faithfully until he finally 
 fell from the ranks, while making preparation to wrest the city of 
 Sedan from the enemy. 
 
 About the 25th of August they left Camp Sherman for Camp 
 Mills, where they were equipped with overseas clothing and on the 
 third of September they left the U. S. shore on the British banana 
 boat Karmala, arriving at Liverpool on the 16th. From there they 
 crossed England to Southampton, crossed the channel and landed at 
 La Havre. From there they went up hill to Camp No. 1, rested a bit, 
 then down again to La Havre, where they boarded the French box cars 
 for somewhere east to within about 15 kilos of the lines where the roar 
 of the cannon could be distinctly heard. This was near the Argonne 
 where the First Division was located, and which Division Charley and 
 his friends were destined to become a part of. 
 
 The writer has passed over Charley's travels hurriedly for they 
 have been described before and the reader is left to imagine his trials. 
 Charley joined the First Division about the 20th of October and was 
 placed in Co. K, 28th Infantry. 
 
 Before follov/ing Charley a short explanation is made showing 
 why the 28th Infantry needed replacements. The following history 
 explains all: The 28th Infantry left Texas the first part of June, 
 1917, and on the morning of the 14th of June they, the first of the 
 A. E. F., left Hoboken with 65 officers and 2414 men, passed safely 
 through the submarine zone and landed at St. Nazaire, France, the 
 first American combat unit to place foot on European soil. From 
 there they v/ent to the Gondrecourt area, where they received training 
 and instructions from the French "Blue Devils" who were known for 
 their dash and daring. They found willing pupils and were ready 
 to go rain or shine, mostly rain. They could hear the guns on the 
 front and by the 21st of October, 1917, they were ready for the front; 
 they were learning fast, they became familiar with different kinds of 
 gas, the "swish" of machine guns bullets and the noise of bursting 
 shrapnel before they met the enemy. 
 
 During the winter 1917-1918 the weather was anything but 
 "sunny," and by spring they were beginning to count their casualties. 
 During May and June, 1918, they "mopped up" a number of places ; 
 but by July they had been subjected to the supreme test and when the 
 French took over their sector on July 9th their casualties numbered 
 64 officers and 1131 men. 
 
 During the battle of Soissons in which Ed. Henkhaus was killed 
 and Elmer Olthoff was wounded the 28th of the First Division 
 casualty list was 56 officers and 17G0 men ; but the spirit lived to form 
 
 272
 
 a new regiment and new replacements were received, and farther east 
 they went. During August the 28th fought in the Toul sector and 
 assisted in the reduction of the St. Mihiel Salient. Hardly had the 
 St. Mihiel Sector been cleared when the First American Army made 
 preparation to push the Germans from the Argonne Forest. The 
 First Division did not begin its work on the famous 26th of September, 
 but they were held in reserve and by the 30th of September they went 
 over shell torn roads to relieve the 35th Division. They established 
 Regimental P. C. at Very, once a beautiful city, now a mass of 
 thousands of ruined homes. It was difficult for the horse drawn 
 artillery to move forward through the underbrush ; and the men often 
 swept forward to silence the machine guns one after another. Hills 
 were numbered according to their height above sea level and Hill 263 
 and a chain of other hills including 240 and 269 with their underbrush, 
 barbed w^re entanglements, etc., were lost to the Germans, but the 28th 
 paid dear for these gains and in gaining their objective they sacrificed 
 1677 men. 
 
 It can be readily seen that the First Division and the 28th In- 
 fantry needed new men. New replacements arrived October 20th and 
 their training was immediately begun. It was learned that the First 
 Division had to be used again. 
 
 The 335th Infantry of the 84th Division of which Charley Cooper 
 w^as a unit had by that time reached the place where new replacements 
 were needed and when the 28th called for 10 corporals, 4 sergeants 
 and many privates, Charley was one of these who volunteered and he 
 became corporal in Co. K,, 28th Infantry, when they were making 
 preparation for the last round, which began about the first of No- 
 vember and continued incessantly until the 7th of November when 
 they were relieved ; but during these trying days of constant fighting 
 from Nov. 5th to Nov. 8th, without food and water, without shelter, 
 fighting in the open where there were no trenches, where there was no 
 rest, and shrapnel flying everywhere, shells bursting here and machine 
 gun and rifle bullets swishing there, causing another loss of 217 men 
 and officers of which our friend Charley was one. He led his squad 
 as long as he could, he was wounded and went back to the dressing 
 station ; but the enemy was not more than a hundred yards away and 
 it mattered not whether they were going forward or back to the dress- 
 ing station for lead and steel was flying as thick as bees in a swarm 
 and probably Charley never reached the dressing station and his 
 friends learned the next day that he had failed to return and that not 
 a member of his squad had returned. However they had gained a 
 victory although at a terrible cost. The city of Sedan was ready to 
 
 273
 
 be taken which was left to the French. They were relieved on the 
 last day of Charley's stay which was on the evening of the 7th of 
 November. 
 
 The 28th had left the shores of America with 65 officers and 2414 
 men. As their ranks were depleted new men were added. It thus 
 happened that the 28th had casualties amounting to 157 officers and 
 4721 men, of which 39 officers and 895 men were killed in action. 
 
 We honor Charley for his bravery, the nation honors him ; and in 
 the future will feel the more proud when we begin to realize the val- 
 uable service he has rendered. 
 
 GROVER CLEVELAND WIEMERS. 
 
 Grover C. Wiemers was born in Alton, 111., August 5, 1893. His 
 parents were Charles and Catherine Woods, but the mother died when 
 he was five years old and the father died when he was six years old, 
 leaving him, a brother and a sister, orphans. He remained at the 
 orphans' home and was later adopted by a family by the name of 
 Wiemers whose name he adopted. The foster parents of Grover 
 are Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wiemers, of Fort Russell Township, about 
 four miles southeast of Bethalto. Grover attended school a few 
 months at Alton but after he became the adopted son of Charles 
 Wiemers he went to the Grove school, where he completed the Eighth 
 grade work. The foster parents gave Grover a good school educa- 
 tion and on account of the kind treatment he received at his new home 
 he remained with them until he was called to the colors in the fall of 
 1917. 
 
 He registered in June, 1917, in Fort Russell Township and was 
 one of the first to leave for the army. He left Edwardsville for Camp 
 Taylor on the 19th of September in company with Emil Paul, Fred 
 Sanders, John Silland. Gus Bangert, Gus Memkin and other Fort 
 Russell boys. Camp Taylor was just beginning to be a camp for the 
 84th Division, and Grover was placed in Co. B, 333rd Infantry. The 
 333rd, 334th, 335th, 336th comprised the infantry of the 84th Division. 
 At Camp Taylor Grover received the usual line of instruction, such as 
 infantry drills, etc., remaining there about three months when he was 
 transferred to Camp Gordon near Atlanta, Georgia, and about nine 
 miles south of the city, here he was transferred to Headquarters Corps, 
 6th Company. When he arrived at Camp Gordon there were four 
 barracks on the grounds and the Quartermaster Corps at once started 
 to handle the supplies and rations for those who were to build up the 
 
 camp. 
 
 274
 
 While at Camp Taylor Grover went to cooks' and bakers' school 
 and received a first class diploma before going to Camp Gordon. At 
 Camp Gordon he was made acting sergeant and while holding this 
 position, there, he instructed others who had taken a course elsewhere 
 and were sent to Gordon to complete their course. After a few weeks 
 of extra instruction they were usually transferred to points where most 
 needed, thus Camp Gordon became a replacement depot for all classes. 
 
 Grover remained at this camp until June loth, 1918, when the en- 
 tire outfit left for service overseas, going to Camp Mills where they 
 received their full equipment. They had received their O. D.'s at 
 Gordon, but during their six days' stay at Mills they received full 
 equipment and after passing medical examination they were ready to 
 go. They left Hoboken on the 21st of June on the Duplont. which 
 was one of a convoy of 17 troop ships which were guarded by three 
 battleships and fifteen destroyers, making a grand total of 35 ships 
 sailing out of the harbor, a grand sight to behold. They placed 
 American rations on board at New York but the English cooks did not 
 seem to fill the bill in the line of cooking American food for American 
 soldiers. 
 
 The Duplont had 2,500 soldiers and 20 Red Cross nurses on board. 
 Grover had charge of the rations while on board, having 9 men under 
 him. They drew rations every evening for the three kitchens on 
 board. Grover's duty besides that was to inspect the kitchens every 
 day for the officers would make a tour every day to see that utensils, 
 etc., were thoroughly cleaned. They were allowed but 43 percent 
 rations across and care had to be taken in order that the supply lasted, 
 for they expected to make the trip in ten days, but on account of hav- 
 ing to pass through the submarine zone it took the convoy 17 days; 
 for the convoy was very large and the weather stormy and foggy. 
 \\hen a submarine was sighted the observation balloons were turned 
 loose and they would drop depth bombs where the submarine hove in 
 sight; thus they sank one and caused another to disappear. There 
 were supposed to be five submarines in the vicinity but only two were 
 seen. There were about 50,000 lives at stake, besides a great deal of 
 ammunition and other supplies. 
 
 The transports sailed in the center, one battleship on each side, 
 one battleship behind and fifteen battle cruisers in the lead. The 
 order was when six blasts were heard everybody go on deck, for that 
 meant danger ; and when at one time seven blasts were given some be- 
 low heard but six and they rushed like mad up the steps ; nothing 
 could stop them and after they got on deck they were told of the error, 
 but one of the boys had got too excited, he stopped for nothing but 
 
 275
 
 jumped right overboard and they searched for him in vain. This 
 shows how their nerves were always strained. This happened at ten 
 o'clock at night and the night foggy and rainy, one ship had got too 
 close to another and the seven blasts meant for the other vessel to take 
 care. 
 
 The excitement calmed down, all was quiet once more and they 
 landed safely at Liverpool on the 9th of July. The Fourth of July, 
 1918, was not a pleasant one for many a soldier. They left Liverpool 
 on a train for Camp Rumsey, a rest camp where they remained three 
 days. This camp had once been bombarded by German air raiders 
 in the early days of the war, but little could be noticed of the damage. 
 The camp was near Winchester. After a three days rest they rode 
 and hiked until they reached Southampton in the evening and they 
 were to cross the channel at once, but on account of the submarines 
 they were delayed a night and a day. They hiked to a rest camp 
 about six miles out of the city and remained there until the next night 
 when they crossed the channel, reaching La Havre safely the next 
 morning. 
 
 They went from La Havre to Rest Camp No. 1 "up the hill 
 through the shady lane," where they remained one night and then 
 hiked back when they boarded the French "Pullmans" and rode three 
 days and three nights reaching Noise le Sec near Paris. They were 
 there three days, then went on to St. Aignan. While at St. Aignan 
 these replacements were all split up and sent to different parts of 
 France. ' 
 
 Grover was transferred to the 42nd Division and was with them 
 about a month when he with 250 men was transferred to Headquarters 
 Corps stationed at Noyan. This seemed to be the location of the main 
 headquarters and men were sent there to be placed where they were 
 needed at the front. They would receive intensive training, then 
 placed in some kind of a stockade and from there they were placed 
 according to their ability, and sent to fill the gaps of whatever division 
 needed them. An average of many thousand would arrive every day 
 and the same number would leave for the front. 
 
 Ofiicers' training school w-as located at Noyan, and it was here 
 they rushed them through, sometimes with very little training, no ex- 
 perience, but filled to the brim with vim and "pep." Grover had 
 charge of two kitchens ; although there were twelve kitchens at this 
 camp two was all he was able to take care of for at these two kitchens 
 they would sometimes feed as many as 6,000 a day. A record of the 
 provisions had to be kept and taken care of accurately. 
 
 At one time they had nothing but salmon, beans and hard tack, 
 and for more than two months there was not a bite of fresh meat in 
 
 276
 
 
 .- 
 
 
 ^^A 
 
 
 .^ IP"*'- ^P 
 
 i 
 
 vri^jL^ 
 
 GROVER C. WIEMERS 
 
 Cook, Infantry Headquarters Det. 
 1st Replacement Depot
 
 JESSE C. WERTS 
 Vet. Corps, A. R. D. 316 
 
 LEE WERTS 
 
 JAMES RAYMOND WERTS 
 
 Battery F, 138th Field Artillery 
 
 FRANK WERTS 
 
 WILLARD GUY WERTS 
 
 Battery D, 34th Field Artillery 
 
 HENRY WERTS
 
 the camp. Many sick and wounded were also coming in every day ; 
 Base 26 was located there and to care for the sick, weary and wounded 
 was an unpleasant affair, especially when there was so little food. 
 This was a time of rain, mud, and misery. 
 
 This kind of work kept on for Grover without hesitating from 
 the time he reached this camp some time in August, 1918, until the 
 25th of June, 1919, with the exception of a few days after the armistice 
 was signed when the rush was over for a while ; for shortly after the 
 armistice it seemed as if the lever of the whole military machine was 
 reversed ; instead of the boys going east they were traveling west. 
 There was one difference, however, for the look in their faces, although 
 haggard, was more radiant than before, but the work was no less for 
 Grover. 
 
 On the day the Armistice was signed about 30,000 soldiers 
 paraded ; they fired volleys over the graves of those buried at the 
 American cemetery. Base 26. The retrograde movement kept up 
 continually until the 26th of July, 1919, when they broke camp and 
 they, too. had a chance to go home. 
 
 During all this time these many, many thousands traveled first 
 east then west through Noyan, but Grover saw not one from Bethalto. 
 At this place they held court for men and officers who had been re- 
 ported for various misdedeamors. It was while Grover was sta- 
 tioned there that two negroes were courtmartialed and hanged. It 
 was at this place "Hard Boiled" Smith was courtmartialed and sent 
 to Fort Leavenworth. 
 
 Grover continued to do the same kind of work. The kitchens 
 were large and contained from 8 to 10 stoves in each kitchen and some 
 stoves were large enough to hold 15 kettles. General Pershing in- 
 spected the kitchens twice while Grover was there. General Persh- 
 ing made many inquiries about the kitchens especially where he 
 noticed improvements. 
 
 Grover had a 7-day furlough during the Christmas holidays which 
 time he spent on the beach at St. Malo, a leave area. He also went 
 to St. Machiel, an ancient place on the western coast of France. Here 
 he saw real dungeons. He traveled through Bordeaux, Tours and 
 other towns and then went to Paris, where he remained 4 days seeing 
 sights. He also had a chance to visit the Chateau at Chateau Thierry. 
 From there he went back to Noyan and returned to his duty. 
 
 When the camp broke up one bunch of men was left there to tear 
 down the buildings and everything was expected to be cleaned up by 
 July 15. At Brest, Grover was put in a Casual Co. and waited until 
 the first of July, when he boarded the Great Northern, the fastest 
 American boat. She had made the round trip in 11 days, 5 hrs. and 
 
 277
 
 20 min. ; it took her but 5 days, 2 hrs. and 20 min. in crossing. She 
 passed the George Washington when President Wilson was returning 
 home. They passed the spot where the Titantic met her fate. They 
 saw many icebergs but no mishaps, and they landed safely at Hoboken, 
 from where he was sent to Camp Mills to be discharged. He re- 
 mained at Camp Mills from the 6th to the 15th. Grover had spent 
 two Fourth of Julys on the water. 
 
 Grover had a varied experience while he was in the Army. The 
 day before he left Edwardsville for Camp Taylor he was married to 
 Miss Katherine Borchers, and while he was in the hospital his wife 
 nursed him for forty-eight days. This was at Camp Taylor. When 
 he crossed the waters for overseas duty his wife went home to Fort 
 Russell Township where she waited until he returned. 
 
 Following is his discharge and enlistment record: 
 HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM UNITED STATES ARMY. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Grover 
 Cleveland Wiemers, 1975948, Cook Infantry Hqr. Detachment, 1st 
 Repl. Depot, the United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and 
 faithful service, is hereby honorably discharged from the military 
 service of the United States by reason of services no longer required. 
 1st indorsement letter A. G. O. 370-5 Misc. Du. 7-5-19. Said Grover 
 Cleveland Wiemers, 1975948, was born in Alton, in the State of Illi- 
 nois, When enlisted he was 23 1-12 years of age and by occupation 
 a Fireman. He had blue eyes, light hair, fair complexion and was 
 5 feet 8 inches in height. Given under my hand at Mitchel Field, 
 L. I., N. Y., this 15th day of July, 1919. S. W. Wheeler, Major Air 
 Service. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : Grover Cleveland Wiemers, 197598. Grade : Cook. In- 
 ducted Sept. 19, 1917 at Edwardsville, 111., serving in first enlistment 
 period at date of discharge. Prior service: None. Non-commis- 
 sioned officer : Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating : 
 None. Horsemanship: Not mounted. Battles, engagements, 
 skirmishes, expeditions: None. Served in France and England. 
 Left U. S. June 3, 1918; arrived in U. S. July 7, 1919; entitled to wear 
 two service chevrons. Knowledge of any vocation: Fireman. 
 Wounds received in service: None. Physical condition when dis- 
 charged: Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed Oct. 12, 1917. 
 Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed Oct. 12, 1917. Married or single : 
 Married. Character: Excellent. Remarks. Service honest and 
 faithful. No absence under W. D. G. O. 45, 1914 nor A. W. O. L. of 
 
 278
 
 record Entitled to travel pay to Edwardsville, 111. Entitled to 
 $60.00 in addition to all amounts due him, as provided in Section 1406 
 of the Rev. Act. of 1918. Approved Feb. 24, 1919. Paid in full, 
 $147.90, including bonus. C. E. Robb, Capt. Q. M. Corps, Com- 
 manding Brest Casuals. 
 
 THE WERTS BROTHERS. 
 
 "Werts Brothers" is the best and only appellation that can be used 
 in this connection. The song, "America, Here's my Boy," does not 
 fully apply in this case for the picture shows what an offer a mother 
 must make in time of war. 
 
 Mrs. Cornelia Werts. mother of six boys and two girls, lives on 
 a farm about four miles northwest of Bethalto. Her husband, Moses 
 Werts, died May 27, 1915, shortly before we entered the World's War, 
 leaving her and her sons to tend to the duties that pertain to farm 
 life. 
 
 When the day of registration came, June 5, 1917, five of her sons 
 registered, Jesse, Frank, Willard, Henry and Ray ; and the youngest, 
 named Lee, registered a year later, for he was too young June, 1917. 
 The call was made and it was up to the boys to respond. The ques- 
 tion in what manner was soon settled among them. They were ready 
 when Uncle Sam called, therefore it was up to the nation to shape their 
 destiny. Those days were trying ones to the mother ; no one knows 
 as well as the one who has gone through this period. No one knew 
 the future, and a strong heart and an earnest prayer were needed to 
 keep up the spirit, although very low at times. 
 
 In February, 1918, Jesse bid the family farewell and started for 
 Camp Taylor, from which place he was sent to Camp Gordon, Ga., 
 where he was placed in the remount station, remaining there until 
 July, 1919. 
 
 In May Ray went to Camp Shelby, Miss., where he was placed in 
 Battery F, 138th F. A., becoming a gunner. On October 6th he left 
 New York with his company and sailed for France ; but the time 
 drifted on rapidly and after moving around from place to place in 
 France, getting nearer and nearer the battle lines, the armistice terms 
 were signed, fighting ceased and a retrograde movement commenced, 
 and by the 22nd of December, 1918, Ray was back in the good old 
 U. S., reaching home about a month later. 
 
 Willard, the third to go, left Alton June 28th, 1918. He went to 
 Camp Taylor in company with Ted Zimmerman and others, but the 
 boys soon parted and the last time they saw each other in the army 
 
 279
 
 was when Willard was on his way to the hospital with many another 
 boy, Ted going- to West Point, Ky., shortly after that, and Willard 
 going to Camp McClellan, Alabama, near the city of Anniston. There 
 he was placed in Battery D, 34th F. A., where he remained until he was 
 sent back to Camp Taylor to be discharged, Feb. 4th, 1919. 
 
 The story of their service is short, but in reading the story of 
 others we know what they did for America. Frank and Henry were 
 not called and Lee had but a short time after registration and he did 
 not go, but while passing the house you could see three service stars 
 in the window. 
 
 The Werts Brothers received their education at the Werts school, 
 so named on account of the grandfather donating the land on which 
 the Werts school stands. They received a good common education 
 at the school and an excellent moral training at home, the two em- 
 bodying the type of Americanism. After the war was over and the 
 boys returned home there was one round of rejoicing by family and 
 friends. 
 
 Their discharges and enlistment records follow in order as they 
 were called. 
 
 To all v/hom it may concern : This is to certify that Jesse C. 
 W^erts, 1995698, Pvt. unassigned, (last assigned Vet. Corps A. R. D. 
 316), the United States Army, as a testimonial of honest and faith- 
 ful service, is hereby honorably discharged from the military service 
 of the United States by reason of expiration term of service, P. P. S. O. 
 120 Hg. C. T. Ky. 7-9-'19. Said Jesse C. Werts was born in Foster 
 township in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 31 years of 
 age and by occupation a farmer. He had blue eyes, light hair, light 
 complexion, and was 5 feet 3 3-4 inches in height. Given under my 
 hand at Camp Zachary Taylor, Ky.. this 10th day of July, 1919. 
 Arthur J. Vaughn, Maj. F. A., U. S. A. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : Jesse C. Werts. Grade : Private. Inducted Feb. 25, 
 1918. at Alton, 111., serving in first enlistment period at date of dis- 
 charge. Prior service: None. Non-commissioned officer: Never. 
 Marksmanship, gunner qualifications or rating : Not qualified. Horse- 
 manship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expedi- 
 tions : None. Decorations, medals, badges, citations : None. 
 Knowledge of any vocation : Farmer. Wounds received in service : 
 None. Physical condition when discharged: Good. Typhoid pro- 
 phylaxis completed March 15, 1918. Paratyphoid prophylaxis com- 
 pleted, March 15, 1918. Married or single: Single. Character: 
 
 280
 
 Excellent. Remarks : Last assigned to Vet. Corps A. R. D. 316. Sig- 
 nature of soldier: Jesse C. Werts. Lewis W. Wubell, 1st Lieut. Inf., 
 U. S. A. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that James R. 
 Werts, 1575161, private, first class, 15 Co. 161 Depot Brigade (last 
 assigned Batt. F.. 138th F. A.), the United States Army as a testi- 
 monial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honorably discharged 
 from the military service of the United States by reason of con- 
 venience of government. Par 8 S. O. 20 Hg. Camp Grant, Illinois, 
 Jan. 20, 1919. Said James R. Werts was born in Fosterburg in the 
 State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 23 years of age and by 
 occupation a farmer. He had gray eyes, brown hair, light completion 
 and was 5 feet 4 inches in height. Given under my hand at Camp 
 Grant, Illinois, this 24th day of Jan, 1919. James A. Wabath. Maj. 
 Inf. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : James R. Werts. Grade : Private, first class. Inducted 
 May 28, 1918, at Alton, Illinois, serving in first enlistment period at 
 date of discharge. Prior service : None. Non-commissioned officer : 
 No. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating: Not qualified. 
 Horsemanship : Not mounted. Battles, engagements, skirmishes, ex- 
 peditions : None. Embarked for A. E. F. Oct. 6th. 1918. arrived in 
 U. S. Dec. 22, 1919. Knowledge of any vocation : Farmer. Wounds 
 received in service: None. Physical condition when discharged: 
 Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed June 21, 1918. Paratyphoid 
 prophylaxis completed June 21, 1918. Married or single: Single. 
 Character : Very good. Remarks. No A. W. O. L. No absence under 
 G. O. 31-12 nor under G. O. 45-14. Signature of soldier: James R. 
 Werts. Charles Conley, Capt. Inf. U. S. A., Commanding 15 Co. 
 161 D. B. 
 
 To all whom it may concern : This is to certify that Willard G. 
 Werts, 3702467, private 1st class unassigned, last assigned Bat. D., 
 34th F. A. Camp McClellan, Ala., the United States Army, as a testi- 
 monial of honest and faithful service, is hereby honorably discharged 
 from the military service of the United States by reason of Hon. 
 Disch. Cir. No. 106 W. D. 12-3-18, and par. 1-20-30. Hg. Camp 
 Zachary Taylor, Ky., Jan. 30, 1919. Said Willard G. Werts was born 
 in Foster township in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 26 
 years of age and by occupation a farmer. He had blue eyes, light 
 
 2S1
 
 hair, fair complexion and was 5 feet 2 1-4 inches in height. Given 
 under my hand at Camp Zachary Taylor, Ky., this 4th day of Feb. 
 1919. Charles O. Warpel, Maj. U. S. A. Commanding. 
 
 ENLISTMENT RECORD. 
 
 Name : Willard G. Werts. 3702467. Grade : Private, first class. 
 Inducted June 28, 1918, at Alton, Illinois, serving in first enlistment 
 period at date of discharge. Prior service: None. Non-commis- 
 sioned officer : Never. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating : 
 Never qualified. Horsemanship: Not mounted. Battles, engage- 
 ments, skirmishes, expeditions : None. Knowledge of any vocation : 
 Farmer. Wounds received in service: None. Physical condition 
 when discharged: Good. Typhoid prophylaxis completed Aug. 14, 
 1918. Paratyphoid prophylaxis completed Aug. 14, 1918. Married 
 or single : Single. Character : Excellent. Remarks : No A. W. O. L. 
 No unauthorized absence under G. O. 31 or 45 W. D. This soldier 
 was ordered to report to Lo. Bd. No. 2, Madison County, 111., June 28, 
 1918. Reported same date and place. Entitled to travel pay. Sig- 
 nature of soldier: Willard G. Werts. Fred A. D. How, 1st Lieut. Inf., 
 U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
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