More diary entries -

September 13, 1918, Frid.

Looks like a better day. Stood reveille. Camp a mass of mud. Sent packs to Doullens at 11. Bill McGuire & I went to the luncheon after a grand farewell to all the boys. Left Doullens at 7 p.m. - in a box car - reaching Abbeville about 12 p.m. - where we staid for the night. 32 of us picked from 107th. Golding of L Co. and Al MacBurney among them.

September 14, 1918, Sat.

Awoke in Abbeville yards. Bkfst. at YMCA. Up town at 11 a.m. Fine 17 franc luncheon and a 20 franc mademoiselle by name of Mignonette! Ha!Ha! Left at 6:45 - in a box car. Rode nearly all night. Crowded. Cold.

September 15, 1918, Sunday.

Awoke - nearly froze - in city of Rouen at 7:30. Put away packs - had good breakfast. Then saw this beautiful city on the Seine. Wonderful town. Saw many Boche prisoners during past 3 days. Left for Paris at 7:30 p.m.

September 16, 1918, Monday. 23 years old today!

Begun my birthday by waking in the Paris yards during an air raid - at 2:30 a.m.! Later we went uptown and Bill & I saw all there was left to see of Paris. Dined at Gare du Nord canteen (R.C.) We surely had a wonderful day. Wrote the folks - sent cards. Went out on Gare de l'Est at 10:15 in 2nd class coaches. Some of the gang pretty drunk - but all there. Slept all night.

September 17, 1918, Tues.

Awoke at 8 - on train - arrived at Langres on the Marne about 4:30. Went into a rest camp for night. Dead tired & nearly starved - only one meal. Had rotten night's rest. Too tired! Glad to be back in Langres however. Warm - cloudy.

September 18, 1918, Wed.

March up to Fort La Bonnelle - near Langres where our school is.

[Fort de la Bonnelle, a defensive fortress built 1870-85, used in the Franco-Prussian war and First World War, at Saint-Geosmes, near Langres, Haute-Marne, Grand Est, France. The belt fort of La Bonnelle, also known as Fort Decres, was positioned to survey the road to Dijon and the Buzon plateau, and contains barracks, a courtyard and vaulted ditches used for storage.]

We are in 1st Plat. 12th Co. 3rd Bat. of A.C.S. To be a 6 wks. course, we hear. Fixed up our barracks, drew stuff, cleaned up, etc. all day. Study from 7 to 9 p.m. Bed at 10 p.m. Have our August & Sept. pay due us. Last paid up to July 31st, 1918.

September 19, 1918, Thur. Rain

Marched to town to have "cooties" taken off. Had our clothes treated and a most wonderful bath. Feel much better. Did some detail work in late p.m. Good food. Issue of clothes in evening - & study. Wrote dad for $400. Also Aunt Nell about it. Feel good - but it's a stiff course! Up 5:45 - on the jump all day. Cooler. [Note - referenced letter to Aunt Nell not found]

September 20, 1918, Frid., Cool

Had stiff C.O. drill, games, lecture on discipline, cooperation, etc., quiz on rifle and S.A.F.R. (?) quiz in a.m. Drew .03 U.S. rifles, had classes in Chauchat (I am instructor), cleaned rifles, etc. and got ready for Sat. insp. School study 7 - 9 p.m.

[The Chauchat was the standard light machine gun or "machine rifle" of the French Army during World War I. Its official designation was "Fusil Mitrailleur Modele 1915 CSRG". Beginning in June 1916, it was placed into regular service with French infantry, where the troops called it the FM Chauchat, after Colonel Louis Chauchat, the main contributor to its design. The Chauchat in 8mm Lebel was also extensively used in 1917–18 by the American Expeditionary Forces, where it was officially designated as the "Automatic Rifle, Model 1915 (Chauchat)".]

Up next - more diary entries and letter to Aunt Nell