With the anniversary of the primary American battles at the Marne, Soissons, St. Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne within a few weeks of each other, I thought now to be an interesting time to post the transcribed diary of my Great-great uncle, Morris Polsky. Morris was a Sergeant in Battery A, 18th Field Artillery, 3rd Division. You can read more of his story here: My Family’s War
Diary of Morris Polsky
Battery A, 18th Field Artillery, 3rd Division
American Expeditionary Force
(Transcribed by his Great-great Grand Nephew, James Taub)
Enlisted May 5, 1917
[Unreadable] Fort Logan, Denver, May 7, [Unreadable] Fort Scott, Frisco, May 16. Left Fort Scott, June 20th, 1917, for Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. Arrived there June 22nd, 1917. Appointed Sergeant Sept. 17th, 1917. Left for home on furlough, Christmas Day, very [cold]. Arrived Kansas City 15% [degrees] below [freezing]. Arrived home about [missing] 1917.
January 1, 1918
Left for Fort Bliss via Kansas City, over [Santa?] Fe. Laid over at Albuquerque, N.M. a fe [rest missing.]
January 2, 1918
Traveling
January 3, 1918
Traveling
January 4, 1918
Reached camp about noon and ran into the usual sand storm.
January 5, 1918
Inspection
January 6, 1918
Went to Town.
January 7, 1918
Expecting word to move.
January 8, 1918
De Chaine arrested as German Spy. Was questioned pretty closely as to what I know about him. Secret Service had intercepted card he sent to Eve, thanking her for package she sent him. I was certainty dumbfounded.
January 9, 1918
The usual grind.
January 11, 1918
De Chaine brought back to Camp to get his belongings. Says they have nothing on him but that’s just talk. They’ve got plenty on him; enough to put him in front of a firing squad.
February 18, 1918
Dougherty left for France, with advance detail.
March 3, 1918
Ball game with Officers, won 18 to 2. Hit double, 2 singles and walk.
March 6, 1918
Supposed to leave today but cars did not arrive.
March 7, 1918
Packed up all equipment + clothes.
March 9, 1918
Ball game, lost 9-7. Triple + single, up 3 times.
March 10, 1918
Went to town to picture show.
March 11, 1918
Finished packing. Final physical exam.
March 13, 1918
Policed camp for evacuation.
March 14, 1918
Waiting for word to go.
March 15, 1918
Still waiting.
March 16, 1918
Waiting.
March 17, 1918
Went to town.
March 24, 1918
Orders to leave. Shipped freight away.
March 25, 1918
Pulled out of El Paso about 3:15 p.m, on the Santa Fe. Big crowd at the Depot.
March 26, 1918
Travelling.
March 27, 1918
Arrived Kansas City.
March 28, 1918
Went Three Hundred miles. Springfield, Ill. Akron, Ohio.
March 29, 1918
Went thru Pennsylvania + New York.
March 30, 1918
Arrived Camp Merritt, NJ 3:30 p.m. Quite a large camp. Looks clean + comfortable.
March 31, 1918
Sunday.
Cleaned up and had inspection. Large crowd of visitors from New York City in camp.
April 1, 1918
Another inspection.
April 3, 1918
Went to New York City. Crossed over on Fort Lee ferry, at about [unknown] st, and took [elevated] to Broadway + 42nd.
April 16, 1918
Opening game of season, N.Y + Brooklyn. Did not get to go.
April 17, 1918
Ball game with 49th Infantry. Won 14-4.
April 18, 1918
Cold + drizzly rain.
April 19, 1918
Rumors that we were to leave.
April 20, 1918
Orders to leave. Baggage + barrack bags put on cars.
April 29, 1918
Unloading. Piece in New York World about our collision Weather nice. Boat will be out of commission for about 6 months.
April 30, 1918
Boarded Manchuria about 8 a.m. Sent card home. Rumor that one ship of our first convoy was sunk. Left dock 1L50 p.m. Lair in Harbor till fark. This is supposed to be a fast boat but its very dirty. Hasn’t been cleaned up and wasn’t ready for trip.
May 1, 1918
Making food time. Rain and fog. Cleared up late in afternoon. Joined by two more transports, six now in convoy.
May 2, 1918
Weather nice. Target practice today by gun crew on ship. Target pulled by one of transports.
May 5, 1918
More rain. Sighted another transport returning from France. Band concert this evening. Enlisted just year ago today.
May 6, 1918
Still raining. Sighted another returning transport. Will get into War Zone tomorrow.
May 7, 1918
Rain. Entered War Zone this a.m. Wear life preservers at all times. Not allowed to take off our clothes, at any time. Must get up every morning, an hour before dawn, and stay on deck until daylight. This as the hour the hour the Submarines usually strike.
May 8, 1918
First submarine scare today Awakened at 3:30 a.m. Lookout saw a fishing schooner and though it was a U-Boat. Getting cold today.
May 9, 1918
Cold wind today. Convoy of Sub Chasers has not shown up as yet. Nothing of interest.
May 10, 1918
Flotilla of Sub Chasers appeared early this morning and are taking us in. There are a dozen of them and they certainly are fast. They circle around us continually, as this is the most dangerous zone. Sea is very rough.
May 11, 1918
Weather is nice for first time in several days. One transport left Convoy for different Port this a.m. Four more left this p.m. Now only two of us left.
May 12, 1918
Sighted land about 6 a.m. Waiting in Harbor for tide to come in. The shore line & town is a beautiful scene from the Boat. Everything looks so green. Quite a crowed at the Dock. Unloaded at 6 p.m. St. Nazaire. Was put in charge of detail unloading Boat and was up all night All you can see of the people are old men Women + children. No young men anywhere. Guess they are all at the front.
May 13, 1918
Went to camp about 3 miles from town. Certainly is a mud hole. Our first experience with French mud.
May 14, 1918
Cleaned up and washed all our clothes. Certainly feels good to be back on firm ground again.
May 15, 1918
Left this a.m for training camp, on famous French railroad. Seems like a toy train.. Again, we have our first experience with side door Pullmans. Arrived at Guer, France, late in day. Saw Dougherty as I got off train. Is looking fine. Our Camp is called Coëtquidan; it is one of Napoleon’s old artillery camps. Understand the name means “The Camp of Death”. It is certainly beautiful around here.
May 15, 1918
Cleaned up and looked over camp. Dougherty and I went to town; what a town! Population of about 1000 when everyone is home. Certainly an old place.
May 17, 1918
Inspection.
May 18, 1918
Turned in out hats were issued overseas caps and wrapped leggings. Everyone in France wears them.
May 19, 1918
Went to town again. Found a pool table in an old cage and played for awhile. The table is about as old as the town.
May 20, 1918
Drill started today. Our first experience with French guns. 155mm.
May 21, 1918
Drilling.
May 22, 1918
Were awakened before dawn by rifle shot. Fellow across the way, in another outfire shot himself. Guess he
May 23, 1918
About everyone in the outfit drunk. Drinking is not discouraged as the water is bad around here.
May 24, 1918
Intensive drilling on guns.
May 15, 1918
Weather has been very nice so far. Doesn’t get dark till about 9:30 at night.
May 26, 1918
Fight between Mess Sergeant Notgrass + Slim Johnson. Slim is only about half the Sgt’s size but he almost killed him. He should have finished the job.
May 27, 1918
Nothing of interest.
May 28, 1918
Was going to town with Dougherty when aeroplane, in trying to land, hit top of tree and crashed, about 100 yards from us. We rushed over and found American Lt. with leg under motor of plane and French officer to one side, completely out. Tried to lift plane but it was too heavy. Help soon arrived though and we got Officer out. He was certainly out of his head, cursing everything and everybody. Thought somebody was sitting on his leg.
May 29, 1918
Another artillery outfit arrived today. National Guard bunch from the South. Kidded them quite a bit.
May 30, 1918
Nothing of interest.
May 31, 1918
Directed firing guns.
June 1, 1918
No drill today. Inspection.
June 2, 1918
Ball game with Balloon Corps. Won out in 9th inning with 4 runs, 10 to 9. Got 3 out of 5. “Tacks” Hardwick, Harvard All American football star, pitched against us.
June 3, 1918
Drill.
June 4, 1918
Issued gas masks.
June 5, 1918
Gas mask drill. Marched about a mile with mask on.
June 6, 1918
More gas drill. Ran several hundred yards, without removing mask. Not so easy.
June 7, 1918
Getting more used to masks. Went thru gas chamber today.
June 8, 1918
Inspection.
June 9, 1918
Ball game. Lost 5-4.
June 10, 1918
Drill.
June 22, 1918
Drill.
June 23, 1918
Birthday. Got [16?] letters today. Dougherty, Passen + I went to Rennes, town of about 70,000. Had 24 hour passes. Very old city. Canal in middle of main street. Guillotines in Square. Spent the night in French Barracks, near dept. Many soldiers here on leave.
June 24, 1918
Drew horses today, and started breaking them in.
June 25, 1918
Training horses.
June 29, 1918
Broke camp and went to place on other side of town. Living out in open, in our pup tents. Beautiful little stream running thru camp.
June 30, 1918
Road March today. Hiked about 5 miles.
July 1, 1918
Another road march.
July 4, 1918
Celebrated today. Big parade, with band in lead. Wound up in old church, where services were held. Church must be hundreds of years old.
July 5, 1918
Still in training.
July 10, 1918
Broke camp. Entrained about 5:30 p.m. Guns + caissons put on flat cars. Horses + men on side door Pullmans. Beautiful day. Off for the Front. Do not know to what part of Front we are going.
July 11, 1918
Went through outskirts of Paris this p.m. Saw the Eiffel Tower. Several hospital trains, crowded with French, on siding near us. Makes one feel kind of funny. De-trained at mid-night, in pitch darkness, about 10 miles behind Front. Saw flashes of the guns for the first time, in the north. Makes me feel a little funnier. Did a good job unloading, harnessing and hitching horses, all in the dark and rain. No lights allowed. Left for the line.
July 12, 1918
Arrived at Chateau-Thierry Front after long hike. First experience with shell fire. Few shells dropping now and then. None dropped near us, but noise almost scared us to death. Just really starting to get scared.
July 13, 1918
Put guns in firing position near Courboin, west of Chateau-Thierry. No firing at all today. Ammunition bring brought up. Understand we are right behind the Marne river with the Germans on the other side. Everything seems so quiet. Not our idea of War. Lots of Planes in the air.
July 14, 1918
Was awakened during night by terrific shell fire. Started about midnight. Seems like a continuous stream of shells, is screaming + whistling over us. Big German drive has started. No wonder it was so quiet yesterday. The noise is beyond imagination.
July 15, 1918
German shell hits top of tree, about 30 feet to west of where Dougherty and I are laying. Kills Carlson and Hall out of my section. They are still alive when they are carried to dressing station, but they are in bad shape. Both are filled with shrapnel and are unconscious. Hall thrashed and kicked around for a few seconds then passed out. As this is war. Hall is only a kid, about 17 years old. “Swede” Carlson is about 25. They were Buddies, always together. Ammunition dump blown up about 2 a.m. Wear gas masks all night. Ordered to dismantle gun, in case Germans break through. Terrific fire continues nearly all night. One “C” Battery gun destroyed by direct hit. Few of the fellows wounded by shrapnel, but none very bad.
July 16, 1918
Heavy shell fire continues but now mostly by our batteries. Understand we have token lots of prisoners. Have a new supply of Ammunition and are pouring shells over.
July 17, 1918
Heavy fire continues day and night. Understand all Germans have been driven back across Marne river. French battery of 75 mm guns, over to our right, shelled out of position. The Boche certainly had their range and it didn’t take them long to get out.
July 18, 1918
Barrage by our guns all night and this a.m.
July 19, 1918
Fire slackening up quite a bit. Three of our men gassed. They will get a little careless. Gas hangs in low places for several days.
July 20, 1918
Bombs dropped near us early this a.m. Few air fights. Took ammunition to Battery position. Ammunition dump had been hit, near Battery, and saw lovely display of fireworks.
July 21, 1918
Quiet today. Practically no firing. Preparing to move guns forward. Many prisoners coming in.
July 22, 1918
Left our position at midnight to move forward.
July 23, 1918
Crossed Marne river near Chateau-Thierry and went into position. Don’t like this position as it is on top of hill. Near Jaulgonne. Everyone is digging in. Have a nice little hole for myself. German resistance seems to be getting stronger. Shells are again dropping near us. Heavy night firing. Can see Hundreds of German dead from here down to the Marne Valley. We are on a Bluff overlooking the River. Buried a few of them, who were laying in our position.
July 24, 1918
Bombed last night but no one was hurt. These trenches come in pretty handy. Big air fight over us today. 3 Boche and 1 Allied plane brought down.
July 25, 1918
Pretty quiet this a.m. Finished our trenches. Buried more dead Germans scattered over hillside. The odor is terrible. Bodies have been laying out several days and are blackened by sun. Also buried several American Doughboys. Many letters laying around near bodies.
July 26, 1918
Moved forward again today, about two miles. Heavy firing this afternoon. New trenches dug, are now in position on other side of Mont St. Pere.
July 27, 1918
Pretty quiet today. Very little firing.
July 28, 1918
Moved forward again about five miles. Germans still retreated. Very little firing.
July 29, 1918
German’s resistance getting stronger. Many shells dropping around us. Were bombed again about 10 p.m but no one was hit.
July 30, 1918
Shelled by Boche all afternoon, seem to be putting up a fight now. 4th Infantry, out of our Division went back to rest billets, about four miles behind us. Any of them went swimming in Marne. Shell hit in their midst, killing half a dozen of them.
July 31, 1918
Quiet Today. No firing. Bombed by German Planes, all night long. This is far worse than shell fire, as you can’t hear or see them coming. You can’t see the Planes so you don’t know whether they are right over you or off to one side.
August 1, 1918
A few German prisoners brought back. Pretty quiet today. Were relieved, and left for rest camp this evening, shortly after dark.
August 2, 1918
Rest billets few miles behind the lines. Rain. Pitched camp.
August 3, 1918
Still raining, day and night.
August 4, 1918
Still raining this morning. Mud six inches deep. Went to Chateau Thierry.
August 5, 1918
Raining.
August 6, 1918
Raining. Went to Divisional Bath House and were de-loused. Received change of clothing. If they don’t fit, it’s your hard luck.
August 7, 1918
No rain up to 9 a.m. Payday. Left mud hole and moved to Nesles, little town just outside of Chateau Thierry. Billeted large house. Roof + part of wall gone. Grabbed a mahogany bed, somewhat the worse for wear. Got some straw and a few boards + fixed it up. Dougherty + I slept there. First time we’ve been under a rood in about seven weeks.
August 8, 1918
Cleaned up house, getting ready for inspection.
August 9, 1918
Old woman, in whose house we were billeted, arrived from the rear. Was heart broken when she saw the place. Practically all the furniture gone and the house nearly in ruins. Her husband killed and no word from her son. Got some food for her at the Battery kitchen, but she wouldn’t eat.
August 10, 1918
Went to Chateau Thierry. Tried to find something to eat that we could buy. Purchased can of chocolates from Y.M.C.A. Looked over the town. Went up to old castle, on bluff overlooking city. Built in the year 1200. Crossed Marne River on pontoon bridge. Our artillery had knocked down old bridge to prevent Germans from coming across. River is almost in center of town. Buildings pretty well battered up. Our 7th Machine Gun Battalion held this bridgehead against the Boche on May 31st. First action our Division had seen.
August 11, 1918
Again went to Chateau Thierry.
August 12, 1918
Rested all day.
August 13, 1918
Getting ready to pull out again.
August 14, 1918
Left on road march. Weather nice. Don’t know where we are doing. Larry Duncan fell off the water wagon for the first time. Put him in one of the Fourgons.
August 15, 1918
Entrained at La Ferte De Caucher. Looks like we are going back to rest camp. Rode all day.
August 16, 1918
Arrived at Gondrecourt after 12 hours ride. This is about 25 miles from Toul. And is Training Camp for Artillery Officers. Stationed in little town of Horville, within walking distance of Gondrecourt. Found out that was our Divisional Rest Billets.
August 17, 1918
Went to Gondrecourt today. Y.M.C.A hut here, stationed on the banks of a little river that runs thru the heart of the town.
August 18, 1918
We are now living in Barracks again. Another Sergeant + I have a room to ourselves. Seems like heaven. A real wooden floor, roof, & windows; everything in good repair.
August 19, 1918
Cleaning up guns and wagons.
August 20, 1918
Starting to drill again.
September 2, 1918
Drill.
September 3, 1918
Rumors that we will leave soon. Everything points to a Big Drive and looks like it may be against Metz.
September 4, 1918
Left for the Front. Pulled out after dark and hiked all night. Raining again.
September 5, 1918
Rested Today. Camouflaged in the Woods. Hiked all night again. It’s a hard grind, especially walking behind horses + guns. They don’t keep an even pace. Raining.
September 6, 1918
Rested all day and night in Woods. Still raining.
September 7, 1918
Rested all day and again killed all night. Not allowed to show ourselves in daylight. Seems like another Big Drive is coming.
September 16, 1918
Again marched all night. Always rest in woods during day. Rain.
September 17, 1918
Ditto raining.
September 18, 1918
Same. Rain.
September 19, 1918
Same. Hardest rain we have yet experienced in France. Came down in torrents, something like we have back home. The usual rain here is a steady drizzle.
September 20, 1918
Rested all day and took a short hike at night. In echelon a few miles behind front, near Verdun. Raining.
September 21, 1918
Rested all day and all night. This march has been a nightmare. Rain has never let up. Can hear the guns nw. Got some mail today.
September 22, 1918
Marched all night and are near the Front, at Montzeville.
September 23, 1918
Guns into position. Quite a few shells going over us. Lots of bombing during night.
September 24, 1918
Quite a lot of shelling by Germans. Guess they are nervous. Many bombs dropped during night.
September 25, 1918
Raining again; I mean yet. Began terrific barrage fire about 11 p.m. heaviest I have ever heard. Continued all night. Understand that this drive is to be on entire front and if successful may mean end of war.
September 26, 1918
Prisoners coming in by the hundred. Advanced about 5 miles this afternoon. Four Boche planes flew over us, very low, but didn’t bother us. Guess they had a special mission.
September 27, 1918
Saw 4 of our balloons brought down in flames by German, with French colors on his plane; two planes also brought down, one Boche + one American. Another heavy barrage, continuing all night. Boche still retreating.
September 28, 1918
Barrage still continuing at 11 o’clock this a.m. Battery unable to advance because of crowded roads and mud. Hard fighting. Many wounded coming in. Rain.
September 29, 1918
Barrage continuing still unable to advance. Hundreds of planes in the air. Many dog fights. Major Edwards called me into his tent and said I was to leave for Artillery Officers Training Camp, at Saumur, France, about November 1st. What a swell break that is, to get out of this mud. Still raining. Lt. Schaumberg called me a lucky stiff.
September 30, 1918
Terrific fire continues. Turned cold today. Slept in puddle of water last night. Wind blew our pup tent over upon us. Let it go. Mud is 12 inches deep around here. Battalion Commander also informed me I was going to Officers Training School. Told Dougherty, but no one else knows as yet.
October 1, 1918
Still cold. Lots of air fights.
October 2, 1918
Little warmer today. Orders to be ready to leave for rear to be motorized. This has been happening for the past 6 months so I don’t put any stock in it.
October 3, 1918
Went forward today instead of to the rear. Hiked all night. Stopped about 3 a.m. Thought we were to stay here as Dougherty, two other fellows, and I beat it off and went to sleep. When we awoke after daylight, the outfit was gone. It was a beautiful day as we started looking for them. Saw several air fights. Watched French anti-aircraft gun in action. Found shoe alongside of road, it was occupied by a foot, cut off at the ankle. German plane brought down near us. Rushed over but soon were ducking for cover as a bunch of Boche planes came over and bombarded hillside where plane had fallen. Finally found outfit late in day, in position at Montfaucon.
October 4, 1918
Did not fire today. Fixing up position. Hundreds of planes in air. Saw five Boche brought down in our Sector. Bombed last night.
October 5, 1918
Heavy artillery fire by both sides. German shells all dropping, on a line about 100 yds in front of us. We are in an apple orchard, almost ½ mile from Montfaucon. Germans bombed this place day and night.
October 6, 1918
Three of our Officers are killed, and two wounded by a direct hit on dugout. Old German dugout, with opening facing toward German lines and shell dropped right in home. Our dentist, the French Liaison Officer, Lt. Doran were killed. “Wild Bill”, Willenbucher and Edwards were wounded, the latter seriously.
October 7, 1918
Still firing heavily. Germans shelling Montfaucon. Went to the town today. Certain parts are under German observation. Must stay off those streets.
October 8, 1918
Heavy fire by Germans last night.
October 9, 1918
Several shells dropped pretty close last night. Have sent over more shells from this position than any other we have been in. Battery command sent me out to secure timber for gun platforms, as guns were sinking in the mud. Secured lumber from the 6th Engineers.
October 10, 1918
German Plane just got one of our balloons and was in turn brought down by American. Heard that the 4th German Army had surrendered. Were shelled out of our position last night. Had to beat it for cover, in old front line trenches about 50 yds behind guns. Many by ones dropped around or left.
October 11, 1918
Big shell dropped in middle of outfit and killed 19 horses. Not a man was touched. Someone is certainly watching over us, as there are over 200 men in and around the horses. Several more shells dropped real close but no more damage was done as we had all gone into our holes. Seems like they finally have our range. There is horse meat all over this countryside.
October 12, 1918
Moved rest of horses back almost a mile. Heavy fire still going on.
October 13, 1918
Firing heavy, by both sides. Boche sending over many gas shells. Have several more close calls.
October 14, 1918
Heavy barrage last night and this morning. Roberts + Bliss killed by German 77, Roberts instantly, Bliss had half his face and one hand shot off but lived for a short time. Heard that Germany accepted peace terms.
October 15, 1918
Barrage continues. Much bombing at night.
October 16, 1918
Still firing heavily. Many prisoners coming back.
October 17, 1918
Got sick Today. Couldn’t sleep at all.
October 18, 1918
Still hammering away. Don’t feel any better.
October 19, 1918
Getting no better.
October 20, 1918
Same. Can’t eat anything.
October 21, 1918
Six months Foreign service Today. Felt pretty good last night and this a.m. Got worse this afternoon. Many bombs dropped around last night.
October 22, 1918
Still feeling rotten. Eat practically nothing. Allied planes drove bombers off last night.
October 23, 1918
Sick as a dog. Don’t seem to get any better. Saw Field Doctor again but all he does is give me pills + castor oil. Bombed all night long. Several shells dropped near. Field Hospital where I received pills, shelled last night. Several patients killed.
October 24, 1918
Feel better this morning. Sun shining.
October 25, 1918
Feel rotten again. Steady artillery fire.
October 26, 1918
Lots of new troops coming in here. Everyone but us relieved. Have been in action here for a month.
October 27, 1918
Stomach is on the brim. Still firing heavily.
October 28, 1918
Saw Field Doctor again. He doesn’t know what the trouble is. Wants to send me to Hospital. Will wait another day or two.
October 29, 1918
Sick.
November 3, 1918
Taken to Evacuation Hospital # 10, in ambulance. Terrible ride, over rough roads. Three others in ambulance, all wounded. They are very quiet.
November 4, 1918
Too weak to walk any more. Women nurses here, though it is still within range of guns.
November 5, 1918
Put on Hospital Train. Some old side door Pullmans. We are fixed up as we are lying three high. Lots of sick + wounded. Ride all day + night. Terrible. No water on train. One bearded Frenchman in charge. Continued lopping + bumping. Wounded men in agony. Continual moaning. Don’t know where we are going.
November 6, 1918
Ride all day. Arrive at destination about dark. Base Hospital # 30, at Royat, France.
November 7, 1918
Put in room alone. Left alone nearly all day.
November 8, 1918
Still alone in room. Much more of this and I’ll go crazy. Examined by doctors.
November 9, 1918
Still here. Another fellow now in room with me. Taken out of here this afternoon. Nurse says they are taking me to nice, airy ward. Seems to be cheering me up for some reason. Quite a few fellows in this ward. Am awful weak.
November 10, 1918
Fellow in next bed asked me what the trouble was. Told him my stomach was on the brim. He laughed and asked me what the Hell I was doing in the Typhoid Ward. First inkling I had on my trouble. Too weak to care much anyway.
November 11, 1918
Pretty sick.
November 12, 1918
——-
November 17, 1918
—
November 18, 1918
Must have been out of my head as can’t remember anything of past few days.
November 19, 1918
Hardly able to turn over in bed.
November 20, 1918
—
November 21, 1918
—
November 22, 1918
Started to eat a little; first time since Oct. 20.
November 25, 1918
Getting a little better.
November 26, 1918
Still awful weak. My legs look awful thin. Bet I don’t weigh over 90lbs, soaking wet.
November 27, 1918
Entertainers from the States were in the Ward for a few minutes. Played + sang many a few songs. Nurse wouldn’t let them stay very long.
November 28, 1918
Starting to take an interest in the fellows here. A German prisoner at one end of room, several farmers, and a couple of lumberjacks. Just brought a big 200 pounder in. Put him in cot on my right. Farmer boy from Iowa. Fellow on left is Rancher from Montana.
November 29, 1918
Just starting to take an interest in eating. But they wont give me enough.
November 30, 1918
Fellow on other end of Ward died yesterday evening, about 6 p.m. Had been in pretty bad shape. In bed 14 weeks. Had everything wrong with him. His death was kind of relief to us, at that, as he would holler all night and keep us awake. His home was in Wyoming.
December 1, 1918
Getting a little stronger. Asked Nurse if I could sit up and she laughed. Said I would have to show 10 straight days of normal composure first.
December 2, 1918
Lights out at 9 p.m. every night. Awakened at 6 a.m.
December 3, 1918
Some of the fellows who are almost well, are kicking about the food. Claim they don’t get enough.
December 4, 1918
Continual squabbles with Nurse. She is red headed and talks back plenty.
December 5, 1918
Getting better.
December 6, 1918
One of the other Patients, who is up and about, shaved me today. Must have looked like member of “House of David” before said shave. This fellow goes to town every once and awhile, so I let him use my wrist watch. Time, in here, means nothing. The wrist watch is the only thing I have left of my belongings.
December 7, 1918
There is a large town, Clermont Ferrand, about 1 ½ miles from here. Population about 150,000. Street car line runs out here.
December 8, 1918
Don’t get enough to eat now
December 9, 1918
Asked Nurse if I couldn’t have more food. Said it wasn’t good for me. Must build up gradually.
December 10, 1918
—
December 11, 1918
Big day. Got to sit up in bed for a few minutes.
December 12, 1918
Sat up a little longer today.
December 13, 1918
Sat up for an hour today.
December 14, 1918
Can now sit up whenever I want to and how I want to! Six weeks on your back is quite a while.
December 15, 1918
Big fellow, in next bed, is in pretty bad shape. Another Doctor looked him over today. Doesn’t seem to be putting up a fight. Nurse called him out, asked him if there wasn’t anyone he wanted to live for, Father, Mother or Sisters. He doesn’t seem to care. Told her they might as well dig a hole for him now.
December 16, 1918
Blood transfusion on him this morning. Nurse says he doesn’t have much chance. Out of his head this afternoon. Has been moaning but his cries are getting weaker. Had Hemorrhage about 5 p.m. and died just an hour later. Terrible odor. Was carried out on stretcher.
December 17, 1918
In wheel chair today. What a grand feeling.
December 18, 1918
New Nurse today. Seems to be nice. Told me not to exert myself in any way.
December 19, 1918
Still riding around.
December 20, 1918
Got on my feet today for the first time. The second I put my weight on them my knees caved in. Didn’t realize how weak I really was. Would have fallen but Orderly had good hold of me. Bottom of my feet covered with scales, like a fish. Had to soak them in hot water and then rub them off with stick.
December 21, 1918
Walked a few steps.
December 22, 1918
Walked from one end of room to the other.
December 23, 1918
Received outfit of clothes today and put them. Makes one feel like a new man.
December 24, 1918
Received gifts from Red Cross.
December 25, 1918
Turkey dinner today. Show put on in Casino this evening. Could not see it as I am not allowed to go outside as yet.
December 26, 1918
Nurse says I can go out tomorrow if weather is O.K.
December 27, 1918
Took walk outside. Sun shining. Everything looks wonderful. This is my first view of the place, as it was dark when I came in. This seems to be situated right in the middle of some mountains. There is an old castle to the North, about half way up the mountain.
December 28, 1918
Took another walk today, a little further. This certainly is a pretty place. Found out the name of the Mountains. Don’t know how you spell it but sounds like this- Poi-De Dome.
December 29, 1918
Weather fine.
December 30, 1918
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December 31, 1918
Moved from our building to the Royal Palace.
January 1, 1919
German prisoner seems to be worse. I think the move we made caused it.
January 2, 1919
Still walking around looking over town.
January 3, 1919
Am absolutely broke so can’t go anywhere.
January 7, 1919
Examined by classification board. Unfit for further service, to be sent home for Discharge. Weigh 168 lbs.
January 8, 1919
Left Royal at 4:30 p.m. bound for convalescent camp in 3rd class French Passenger cars.
January 9, 1919
Arrived at St. Aignan called Camp Agony, about 4:30 p.m. stood out in rain for several hours till place could be found for us. Finally slept on floor. Of an old warehouse.
January 10, 1919
Waiting for something to be done with us.
January 11, 1919
Went through the mill. De-loused. Rain the past 2 days. Saw Sgt. Brosius today, the first one I had seen from the outfit.
January 12, 1919
Sent to Flatfoot Farm, about 15 miles from St. Aignan. A terrible mud hole. Rain.
January 13, 1919
Food is terrible here and very little of it al. All sick and wounded men here, waiting to go home.
January 14, 1919
Men are sullen and disheartened. This is about as bad as the front.
January 15, 1919
Private hit officer in head with mess kit. Wouldn’t take very much to start a mutiny. Everybody is hungry
January 16, 1919
Try to make some of men drill. Start out on 2 mile hike and everyone drops out before they go 200 yds. Can do nothing with them.
January 17, 1919
Was put in charge of squad of men to carry dirt. Four men carry shelter half, one man shovels. They are carrying on shovelful of dirt about 50 yds and it takes them an hour to make each trip. If more than one shovel full is put on, they wont carry it.
January 18, 1919
A few of the men are leaving every day As soon as your service record is found, you are sent out of here to St. Aignan again and sent into a Casual Co; headed to the States.
January 19, 1919
Saw a “wop” Corporal from “B” Battery today. He was wounded on the Marne, and is now working in the Y.M.C.A here. They sell jam sandwiches at 10 centimes each. I told the “wop” I was broke, and he fixed one up whenever he got a chance. Would wrap several sandwiches in an old newspaper and slip them to me when no one was looking.
January 20, 1919
Amateur show put on at Y.M.C.A last night. Terrible. Heard the song “Smiles” for the first time. Will never forget it.
January 21, 1919
Still trying to make all who are marked duty drill. Don’t have to do anything myself.
January 22, 1919
Saw Terrible Terry today; from Lincoln.
January 23, 1919
This place is getting on my nerves. Nothing here but mud, a few old shacks in which we live, and hunger. No wonder the men are sullen. Have only been here 10 days myself and can feel it.
January 25, 1919
Called out about noon and sent back to St. Aignan. One of the happiest days of my life.
January 26, 1919
This place isn’t exactly back home, but at least we get enough to eat here.
January 27, 1919
Put in Casual Co. 949; all Nebraskans. As soon as Company is full, will leave for Port of Embarkation.
January 28, 1919
Paid today! First payday in seven months. Have a [unknown] case full of French paper money.
January 29, 1919
Saw two of my Hospital room mates today. Left Hospital two weeks two weeks before I did and are still here. Owed one of them 25 Francs [unknown].
February 1, 1919
Don’t know when we will leave here. All you hear are rumors and I’ve been in the Army long enough not to pay any attention to them.
February 4, 1919
Getting my strength back rapidly.
February 5, 1919
There are about 60,000 men in this mud hole. 6 kitchens feed them all.
James Taub, Historian 
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