This was a lovely day, only rather cold. In the morning we made a fire and got hot water and washed dishes. Watched some French soldiers pass on their way to the lines to relieve the men already there. About fifty head of horses came in and there were some in very bad shape.
In the afternoon we watched the court martial of the men who were fighting and getting into mischief and some were sentenced to seven days in prison on bread and water and no bedding.
One of the French ladies saw Ens. trying to break wood and brought a knife and chopping block made of an old tree. It was very handy and did good service with Ens. help.
It rained a little and the prettiest rainbow came out.
The scenery back of it was made more beautiful by the shadow. It the best I ever saw.
The soldiers who were put on punishment are allowed five ounces of bread and water a day and solidarity confinement.
We had Hebrews (8-13) for dinner today.
More Information
The following section provides historical context and is not part of the original diary entry.
Likely location: Demange-aux-Eaux, Meuse, France
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In October 1917, the AEF was establishing its training camps in the Meuse department of Lorraine. Margaret and Helen Purviance set up one of the first Salvation Army huts near Demange-aux-Eaux, serving soldiers of the U.S. 1st Division. This was the beginning of the famous donut-making tradition.
Research Links for Further Study
- Library of Congress. (n.d.). The American Expeditionary Forces. Library of Congress Digital Collections.
- Boissoneault, L. (2017, April 12). The women who fried donuts and dodged bombs on the front lines of WWI. Smithsonian Magazine.
- Cantwell, C. (n.d.). Doughboys & doughnut girls: The Salvation Army and WWI. National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Diary of a World War I Donut Girl 