Ansauville: We were up early and packed and all ready for our trip. Got to the hut and the boys brought breakfast to us. My, it was cold, The men came in to say goodbye, and it seemed like leaving home. We got our gas masks and feal like real soldiers.
Went to Ligny for dinner and then got in the new car to go to our new place of business. It was a very fine white ride; the frost looked like ice on the trees and grass, a fine countryside. Went to visit a family of Hustlers at Semyny. They have only tents pitched among the trees and have nuts galore but are doing fine. Then we went to find a place and it was some place; then to cue stop. On the road we read the signs “the enemy see you,” so we went fast but could see the trenches and wire and our dear boys on the job, bless them. The next was our stop in the village. Oh my, dirty! Well. It was very dark, no lights allowed, so all must be done in the dark. First, one of the officers came and took us in his care; his name is Capt. E. A very fine man. He was the town mayor because he had trench feet and they were very sore.
First to our rooms. It was a fine one. As usual, the house of the mayor, but his family is as usual, all the animals live in the same house. Our room was so picturesque. In the center a large table and one high bed, one stand, and two broken chairs. But on the walls on one side are horses and camels and all kinds of lovely dressed soldiers. On the other a big battle among hills. The other two sides were Princes and Lords in hunting dress. It was very fine. On one side a stuffed eagle on another a deer and another wild boars head. A fine room I thought. Oh my, yes.
The Capt. took us to supper. It was eggs, bread and jam, butter. Then back to our rooms We had a dog robber who made our fire and got water and all classy. In this room there are electric lights. We are about five miles from the Germans. The 16th and 18th are in the trenches and they have a very hard time of it.. They only have two meals a day and not much then. Quite a few have been killed and a large number badly hurt. This place was shelled a year ago and most of the buildings are badly torn. Our place is roofless and has many holes in the sides. One man showed me a letter with blood on it. It was from his buddy who had been killed at his side. He told me the story with great tears streaming down his cheeks. So many of the boys have lost their friends.
Diary of a World War I Donut Girl 