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  • Monday, January 28, 1918

    A fine day. The first thing I did was break my glasses, then burn my finger.

    The men have all gone out on drill.

    We had a real bean for dinner, then I walked to Ligny. It is five kilometers and it took me forty minutes. Got my glasses out of my trunk and took some films to be developed then back to Headquarters and got some lunch, bread, butter, applesauce, and cocoa, then home. Got back to Longaux at five. Went home to my billet and got a hot water bottle and went to bed.

  • Sunday, January 27, 1918

    Went to Ligny and it was a fine day. We could not have any meeting so went to Headquarters and saw the soldiers all cut in the field. It was the weekly inspection; some were laughing and some were rather sour.

                The walk to Ligny was fine and we got there in time for dinner. Found that Dan was up at Longauex getting Howard; he and Hickie were to go into the trenches with the 16th and 18th They are making cocoa for the boys in a dug out.

                Col. told us about how he had dinner with Gen. Dunken. He had the seat of honor. The Gen. told him how much he appreciated the work of The Salvation Army with the men. He gave us the glad hand and said he would do all he could for us.

                Howard had to leave Co. M. but he will see them again. Co. M. is the best yet.

                Then we had our dinner and, after a little rest, we went home and found that we could have a meeting. So we started the fire and lit the lamps and about thirty boys came in. We all sat around the stove and sang and had a very good meeting. God came very near. After, some read and talked others talked until closing time. Then we put out the lights and all went home.

                Could hear the rumblings and see the flashing of the guns. Oh! The sufferings in this terrible war. Think of all the soldiers must endure.

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  • Saturday, January 26, 1918

    We have half the hut, and the supplies have the other; it is divided by a canvas. There is a hole in the canvas and we have much fun looking through at our neighbors.

                Three German airplanes passed overhead today, and the men fired on them. We could see the smoke from the shots.

                Washed up all the dishes and Howard says the place looks rather dogie.

    About eight American airplanes passed, and they looked fine in the clouds.

    It was a fine day. We made donuts and fried them in the kitchen. The boys enjoyed having us cooking and said it was just like home and they all came around and talked and smiled. They call us the new cooks.

                Arthur Andrews came, and he is just like any other boy. He likes donuts hot.

                We had breakfast in the kitchen and it was very good. The boys are getting better every day. The place is still closed; the men come and look in and say, “Hello,” and pass on. Adj. and I pass donuts around to the guards at eight o’clock. We also took some to the hospital; to hear them say thanks is the best kind of reward.

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  • Friday, January 25, 1918

    A bright and happy day.

                Had breakfast in the kitchen.

                The men were putting the counter up, so Adj. and I went to see the village. We saw them making beer and saw the wash house. Got our laundry and counted the money. Then back for dinner in the kitchen; it was a good one. We just helped ourselves. Then I helped the men to candy and nuts. Adj. worked on the aprons. Then we went for a walk up the hill and saw some of the prettiest hills and took some pictures. Saw a French man cutting wood. Saw some soldiers having a picnic. Met a guard who told us this place is under quarantine. One of the men had diphtheria and was in the hospital. Then we had our pictures taken with the cooks on the fence. Then fixed the counter and had supper in the kitchen with the cooks. It was a real family supper table; all had their tin dishes and it was fun to see them enjoy eating with company. After supper we had all just settled for a good time when Lieut. Feed came and told us we must close. Adj. told the men we must close, and we were all sad for they went to cold billets. I was playing dominoes, and it was a good game. After they all had left, the cooks came in and they sat and talked while Adj. sewed on the aprons and I wrote. We all ate nuts and the men told of the time when they had such cold weather the bread and meat froze and they broke the axe trying to cut it and they almost froze. And they told how the enemy treat the men and it is terrible.

  • Thursday, January 24, 1918

    A glorious day.

    For breakfast we had smoked toast and cocoa.

                We had our pictures taken again. Adj. is working on the aprons. Went to the dining room for dinner. The best in France, the Q.M. Co.

                Howard came, and Cadet went to Lighy.      

                Took the cook’s picture standing in front of our hut.

                Stood in chow line and it was fine. We have the best men they are so kind and gentle.

                The cook made us some cakes and had grenades.

                Corp. Sheldom put some more sweet oil in my ear.

                We have the finest fun in our family circle. A bunch around each stove. Adj. has one and I have another, and Cadet at the piano. How they do sing and play games and laugh. It would cheer the Mothers’ hearts if they could be here only for one night.

                We hear of so many of the boys from the 16th and 18th being killed, and it makes a very serious question arise; but the men think and seem to realize the need of being saved. They enjoy having us tell them of salvation, and many are being saved.

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  • Wednesday, January 23, 1918

    A wonderful day. Adj. is making aprons for the cook.

    Corp. Seldom put warm sweet oil in my ear because it hurt.

    In the afternoon we had our pictures taken and the men came in and we had another family gathering, singing and playing. Cadet Young played the piano.

    At six thirty we had meeting. It was just fine and a blessed time. Ten held up their hand for prayer and I talked with one, a cook, and he got saved and is doing fine. After meeting they all stayed home and at nine took us all home. The end of Wednesday.

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  • Tuesday, January 22, 1918

    Got up at seven and had breakfast in the kitchen. Then we went to the store room and saw the hand grenades and all kinds of such things. Then dinner in the hut. One of the men brought it; they like to wait on us. One of the men put up the stove, his name is Mickle, and did it very quick, then one of the cooks came and made a fire, his name is Allen, he is very funny and kept us laughing most of the time. He brought us our supper and we had rice, fried onions, cocoa, and toast and it tasted very good. After supper the boys came and talked and sang. Some are real Mothers’ boys and we looked like a family, although a large one. One got some cakes and then two raced to see who could eat the most, the prize was an American pencil, and had fine fun. At nine 14 took us home and they said it was just like taking your girl home from church and was home like.

    Saw some of the men from the first Motter Truck Train. As they passed throught the village they shouted to me and were glad to see an old friend and they asked for pie, bless them. Good night.

  • Monday, January 21, 1918

    Some day. We got breakfast at seven, then Ens. Hickie and Capt. Rylie were getting ready to go to the front and it kept us all busy getting all ready. But in the meantime who should come but Staff Coe, Staff Halpin, Maj. Archers, Mrs. Hammond, Ens. Perrince, and Miss Mackendis so we had a big family for dinner. Just as we were sitting down in came Adj. Bushnell making just 17, some fun. Oh my, all the stories and such a treat. To see all the soldiers and soldierettes. After dinner Col. and Capt. Hickie and Capt. Rylie left for the front and the ladies went for a walk to Langaux. Mrs. Hammond went to see that the girls didn’t disgrace the bunch. I and Cadet Turkinton got some things for dinner and we had lots of fun. We got heff and Pom de tot, and on our way home we saw Capt. Marshal. We got home and he was very disappointed because Col. had just left. Then Adj. Foid, Turkinton, and myself all came home for a walk. Got very tired but was glad to be at the hut with Col. M., and how glad the boys were to see us. After chow out of mess kits (pretty good slum) we all had a chat. Some sang and Young played the piano. The men enjoy singing. We went home and I slept on the floor and then I felt like a real soldier.

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  • Sunday, January 20, 1918

    Breakfast and then we all helped to tidy the place. I made the beds and we all helped to get dinner. Then we had a quiet afternoon talking and reading and sleeping. We all helped to get supper. After supper we got to talking about work and it was fine to hear how interesting they find our work. And how each one enjoys it. Surely God blesses our humble efforts. After a very interesting time we all retired.

  • Saturday, January 19, 1918

    Well, we got to our place today but Adj. told that I was not well and I had to stay and go to bed and get a good sweat. She took Cadet Young. So I went to bed, first having a mustard foot bath and drank some lemonade. Then I slept and the girls went out for a visit and I had a good rest. Had a good supper and moved to another room as the one I was in was wanted for Adj. Hammond. Then I had another good sweat and slept well.

    I got some money but it was in paper, so I had it changed to silver and paid for my shoes and I was out of debt, and everything looked bright. My shoes cost 39 francs. I got rubbers and they cost 590, size seven, think of that.

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