Chapter VI · ST. MIHIEL AND LIMEY SECTOR (continued 2)

I stumbled down the ramp into Bn. Hdqrs., where I found Maj. Odom, Foulkes, Strawbridge and Lt. Col. Budd, to whom I reported. Capts. Markewick and Laing, of “I” and “L” Cos., were also there. Thinking the position in front was strongly held by the enemy, the idea was to send these companies up at dawn behind a rolling barrage to re-establish the outpost line. I was glad to tell them that this was unnecessary, and they later strolled on up in single file and occupied our old line without a single casualty.

Major Odom in turn told me that Lt. Dunn with most of the 1st and 2nd platoons had already come in, and had been sent to the kitchen for chow. Louis Foulkes gave me some water and a couple of doughnuts, which I was nearly too sleepy to eat.

I had to report to Regimental Hdq. then, and rehash the day’s operations; but all I remember is that Capt. Brennan gave me some grape jam and bread and water, and the regimental surgeon swabbed my shoulder with iodine. I have some hazy recollection of the Colonel himself pulling a blanket over me, though this may not be correct.

Late next morning I woke up to be greeted by Strawbridge with the news that our travel orders had come, and we—he, Capt. Brennan, and myself—were directed to be at Langres—wherever that was—by October 1st.

As soon as possible I rejoined the company, which had been stationed at Brigade Reserve with the remnants of D Co. We had about 50 men left, not counting 20 who were on various special details. Sgt. Wilson and the cooks fed us like lords, and we made up for the past week. Big shells landed around occasionally, but it was a Philadelphia Sunday compared to what we had just left.

The company was reorganized as a platoon, with Lt. Dunn in command and Reid as top sergeant. We slept in pillboxes or gun emplacements, or anywhere else where there was a bit of shelter.

The next day I said goodby to the company for six weeks, as I thought. There were rumors that the Bulgarians were nearly done, and the Austrians weakening; but I don’t think that anyone dreamed that the armistice was only six weeks off. I stopped off one night with Sgt. Stiles to write up the company records, and finally boarded a motor truck for Toul.

From this point the history is taken up by Lt. Gardenier, Sgt. Stiles, Sgt. Peter and Sgt. Tracy White.