| Chapter 1 |
Camp Mills, New York On the morning of August 15th we arrived just outside of the city of New York and marched up to the ferry boats, which took us up the Hudson. We passed the great city, then under the three massive bridges, then the Statue of Liberty. Steaming for two miles up the river we landed at the Terminal Pier and boarded the subway trains for Camp Mills, Long Island. I shall never forget what first attracted my attention on detraining at Camp Mills. Circling overhead were sixteen battle-planes, some sight to behold! We remained at Camp Mills six days and almost froze, for quite different from that of Camp Beauregard, the climate was very damp and cold. Here again we had inspections, drilling and detail work every day. It was here we were issued our overseas equipment, which it may be interesting to know, consisted of the following articles: one uniform; one overcoat; cap; pair of wrap leggings; two pair of heavy, coarse hob-nail shoes; four pair woolen socks; two olive drab woolen shirts; two suits of heavy underclothes; one rifle; bayonet; Cartridge belt; two 0. D. blankets; canteen; first-aid pouch and packet; mess kit, knife, fork and spoon; one comb, brush and tooth-paste; one condiment can; pack carrier; one haversack; one shelterhalf; a tent pole; six tent pins; one razor; soap; trench mirror; four boxes of hard-tack (reserved rations). Can you imagine what it means to carry such a load on one's back, sometimes with an additional weight of grenades, 30-pound trench mortar bombs and 200 rounds of extra ammunition? Everybody talked about leaving for France. On the morning of August 20th, with full packs on our backs, we took the subway train, then boarded the ferry boats which once again steered up the Hudson, this time to land us at the big U. S. S. Transportation Pier No. 5. Here we were treated to hot chocolate and sweet bread by the Red Cross. We were also given our oversea cards to fill out, and an additional one on which were printed numbers assigning to each soldier his bunk, life preserver, detail of life drill instructions. As we marched towards our transport, "The President Grant", the band played as the troops swung into attention. I shall never forget my thoughts and feelings as I took my last lingering step on American soil onto the great boat. I soon located my bunk, No. 60, a stifling hot hole, with only fresh air blown down through a tube running through the top decks. We were about 7,500 men aboard, so packed and jammed together that I soon realized the trip would be a very rough and tiresome one. All that day I watched the sailors cleaning and loading the 4 and 6 inch guns of the transport, and lowering freight into her huge hold. Late in the evening, just at sunset, tug boats, lashed to the sides of the great ship, towed us up the river. As we passed the Statue of Liberty our band played the "Star Spangled Banner." I stood on the top deck facing the great West, in which direction I knew home lay and my thoughts went back to those I left behind. With a proud satisfaction of doing one's duty, I saluted that old sun just as his last rays were sinking on the horizon, adorning in gorgeous hues the Statue of Liberty. |