A hysterical woman threw herself on my back...

The name Agnes Nicholson appears several times in Grant's diary and letters. Born in New Jersey in 1894, she was a friend of his fiancée, Dorothy. She sailed to France in October 1916 to volunteer as an auxiliary nurse with the American Hospital in Paris. When she came out to the front, Grant went to see her.

Friday, September 28, 1917:
 

Bill Sloan and Art Jacob took me over to Landrecourt this A.M. at 4 o’clock where I took the train for Bar-le-Duc to see Agnes Nicholson who was there on a tour of inspection of refugee work before returning to America. I arrived in Bar at 10:30, got a hair cut and went immediately to 99 Boul. de la Rochelle where Agnes was staying. The French maid informed me that she knew no Miss Nicholson. Miss Alexander would see me in the afternoon.

I ate lunch alone, went to Hôpital de la Gare and was directed to an English canteen for further information. There I was told that Miss Nicholson had left the day before. A call on Miss Alexander later verified the fact that Agnes had departed. I was somewhat crest fallen. Inquired about return trains. A train leaving Bar at 4:30 arrived at Landrecourt about 7 P.M. Preferring to spend the night at Bar I reserved a room in Hôtel de la Gare right near the depot planning to take the 6 o’clock in the morning. Took a hot bath and went to bed.

At 12:30 I suddenly woke up to the most awful racket I ever heard. Sirens and steam whistles were going full tilt. Machine guns were blazing away close by and the hum of Boche motors told me right away that we had visitors. It was as light as day out. Then the swish of a falling bomb and the accompanying crash sent me out of bed and into my clothes. The hall ways and stairs were crowded with hysterical men and women. I made my way to the main floor and was just at the mouth of the cellar when a bomb hit close by and the old building rocked on it foundation. A hysterical woman threw herself on my back with such force that the two of us went with exceeding speed into the cellar. I proved to be a good cushion for her for she was undamaged and I only slightly mussed up. The abri was crowded with excited people. No more bombs were dropped so I went back to my bed, which, by the way, was the best bed I have slept in over here in France.

Saturday, September 29:

The excitement of last evening was too great for these people--they forgot to call me so I awoke too late to catch my train. Not wanting to stay over another day I decided to take a chance on bumming rides to Sommedieue. I picked up a ride as far as Naives when the camion had a blow out so I started walking on. When I had walked about 8 miles and was beginning to feel pretty much discouraged a Ford car with four Section 26 (A.F.S.) men headed toward Bar stopped and after talking a minute I decided to return to Bar with them and as far as Ancemont in the evening if none of our cars showed up. At 3:30 we five started to return. We called on Sect.29 on our way home. We got to Ancemont about 6:30 and they fed me there and then sent an ambulance over to Sommedieue with me. Very decent of them.

Grant Willard joins the U.S. Army

On what would be a fateful day in Grant Willard's young life, he enlists in the U.S. Army for the duration of the war...

Wednesday, September 26, 1917:

The recruiting officer came back with two more men this P.M. The men were called together and the age of each man was received and registered.

Then the Lieut. called each man aside individually and asked, “Are you going to stay in this service?”

My answer, “I am.”

Happy Ahlers, Eric Astlett, Fraser, Johnnie Taylor and I all answered the same. We then took our physical exams and all were admitted. Chief Bullard and our French Lieut. were tickled to pieces. Then, with our Chief, we took the oath to our government. We expect to be taken over in a couple of weeks.

I like this work and have a fairly good start; why leave it?

Tuesday, September 25, 1917:

The only thing of consequence today was the appearance of an American lieutenant who is recruiting Red Cross sections. He made us a little speech in which he said nothing. Many questions were fired at him all of which he answered with “probably” – “it is the plan”, etc.

When asked if these volunteer sections already with the French Government would be left so he answered with a severe criticism of the attitude we were taking of wanting a guarantee of most favorable condition in our work or else we “wouldn’t play.”

“America is at war with Germany,” he said, “and it’s up to you Americans who haven’t something at home making it impossible for you to stay in the service to continue in this work most helpful to your Government.”

This made the men pretty sore and Bill Sloan rose up and said that every man in the section intended to do something for his Government, but there are certain departments more desired than others and these questions were asked simply for the purpose of having something definite as a basis to work on. If we can’t stay with our 42nd Division with whom we have worked so far and of whom we are very proud there are other branches of the work which many men had rather get into. The lieutenant left to return on the following day for our answers.

An indignation meeting of the men was held after he had gone and he was criticized up the front and down the back. The men seem to feel that they aren’t receiving due consideration. They have worked with the French Government and are experienced men. Is it fair that we should be privates with the Allentown men and have as our officers men without experience, but merely a theoretical training in America? We disbanded and the crowd went off in groups to discuss and cuss between themselves.

I pulled off into the woods alone and there had it out with myself. I would like to return to America, of course. I have a family that I think the world of and a young lady whom I would gladly die for if she said the word. But haven’t the other fellows the same? Why should this enter into my decision at all? Could I do more for my country by returning? No, I don’t think so. I have received training and have had experience in this department. I have had the same in no other department and to shift would be to ask the govt. to expend more money on me with no assurance of good results. It is out of the question for me to return and go back to civil life should I evade the draft. I could never be happy in any “embusqué” job [a military job out of danger]. Of course, someone has to do it, but a man with good physical strength and a few brains oughtn’t to feel it his duty. I am the only member of our family who is so situated that he can act in this present capacity. I like this work and have a fairly good start; why leave it?

I am up a tree as to the future.

100 years ago, Grant's day of reckoning was rapidly approaching: whether to join the U.S. Army and continue driving ambulances or to leave the service completely and return home. It was an uncertain time for him and his future wife, Dorothy Houghton. He looked for guidance from home, but in the end would have to make up his own mind.

Sunday, September 23, 1917:

Got a dandy letter from Dot this P.M. I hadn’t heard since Sept. 10 and was beginning to wonder where the hold up was. She said that many of her college friends were being caught in these hurried marriages and that she had tried to look superior, but was inwardly jealous and wanted me more than ever. Poor girl! God knows that she can’t want me any worse than I want her, but what am I to do? What can I do? If it is wise for these young people to get married the way they are how in the world do they make ends meet financially? The best salary I could possibly pull would not exceed $100 and I couldn’t ask a girl brought up as she has been to live on that without something very much better to look forward to when war is over. God help me decide this question for the best interests of the sweetest girl in the world. I sat right down and wrote an answer to the effect that I am up a tree as to the future. To stay here without her until the end of the war is quite impossible. To return, knowing as little as I do of conditions in U.S., and run a chance of being drafted as a private in infantry, which has proved the biggest suicidal organization in the army over here even as high as 1st Lieut, would be absurd in my estimation. To sign up with some satisfactory department over here with a furlough of a couple of weeks in the States is possible, but highly improbable. There seems to be no other horn of this dilemma. I have put it up to Dot and told her I would stay over here until I received her answer.

Monday, September 24:

The occasion worthy of note today was the appearance of Colonel Riggs and Major Stell who talked to us for an hour in the back yard about the new organizations as run by the American Government. In substance their information was about as follows: the recruiting officer is now in this army zone and is expected here in a couple of days. They want to find out how many men are going to stay in the new organization so that they may complete the sections by inter-changes and a new supply of men from Allentown. The request for this militarization was made by the French Government to Washington. They say that the chances are that we will remain approximately as we are under the French Government, etc. No guarantee is given, however, and no definite promises made. They say they are going to keep the Norton-Harjes men together as much as possible. They require that you sign up for the remainder of the war. The general sentiment throughout the sections seems to be opposed to signing on for any such term with all the uncertainty. Most everyone now plans on returning to America. I had personally much rather stay right over on this side where I know something of conditions than to return now. I would like to master the French language and see some more of this country and people. C'est la guerre!

I awoke suddenly as I unconsciously swept a rat off the head of my stretcher with my hand.

It is interesting to note the contrast between what Grant wrote home this day in 1917 and that which he wrote for himself in his journal.

France - Tuesday – Sept. 18, 1917

Dear People:-

The day after I wrote my last letter to you wishing for mail from you it came in a bunch. I received a letter from Mother, one from Dad enclosing 300 francs, one from Mrs. Patterson, a couple of papers one of which contained a copy of that very interesting letter from Jim Baker to his mother, and several [Saturday Evening] Posts from Beatrice and one American Mag. for September. All of this on Sept. 15 a rainy, cold disagreeable day back in Laheycourt. I put in a full day on my cot just reading. I don’t know that I can reply accurately to your questions and requests because we have moved since I received them and the letters are not yet unpacked but I shall endeavor to clear up a few points which are clearest in my mind. In the first place I was very glad that Dad found time to write me the long letter which accompanied the draft. All mail is greatly appreciated and particularly that from

home but Dad emphasized a few things for which I was very thankful.

It is pretty hard to write letters when there is so much going on and so many things to think of without overlooking some of the points in which an outsider would be most interested. Other details cannot be written in letters but must wait until after I am back and can read them to you out of my daily personal account. Even this account cannot be too accurate because in our rush periods it goes for three or four days and some times a week without attention and many of the smaller details of interest are overlooked. I’m sorry I overlooked telling you that Section 61 of the American Red Cross Ambulance in France is made up of 42 of the finest men and boys in the world. We range anywhere from 17 to 36 in ages. Everyone of us who have our high-school diplomas are college men. There are two in the section who are not yet through high-school. My aide, Johnny Taylor, is one of them. Sherer of Buffalo is another. Our chief is a Harvard man ‘09. Our second chief or “Sous Chef” is also a Harvard man. The men themselves hail from all over – Dartmouth, Williams, Exeter, Wesleyan, Amherst, U of M, Yale, Hobart, Cornell, Morningside College, U of Cal., U of Penn., and Columbia. Mostly eastern colleges, you see. It has been interesting to question the various men as to their reasons for coming over here. Some came because they got their college credits without taking examinations; some came because they got their way paid for them but the majority came for adventure. I think, with possibly one exception, every man in the section came from a very fine family and have left many dear friends in America. This one exception is an East Side New Yorker who has spent most of his time in military service with a family who didn’t care much for him. He, Shorty Prior by name, was in Mexico last fall and this spring when he was released to attend his mother’s funeral and was mustered out before he returned to Mexico, he got so lonesome in New York that he had to get into something immediately. His experience makes him a popular man with the fellows. We get along splendidly together. There were about four men in the outfit who didn’t seem to fit in very well – one from a very nice and prominent family in Harrisburg, Pa. who went to pieces soon after he landed here. He and another ne’er-do-well deserted us and the other two were formally dismissed. Now we are a happy family together. We have a great deal of music in the crowd and much time is passed in close harmony. We have a deaf man from California who plays the accordion by ear. He really is very good though and proved a valuable asset under shell fire. I expect he will receive a Croix de Guerre for fearless work while shells were bursting all around.

Just got word that I go out to the front tonight so I must quit now and get ready. I have no aide because Johnny is away on permission [leave] but I have the option of selection whom I want from the 1st ten cars. I am going to try to take Ralph Jacob from Brooklyn. I will finish this letter up at the post tonight.

Thursday – Sept. 20 –

“Tonight” came and went without an opportunity of completing this manuscript. Too busy? No, upon arriving at our first post we, Ralph and I, were sent on to another post with a load of “eats.” When we got there about 8:30 we were told to spend the night there. We were put in a log abri with no lights because Boche aviators were flying overhead. So you see it was quite impossible to do anything but go to bed. I didn’t want to get to bed so early for I know I couldn’t sleep but there seemed to be no choice. So Jake made his bed on the second tier of stretchers and I made mine on the bottom tier under a Frenchman who snored. It was 12:30 before I closed my eyes and then only for an hour. I awoke suddenly as I unconsciously swept a rat off the head of my stretcher with my hand. The remainder of the night was spent in fitful sleep for me. The long-tailed pests were staging some kind of a party for my benefit and they seemed to insist that I stay awake to enjoy it with them. I was up at 6 this morning and after waking Jake out of a sound sleep we found two slightly wounded cases waiting for us. They gave us a cup of hot coffee a piece and started us on our way. After some search we found our hospital and are now back at the post waiting for further orders.

The work here is bliss beside that at Verdun. We drive on excellent roads sheltered on either side in most places by a heavy growth of trees and underbrush. The fighting is very light in this sector so that two cars on 24 hour shifts can easily take care of the wounded. The whole division with whom we worked at Verdun are now in this sector so we come in contact with many familiar faces.

Now I must leave and go to dinner. I might just as well finish this letter here because this is the last piece of paper I have with me.

You asked me what kind of fellows we had in this section. Have I answered it to your satisfaction? I think I have said enough in previous letters to give you an idea of our daily routine.

Am well but anxious to be home for awhile. No new developments for future service.

With love,

Grant.

Same address as per usual.

* * * * *

Tuesday, September 18:

Beautiful day. Worked on my car all A.M. and spent the afternoon catching up on writing. This surely is a beautiful spot. We are nestled down in between hills, heavily wooded and green. Our cars are parked in what used to be a furniture factory belonging to a very rich man. His estate is adjoining the factory and is all enclosed in a big stone wall. The buildings were once very swell. I went into one of them. There were big mirrors on the lavishly colored, papered walls and a big opened fireplace held a prominent part in every room. It is now being used as an officers’ headquarters. The barns are magnificent. A stream which ran thru the estate has been dammed up so as to make a beautiful little lake big enough to float canoes and row boats. Now, of course, the place is run down, but there is enough left to make a very beautiful picture for the imagination. Beyond the estate is a park now wired off into pastures for horses. A railroad has also been cut through the park and a corner of the estate so as to mar even what beauty there was left.

A nice girl in France is a rare article.

On September 14th Section Sixty-One got orders to move its base camp to Sommedieue, a village southeast of Verdun in the hills above the Meuse River valley.

Sunday, September 16, 1917:

The gang pulled out this A.M. for Sommedieue about 10:30. Three cars were left behind to carry office material. Jake, Fraze, Wag, Sparksie, and myself stayed behind. Things were very quiet after they left. The 42nd has gone leaving the town almost empty and then to have our gang pull out made the place feel like a cemetery. Got a call this A.M. to take a sick officer to Revigny[-sur-Ornain]. Jake came with me.

In Revigny we came onto 3 American engineers and talked with them a long time. One was from Montana, another from Iowa and the other from Chicago. They are from the 13th U.S. Engineers and are quartered just out of Revigny. Some of their men are already at Souilly making preparations for taking over the complete railway system from the coast to Verdun which undoubtedly means that the American Army will take over the Verdun sector for one. God bless them! I don’t believe there is a worse place on the entire front. We hear a great deal about the Somme and Aisne sectors and of the severe fighting in those districts, but I think the fact that the English are handling these sectors has a great deal to do with the publicity. There wasn’t a great deal said about the big French attack on Aug. 20th in American papers whereas it was one of the biggest attacks since the beginning of the war. The French don’t do a great deal of talking and the English are quite the opposite.

The boys told us of their ride over via England. Poor food, poor quarters, slow boat and bad treatment in general were the outstanding features of their recital. Since they have been in France they have had good food and good quarters, but very poor discipline. Their officers have very little control over them and the men show very poor spirit. They all wanted to quit. It’s too bad that things have to come this way for America, but, I guess, inevitable for a people who have lived so easily. It’s the military discipline that these boys objected to. They are all too good to follow anyone else. Maybe after the first three or four hundred thousand of them have been wiped out in a single combat they will come down to earth and listen to some of the good advice rendered by men and nations who know.

We also talked with an Englishman about 45 years old who is doing rear evacuation work from Revigny. We told him of Verdun and that we were replaced by the English section № I. His eyes opened and he said, “Were you up there?” Then he went on and told us that about half of Section I were there in Revigny in the hospital. Seven had been gassed, seven badly injured in a smash up on their way to relieve the gassed men and one had been seriously wounded in the back by éclat. Just think what we missed! It lowered this section in our estimation somewhat.

We also learned that Bévaux had been shelled by the Boche since we left and that the place almost demolished. I’m not surprised because the Boche have shelled practically every hospital in that district, but for some reason had left Bévaux untouched when it was the easiest to get. It’s a dastardly trick this shelling of hospitals when they had done so much for Boche wounded.

We took a swim in a near by ice cold stream this P.M. and ate supper at the Cafe down town. The young bar maid asked if any of us could play the piano. Jake is pretty good at it so we got in on a nice party. There were two very nice French girls present--pretty as pictures and apparently very nice girls. A nice girl in France is a rare article. The party broke up about 10 P.M. and we sent to bed.

My beautiful mustache is a thing of the past and I miss it as one would miss a dear friend.

A hundred years ago, while still on R&R in the village of Laheycourt, Grant wrote home to his family, wondering what his next move should be.

Wednesday – Sept. 12, 1917

Dear People:-

Have been waiting for a couple of days in hopes of receiving a letter from you giving me some information regarding this situation in America and some advice as to what you would have me do when I am through over here. I have not received a letter from you since Aug. 27 and that was a nice letter from Dad telling me that I was a queer lover and saying that he was sending a check two days later. I would like the check and also some news. 

I’m up a tree. In two more weeks we are going to have to decide what we are going to do. I acted on my own initiative and came over here for this service in May. I did so because I thought it was the best way to solve many problems. I didn’t expect your hearty support from the beginning but did think that before my six months was up you would see the wisdom in my move. I don’t know how mother would feel about my signing on for a longer period over here but I am of the impression that she would dislike it and I know Dorothy would. When it was announced that this organization was going to be militarized I immediately decided that my move was to return as soon as possible and take a chance on being drafted. From what we know over here the chances are 10 to 1 in favor of our being pulled in as soon as we set foot on American soil if not before, in fact it has been announced that we are to register the first time we are in Paris. Most all of the fellows are looking up the various departments on this side and many are applying into those best liked. Very few have any idea that they will return to America. I have listened to the discussions with much interest but am as yet neutral . Of course the chances for real vital service on this side are much greater than on your side and there are any number of American schools on this side preparing Americans for future service. Of course the most popular department is aviation, both army and navy, but I know you would never sanction such a decision on my part. What shall be my move?

Don Smith is looking up several things but would like to return to the States for a couple of months before serving. Such a plan would suit me to perfection if it could be arranged. The situation with me now, then, is about as follows: to return to America as soon as I am released from this service regardless of whether or not I am able to get into what I want over here for a later period. I shall continue to look around, however, and if I find something which meets my fancy I shall try to get back into it after a couple of months’ leave. I have no idea what that service might be but I do know it won’t be aviation. Now, then, the chances are very strongly in favor of my being on board a boat for America by the time this letter reaches you. It is reported that we will not go to the front again as a volunteer section. The Paris office refused to replace our four vacancies because they claimed we would be taken over in 10 days. We are scheduled to move to the front about 18 km from Verdun with our division on next Monday. I wonder who will win. Don Smith and I have already formulated dreams of returning to America together on Oct. 6.

Later – Thursday – Sept. 13-

Have cultivated a decided taste for the lazy life of late. We have all been more or less affected by this easy do-nothing life. I am now writing you upon a little table in the center of our tent, by lantern light, surrounded on three sides by enthusiastic Canfield players. Spent this morning in shaving and cleaning up generally. My beautiful mustache is a thing of the past and I miss it as one would miss a dear friend. At meal time alone did we disagree. This P.M. Henry Kingman and I trimmed “Russ” Stair and Don Smith at bridge and then took a long walk through the dense woods near our camp. We are a happy family here in camp, so much so that our chief hardly recognized his own men upon returning from his permission. Repos away from shells, destruction and corruption and with regular mail makes a big difference in spirits.

Now it’s time for lights out so I will finish this tomorrow and get it off on the noon mail – Good night.

Friday A.M. – 8:30

Am writing in bed. It’s raining like everything outside so there is no use in getting up. Johnny got breakfast for the gang. It consisted of hot coffee, confiture and French army bread. The food has held up pretty well but we have spent some money on the side in order to satisfy our more or less extravagant tastes cultivated in the food of the old U.S.A. – the land of milk and honey. Extras consist of such things as fresh bread, good confiture, chocolate and wine. Water fit to drink is not the most common thing in France and some times we are forced to drink beer and wine for several weeks in succession. The water at Brabant-le-Roi made us all sick. Here, thank goodness, we have all the fresh water we want if we are willing to walk far enough for it. Most of us are.

This will be all for now. I do wish a letter would come from you.

Much love,

Grant.

Same address.

A horrible death!

While relaxing on R&R Grant and his comrades witness the crash of an airplane...


Monday, September 10, 1917:

Fine day. Stomach a bit off so I loafed all day worse than ever. Got a nice letter from Dorothy. Gee, but she has been good with her letters. Written about twice as many as I have and not once has she complained. Of course I have written as often as I could, but I know how down-hearted she must feel at times--bless her soul.

Heine and I were beating Don and Tut this P.M. when a French plane dropped in the field about ¼ of a mile from here. There is an aëroplane headquarters a little way from here and this mécanicien [mechanic] and an observer were testing out a new machine. The pilot saw his girl walking down the road and as he waved at her he turned his plane sharply to the right and then dove. He wasn’t far enough up to get away with it and when he tried to right his machine about 20 feet off the ground the wings collapsed and the machine landed in a heap of flame. We heard the noise as the machine crashed and some of the boys outside saw the whole thing. Of course we all dashed over, but it was too late to get the men out. Both were killed instantly so did not burn to death. The fire was put out and the charred bodies were carried away on stretchers. A horrible death!

Heine and I won our game before dinner.

Went to be early after having started a letter to Dorothy.

We have the finest bunch in our tent that ever congregated.

In this interesting journal entry Grant Willard briefly describes his tent-mates...

Thursday, September 6, 1917:

The avions came and spent most of the night passing over head. Five bombs were dropped in Laheycourt, but no lives were lost. Revigny suffered again, but no lives were lost. Several people were wounded, horses killed and building ruined. Some of the fellows sat up on the hill all night and watched proceedings. I stayed in bed until Laheycourt was hit then I got up and walked around a bit to quiet my pumping heart. Gosh! those things do scare me. I don’t know that there is a more helpless feeling than lying in bed while enemy planes are buzzing away over head. It is impossible to combat these things at night except for the French to give them tit for tat and duplicate the Boche performance behind their lines and I guess they do.

It rained this P.M. and we are all hoping it continues all night to prevent avions from coming over. Cupie Sharp and I played Don Smith and Hap Ahlers at bridge and lost. Johnny Taylor and Don Smith got eats from home so we staged a party.

We have the finest bunch in our tent that ever congregated. In cot #1 sleeps Arthur Jacob, the man who can pick a fight with anybody over anything and always end up with a laugh and much amusement for his audience. He joined our crew at Rupt and is indeed a valuable addition.

#2 - Ralph Jacob, the musical, irritable youth -- the kind that “get” the women. He is mostly happy and, like his brother, a great deal of fun.

#3 - The big, good-natured kid Happy Ahlers. Happy is liked by everybody in camp because of his good nature. With his continual grin he likes nothing better than to hear others laugh.

#4 - Henry Kingman, the erratic. When Heine is feeling well he is a good mixer and much fun, but for the most part he is morose and sour and says very little. One attractive feature of Heine is his good common sense and clear head--an excellent bridge player.

#5 - Russell Stair -- Tut is the nervous, high-strung member of the gang. They say he is cool when driving a car under shell fire, but around camp he is the first in an abri when a shell or bomb chances into the neighborhood and always talks longest and loudest about them. He can hear Boche planes before they leave the hangers back of the Boche lines. He is always happy, however, and a dandy to have round.

#6 - Fred Wheeler -- Fritz holds the profound respect of everybody in camp for his cool precision. At the front he was probably the coolest man on the job. Geo. Taylor made him an excellent companion and aid. Fritz left here night before last at 1 A.M. and drove to Bar-le-Duc to meet the Chief on his return from Paris. The Boche planes were over the city when they got there and had succeeded in smashing in the main street, killing 15 horses and injuring many people and were still smashing right and left when the boys returned without the Chief (for he didn’t come on that train) they crawled quietly to bed without waking any of us. The next morning Fritz admitted that there were a few bombs dropped, but none closer than a block from them.

#7 - Don Smith -- another old reliable; quiet, good-natured and patient. He and Hap Ahlers did some wonderful work at the front and I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if they got Croix de Guerre.

#8 – “Cupie” Sharp -- the big, fat, happy, irresponsible child who gets in Dutch with everybody because he borrows without permit and forgets to return. He has nothing of his own and what he has he can never find. He speaks French very well having taken 9 years of it. Aside from his parasitic qualities he is a good kid.

#9 - Steward Fraser. “Fraze” is a peach. He is as generous as the day is long. Good looking New Yorker that he is. He has enough Irish blood in his veins to make him extremely quick with his tongue and as funny as a crutch. A great favorite with the fellows.

#10 - William Sloan -- Bill is married and has two children back in the States. He has seen enough military service and enough of France to make him very popular. He speaks French as well as English. He is always on the spot when something happens and has saved many of the fellows from trouble. He is the father of the camp.

#11 - Geo. Sherer -- Not a ready mixer and not a very popular kid in camp, but willing and when the rest of the gang is happy he is alright.

#12 - Philip Stackpole – “Stack” is a queer kid. A Dartmouth man and not very popular with the fellows. He pulled several stunts at the front which hurt him in the eyes of the gang. Twice when he was sent to Carrière Sud under fire he returned and reported the road impassable when other fellows got through alright.

#13 – “Jess.” [This is Grant Willard. His nickname comes from Jess Willard (1881-1968), world heavyweight boxing champion.]

#14 - Johnny Taylor – “Kid” is the youngest fellow in camp -- 18 years old tomorrow. He is my aide and I think a great deal of him. Always happy, very musical, full of the devil and very willing.

This comprises the tent. Never have we had any dissension in ranks. We are a musical crowd which keeps us in good spirit.

We are to stay right here for 15 days with nothing to do but dodge shells.

Several nights of aerial bombardment left Grant and his comrades a bit skittish...

Sunday, September 2, 1917:

A sun-shiny morning but cold. It rained very hard last night. I found the tent in which I had my films hung had just about dropped, but my films were not much hurt.

Don Smith and Happy Ahlers came in from the front this A.M. They reported things in very bad shape out Carrière Sud way. The road was being shelled continuously. Two gendarme told the boys as they were passing Sainte-Fine, that the road was impassable, but they went on. They met a Ford stuck in a shell hole and stopped to help him out. After they got him out and got his motor going there came a Bang! Bang! right near them and showered them with mud. They decided to hang around awhile so they stopped their motors and climbed into the nearest shelter they could find which chanced to be a ditch beside the road. The Boche were undoubtedly trying for the road for those boys sat there for an hour during which time 200 shells must have dropped around them. They tried to time the shells, planning to get out of this exposed place if they could. They seemed to be dropping them about 15 seconds apart, one at a time. Immediately after one had come in they got out and cranked their cars when Bang! Bang! two landed a short way down the road. A few seconds later 3 came in. They decided the Boche were after them in particular and stuck closer than ever to their ditch. After an hour of this torture the firing let up a bit and the boys made a dash for Carrière Sud. The blooming Boche began shrapneling them but they made the post untouched. At this point two days ago one of our cars and a Ford were hit by separate shells and blown to splinters. Another of ours had a radiator perforated and had to be towed in. The drivers of every car happened to be in the abri when the shells came so were untouched. Miraculous? Well, I should rather say so. I pray to God that He will continue to watch over us. Only 13 of the 20 cars are now in running condition, but not a man touched by shell except Geo. Reed who lost two fingers.

Reported today that we are now in repos [rest and relaxation] and are to stay right here for 15 days with nothing to do but dodge shells. The fellows pretty much peeved. I am too. There is no rest to be had here. Last night was a clear night and the Boche aviators swarmed over head bombing roads, barracks and magazines. I just had time to finish my pictures when the first bomb lit on the hill 200 yards away. Wow! Such a crash. I dropped the film in the water and beat it for an abri where I found the whole camp. Finished my pictures and went to bed. There were 3 of us in the tent, the rest in the abri. The Boche flew until 3:30 when it began to get light and they disappeared. Bombs were dropped on all sides of us, but we were left untouched. Verdun & the barracks got it particularly hard.

Monday, September 3:

Rather sleepy outfit this A.M. However the news that we leave tomorrow for a 15 day repos with very slim chances of ever coming back to this Verdun sector soon cheered the camp up to a boiling point. This has truly been a terrible strain and the fellows are showing it. The report is that we go to Alsace after repos.

The pictures came out very well.

Later. We have orders to go to Laheycourt for repos. We have been through Laheycourt on our way from Brabant and everybody is very well satisfied. How long we stay no one seems to know. Breakfast at 6:15 tomorrow A.M.

Another clear night. Took bed-roll and turned my steps toward an abri. Practically the whole camp was present. Bombs were dropped promiscuously about our neighborhood and I was glad I had repaired to the abri in preference to sleeping, or trying to sleep, in the tent. Hap Ahlers, Don Smith, the two Jacobs, Henry Kingman and Russ Stair were in our abri with several French officers.