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Earl M Bill
Here I am at the embarkation camp with the outfit waiting for embarking orders. I am arriving overseas I'm doing this to relieve you from the anxiety incident to my loved one knowing that I might be on the high seas, things are going nicely. We made it in good shape but don't know when we will sea, it may be that I will not return, and if I do not you will have the satisfaction of knowing that the cause is just one sacrifice that has to be made. -
the grub
The grub we had while on board has been very good in quality and general assortment. There must have been an excellent refrigerator on board for we have had fresh cream in the morning every day, so far, which could only be possible in the case of canned goods being in the minority except for the omnipresent pea, which is always of the canned variety. -
too busy
I have been busy the last few days censoring mail of the men in the battery and it has been quite an experience and rather tedious after one has been it for several hours. It is quite a study to see the difference in the manner in which the boys write home and the topics they discuss. The faith that some of them have in the censors is remarkable for we have run into some red-hot love letters. -
the end
All the troops in the camp were assembled and marched in columns of squads, the 1st sergeants with the Batteries and all the officers together. Through Sommesaus the back to Haussimont and then south to our camp. I fully expected the discipline of my outfit to go to smash, and it did to a certain extent. Then came days of waiting for orders to move. Which finally came and on Sunday night November 24th we marched down to the train. -
74th Regiment of the coast artillery
the Armistice was signed and as there was no use for heavy guns the regiment was returned to the United States leaving Brest -
going back
We left early Monday morning and passed through Paris at night, or early the next morning, and went west Paris on the main line to brest. We had American engineers and engines most of the way and made the trip from Paris to Brest in about thirty-six hours, the regular run being about fourteen.