h in Vacqueville at which Chaplain Father Walsh of
our battalion officiated. The entire strength of the Company was
present.

Another rest and another turn up front, after which the entire division
was relieved by the 37th Ohio and Kentucky Division. Once again we
crossed the Vosges, halting for three days at Seranville. Leaving there,
we bivouaced for a night in the Foret de Charmes and entrained at
Charmes next morning, August 7th, at dawn.

From the Vesle to the Aisne--August 10th to September 15th

[Illustration: _The Advance from the Vesle to the Aisne_]

Two days later, August 10th, we took transport on an immense train of
motor trucks--"lorries" we called them, after the English. They were
driven by Indo-Chinese serving under the French. After nine cramped but
interesting hours--we passed thru Chateau-Thierry--our trip ended at
Fere en Tardenois. For three days we camped in a small wood and then we
moved to a position supporting the attack on Fismes. We were stationed
in the Bois de la Pissotti, adjoining the Foret de Nesle. While there we
were engaged in digging a series of reserve trenches near
Mont-sur-Courville.

On August 28th the battalion moved around Chery-Chartreuve to a position
east of Le Pres Farm. September 1st we again shifted, this time crossing
the Vesle and relieving the Third Battalion, just east of Bazoches. Here
we repulsed a raiding party, inflicting heavy losses upon the enemy. We
were then moved to a ravine, which gave us the opportunity of taking a
two-day rest.

Our next move brought us to face with the enemy just south of Merval,
where we took a position in an exposed field, our only protection being
the individual "funk holes" which had been deserted by the retreating
German troops.

After three days of little water and practically no food, at 5:30 on the
afternoon of September 8th--still brilliant daylight--we crawled from
our funk holes and, each squad in single file in formation known as
"squad columns", we advanced against German artillery in an effort to
straighten the line. As we reached the outskirts of Merval we were
subjected to an intense barrage of H. E.'s, suffering the loss of four
men killed and five injured.

[Illustration: _Our Path Thru the Argonne_]

No gain was made by this sortie and we drew back to our funk-hole
position awaiting further developments.

Early on the morning of September 14th, supported by a barrage laid down
by combined American, F