ives whatsoever, and no intercourse save in
line of military duty. These rigid restrictions were lightened a day or
two later, when it was permitted to buy meals or make other purchases of
the inhabitants, but otherwise "fraternizing" is still forbidden in the
Army of Occupation. All sentries went in pairs, doubling the size of the
guard, patrols walked the streets of the towns in which we stayed, and
everyone wore his "45" at all times. Such precautions were hardly
necessary, for the people of the Rhineland are the most peaceable of the
ex-Kaiser's ex-subjects, and much prefer to devote their time to their
farms instead of fighting people whose money they would far rather have
than their blood.

Most of E battery was billeted in a flour mill--which seemed to have
plenty of grain to grind--at Alsdorf. Next day a shorter hike brought us
to Ingendorf, where the billets were principally haylofts. On the march
of November 5, we passed through the city of Bitburg, whose stone
buildings, heavy architecture, numerous shops with plate-glass windows,
and fine residences reminded us more of an American city than had any
French town we had seen. The night we spent in the village of
Malbergweich.

A long hike next day, about thirty kilometres, took us through the city
of Kylberg and along the Kyl river, to Lissingen, where we caught up
with units of the 2nd Division, which preceded us. We did only seven
kilometres on Saturday, through Gerolstein, to Pelm. The ruins of the
old castle of Casselberg, on a neighboring hill-top furnished a bit of
historical interest to those whose appetite for sightseeing was strong
enough to overcome the pain of sore feet. Next day's hike was eighteen
kilometres to Nohn. From there, on December 9, we went, through Adenau,
to Quiddelbach, where we stayed for five days. Five days of mud and
rain, with intervals of sunshine, while the battery cleaned harness and
carriages, and groomed horses.

Sunday, December 15, we marched back to Adenau and thence to Altenahr
and down the valley of the Ahr to Dernau, our home for the next month.
Though rain and mists were frequent and the winds swept chilly between
the high craggy walls of the valley, the discomfort of these elements
during the hours at drill and at work on the picket line were alleviated
by the compensating hours of warmth and comfort in the billets. These in
most cases were ground-floor rooms--often the parlor of the
house--furnished with tables,