TRANSCRIBED FROM THE STAR PROGRESS DECEMBER 31, 1919 P. 2
I was two and one half miles from the front line on November 11, when the good news came. We were going to build a bridge across the Meuse for the cannon to cross over.
Fritz was sending “heavies” (6 to 10 inch) into the town; then everything got still. I have been on seven different fronts—on all but the British. In all, was under fire for 160 days. Fritz must have used $5,000,000 worth of ammunition on me alone, but never hit me but once and I was back in the lines in 16 days.
The 2nd Division has always been successful. We have won every battle we have been in. The 2nd Engineers are the only Engineer Reg. that won a citation from the French. We have had our collars decorated.
We go over the top with tanks, also cut wire, and as the engineers are with the first wave, get a chance at the Boche.
We stopped the Hun from taking Paris the 1st. of June; also made the big drive July 18th, when the war turned.
The Hun officers had orders from the German High command to put 10 of their best divisions against the 2nd whenever we appeared on the line. Much credit must be given to those who died.
We crossed the border December 1st. The women would get on the third floor and look at us. One little girl exclaimed, “They are people just like us!” I’ll tell you the rest when I get home.
NOTES: This letter was written by Corp. Donald Samuel Tedford of Berryville, Arkansas. He was at Neuwied on the Rhine and was serving with Co D 2nd Engineers. He was born on July 15, 1892 in Diamond, Missouri. He departed for France on September 10, 1917 and departed for the US on August 1, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
I was two and one half miles from the front line on November 11, when the good news came. We were going to build a bridge across the Meuse for the cannon to cross over.
Fritz was sending “heavies” (6 to 10 inch) into the town; then everything got still. I have been on seven different fronts—on all but the British. In all, was under fire for 160 days. Fritz must have used $5,000,000 worth of ammunition on me alone, but never hit me but once and I was back in the lines in 16 days.
The 2nd Division has always been successful. We have won every battle we have been in. The 2nd Engineers are the only Engineer Reg. that won a citation from the French. We have had our collars decorated.
We go over the top with tanks, also cut wire, and as the engineers are with the first wave, get a chance at the Boche.
We stopped the Hun from taking Paris the 1st. of June; also made the big drive July 18th, when the war turned.
The Hun officers had orders from the German High command to put 10 of their best divisions against the 2nd whenever we appeared on the line. Much credit must be given to those who died.
We crossed the border December 1st. The women would get on the third floor and look at us. One little girl exclaimed, “They are people just like us!” I’ll tell you the rest when I get home.
NOTES: This letter was written by Corp. Donald Samuel Tedford of Berryville, Arkansas. He was at Neuwied on the Rhine and was serving with Co D 2nd Engineers. He was born on July 15, 1892 in Diamond, Missouri. He departed for France on September 10, 1917 and departed for the US on August 1, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT