procure Christmas supplies from the Quartermaster and Red Cross. The next morning at an early
hour the head of the column was pushing into Trier.
LOST IN TRIER.
Trier with its wide streets and modern houses reminded the soldiers more of America
than any other town they had seen in Europe. In Trier occurred one of the most annoying
incidents of the march to those concerned, yet one that is most ludicrous in the perspective, and
which will never be forgotten by some members of the regiment. The reconnoitering and
marking detail in front of the regiment slipped a cog. The marker lost his sense of direction and
led the column down a side street. Three batteries had passed the turning point before the
mistake was discovered. There was nothing left to do but switch the 2nd battalion, which was in
the rear, into the breach and let it lead the column. In the meantime, the lost 1st Battalion by a
circuitous route straightened itself out and followed the 2nd Battalion out of town.
CHRISTMAS ON THE MOSELLE.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were to be spent in the villages of Casel and
Waldrach. Regimental Headquarters was established at a magnificent old chateau known as
Grünhaus on the edge of Casel. As the weather had been continuously bad, we had been rained
on every day during the whole march, and road marching in the rain is not pleasant. No one
looked forward to a pleasant Christmas, but matters turned out very favorably. The billets at this
atop were the best we had had. Trucks had been sent to the Ninetieth Division post office,
returning with heavy mails, including many Christmas packages. The Quartermaster in Trier and
the natives produced the sort of edibles that go to make Christmas pleasant. These things,
together with chocolate, cigarettes and cakes gotten from the Y.M.C.A. and Red Cross made this
holiday on the Moselle a memorable one.
INTO THE MOUNTAINS.
From Grünhaus, Casel, and Waldrach the route lay out of the valley of the Moselle and
into the mountains. On the 26th of December the regiment climbed some five hundred meters
into tough Hermeskeil; all the way the roads were frozen and covered with ice and snow. Many
animals fell several limes during the day. Fortunately no serious accidents occurred. It was the
severest day of the march, ending with a long pull into Hermeskeil.
THE GREASED HILL OF HERMESKEIL.
This hill was steep and covered with slick ice where the children had been skating and
sledding the day before. It was necessary to throw ashes and dirt on the road before any animals
could climb the road at all. Even so, all organizations worked late into the night getting the
heavily loaded escort wagons up the hill. Few in the regiment will ever forget that Hill. Here it
was very cold and the natives were pleased to tell us what a cold country it was and how much
colder it would be in a few weeks and that usually how deep the snow was at that time of the
year. These, are, of course, the sort of stories the natives like to tell. During our first night at
this station several American blankets were stolen by civilians and it was necessary to lay down
 |
 |
 |