The Regiment marched to St. Georges Hall and lined up in front of this hall in massed formation
to hear the address of welcome by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, immediately after which they passed in
review in front of the hall. After the review the regiment marched to the Botanic Gardens where a
magnificent reception and banquet was tendered to the entire personnel by the City of Liverpool and the
Cunard Steamship Line.
During the parade the soldiers, marching at “Attention,” with their set faces, seemed to give the
population the impression that they were gloomy and every effort was made to cheer them, many
begging the soldiers to smile and when the “Route Order” was at last given and the men permitted to
relax the crowded streets broke out with cheers and cries of, “They are smiling, they are smiling”.
The Regiment left Liverpool the 5th day of July by train en route to another Rest Camp at
Southampton, England, and passing through the cities of Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield and
Oxford, arriving at Southampton the afternoon of the same. One night was spent here and on the
afternoon of July 6th, the Regiment boarded transports for the voyage across the English Channel to Le
Havre, France. The Regiment arrived at Le Havre, France, July 7th, going to a rest camp located on the
bluff just above the city. They remained here only one night leaving on July 8th, by train for the training
area which had been assigned to them in the province of Cote d’Or, France. Upon arriving at Recey-sur-
Curce, July 10, 1918, the Regiment proceeded by marching to the towns where they were to be billeted
as follows: Regimental Headquarters, Headquarters Co., M. G. Co., Supply Co., and Companies A, and
B, Minot, France. Companies C and D of the 1st Battalion at Moitron, France, 2nd Battalion at St.
Broing, and the 3rd Battalion at Montmoyan and Essarois, France.
Immediately a five weeks period of intensive training was undertaken under the direction and
supervision of officers from G. H. Q., who had taken part in some of the American operations on the
Front, and assisted by Allied Officers who were assigned for that duty. Every phase of warfare in use by
the Allies was practiced and rehearsed – long marches, terrain exercises, attacks, maneuvers, patrolling
and scouting. Trench warfare, both offensive and defensive was studied carefully. Night work was
again given especial attention, and turning exercises, marches and reliefs after dark were practiced
regularly until everyone was highly proficient in them.
After completing this training the regiment was declared fit, and on August 17, 1918, began a
three days march to entraining point near Chatillon-sur-Seine, France, covering a distance in this march
of approximately thirty-eight miles. The Regiment entrained at Poinson, near Chatillon-sur-Seine,
France, August 20th, proceeded to Foug and Troussey, France, arriving there late the night of August
20th. The troops were given a rest at these places until night of August 21st, when the march began to
the Front, the greater part of the regiment reaching Rogeville, France, about five o’clock A. M., August
22nd. They remained here until the night of August 23rd, with the exception of the 3d Battalion which
marched direct from detraining point to the front-line trenches near Fey-en-Haye, the 2nd Battalion
going into position in support of the 3rd Battalion and the 1st Battalion in Reserve at Francheville,
France. Regimental P. C. and Headquarters Co., were located at, Jonc Fontaine in the forest de
Puvenelle, Adjutant’s Office, Personnel Office and Band were stationed at Gezoncourt, and the Supply
Co. at Tremplecourt.
The 358th Infantry assumed command of this sector at nine A. M. August 24, 1918, relieving the
18th U. S. Infantry. The sector, opposite Fey-en-Haye, which the Regiment took over, was known as a
“Quiet sector”, at that time. This little village of which nothing but ruins remained was in “No Man’s
Land,” between the German and American lines. It had been the scene in 1914 and 1915 of the fiercest
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