After the Armistice
The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month
( A soldier's letter )
On The 9th, The Regiment Moved Back To Armoises And The Next Day To Sommanthe, And Then On To Verpel On The 11th.
It Was Here At 4:00 That The Troops Heard Of The Armistice.
This Started A Long Period Of Movement Toward The Rhine With Conditions Being Much Better As Most Lodging Was In German Barracks.
Finally On The 15th After 21 Days Of Marching And Covering More Than 240 Miles, The Rhine Was Reached.
Here The Men Were Quartered In Hotels, Private Residences, And Chateaus. Beds With Sheets Were The Order Of The Day.
The War Was Over.
On The 9th, The Regiment Moved Back To Armoises And The Next Day To Sommanthe, And Then On To Verpel On The 11th.
It Was Here At 4:00 That The Troops Heard Of The Armistice.
This Started A Long Period Of Movement Toward The Rhine With Conditions Being Much Better As Most Lodging Was In German Barracks.
Finally On The 15th After 21 Days Of Marching And Covering More Than 240 Miles, The Rhine Was Reached.
Here The Men Were Quartered In Hotels, Private Residences, And Chateaus. Beds With Sheets Were The Order Of The Day.
The War Was Over.
Jan. 17, 1919, Rolensick (Rolandseck), Germany
Dear Folks,
Will write you a few lines tonight to let you know that I am well and hope that you are the same. We are living in a big summer hotel on the bank of the Rhine river. It is certainly been a swell place but it is not os nice now but it beats a hay mow or a shell hole all hollow. We are eating pretty good and as I am with the Supply Co. yet I have it pretty easy. I don't have to answer any calls, drill any, or do any guard or detail work. All I do is take care of 2 mules and make a trip after rations or forage once or twice a week and I can make the trip in an hour easy. I don't think that I will have to go back to the company as long as we have any mules. I heard from both of the girls since I wrote last and I wrote them too but I'm not mutch good at writing as you know.
I got my box on Xmas day as you know if you got my other letters. Well there isn't mutch (sic) to write about here. It is the same old thing every day. I don't have any idea when we will leave here. Everybody is anxious to know when we are going home and if i knew I could make a lot of money. The boys are getting passes to go to Coblenoy and other cities but I can't afford it.
I don't draw enough money and things are mighty expensive here but not as high as in France, Belgium or Luxemburg. Luxemburg was the worst. You couldn't turn around with out it costing you a Franc or two. Hoping you are well and not worrying. I remain,
Your son,
A.D. Boyd
Co. D. 166 Inf. American E.F. A.P.O. 715
It took months to bring all the troops home.
Some of the military had the opportunity for a "Tour de France" and Germany while waiting.
Some of the military had the opportunity for a "Tour de France" and Germany while waiting.
Coblenz ("Coblenoy"), Germany
( Click on the Flag to explore the question - 3 minutes )
Tours, France
Bombs at Belleau Wood
Château-Thierry
Fismes (feem-uh )
Verdun
Other French Attractions