Page:The North Carolina Historical Review - Volume 1, Number 1.pdf/51

Rh Hill, I am sleepy tonight and must turn in. I hope to get a good night's sleep regardless of the thought of air raids.

June 15, Saturday. About 10:30 last night there was considerable firing from the post, and air planes were heard. We in our tents all stayed abed. It was said to have been a small air raid. It rained last night which settled the dust and makes living here more comfortable. We have changed our U. S. rifles for the British rifles. Our men have also given up their Barracks Bags and all extra clothing has been turned in. The men now carry all their possessions on their backs. This all indicates that we are to be behind the British lines. Our camp is about thirty minutes' walk from the center of town. I walked down this morning and bought a Sam Brown belt, which I do not want, but have to have. Also bought one of the small hats or caps which I have to have but do not like. The town is very interesting, particularly the old town. All around the center of town are dugouts for the civilian population. Many of the houses are banked up with sand bags for protection. There are several beautiful parks which are being kept up in first class condition. Considerable area in each is devoted to the cultivation of crops. Gardeners are at work cultivating flowers, transplanting same, and carrying on as in peace time. Absence of young men is noticeable, and a great many women and girls are in black. In the afternoon I went down again to the Bank of France and changed U. S, money into French at the rate of 5.6 francs to the dollar.

June 16, 1918, Sunday. Last night was a mean one for me. Evidently ate something that did not agree with me and then with my nerves which have all been on edge for some time. I ended up with a chill, nauseated and with a little fever. Have been nauseated all day and have eaten but little. My men all went to gas school this morning, had gas masks fitted, and tested, and went through the gas house. Also they were issued the steel helmets. This noon Colonel Markham of the 303d Engineers, Lieutenant-Colonel, of the 303d Engineers, and myself went over to the gas school. The gas mask almost gets the best of me. I nearly suffocate with it, and can 4