Page:The North Carolina Historical Review - Volume 1, Number 1.pdf/58

56 for "forward Regimental Engineer dumps" and location for the Forward Divisional Engineer dump. Paid a visit to a company of Royal Engineers who are low working on this second line. It was near 4 p. m., and he wanted us to take tea with him. We declined as we were in a hurry to finish our inspection and get back to Cassel by 4:30 p. m. We next stopped at Hendeghen to see Colonel Close, R. E. He also wanted us to take tea with him, but we declined. We had told Major Fair we would be back for him at 4:30 and we reached the square at just 4:30 with a tire down. Colonel Couchman immediately suggested that we have tea while waiting and tea we had, with toast and sweet cakes. It tastes all right but I hate to see them stop work every afternoon for tea. The cost was 50 cents apiece. We came home by way of Wallon Cappel, Argues and St. Omer. From Wallon Cappel west there was a continuous line of ammunition dumps, from cartridges for rifles to heavy shells. All to be used to destroy man. It makes me almost sick to think of the human destruction that must take place before this war is over. I almost cry out when I think what my boys must go up against and that many of them will not come back. But it must go on until a victory for human liberty and freedom of thought can be assured. The waste of life is awful; the best is being stricken down and only a very few want it.

June 23, Sunday. Stayed in Nordausques all day. Considerable office work to be done, also night work getting ready for march problem on Monday.

June 24, Monday. Busy all day with march problem. First Battalion with northern column. Second Battalion with southern column. Each had a detachment with the advance guard. I stayed at Division Headquarters and my messengers kept me constantly informed of their position. Our liason was extremely good.

June 25, Tuesday. Morning devoted to office work in Division Engineer office. Reading General Orders, Special Orders, memoranda, etc. In afternoon had a hot water shower bath. First time since leaving Camp Mills. While taking the bath is the only time I have been real warm since reaching France except when in bed. Colonel Ferguson came in to Division