great chateau, hastily vacated by its owners, rose just above it, with its gardens full of fruit and vegetables, all ready to be eaten. Fine "lavoirs" or washing fountains were nearby, giving everybody a much needed opportunity to wash their clothes, and last, but first in importance, everyone welcomed the opportunity to get a swim in the Marne. But the war had to go on regardless of men's desires. Midnight found the third and fourth pieces jammed in the never ending stream of traffic, winding up the Paris- Metz Road through Montreuil. Once again the old familiar whine of approaching shells sang out, and once again the rapid bark of our own 75's cracked like whips on all sides. We were now really in an active sector. Both sides were pounding each other continually. Cross roads were places to be dreaded. One never lingered near them. The Americans kept up a continuing harassing fire all night long on every point within the German lines where the latter might possibly assemble.

                Battery A of the 12th had partially developed two positions on the edges of a wood a few hundred metres north of the Paris-Metz Highway, slightly northwest of the Paris Farms. Both emplacements, we found, could be greatly improved. The gun pits were far from finished, and there was practically no protection against enemy fire, what trenches there were being very shallow and full of mud. One platoon was to be in each position. The first platoon's position was supposed to be silent, while the second's was to do all the firing; the theory being to save the first for a real attack.

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