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BEING THE NARRATIVE OF BATTERY A OF THE 101st FIELD ARTILLERY

Page 36

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trips was a memorable affair. On the first Sunday in camp when we were expecting a good loaf, a "compulsory pleasure" hike was instituted. The trip was to Paimpont, about eight kilometers, to see a very ancient Abbey there. In trying to make a short cut, the Battery succeeded in adding two kilometers to the distance and the pace set by Captain Huntington will long be remembered. The Abbey, however, was very interesting, dating from 1200, with fine carving and good windows. We also found a store with French bread, jam and cheese which made a better meal than the hard-tack and "willy" we were carrying.

Besides these Sunday passes, nearly every man in the Battery had one pass to Rennes during the stay at Coetquidan. These were only from 6 a. m. to taps, but even this short time gave a great relief from the monotonous routine of camp life. There were movies, street-cars, and the excellent French pastry which had not yet been entirely defendu. Perhaps the greatest luxury was to get a room at the Hotel Moderne and take a real bath in a real bath tub. Rennes is not a large city nor particularly beautiful, but was a welcome sight to our eyes after St. Malo, Beignon, etc. Even the tiresome ride in the narrow-gauge, toy train did not prevent our going a second time if possible.

When we first arrived at Coetquidan, the organization for feeding was very poor. Only French bread was available, frequently not even that. For meat there was "willy" or else fresh killed local beef, tough and stringy. Mess was regimental; that is, all batteries ate from the same kitchen, and there were long

 

 

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