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Toul, choloy, and Rampondt Friday, October 11 W e met with some countrymen of German descent whom we had known as civilians and ate a sorry breakfast of cold meat and dry crackers. We had not yet caught up with the 1st Battalion. As far as we can tell, they left yesterday morning for Toul. We began our march to Toul after breakfast. Onward to Toul, again. The four of us who stuck together said little, only what was necessary. There was reason for our bad mood. I had a very bad headache and was tired due to sleepless nights, the cold, and hunger, but especially because of the lack of coffee. We were fortunate to come across a truck heading in the same direction. We got on the truck, but sadly, it turned in a different direction, so we had to get off and continue on foot. A short while later, another truck appeared that was traveling to Toul. We boarded it and went on our way. While on the march, we had time to take in the beautiful roads and the territory we had crossed at night on our way to the front. We could hear the cannon from a greater distance than on the previous occasion when we were here. We had forced the stubborn Germans to retreat a good distance. In several cases, we had pushed them back as far as the trenches on their own soil, something many of them would have thought impossible. The last truck we boarded dropped us off at a lovely village close to the historic town of Toul. The general discomfort my headache caused and the pressing need to reach our regiment kept me from visiting the surrounding historic villages. The command post was set up at Choloy. The rest of the units are located in the nearby villages. Once I located the post, I wandered through the nar231 My Personal Diary 232 row, muddy streets brimming with the commotion of war. Some men arrived while others left. French soldiers were running in all directions. The civilians were engaged in their various routines. After a long conversation with Gómez and Barrera, they took me to their hiding place, a large stable on the outskirts of town. I claimed a spot I liked, next door to the kitchen. We are going to sleep where they store hay for the cattle. Everything is forgiven and forgotten as we build up our love for the war. The entire day was very cloudy and the skies threatened a downpour; however, our troubles were over, at least for the moment. A soldier’s woes are not eternal! Take courage, those of you who will be in the next war. I inquired about my responsibilities and was told that all I had to do was rest, which was fine by me. I immediately headed for my pile of grass and prepared my sleeping nest. My friends are going to have a difficult time finding me to read them the French papers with news from the front and the world, especially the reports on the peace initiatives. This is what we really care about. Saturday, October 12 We received welcomed news about the war at a time when many are reporting an imminent peace. The Journal reports that the kaiser is meeting with all his royalty to talk about concluding the war. Rumors are already going around that the kaiser has abdicated his throne. I get a kick out of my buddies who are anxious about hearing the news from me. I also find it heartwarming. Only those of us “who are feeling the heat of the fire” can understand what this means “for the men whose lives hang by a thread.” We are glad things are getting hotter for the kaiser. My friends are always buying newspapers for me to read. I just arrived and already my stable looks like a veritable mess of papers. Think about it, an unending line of soldiers coming in and going out, all of them with the one thought in mind. Our sleeping area is so dark I have a difficult time finding my way. The light of a weak paraffin candle that always burns near my bed attracts them like a swarm of captivated butterflies. Groups of soldiers are always waiting for me to read them the news. I do not charge my poor friends because I am just as curious as they are. Oh, how misery is...

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