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O n December 26, 1918, 674 soldiers of the Third Army, including corporals and sergeants, 174 second lieutenants, ninety-two lieutenants, fifteen captains, and three majors, received orders to attend a military school in Châtillon-sur-Seine. One of the students was our good friend and companion Corporal Jesse Pérez. On December 28, they arrived in Toul, France, and came across a shipment of 2,175 bottles of champagne meant for Monsieur Charles Barlaband. The warrior spirit did not fail them as they took the shipment of bottles by storm. The joy that came from that unexpected event is impossible to describe, but it rivals their surprise on April 29, 1919, when General Headquarters handed them Article of War No. 105. They were forced to make restitution for the value of the liquor, some damages, and other losses. Each soldier or officer was fined according to rank. Corporal Jesse Carter was fined 14.98 francs. Jesse still sighs to this day when he recalls the escapade. He states, “I don’t feel aggrieved, what I feel is pain.” The others would agree and will want to forget the incident. They believe they paid a just price. Wednesday, April 30 The morning broke with much snow on the mountains and everything was very beautiful. I made each one of my students a postcard. We received passes to go to the great city of Paris. Sergeant kelleher and I will go together. We have shared wretched moments and now look forward to an enjoyable trip. Besides, we think the same and share a general view of the world. We started our preparations. Salinas, Barrera, and Treviño have loaned me some money. Lieutenant Ayers offered to help. I cannot explain why I never took the time to visit him and accept his offer. Article of War No. 105 and 2,175 Bottles of champagne 416 417 Article of War No. 105 Thursday, May 1 THE AMERIcANS VISIT THE GREAT cITY OF LIGHT—PARIS We were ready for the trip early in the morning. We had prepared all our passports and the many other documents the military required. Some say that France does not offer enough sightseeing to justify all the trouble we are going through. The problem may be ours and not that France offers little to see and enjoy. In any case, we will carry the documents in case we need them. We ate a good breakfast and prepared our lunch. Although we do not know what we are getting into, we figured out the train’s departure time and set our watches to the clock in the office. The train—if that is what we are to call the poor excuse of a machine that is to take us—arrived ten minutes early. We had to run after it. Luckily, it runs slow or we would have required a good running start to catch up. It reminded me of the slow-moving trains from kansas. We enjoyed the scenery once we settled into our small seats. Most everybody stood because of a lack of seating. The tracks run along the river’s left bank. In Bernkastel-kues we saw the circus the 90th set up for the troops. I hear that the circus is complete, especially in terms of horses and other beasts of burden they paraded about. We had a three-hour layover in Trier, went for a walk, and made our first stop at a knights of Columbus stand to get all the information we needed on the place. Afterward, we visited the historic Porta Nigra castle, which dates back to the time when these towns were part of the great Roman Empire. We visited the basilica, an amazing and magnificent building that serves as a Pauline church. Lastly, we saw the old Roman public baths and the ruins of the sumptuous castle of Augustus Caesar, the Roman Emperor. We ate at a Red Cross station for a nominal amount. We left for Paris at 1:45 and passed by Schweich, karthaus, and Remich (Luxembourg) on the other side of the Moselle. This last place brought back memories. We finally arrived at the fort city of Metz and spent four hours waiting for another train. We have been on the trip for a day but have only traveled two hours. The soldiers are frustrated to no end because they have been ordered to stay in the train station. The place is very beautiful but it is...

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