Aulnois may have been a disappointment or the men may have thought it
satisfactory. Anyway, when the Sanitary Train moved into its area it was
a typical example of many of the other villages that they had found
over-run with dirt and French children.
It was not long after their cow-shed and hay-loft billets were made as
comfortable as possible, until the full force was out with brooms,
shovels and trucks, and soon the village took on an altogether different
appearance. The natives no doubt imagined that these veterans were a
Brigade of White Wings, or perhaps some Convict Labor Battalion and
perhaps they failed to appreciate the work, even after their little
"burg" was transformed into a decent place in which to dwell. Well,
"san-ferrie-Anne," this was the Sanitary Train, the 110th, at that.
Three months were the people of the village honored with the presence of
this hearty crew, and ere the end of the first month, they had decided
that the Americans were not so barbarious after all, and began to feel
content as the nice shining francs jingled in their jeans. The farmers
foresaw the necessity of doubling the next year's crop of
Pomm-de-terres, and the breweries of Commercy and Bar-le-Duc wondered at
the enormous consumption of their bottled products.
Still, after all, the stay in this area was very different from what
those on furloughs found at Aix-les-Bains, who, upon returning, usually
suffered an attack of the blues. Each company had work to do. The Field
Hospitals occupied the buildings on the hill just above the town and
were working day and night. The ambulance companies were evacuating the
entire Division, and the efficiency with which both performed their
duties was known throughout the Divisional area.
There are a few things that will tend to remind the men of the company
of their stay here, in the days when all incidents of the A. E. F. will
be pleasant memories. Christmas, and the dawning of the New Year were
celebrated here. These events are made more memorable because of one
fact, if no other; the cooks went out of their way to prepare the dishes
that, standing out above all else in the Christmas spirit of the Yank,
are to him ever associated with home, a full stomach and celebrations.
Colonel Wooley left the train for another command, and Madam Bon left
her establishment among the boys and was married. However, she continued
to sell a few bottles of beer after closing hours.
It was while here in Aulnois that the Commanding General of the
A. E. F., accompanied by the Prince of Wales, reviewed the Division.
And last, but by no means least, the long expected news reached us that
the old 35th Division was ordered home. Accordingly, though sometime
later, preparations for the first move were began, and on the evening of
the 9th of March, the men bade farewell to the little village, and
climbed aboard boxcars for the long ride to the Le Mans Embarkation
Area.