Rumors of going home
Issue #6 Paul Green’s Cabin, from his diary, October to Armistice, 1918
In this last selection from Paul Green’s diary of World War I, the drudgery of a battle not quite finished, bad weather, and less frequent but sudden casualties continued to haunt the future playwright. He is, by turns, numb, sick, and excited by the possibility of peace, a dream that would drive Paul Green for the rest of his life. Though Woodrow Wilson’s League of Nations never materialized, Green would later invest his hopes and hard work in the United Nations. He would survive World Wat I and go on to write a raft of books and plays that were infused with memories of the brutal violence he witnessed in Europe. At his death, more than six decades after the Armistice, Green’s casket would be draped with the flag of the United Nations.
October 1st
The first of October! A sunny day but with a chill in the air. The beech trees in the woods are turning browner and browner. I notice a swarm of swallows in the sky this afternoon. Ah, silly forewarners. Our part of the battle is over and our men are being sent to rear. This regiment of Engrs. lost ten killed and 98 wounded. The infantry regiment lost more heavily, of course, and it is reported the 120th lost practically all of its officers. We have learned that some of the regiments failed to mop up as they should and as a result were attacked from behind. Busy tonight preparing to move from Buine Woods further back.
October 2nd
Capt. Boesch, the adjutant, left this morning for staff school at Langres. A remarkable man he is, and the regiment suffers a serious loss in losing him. But for his German name and descent I believe he already would be a colonel, or an officer of high rank even. I am preparing to leave also. Tomorrow I set off for army candidate school at Langres. Hope to have a good time there in that I shall be free of cooties and mud.
October 3rd
Left Buine Woods in morning; went down to Tincourt and met all the fellows from our regiment who were going to Engrs. School. Took charge, then caught a lorry back to Peronne. After wandering thru ruins of the town for a while, we crawled into a “Hommes 40, Cheveaux8” car and set out for Amiens. Short distance between the towns but it took our train some 3 1/2 hours to make the trip. Arrived in Amiens. We left our packs in depot and went out to see the town. The people were moving back and building back the places torn up by Fritz. However, the town has suffered only slightly. Among the most interesting things we saw was the great cathedral. It is a wonder in architecture. Trimmed with gargoyles, Chimera, etc. Winged figures covered it in a bewildering maze. And the inside is more beautiful than the outside. The autumn sunlight streaming through the colored glass stained the floor in a flood of rainbow colors. The great pillars have been sandbagged as has the great organ. The priceless statues have been removed to a place of safety. Of all the shells that fell in the town, only one struck the cathedral. This came through the roof and buried itself in the cement floor, near the altar, but failed to go off. Ah, what beautiful expression has French religious fervor embodied forth. Who could forget their churches, their shrines, their statues, their paintings and their cathedrals? At 4:50 we took the train for Paris. Arrived at Gare du Nord at 9:00 p.m. Then hiked to Gare de L’Est where we got coffee and rolls at canteen and billets nearby. When we had arranged our bunks for the night, we set out to see a little of Paris. Some went one way and some another, agreeing to be back at our billets before 7:30 a.m. for the train left at 8:00. For my part I was hunting a place to take a bath. After much difficulty I found a hotel. Got a bath for 2 frs. and returned to my billet for a good sleep. And let me say a word of the Parisian women. It is scarcely dark before they are here and there along the streets, beautiful as the Goddess of Love they are, but with the soul of a serpent. I have passed along dark streets often and time and again have heard the silken voices and the felt the touch of the hands upon my sleeve, entreating me. Ah, women of Paris! The rose is not more beautiful, but your soul is dead.
October 4th
Left Paris at 12:50 p.m. Rode until 10 p.m. then we arrived at Langres. A lieutenant met us at station and showed us to billets one mile from town. Got coffee and biscuits. Great to-do over biscuits.
October 8th
Continued work with pick and shovel gang. We are near old part of St. Menge, explored the place in afternoon. A moat encircles fort. Deep dungeons and the like. What tales it could tell. Got straw for bedsacks. Drew blankets. Slept like a log.
October 9th
Chas. Lewis and I went to Langres today. Saw several American girls in Y.M.C.A. dealing out cocoa and sandwiches. Old gate entrance built during age of Marcus Aurelius on south side of town. Bund on high hill. Went to museum. Many masterpieces in painting there. Returning we stopped field and helped two pretty French girls rake potatoes. Gave them cigarettes and chatted a long time. Came into camp tired but having had a splendid time.
October 14th
Began training in earnest today. Drill, Manual of Arms, bayonet exercise, grenade throwing and practice hikes. Disagreeable in billet at night — 47 kinds of snoring and 50 kinds of mud. Rains through roof.
October 16th
Same schedule today. Rain, but no halt in schedules. I’m so tired tonight that I go to sleep studying. Our principal food is black coffee. Through some unknown reason the food here is not so good as it was when we were connected with the British in Flanders.
October 18th
Work. Work. No time to eat hardly. At 5:45 reveille; 6:00 police call; 6:10 breakfast; 7:00 drill; 11:45 recall; 12:00 dinner; 1:30 drill; 4:45 recall; 5:00 retreat and inspection; 6:00 supper; 7 to 9:30 study; then sleep, if you can. Ah, these training camps! Every day I hear fellows say, “Oh, send me back to the front!”
October 28th
Went for pontoon work on reservoir. Lectures in morning. Work in afternoon. Bath, walk in golden woods around here.
October 29th
Built rafts, bridges of all sorts; tore them down again. All types of bridges used by French and British in this war.
October 30th to November 2nd
Same work, boot drill, etc. Glad pontoon work is over. Steep hill to our work made every day something of a torture. Friday All Soul’s Day. We could hear bells ringing in every direction of little village, Saturday. Here and there we met peasants going to place wreathes on graves. Weather beautiful.
November 4th to November 9th
Studied camouflaging whole week. Very interesting in view of the fact that we had the principles and acts of nature to deal with. Food and sleeping quarters very disagreeable. We are making out with 2/3 rations and wading in mud to our necks. Sat. night I went to town of Rolampont down in valley of Marne 2 miles away. I ate so many cakes, etc., that I had many a pain.
November 10th
News from front and Berlin grows better. We learned tonight of the Kaiser’s abdication. Uneasy about Hugh [Green’s brother]. Have heard nothing from him for nearly a month and a half.
November 11th
Hard day. Drill and gas training. Much excitement over the question of whether the German plenipotentiaries will sign the armistice terms or not. Taking everything into consideration I am sure it will be signed. There is no alternative, but will the signing attain what we wish?
Monday night
Tonight at Retreat Maj. Moses read the terms to which Germany has agreed. She has agreed at last, thank God. Such a pandemonium has reigned in the barracks after retreat…Speeches and songs. Candidate had to celebrate by going down under the hill and getting drunk.
November 12th
More drill and gas training but nobody takes any interest now. The expression heard on every side is, “Hell, why should we work? The war is over.” The papers of today give a full account of the war.
November 14th to November 16th
Continued gas trading until Friday. In afternoon we had a field meet — tug of war, 100 yd and 300 yd dash, broad jump, relay race, etc. Our company stood last as usually the case in contests. Saturday p.m. Sgt. and I went to Langres on the hill across the valley. We saw a black southern negro walking along with a pretty French mademoiselle. Nothing unusual here to see negroes with French (femmes), a broad grin on their faces. Many of the negroes are marrying French girls. In some places the negroes represented themselves as the real Americans and the peasant people believed it at first. Later they learned better. Such times the negroes are having! What tales Henry will tell Mary when he returns to the states. We stayed at Langres for the cinema then walked the 9 weary kilometers back to camp.
November 18th to November 23rd
Infantry drill all week. Demonstration firing of gas projectors, Stokes mortar shells,, etc. In afternoon Sgt. Gallagher and I went to Langres together. Went through the museum. Saw wonderful works in stone, marks of the ancient Roman occupation of the city. Also some masterpieces of painting by Ziegler, Corot and others. (One of our boys had both hands blown off by a grenade today.)
November 24th
“Dad’s Day.” Wrote several letters and played football. Loafed. Everybody crazy to get away from here. Food and surroundings are bad. Miserable rain falling tonight. Our mess sgt. caught selling bread to French peasants. He rests in the guard house tonight.
November 28th
Took Thanksgiving dinner at Cafe de l’Europe — potatoes, bread, jam and beefsteak. Explored the old musee to our hearts content…Splendid pieces of statuary representing a flute player listening for the echo of sound of voices in the distance. I liked it. Returned home at night worn out.
November 29th
Nearly died last night with acute indigestion. Sick in quarters today… Rain continues.
December 6th to December 12th
Orders have not arrived…Raining every day. Mud knee deep. Got hold of first volume of “Count of Monte Cristo,” wonderful reading to a starved fellow… All my books and diaries were taken Wednesday during my absence from the lecture room, and scattered among the fellows who had a gay time reading my foolish jottings-down. After much trouble I recovered part of them. We are expecting to leave today. Goodness, it’s time! Don’t know where we are going.
December 13th
Received my Commission papers this a.m. In p.m. received orders to leave. The class of 200 marched to the station below Langes…Caught the train at 4:50; arrived in Paris at 12 midnight. Checked in, then wandered around Paris for we could get no place to sleep. About 3 a.m. a Gendarme showed us to a Red Cross building on L’Avenue Victor Emmanuel. Had chocolate, bread and jam and a good bath.
December 14th
All morning wandered around the city. This place is bedecked as if for a bridal, in honor of Mr. Wilson. [President Woodrow Wilson visited Paris in December for Peace talks and to promote his idea for the League of Nations.] At 10 a.m. I was stationed at the Place Madeline as the parade passed. Never shall I forget it and the poems and songs one hears about Mr. Wilson.
President Wilson arrives in Paris
December 17th
Caught a slow train out from Connerre about 9:30 a.m. Arrived at Marolles at 11 a.m. Found the regiment there. Like a homecoming.
December 19th
Sick all day. Got billet in farm home of Mme. Marteau.
December 20th
Did nothing today except loaf and read.
December 21st
Johnson and I borrowed two bicycles and went to Beaumont, 16 km. distance, to see Hugh. Arrived there about 1p.m. Surely was glad to see him. He is looking well and is a corporal now.
December 23rd
Drilled all morning in muddy field. Inspection in afternoon.
Soldiers celebrate Armistice Day
December 25th
Christmas! But what a Christmas! All of the Sgts. ate with the officers. Our dinner consisted potatoes, celery, salad, chicken, eggnog and cider. In the afternoon Sgt. Johnson and I went to Marolles, to Christmas tree celebration, gave toys and fruits to all the little children of the town and adjoining country.
December 26th
Drill in morning. Rest in afternoon.The rain continues. Rain, rain all the time. Clouds coming from the North. The nights are spent reading and talking to the garçons at Madame Matean’s. Every night Madame goes to the gate with a lantern to meet her husband, a prisoner in Germany these four years.
December 27th
Rain all day. Nothing doing.
December 31st
Lay around billet all day reading, playing cards and talking. Everybody is excited because of a rumor heard about going home.