Diary, May 2-4, 1918

Trip From Camp Logan to France

Make by Sect. 2 - Headquarters Company 129 Inf. USNG.

May 2 Thur. Last nite all our equipment was loaded on train except packs. at 8 oc. AM. we assembled and marched to train at commissary dept. where we were assigned to our coaches. Many friends were there to give us good bye. at 1230 We were leaving Houston from the Santa Fe Depot 6 blocks east of Rice Hotel. We went south to Alvin - got a last look at that pretty little place. saw pearls home and Aunts home too. We turned to west there and finally toward the north. I was placed in charge of this car. 5010. There are 13 cars on our train. My car is just first one above mess car. 8 coaches. 1 baggage cook car 4 box cars.

May 3 Fri This morning every thing is fine. Weather can't be beat. at 12:30 PM we just had a breakdown at a little place in Oklahoma - Eubanks is the place. The two large drive bars on rear drivers of our Engine snapped and as we were pulling upgrade - saved us a serious wrick. For had it happened going down grade our whole train would have spilled. 3:30 P.M. got a new Engine and are starting on. I feel pretty tough. 8:30 P.M. I feel better. At Ft. Smith - we unloaded here and marched uptown and back to train then started on. rec. a great ammount of cheering and good cigars. Upon our return to train we went to bed and started on.

May 4. Sat. I woke at 7:30 We are in Springfield Mo. watering our train making ready to go on. Day fine. 6:30 at St. Louis. took calisthenics here. came up on Frisco & St L. line and from here we take Wabash line. 8:30 just pulling out of St L. a crowd to meet us at every sta. in Ill.