George S. Patton Box 2 Folder 3 Diaries Annotated Transcripts May-July 1917 Diary of U.S. Expedition to France by G.S. Patton Jr Capt. 7th Cavalry Staff of Gen. Pershing Friday May 18 1917 I had been riding at Mr. Rice's Topsfield Mass and on returning to Pride's found a wire from the Adjutant General directing me to procede to Washington at once and report to General Pershing. Telephoned papa at Washington he could say nothing definate over the pone but told me to come at once to bring Beatrice. We caught the twelve thirty driving up with Kay and Keith in out new machine. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Saturday May 19 Reached N.Y. at 7 A.M. and went to Penn Station to get train for Washington while at the station we read in the paper that Gen. P. was to precede the troops to France. Reached Wash at 2 P.M. Papa met us and told me I would have to start almost at once. I told Beatrice to wire El Paso and have Williams bring all my outfit then I went to the W.D. and reported. Capt. Margetts told me get some uniforms at once as we would have to leave Wednesday. I got one started at Keens and borrowed one for the time from Capt. E. S. Hughes. Went to the Hotel and saw Mama and Nita. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Sunday May 20 Went to Ft. Myer at 9 a.m. to inspect thirty men who had been selected for the Headquarters Orderlies. I found them in good shape and have them what instructions I could. Papa Mama Beatrice and I went to St. Johns church at four P.M for the service (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Tuesday May 22 General P. and all the staff were busy organizing and getting things clear (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Wednesday May 23 Papa, Beatrice and I had dinner with Senator Phelan Sec Lane, Mrs. Lane (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Thursday May 24 Williams and all my stuff arived. Mr. Bradley had wired all over the country to get it there so soon. Gen. P. told me to assign a uniform for Field clearks etc. As there was no time to get up a new one so I adopted a wollen O.D. uniform, campaign hat with-out chord. Canvas leggings, assault shoes. O.D. overcoat and white brassard 3 1/2" wide marked as follows. Field cleark F.C. Q.M. clearks, Q.C. stenographers S. Automobile Driver A. Interpreter Int. A U.S. button bronze on both sides of the collar. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Friday May 25 Nothing. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Saturday May 26 Mama gave B some orchids and me a gardenia. Had the [Connors] Conners [*Conner? see note 7/19/17*] Senator Phelen, Maj. and a woman from San Francisco. I got transportation and found that neither Collins or Margetts had secured a travel order for Sgt. Lanckton I was much upset for fear the general would find it out. Col. J.S. Tracey A.G. fixed it up for me and was very nice about it. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Thursday May 29 Heavy fog all day we did nothing but get our sea legs and assign the officers to various instructors for work in French 2 hours daily. There is a rumor that we are going to Halifax it seems probable as the water is shallow and we go very slowly. The boat has about a hundred trucks on her and several "tanks" with out the armor she would surely be a fine prize for a U-boat. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Wednesday May 30. I gave the men some drill this morning and started French classes among them the chauffers all speak it and two of the signal sergeants are college men one of whom was an instructor in French at the College of N.Y. Heavy fog all day and very cold we made less than half speed. We are supposed to have been off Halifax early this morning and to there have received orders to sail east which we are now doing. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Friday June 1 It is cold to day and a little rough but there is no fog we have seen no one since starting. Col. [*Packle*] [*Packel? don't know*] Packel gave another talk. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Saturday June 2 Very nice day with quite a few sea sick. Concert in the evening with a collection for the orphans. The collection amount to $315.00 (Diary of U.S. Expedition of France) Sunday June 3 Got civilian clothes for all members of the expedition those for the men we borrowed from the clearks. The idea is that if we are torpedoed the Germans will be less likely to shell the boats if they see no uniforms. Doctors gave a lecture on vanerial disease which is quite prevalent in France over 20% of the Canadian troops having it. Every one jokes about the U. Boats but we would all like to see a convoy show up. Some are quite nearvous and sleep in their clothes. The temperature of the sea which has been 52F is now 60 which will be a comfort if we have to get in it. There was church to day but I did not go. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Monday June 4 A very nice day clear and warm. We reduced speed from 15 to 13 1/2 nots so as not to reach the place where we are supposed to meet the convoy ahead of time. We also had a boat drill. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Tuesday June 5 All the men were put in civilian clothes to day. We heard about four P.M. that there were two destroyers ahead of us who would close in at dark. We also had a lecture by an english captain on mining operations. We are all cautioned to sleep in our clothes to night so we can get out quickly. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Wednesday June 6 When we got up this morning every one was more cheerful for on either side of our bow were two Destroyers of course they could not absolutely prevent our being shot at but they could prevent the shelling of the boats which is a comfort it would be rather an experience to be torpedoed but one would not enjoy being shelled later. We had a lecture on debarcation by a British Major named Humphrey he had been at Havre at the start and they made every mistake known to man. "Go we and do like wise." To night there is also good chance of our being attacked. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Thursday June 7 We awoke this morning to find an additional destroyer. And sighted land at 8 P.M. sighted Tosca Light at the southern end of Ireland. At 1 P.M. we had passed the Strousland and at 3 P.M. she was torpedoed. Packed our trucks and had them ready to land at 9:45 P.M. Resumed citizens clothes. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Friday June 8 We got up at 6 A.M. which was realy 5 A.M. as the English have advance time one hour to get more daylight. We were in Liverpool harbor. We docked at 9 A.M. and Lt. Gen (missing) came on board to receive Gen. P. also a company of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers came down as a guard of honor. They had the famous goat and the black ribons on the back of the tunic which Capt. Hutchinson had told me of when I was a child. I recognized them at once. We disembarked at 10 A.M. all our baggage being passed with out inspection, it was terribly messed up however and we started for London on a special train at 10:30 before it was all loaded we left Maj. Briggs to look after it. Reached Euston Station London at 3:30 P.M. Here we were met by the Lord mayor and Gen. French my 67 men were directed to go to the tower for quarters and I was to stay there with them I took Paddock with me. Capt. Collins Honorable Artillery Crops. H.A.C. met us at the station and took us to the Tower. When we got there we formed column and preceded by the band of the H.A.C. we went on under the Byward tower around the White tower. The first Battalion H.A.C. lined the walks and cheered us it was very thrilling. When we had executed eyes right to the Colonel we halted and fell out the men (Diary - June 8, 1917 - 2) were then assigned to quarters in the barracks of Co. 4 R.A.C. I reported to the Colonel. Treffry We had tea and supper at 6:45 P.M. at 10 P.M. the Picket Officer (O.D.) asked us if we wanted to see the "Keys". We found the guard lined up in front of the guard room. A patrol approached with a warder carrying a lantern No 1. challenged. "Halt who comes there!" The patrol replied. "The Keys" No 1. "Whos keys" Patrol "King George's Keys." No 1. "God bless King George." Patrol. "Ah men" No. 1 "Advance Keys. No. 1. alls well!" The guard and the patrol then presented arms and the warder took the keys to the "Kings House" It was very impressive and has been done in the same way for over five hundred years. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Saturday June 9 Breakfasted with theofficers & at 10 A.M. got orders to report to the General. On reaching the Hotel Savoy found that he had gone to call on King George and that the rest of us were to go to the Embassy. Here we met Mr. Page. Then returned to the hotel. Where we met Cols. Summerall, Baker etc. Capt Queckemeyer and some others who had come over with Balfour and just landed. Gen. P. Gen My Lord Guy Brooke oldest son of the [duke] Earl [*ought this to be Brooke? Yes KW*] [*It should be the Earl of Warrick*] of Warrick Collins and my self went to lunch at some club which had been founded by King Edward VII. Here we met Maj. Dodd and the Chief of the British Flying Corps. After lunch the two generals Collins and I went to call on the Duke of Connaught. We stood up all the time. Except Gen. P. whom the duke asked to sit down. Later Lord Brooke and I went around and left cards on a lot of people. The Prime minister. The Secretary for War whom we met. The commanding Gen. London district and some others. We also went to the Palace where I signed up in the "Kings Book" the names of all whom he had received. We did the same thing at the Duke of Connaught's. Then Lord Brooke took me to "Whites" the oldest club in the world for tea. It used to be "White's" Coffee (Diary - June 9, 1917 - 2) House. Lord Brooke is a very fine man. A Brig. Gen. and just recovering from a wound of a shell which smashed his left hand. And went through both hips and his bellie it kept him in bed sixteen weeks. Lt Skinner and Lt. Cartwright H.A.C. took us to the club for dinner it is called (missing) and is next to the oldest club in england. We had cocktails and champagne for drinks at dinner. Later we went to a play called Zig Zag rather good for such an affair. Lord Brooke and Gen P. were there also. When we left the theater we went to get some coffee and in two blocks I must have been stopped twenty times by women. On the way back through Byward gate we stopped to register in and the Warder Beef eater asked me if I would drink Whiskie and soda with him I did he asked me to come tuesday at 10 A.M. and that he would show me the whole place so I am going. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Sunday June 10 Did little in the morning but went to the Savoy for lunch. Mr. Gilbert Miller the son of Henry Miller the actor took me to drive in the P.M. we went to Maiden Head on the Thames here we met Mrs. Leslie Carter and afterwards had tea with a couple of actresses at this tea was also the Duke of Manchester he was not well dressed but very nice and asked me to come up and fish at his place if I got wounded. Country was beautiful and every one acted as if no war was on in fact the whole impression was that peace reigned. There are just as many men in London as usual and almost as many actors. People go to the theater and seem to have a fine time. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Tuesday June 12 Lt. Skinner took me over the tower we had the chief Beef Eater for guide it was most interesting as we went places people are not usually allowed. Packed our trunks and sent them in the afternoon. that night. The mess gave us a dinner Lt. Frechet of the French Aviation was my guest. At the close of the dinner Mr. (Lt) Cartwright the Mess President proposed the King's health. The Col. Treffry toasted us saying among other things that the H.A.C. would take pride in our success and think that we as their adopted children would far out shine them. I responded saying in substance. "Col. Treffry Gentlemen. On the part of my men Capt. Paddock and my self I desire to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your most courteous treatment of us while we have been your guests. Should I live a hundred years I shall never feel so proud as when I marched under your historic arches behind your band and was received by the cheers of your gallant men. My sincere hope is that we your adopted children shall be able to equal your noble record for to excell it were impossible. For your Corps emotion over comes me I can only say with all earnestness the H.A.C. God Bless it" Much cheers. (Diary-June 12,1917-2) The Colonel then toasted France as represented by Frechet he replied and the meal was over. Capt. Gibson gave me some cuff links made tunic of buttons one pair for my men. The N.C.A's of the H.A.C. gave my men a smoker which all the officers attended. The singing and playing was fine one of the musicians a sergeant having been Chevallier's accompanist. The colonel and some of the officers also sang or told stories. At the end one of the sergeant proposed the health to me and my men which was cheered was a lot and they all sang "For he's a jolly good fellow." I replied as follows as well as I can remember. "Col. Officers and men of the H.A.C In replying to your most generous ovation words fail me but I think I can best express the emotions I feel by presenting to my men the cuff links which you have given me for that purpose. Men: Americans: In presenting you with these buttons you must know that only the "Guards" and the H.A.C are allowed to wear them. I would warn you, but it is not necessary for I know you, that know one of you may accept these buttons unless he feels himself worth of the trust which the wearing of them imposes. These are worn (Diary - June 12, 1917 - 3) by the men whose glorious record is the proudest jewel in the crown of englands greatness. In accepting this present you all of you pledge your self never to be false to that magnificent tradition. Strive then to equal for no men can excell the record of the H.A.C. Americans rise! three cheers for the H.A.C." We returned to the Mess and though I tried to persuade the officers to go to bed they insisted on sitting up to see us off at 4:30 A.M. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Thursday June 14 The Gen. and most of the staff went des Invalides here the Gen was allowed to kiss Napoleons sword and was invested with the Grand Cross of the Legion d'Honor worn by the 1st Emperor. All the staff except Gen P. had lunch at the Circle Militare at noon. At 3 P.M. we went out to see the aeroplanes there were 400 of them and it was most wonderful. Lewis, Capt. Reed and I had dinner then Lewis and I went to the theater. Capt. R went chasing girls. With success. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Saturday June 16 17 Had inspection of arms in the court of the barracks. Made arrangements for unloading the automobiles and rest of the stuff on Sunday staied at office 29 Rue Constantine all afternoon. Have one N.C.O. & 3 privates on guard at the Generals 6. Privates on guard at the Office. Went to theater. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Sunday June 17 17 Office open all day. But we don't seem to be doing much I think that people are being entertained too much and that it would be better to prohibit officers going out more than twice a week. De Coppet and I had dinner with a very nice French lady and her daughter named Francois they were very nice and spoke specially good French. Went to bed at twelve which is the earliest I have been to bed. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Monday June 18 17 Still very hot. I looked into a spy case in reference to Martin Sedlesock of Hdqs detatchment. Capt. Reed and I had talk on vagaries of human affairs. And the lack of ability of all members of the staff except our selves. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Tuesday June 19 17 Got 3 Cadillacks and one Packard in shape also made arrangements to put chauffeurs on a comutation basis starting the 20th. Placed two orderlies at 129 Rue Haussman at the offices of Med. Ord. F.A. Signal Now we have 4 men on guard at Gen. P's. 3 men and 2 motor cyclemen on guard at 29 Rue Constantine. Besides two who stay there all the while. And 1 man and 1 motor cycle man at 127 Rue Haussman. One man in charge of Quarters. I expect before this row is over that there will be a battalion or perhaps a regiment on this job. We started a prophylactic station at the Barracks Tuesday. to day. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Wednesday June 20 17 Col. McCarthy and I called on Col. Gerard the chief of the automobile service of France and arranged for the marking of our cars. Col. McC. does not know how to handle the French. At 4 I went to the big reserve park of autos at a place called Boulogne just out side Paris here I examined the method of accounting for French cars they now use a card index system copies of which I got. Lt. Gilete went with me I will arrange this method in the morning. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Thursday June 21 Marking of autos was turned over to Capt. Liebman U.S.R..Q.M.C. I did nothing of interest. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Friday June 22 17 In afternoon Col. Mitchell asked me if I wanted to go out to the Flying grounds with him and Fly. When we got there he arranged for me to go up in a Farman Biplane it was most interesting. I had always thought it would frighten me but it did not one feels perfectly safe and the machine seems as steady as a church. The entire country spreads out like a map beneath and it is fine. We did not go up very high only 3600 feet but it did not seem that. I went to the Comede Francais. A most interesting play. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Saturday June 23 17 Sgt. Braine reported this morning that one of the machines ran over a French man and broke his collar bone. I called on the Prefect of Police of the district and after giving him a cigarette and a ride he assured me that the victim was a robber an assin and that my man was a poor victim in fact for two cigarettes he would have jailed the poor chap. Politeness pays especially in France. I went to the Teatre Feminan Champs Elyse and saw a light opera Chevallier was there and is fine he is home recovering from wounds he was in a German prison 26 months. The French are very hard hit for men. And the last "victories"? must have cost terribly. We had three cooks all over 47 who had to go to the front last night. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Sunday June 24 17 Went to tea at the Boyd's later went to see Gen P as he was alone I stayed with him till ten thirty going with out supper we had a most interesting conversation. Among other things he told me that during the week ending 23 the U. Boats had gotten over 400,000 tons of shipping at that rate they would get over a twelfth of the worlds shipping in a month. He said that unless it could be stopped we would never get over 500,000 men to France. He also told me that the French were very shaky and that things were not so bright as they were painted. We talked of Anne he felt terribly but thought it best that she should not come I thought the same and told him so. And so to bed. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Monday June 25 17 Was elected a temporary member of the Travelers Club to day. For one month cost $15.00 a costly pleasure. Col. Harbord went some where to the Front leaving Maj. Logan Q.M.C. in charge. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Tuesday June 26 17 Col Graves and serval other American officers arrived in France to day. Capt Quekemeyer was with them. He had been to the British front with Gen. Bridges for three days Queke. And I had supper together at the Ambassadors we sent a courier Sgt Santine to San Nazaire where our first division has landed. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Wednesday June 27 17 Gen. Pershing, Col. Alvard and Capt. Margetts went to San Nazaire to welcome the incoming troops. Col. Harbord and Collins arrived from the Front, near Verdun, at 4:30 P.M. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Friday June 29 17 I moved to my apartment at 40 Rue D'Artois. Andre de Coppet and Mr. Waldo Reed are with me. We have every thing but linnen and we rent that to have a maid who cooks breakfast and cleans up. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Thursday June 28 '17 Nothing of importance happened. It rained hard several trees blew down and squashed a man in an auto. (Diary of U.S. Expedition to France) Saturday June 30 Maj. Frank McCoy reported yesterday and spent a day of pernicious activity as assistant Chief of Staff. Among other things inaugurated a bureau of information with me at the Head of it. He assured me that the ideal man for the place would be the ball boy at a club or lacking him I would do. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Sunday, July 1 17 Nothing mutch doing dined at the Boyds. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Monday July 2 17 Nothing of interest (Diary of the U.S. Expedition to France) Tuesday July 3 17 The second Battalion of the 16th Infantry with Col. Alair arrived this morning at 7:30a.m. from San Nazaire. They are to take part in the celebration tomor- row. I had lunch at the Circle Militare with Major Degeorges of the 4th Zouaves while there we saw the officers of the 16 who had been invited to dine. Capt. Short and [?] were among those present. Maj. Degeorges told me that in Aug 1914 there were 12000 officers of French Inft. To day 7000 are dead. 2000 maimed for life and the remaining 3000 all have been hit so far as he knows. Mrs. Thayer of Boston and Paris and her daughter Alice Countess de Montgomery called on Gen. P. this morning the festive Alice is very nice. I got her two tickets for Lee Invalides tomorrow. (Diary of the U.S. Expedition to France) Wednesday July 4 17 The band of the Guard Republican went to wake the Gen at 8:30 at his house 73 Rue de Varenne at 9:30 They all went to the Invalides and had a great show then the Bn. Of the 16th marched to the Tomb of Lafayette by way of the Place des Invalides. Place de la Concord & Rue Rivoli the women often broke into the ranks and hugged and kissed the men. I was sitting in my machine at the end of Rue Constantine watching and a large woman in black climbed on the hub and put her arm around me, mostly for support I think but she stunk so I made her let go. (Diary of the U.S. Expedition to France) Thursday July 5 I brought a packed five passenger 1917 and traded it for the one B. had given the Gen. It cost 25000 F. (Diary of the U.S. Expedition to France) Saturday July 7 17 Had rather a hectic morning and at 3:20p.m. Col. Harbord told me to go up with Queck and learn the road to Sir Douglas Haige Hdqs. We left at 4:10p.m. and went by St. Denis- Ecouen Chantilly- Creil- Liancourt Clermont- St. Just-Breteuil- Amiens- St. Pal Lillers- Aire-Blandesouse. And reached G.H.Q. at 9:50p.m. We were met by Capt. Straiker A.D.C. to the Marshall and he gave us supper we started back at 11:05p.m. over same road and got in at 6:30a.m. For over ten miles on the return trip we passed artillery moving north. The difference in appearance between the Canadian or Australian and the British is very marked and very much in favor of the British. (Diary of the U. S. Expedition to France) Sunday July 8 17 Gen P. had a conference of all the officers of the various missions and decided on several points asto the policy of the instruction. I had tea with Countess de Montgomery. Queke and I went to dinner together. (Diary of the U. S. Expedition to France) Monday July 9 17 Shallenberger and I had lunch together at the Continental. (Diary of the U. S. Expedition to France) Tuesday July 10 17 Went to dinner and the theater with Mr. May & Maj. Brain [*? Braine? don't know*] Called on the British Military Attache to get addresses of British officers in Paris. Called on Ambassador. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Wednesday July 11 17 Maj. McCormick arrived and reported for duty. I thought that I had lost a pass and had the whole place torn up looking for it. Only to find that a cleark had taken it by mistake. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Thursday July 12 17 Gen March, Maj. Westervelt Lt. Swing & Rhinehart came to day and I had to give them a car. (Diary of the U. S. Expedition to France) Friday July 13 17 Gen. Sibert and his staff came to day. I met Col. Coe and Capt. Marshall of his staff yesterday at 8 P.M. Maj. Desgeorges asked me and Queck to go to the review with he and his wife in the morning. Had a terribly annoying day every one wanted a car and there were no cars to give. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Sunday July 15 17 Nothing important (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Monday July 16 Made arrangement for Gen. March, Maj. Margetts Maj. Westevelt, Lt. Swing Lt. Rhinehart to visit the 4th Army Artilleray at Chalons Sur Main. Starting on the 17th. (Diary of U. S. Expedition to France) Tuesday July 17 17 Wired Beat. about pasports. Saw Major Bacon on some subject. (Diary of the U. S. Expedition to France) Wednesday July 18 17 Nothing (Diary of the U. S. Expedition to France) Thursday July 19 17 Got passes for Trip to St. [Amar] Omer [*should be OMER*] for the general arranged for Col Stanley and party to leave on a trip to Tours etc on Friday also arranged a trip for Col Conner with two machines on Sunday. (Diary of the U.S. Expedition to France) Monday July 23 17 Left G.H.Q. at 9:40a.m. went to H.Q. 5 Army by way of Cossel. At Waton we were met by Maj. Gen Malcolm chief of Staff to the C.G. 5th Army just as we were getting out Gen. Plumber commanding 4 Army whom we had visited Sunday came up to apologize to the General for having been absent. Gen. Malcolm took us to a place in the woods where all the maps for the 5 Army are made. The various processes for making maps from aeroplane photographs were shown to us and we also saw a four ton Lithograph printing press which can be taken down and set up in 60 hours. Just as we were leaving this place Gen Gough commanding the 5th Army came up he is a very nice man and not at all haughty we went to a place where a plan of the German front to be attacked had been erected. The scale was 1 to 50 and every thing was represented to scale Woods. lakes, villages as well as trenches and craters. There is a platform where a full view is obtainable and also trench which gives a man a view of the position much as he would obtain from actual front line. Each squad and higher leader is taken to this model and shown just where he is to lead his element (Diary- July 23, 1917 - 2) One officer has special charge of the model and must demolish the trenches as they are shown by the aero. photographs. After this we returned to Waton for lunch Gen. Gough, M. Gen Malcolm M. Gen Sergeant Dept. A & Q.M.G were at lunch. After lunch we went to a camilflage school. Here we saw all sorts of devices. Mts with bits of green rag tied to them to be placed over guns. Observation peep holes made by putting gouge in the side of an old gas [*gouge ? yes*] tin half buried in the parapet. Old caps with a gouge hole in the top burried likewise. Also canvas hedges and road screens these latter are stripes of Black and light brown and made into screens do not show in a picture. We left here at 5 P.M. and reached Montreuil at 6:30 here we were met by B. Gen Harding-Newman Dept. Director Gen of Transportation charged with technical side. Who put us up for the night as the representative [*side ? yes*] of Gen. Nash. D.G.T. At supper also were Gen. Wedgewood, Docks, Gen. Brodie Henderson and a col in charge of canals. (Diary of the U.S. Expedition to France) Tuesday July 24 17 Gen. went to the transportation office at 9 A.M. and talked with the following officers on the subject of their various department. 1st Col. Lyell R. E. Chief of R.R. Construction 2. Gen. Murray Chief R. R. Transp. 3. Gen. Wedgewood, Docks 4. Gen. Brodie Henderson Dep of Canals 5. Gen. Harrison dir of light R. R. They gave us a number of maps & charts. We started for Paris at 11:30 A.M. reaching here at 6 P.M. (Diary of the U. S. Expedition to France) Wednesday July 25 Gen. Blackford & Col Rogers reported to the general in the A.M. Also Gen. Biddle (Diary of the U. S. Expedition to France) Thursday July 26 17 Col Hines, Maj. Nolan Maj. Conger went to British G.H.Q. also Gen March, Maj. Westervelt Capt. Collins & Lts. Swing and Rinehart. I acted as aid for Gen. P. also took Col Hines place. (Diary of the U. S. Expedition to France) Friday July 27 17 Nothing. (Diary of the U. S. Expedition to France) Saturday July 28 17 Maj. Davis A.G. Maj. Malone G.S. Maj. Eltinge G.S. Maj. Connor Eng. G.S. Maj. Hintzleman reported for duty. (Diary of the U. S. Expedition to France) Sunday July 29 17 Heavy rain and hail storm. Very hot in after noon. Made arrangements to go to Grandicourt with Gen. P. Col. Harbord & Col de Chambrun. Talked over auto question with Col. Rogers. Got notice that 28 Cadillacks had landed at St. Nazaire. (Diary of the U. S. Expedition to France) Monday July 30 17 Got already to go but at 12:45 Gen Told me not to go. (Diary of the U.S. Expedition to France) Tuesday July 31 17 Mustered HQs Troop at 8 A.M. Gen Col Harbord Col de Chambrun and I left office at 2:50 P.M. in Hotchkis and Packard. Went by Port Vincennes - Joinville - le Pont - Crecy Vitry - Le-F to St. Dizier. We passed for miles along the scene of the battle of the Marne. The road marks almost exactly the scene of the last French line of battle. There were many graves along the road. Where hospitals had stood there were large squair inclosres full of crosses. Just north of the road is the vally where Nap. fought the first half of the campaign of 1814 Reached St. Dizier at 8 P.M. Gen & Col H were put up at the hotel Col de Chambrun & I were bilited. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.