This was our home for over five months. That time will be merely sketched, as it was a monotonous existence punctuated by flurries of excitement caused by rumors of westward bound ships with which we never connected. Imaginary Bolsheviki were driven from every hillside; the Campe de Cesare was the slaughter house for thousands of imaginary machine gunners; and drills and manuevres of every sort made up the schedule. Mr. McNab tried (and failed) to get us excited about the gentle art of rifle shooting. French weather was at its abominable worst. But through it all, if the writer may insert a personal tribute into an impersonal history, through it all there was in Company “B” a bunch of boys whom it was both a pleasure and an inspiration to be with. Joking at discomforts, chafing, but bearing with as much courage as it took to face the Hun, the seemingly interminable wait and showing a spirit, a snap, and a dash which overcame everything, you formed a body of men which was a privilege to command and a pleasure to serve. The month of March arrived, bringing with it the news that the 78th Division would return to the United States in May. The weather was still unchanged, but notwithstanding that they were slopping around in the mud and wet from the continual rains, and every “good rumor” that came floating around was eventually salvaged, the men were still in fine spirits. Towards the end of the month it was officially announced that the Division would begin to move towards a port April 16th, and on April 6th it passed into the command of the S. O. S., but also came the rather disheartening news that our movement had been postponed for ten days, and by the time the 26th rolled around it had been further postponed until May 2nd, causing a downcast of spirits that had not obtained since our arrival in France. However it was quite evident that our time of departure was drawing near by the various preparations that were taking place, and when it finally became definitely known that we were to go direct to Bordeaux instead of having to pass through Le Mans, the spirit of the men took a remarkable jump and then, when it was announced that the movement from Flavigny would begin with Headquarters company’s departure on Sunday, May 4th, their joy was unbounded, and this was not noticeably marred by the last days of April being the bearer of the heaviest and longest snow storm that we had experienced. Saturday night, May 4th, Taps was blown by a quartette of cornets from the Regimental Band, and farewell parties were held in nearly every home in Flavigny. CHAPTER IX HOMEWARD BOUND