Regimental Headquarters, the remnant of the Headquarters Company, and the Second Battalion proceeded
to Charmes on the 6th, where they entrained. The First
Battalion and the Supply Company entrained at Finvaux
on the 7th.
This movement was unlike the one from Souge. There a brigade had had a week to entrain. Now from a small section an entire division was going out practically in a single day. While there were a number of points of departure the congestion at each was such that a careful schedule had to be made and followed.
Each battery broke park and took the road at a stated moment. It arrived at its entraining point at a given time. It fed and watered according to the clock. We passed large parties of our doughboys manoeuvering in the fields while they waited their turn at the trains. They intcrcsted us. We intrigued them. Their glances followed the long, overladen column from which the sleek snouts of the pieces, escaping from burdens of forage and equipment, peered at them encouragingly.
The Supply Company was off first. Battery A commenced entraining at 2 o'clock and was completely loaded at 3:30. Before the train had pulled out the head of Battery B was on the ramp. Before B had gone C appcared and was ready to load.
At Charmes there was a similar precision of movement. We were surprised to lcarn how much we had profited by our one previous experience. The drivers made short work of refractory animals. The carriages seemed to roll into their places on the flats automatically.
These days were warm, and such speed makes men thirsty. There was a little Y. M. C. A. hut on the ramp. When the job was complete the men were allowed to line up for a glass of raspberry syrup and water, and a limited quantity of chocolate, cakes, and tobacco.
