Hezekiah Scovil Porter WW I Diary Transcription continued
The following is the next installment of the transcription of Hezekiah Scovil Porter’s diary of his time in the army until his death at Chateau Thierry on July 22, 1918. Again there is one from the beginning of the book and one from 100 years ago today.
Original is in black, annotations in red, horizontal lines indicate page breaks.
(France)
Monday Nov. 19th
Lecture this A.M. Wood, hike.
(France)
Tuesday Mar. 19th
Up at 7 A.M. Unloaded cars + luggage – breakfast – off again overland at 9 A.M. Brienne le Chateau to Fontaine. Nice little town. On guard + drew “orderly.” Couple of luxurious chateaus – officers quarters. Whole bunch of us quartered in a big old mill.
Previous posts: Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31, Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35, Part 36, Part 37, Part 38
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Hezekiah Scovil Porter WW I Diary Transcription continued
The following is the next installment of the transcription of Hezekiah Scovil Porter’s diary of his time in the army until his death at Chateau Thierry on July 22, 1918. Again there is one from the beginning of the book and one from 100 years ago today.
Original is in black, annotations in red, horizontal lines indicate page breaks.
(France)
Sunday Nov. 18th
Played cards + wrote letters. Went for walk this P.M.
(France)
Monday Mar. 18th
Rolled packs – in cars + off at 9 A.M. Drove to one station beyond Soissons – dinner – loaded cars + luggage on train. Off at about 4:30 P.M. In box cars – no sleep.
Previous posts: Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31, Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35, Part 36, Part 37
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Hezekiah Scovil Porter WW I Diary Transcription continued
The following is the next installment of the transcription of Hezekiah Scovil Porter’s diary of his time in the army until his death at Chateau Thierry on July 22, 1918. Again there is one from the beginning of the book and one from 100 years ago today.
Original is in black, annotations in red, horizontal lines indicate page breaks.
(France)
Saturday Nov. 17th
Cards this A.M. Examined practice trenches + bombs this P.M. + got wood. Mail this evening. Letter from Louise. (His sister.)
(France)
Sunday Mar. 17th
On K.P. all day. Worked hard.
Previous posts: Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31, Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35, Part 36
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Hezekiah Scovil Porter WW I Diary Transcription continued
The following is the next installment of the transcription of Hezekiah Scovil Porter’s diary of his time in the army until his death at Chateau Thierry on July 22, 1918. Again there is one from the beginning of the book and one from 100 years ago today.
Original is in black, annotations in red, horizontal lines indicate page breaks.
(France)
Friday Nov. 16th
Cards this A.M. Wood + drill (cal) this P.M. Mail this evening (Choate News).
(France)
Mar. 16th 1918
On again from 12:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. heavy gas shelling. Packed up + left for Vregny
Previous posts: Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31, Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35
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Hezekiah Scovil Porter WW I Diary Transcription continued
The following is the next installment of the transcription of Hezekiah Scovil Porter’s diary of his time in the army until his death at Chateau Thierry on July 22, 1918. Again there is one from the beginning of the book and one from 100 years ago today.
Original is in black, annotations in red, horizontal lines indicate page breaks.
(France)
(There is no entry for Thursday, Nov. 15; see previous day’s entry, which was labelled “Thursday, Nov. 14” and may belong to either that day or this.)
(France)
Friday Mar. 15th
On guard from 12:30 – 4:30 and from 8 – 1:30 P.M.
Previous posts: Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31, Part 32, Part 33, Part 34
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Hezekiah Scovil Porter WW I Diary Transcription continued
The following is the next installment of the transcription of Hezekiah Scovil Porter’s diary of his time in the army until his death at Chateau Thierry on July 22, 1918. Again there is one from the beginning of the book and one from 100 years ago today.
Original is in black, annotations in red, horizontal lines indicate page breaks.
(France)
Thursday Nov 14th (sic; this may be Wednesday, Nov. 14 or Thursday, Nov. 15 - the next entry is Friday, Nov. 16)
Cards this A.M. hike + wood this P.M. Fine day.
(France)
Thursday Mar. 14th
Guard again at 4:30 off at 8 P.M. On again at 1:30 A.M. off at 7 A.M.
Previous posts: Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31, Part 32, Part 33
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This photo is from 2014. I think it's still Joseph's favorite shirt. I bought him another, in a larger size, because he kept wearing this one even though he'd worn it out and outgrown it.
Fun Fact: Albert Einstein was born on Pi Day.
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Hezekiah Scovil Porter WW I Diary Transcription continued
The following is the next installment of the transcription of Hezekiah Scovil Porter’s diary of his time in the army until his death at Chateau Thierry on July 22, 1918. Again there is one from the beginning of the book and one from 100 years ago today.
Original is in black, annotations in red, horizontal lines indicate page breaks.
(France)
Tuesday Nov 13th
Cards this A.M. hike after wood this P.M.
(France)
Wednesday Mar. 13th
Some gas + a few shells this A.M. Off guard at 4:30 P.M. Out at 7:00 – find (sic) until 9:30. On gun guard at 1:30 – off at 7:00 A.M.
Previous posts: Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31, Part 32
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Hezekiah Scovil Porter WW I Diary Transcription continued
The following is the next installment of the transcription of Hezekiah Scovil Porter’s diary of his time in the army until his death at Chateau Thierry on July 22, 1918. Again there is one from the beginning of the book and one from 100 years ago today.
Original is in black, annotations in red, horizontal lines indicate page breaks.
(France)
Monday Nov 12th
Saw sun for 1st time since we’ve been here this A.M. Played cards. hike after wood.
(France)
Tuesday Mar. 12th
Gun guards at 1:30 A.M. off at 7:00 A.M. Gas guard at (12 overwritten 4 or 4 overwritten 12) 30 A.M.
Previous posts: Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31
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I love Florida.
Though I spent the first 32 years of my life in the Northeast, I grew up vacationing every other year in Daytona Beach, where my grandparents lived a short walk from the "World's Most Famous Beach." It was wonderful.
When we first considered moving here, however, I was hesitant, full of the anti-Southern prejudice that is the sea in which Northeasterners swim. Not that Florida is Deep South—we have too many immigrants from every state and myriad countries for that—but it took me a few years not to automatically associate a southern accent with ignorance and prejudice. But life has a way of bringing humility, and now I treasure the Sunshine State and its people, defending them ardently against those (northern) folks who say our state is crazy.
Now I wonder if they were right all along. This week, Florida did a crazy thing.
Crazier even than the state constitutional amendment mandating correct treatment of pot-bellied pigs. (Not necessarily a bad idea in itself, but very bad as a change to the Constitution.)
Our legislators voted to remain on Daylight Saving Time all year. Thank goodness, it requires an Act of Congress to put that into effect, but Congress has shown it is not immune to Crazy, and Florida legislators have now trumpeted their madness to the world. Overwhelmingly. Democrats and Republicans. Bipartisan lunacy.
They hope to start a movement that other states will follow and force Congress to act in their favor.
Florida has just fired the first shot in a Civil War reenactment, from the Yankee side.
I completely understand why people living in the North like Daylight Saving Time. Living for 18 months in Boston, much further north than Orlando and on the eastern edge of the time zone to boot, made me realize why New Englanders appreciate the time change, in both directions. But here in Florida, much closer to the equator, our seasons are more nearly constant, and changing the clocks is more annoying than useful.
If America were to stay on Standard Time all year, I would like that. Let noon be the time when the sun is highest overhead (or as close as time zones will allow) and be done with it. But to stay on Summer Time year 'round? Let's not mock Mother Nature more than we must.
I always admired—though never emulated—our daughter's steadfast determination not to change her clocks away from "real time" but make in her head the necessary adjustment to the crazy world. But if the Florida legislature had voted to stay on Standard Time year 'round, I would still oppose it, unless the rest of the country followed suit. Aren't we divided too much already, without having to suffer a time change while crossing the Florida-Georgia border?
I wouldn't blame the Bostonians if they objected to year-'round Standard Time. I'd prefer it myself, but will put up with the semi-annual changes for their sake. But Daylight Time forever? Never! I'm frustrated enough that they have extended the weeks of DST, putting us out of sync with Europe.
And even in Boston, do we really need DST any more? We fool ourselves with idyllic pictures of children in their backyards, kicking around a ball in the extra hour of evening sun. But is that how most of us improve that shining hour? Aren't we, and our children, much more likely to be inside staring at a screen?
In any case, if we go on DST and never return, we will have permanently lost an hour of life. Today I grudgingly suffered a 23-hour day, filled with the hope of receiving a 25-hour day in the fall. I want my hour back!
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Hezekiah Scovil Porter WW I Diary Transcription continued
The following is the next installment of the transcription of Hezekiah Scovil Porter’s diary of his time in the army until his death at Chateau Thierry on July 22, 1918. Again there is one from the beginning of the book and one from 100 years ago today.
Original is in black, annotations in red, horizontal lines indicate page breaks.
(France)
Sunday Nov. 11th
Cold. Nothing doing. Can’t go out around anywhere. Turned in early tonight.
(France)
Monday Mar. 11th
Up again at 4:45 A.M. to stand to. Breakfast + to bed. Gun guard + digging at 11:30 A.M. Relieved at 4:30 P.M. Not much excitement.
Previous posts: Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30
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Hezekiah Scovil Porter WW I Diary Transcription continued
The following is the next installment of the transcription of Hezekiah Scovil Porter’s diary of his time in the army until his death at Chateau Thierry on July 22, 1918. Again there is one from the beginning of the book and one from 100 years ago today.
Original is in black, annotations in red, horizontal lines indicate page breaks.
(France)
Saturday Nov. 10th
Rain hard this A.M. No calls. Went on guard this P.M. at 1:30. On 1st relief 1:30 to 5:30. Quite comfortable in guard house by fire. Got feet warm + dry for 1st time in about a week. One fellow came down with measles tonight + all in our barracks
are quarantined.
(France)
Sunday Mar. 10th
Packing + cleaning up. Getting ready to go to trenches again. Company left this P.M. Drove up one car, came back with some “C” men. Was driven back again. Meantime guns set up. On gun guard soon as back. Quietly off at 12:30 A.M. Up again at 4:45 A.M. to stand to.
Previous posts: Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29
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Hezekiah Scovil Porter WW I Diary Transcription continued
The following is the next installment of the transcription of Hezekiah Scovil Porter’s diary of his time in the army until his death at Chateau Thierry on July 22, 1918. Again there is one from the beginning of the book and one from 100 years ago today.
Original is in black, annotations in red, horizontal lines indicate page breaks.
(France)
Friday Nov. 9th
Hiked over to a town this. Raining + got soaked. Raining too hard for doing anything this P.M.
(France)
Saturday Mar 9th.
Calisthenics this A.M. General clean up. Inspection this P.M.
Previous posts: Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28
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Ember Rising, the latest in S. D. Smith's Green Ember series, is now available! I have just completed a delicious re-read of all the previous books—The Green Ember, The Black Star of Kingston, Ember Falls, and The Last Archer—and am almost halfway through my advance copy of Ember Rising. It was hard to wait patiently to read the new book, but worthwhile to get the old stories clear in my head again. (I am not like J. R. R. Tolkien, for whom there was only one "first reading" of a book. I read voraciously, and I read fast—but I forget quickly, too, and don't really remember a book until I've read it several times.)
So, any of you Green Ember fans who didn't get advance copies, now's your chance! Here's the link at S. D. Smith's store, and here's Amazon's.
Hezekiah Scovil Porter WW I Diary Transcription continued
The following is the next installment of the transcription of Hezekiah Scovil Porter’s diary of his time in the army until his death at Chateau Thierry on July 22, 1918. Again there is one from the beginning of the book and one from 100 years ago today.
Original is in black, annotations in red, horizontal lines indicate page breaks.
(France)
Thursday Nov. 8th
Raining. Went after wood up in woods after wood this A.M. Went again this P.M. Tried to clean off some of mud on mess strut this P.M. Stoves installed in our barracks this P.M.
(France)
Friday Mar. 8th
Warm + like spring. Drill this A.M. Played ball + quakes this P.M. (Quakes may be a form of craps.)
Previous posts: Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27
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