Military Songs of War

Diary of Pvt. Michael O’Connor

Of all the actors in the great tragedy of the war, none stand out more heroically than the chaplains, none fill a greater place in what has come to be called the theater of the war. No wonder so many of them have received decorations, and no wonder the men highly value the presence and encouragement of the minister of religion.

— Pvt. Michael O’Connor

Diary of Pvt. Charles Altman - Part 3

General Petain, Commander-in-Chief of the French Armies operating on the French front, on July 3, 1918, issued the following general order: “To-morrow, the Independence Day celebration of the United States, the first American troops which have debarked in France will defile in Paris. Later they will join us in the front. Let us salute these new companions in arms who without thought of gain or of conquest, but with the simple desire of defending the cause of right and liberty, have come to take their places in the ranks beside us. Others are preparing to follow them. They will soon be on our soil. The United States means to put at our disposition, without reckoning, their soldiers, their factories, their vessels, and their entire country. They want to pay a hundredfold the debt of gratitude they owe to Lafayette and his companions. From all the points of the front a single shout on this July 4th will be heard, ‘Honor to the great sister. Long live the United States!’”

— Pvt. Charles Altman

Diary of Pvt. Charles Altman - Part 2

I saw two women of the peasant class waiting outside the Prefect’s office in Paris. The elder went in, returning presently with a set look on her worn face.

“Is it well with Jean? the younger woman asked eagerly.

“Yes, it is well.”

“And with Henri and Paul?”

“Yes, all is well with them… They are all with God.”

… “I am glad to have been their mother.”

— Pvt. Charles Altman