Ferris Wellman Myrice enlisted in the Army March 28, 1918, aged 21 years, 10 months. Born in Deshler, Ohio, he served in Company L of the 332nd Infantry. He was promoted to Corporal on March 1, 1919. He saw service at Vittorio-Veneto and in the Defensive Sector. He was with the American Expeditionary Forces from June 6, 1918 to April 14, 1919 and was honorably discharged on August 5, 1919.
Ferris Wellman Myrice - 1919 Diary |
| | |
January 1919 |
| Jan 1 - 1919 | Wednesday |
| Jan 3 | _____________ |
| Jan 4 | New Suit - we are getting something to eat besides stew. Met Sect. Walker of the Y - a one time teacher at D.C. he was staying of the Birmingham |
| Jan. 5. | Received Margarets card and letter saying Erk was killed in Action Oct. 9. White bread for dinner first we have had in this Old world, sure did taste like cake. |
| Jan 6 | sick in quarters |
| " 7 | " " |
| Jan 8 | " " |
| Jan 9 | " " company takes long hike - Ive gets the given antumally |
| Jan 10. | - Make me a new bed - |
| " " 11. | A fine nights sleep we get -our Red Cross Xmas present, also our pay |
| Jan. 12 | Sunday - a very beautiful day - but not a quiet one - numerous fights - and we are in quarters - it's a show every time anything starts they shut us in . Increased my corn collection about 15 pieces. Officers have a big "blow out" on the boat. |
| Jan. 16. | Band came in in evening - now for some real music |
| Jan. 25. | Someone steals a ring and the battalion is formed and the jewler looks every one over. |
| Jan 26. | I teach some boys how to play catch - down in he public gardens. |
| Jan 29. | Volunteered to convoy flour into Austria. Arrived in Trieste at 11 A.M. left at 10 P.M. Passing thru Marhu, Troz, Baden etc fianally arriving at Vienna 9 A.M. ____ with only a few - sensations |
| The night of Jan 31st the train became uncontrollable going down a grade and things were happening for a short time - just missed a passenger train pulling across ahead of us. Passed Minriver.We billeted in the gym of a school building, fine place. Most everything was closed the next day (Sunday) but I saw about all one could in a day. Wein sure is a Wonderful city. As usual we had motion pictures taken of us - before important buildings of the city. Place I saw or visited Natural Museum, Hapsburg Palace (the trip thru the palace was worth the hardships of the ride to Wein) We saw the balcony upon which F.J. stood while making his speech when war was declared. Went to Mass at St. Stevens - etc. Finally ended the day by going home with an Austrian When I left, his little daughter called me to the side of her bed - where she was waving the American and British flags. |
February 1919 |
| Feb. 3. | Left Vienna - spent 3d and 4th in Dermmering some sports. |
| Feb. 7. | Arrived in Flume. It took 20 hours to travel from Trieste to Flume. |
| Left Flume 12th of Feb. arrived in Geneva Feb 15th. Passed thru Villa Franca. Also about 10 miles of tunnels Billeted in the Morimare Hotel |
March 1919 |
| March 1. | Made a corporal |
| " 13 | Left Geneva - to join a conseral company in France On my way to discharge. It looks as tho the 332nd would beat me home - but - I guess this is the only safe way. |
| March 14 | Meet Melvin Brown in Genoa - doing M.P. work - lent me 50 lires. Also meet a fellow from Co. D. 329th - who was cooking for the outfit Erk Cottrell belonged to when he was killed - he said he was a fine fellow and a fine Lt. and died fighting. Spent night of 14th in "Cambrae" fine bed - arrived in Dijon evening of 15th Red - used us fine - they serve 1000 to 2000 each day - . Rocade car to SA "Agony" some hard ride - but a good nights sleep fianally - in a tent. |
| 17th | Thru the mill and awaiting - ack. - its (hell) |
Notes
Mrs. Marriott/Hazel Shirley 621 w. 1st St. Long Beach - Cal
Havery Rutler - Base-Hos. C.S. hermen
Reich Coffin 126 Chesnut st Albany N.Y.
Margaret Cottrell 232 E 4th St Greenville T Agosta - Ohio
Inez Beck, Greenville Ohio 1427 Harrison St.
Robert Munn - Portage Ohio
Ulilah Johns - Sherwood Ohio
Pres. A.G. Cares Defiance Ohio 20 College Place
Milton Ronshien - Cadis, Ohio
Inez Tebay Spring Valley ______ Moore - Montana
J.C. Bates - 150 7th St. Chillicothe, Ohio Phone - 191 Y - Home
Discharge from U.S. Army Filed and recorder May 3 - 1919 Defiance Co. - Vol. 2 - page 332
Record at C Logan
200 St Jr Leaf 4404444454-37
200 ________ 353454435-40
300 Prone 34454454-40
200 St Jr leaf 5554444433-41
300 Prone 530543333000-21
Rifle No - 103397
Serial No. - 1974934
Company No. 204
__________________ at C. Logan
Slow Fire.
200 yd St. Jr Leaf 4354534444-40
300 " Prone SB 3442444444-36
200 " Sitting 44443 -19 38
200 " Kneeling 50444 -17 34
300 " Prone 4433344454-38
Rapid Fire
200 " St. Jr Leaf 5555455554 - 48
300 " Prone SB " 5555055530 - 38
Slow Fire with Bayonet
200 " St Jr Battle 4434444443 - 38
300 " Prone SB 3443434443 - 36
Rapid Fire with Bayonet
200 " St Jr. Battle 5553055333 -37
300 " prone " 4403055550 -36
MMS 1729 - Ferris Wellman Myrice Diary Guide
Manuscripts by Subject | U. S. in Wartime Collections
MyBGSU
Email
Search
Directory
Academics
Admissions
The Arts
Athletics
Library
A to Z Links
Bowling Green State University