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Show CUSTER RECOUNTS EXPERIENCE OVERSEA Salt Lake Man Tells Life as Y. M. C. A. Worker in Trenches. "The American soldier is the most courageous fighter who ever faced an enemy," Edward G. Caster, in recounting recount-ing his experiences as a T. M. C. A. worker in France before the congregation congrega-tion of the First MeUiodist church last night, said. Mr. Caster was divisional director of the Twenty-ninth division, and with the 115th regiment of that organization organiza-tion went into the first line trenches, doing the things the soldiers did- and enduring their hardships. Ho declared the hardships were so terrible that those who passed through them dislike to recall them, and pray that they may be erased ; from memory. Mr. Caster was formerly , engaged in Y. M. C. A. work at Salt Lake. "When the regiment was ordered from Hecket to the big front," he said, "we hurriedly packed our baggage and marched to the railroad station, where we were packed into cattle cars with so little room that we could not lie down. We were met at our destination by a French officer, who marched us about a dozen miles in ankle-deep mud into a forest. It was absolutely dark and the rain was pouring. "At night we were just getting ready to retire, when orders came for us to move forward. We packed our things and moved out, but were ordered "back again. Once more we prepared for sleep, but again were ordered to take up the march. Finally we came to a village which had been destroyed by shell. The only buildings left standing were two cowsheds cow-sheds and a barn. In these the fioldiera sought shelter, but were so crowded they could only stand. "It was raining all the time. Once more we took, up the march. This time to Germanville, where we finally found rest in the great cave in Dead Man's hill. That march will go down in history his-tory as the hardest that the Twenty-ninth Twenty-ninth ever made." Mr. Caster described many thrilling Incidents In-cidents of soldier experience, and declared that through them all the men smiled and looked for the funny side of tilings. "They were always happy and cheerful," cheer-ful," he continued, "and though good fighters, were ever gentle. I have seen a big fellow in the midst of the fighting, fight-ing, hugging a little pup to shelter it. The men fought because their cause was just, and not for love of war." |