The American troops encamped at La Courtine this eventful time received the tidings with great joy. The roads leading from the camp to the village were crowded with soldiers who paraded up and down in hysterical good humor. The crowds thronged into the village where the one main street was ablaze with celebration. The French populace were out to celebrate with the Americans. The cafes did a land office business. Wine flowed freely. The French kissed the Americans in some instances as the celebrators swayed through the street. The band was out. The crowds shouted, yelled, sang and cut-up all kinds of antics.
The scene, however, was similar to that enacted everywhere throughout the Allied world. The end of the fighting was officially announced and everybody was glad. The same hysterical good humor swayed the crowds at La Courtine that prompted like celebrations throughout the United States.
Great as was the enthusiasm and celebration of November 11th, the big gusto of celebration had been spent at La Courtine, as was the case everywhere else, on Thursday evening, November 7th, when a premature and unofficial announcement of the armistice was made.
Battery D spent the afternoon of November 7th on the pistol range. About 5 o'clock the news quickly spread that a bulletin announcing the end of the fighting had been posted at the Y. M. C. A. The bulletin was up only a short time when it was removed, with the explanation that it was unofficial, also contradicted.
But the anxious hearers, as was the case everywhere, wanted no denials. The enthusiasm of the hour made people speak of the thing which they had been hoping for as though it had come true. Consequently the enthusiasm led to celebration.
It was a gala night in La Courtine. The days following brought sober realization that the end had not yet come. Stern realities of war loomed big in Battery D circles on Saturday, November 9th, when a front-line pack inspection was in order.
A quiet Sunday followed, then, at noon on Monday, November 11th, came the authentic news of the armistice signing. Joyous celebration started immediately and assumed its peak during the afternoon when special passes were issued to the soldiers to visit in the village. The celebration continued until late at night.
Official recognition of the news was thundered from the cannon at Camp La Courtine at retreat, when a royal salute of twenty-one guns was fired.
The following day was also an off day for Battery D. Passes to visit the town were issued to half the outfit from reveille to 3 p. m., while the other fifty per cent were given the privilege from 3 p. m. until 11 p. m.
Word was received that the regiment was to entrain at La Courtine on November 14th. Preparations were immediately made for a farewell banquet. After great preparation by the cooks and the K. P.'s, the banquet was staged at 6 o'clock on November 13th, with stewed chicken as the mainstay of the menu. A number of the Y. M. C. A. girls were guests at the banquet.