he first despatch of mail to reach Battery
D overseas was at Montmorillon on August 13th.

Then on August 14th came the first overseas payday. The battery
members were paid with an addition of ten per cent for foreign
service. The first pay was in French currency, the rate of exchange at
the time being 5:45 francs to the American dollar.

When French peasants toiled a whole day for several francs and when
the pay of the French soldier was not equalling one franc a day,
the French, when the American private was paid $33 a month in
179.85 francs, gained the idea that all Americans were millionaires.
The result was the establishment of two standards of price in French
shops; one price for the French and a higher price for the Americans.

Souvenir postcards sold anywhere from 10 centimes to five francs
apiece. In the matter of fruits, peaches commanded one franc for three
during the peach season; apples sold two for one franc; while tomatoes
that should have sold for one franc a basket, brought one franc for
five.

The soldiers were allowed to be on the streets until 9 o'clock each
night. Many spent their money freely. The wine shops did a thriving
business and as is usual in large crowds, the element was present that
was not satisfied with sampling the large assortment of wine-vintages
but indulged in Cognac. Strict disciplinary measures were immediately
adopted. Several of the first offenders, none of whom, however, were
from Battery D ranks, were reduced in rank at a public battalion
formation on the public square.

The cognac proclivities of the few endangered the privileges of the
many in having freedom to visit in the town at night. Battery
punishment was inflicted at times, which constituted carrying a full
pack on the back at drill formation or for a certain period after
drill hours.

Toward the latter part of August steps were taken to organize a
battery commander's detail. Lieut. Hugh M. Clarke took charge of the
instruction work. Special instruction was started in map and road
sketching, orientation and signal work. The battery in general was
also put through a strenuous course in the use of the semaphore and
the wigwag.

On August 21st the regiment passed in review on the large regimental
drill ground, under a burning sun. The swim in the river at the close
of that day was especially inviting.

While in Montmorillon Lieut. Sidney F. Bennett instituted a series of
battalion and regimental setting-up ex