Funkhouser Memorial
Paul Taylor Funkhouser
[Home]

Articles in the Newspapers
[Page 1] [Page 2] [Page 3] [Page 4] [Page 5] [Page 6]

"MY BOY WON'T LET HUNS GET TO PARIS"
Evansville Press, July 15, 1918.

(Mrs. Schierholz - Mrs. Funkhouser)

The Germans cannot get to Paris in the great drive they started Monday.

"My boy will not let them!" said Mrs. Schierholz, 1206 Washington Avenue when
she was told that the Huns had launched their supreme effort of the war."

"Paul will keep them back!" said Mrs. Albert W. Funkhouser,
920 Washington Avenue.

The two mothers, from recent letters, knew that their sons were stationed at the
point at which the Germans hurled their attack. They spoke for the mothers of all
the other Evansville Yanks who are, or may soon be, in the line which is protecting
the French capital.

"Though the Germans have been preparing for forty years, all they've got now to
show for it is a bunch of men and ammunition, and - well - " Mrs. Schierholz's
kind, motherly face lighted up and her eyes brightened at the thought - "it takes boys
like mine to win this war."

Mr. Schierholz spoke with a slight German accent that was positively beautiful
because it voiced words which, if heard in Potsdam, would strike terror to the
hearts of Prussian autocrats. It expressed the determination of American mothers
of German origin to wipe out autocracy at whatever cost.

            * * * * *

Mrs. Albert W. Funkhouser didn't seem very much surprised and not a bit alarmed
when told of the new drive.

"I'm mighty proud that my son, Paul, is there," she said.

"There's sometimes a terrible anxiety about him, and yet with all that there is
always foremost the great pride I have in him - a pride in knowing that he's a man
and doing a man's part.

"We all feel perfectly confident of the Americans' success.

"We know the morale of the army is the highest, and that they are undisputedly
the best fighters. Why, our Paul is already a seasoned veteran instead of a rookie.

"He wrote that he was in the first American unit in the Marne sector.

"It's hard for us to realize, I guess, just what he is doing right now, but it'll be
easier for us as it is, knowing only that he is filling to the utmost his part as
second lieutenant of a machine gun company."

TURNING THE TIDE
Editorial, Evansville Courier, July 19, 1918.

When motor trucks unloaded an American machine gun company at
Chateau-Thierry in the early and perilous days of June, it marked
actual participation of the American Army in the war.

May it not be possible that it marked the turning point in the great
conflict? In that first week in June the Germans' drive was definitely
stopped. The war machine that had been so successful since March 21
henceforth was to move only with greatest difficulty.

In that machine gun company was at least one Evansville boy, Lieut. Paul
Funkhouser. This city gave the first life to the cause. It would be an added
honor if it turns out that the operation directed by a young Evansville
officer was the turning point in the world struggle.

LIEUT. PAUL FUNKHOUSER, ONE OF FIRST MEN
IN CHATEAU THIERRY
Evansville Journal-News, July 14, 1918.

CENSORS OWN LETTERS TO FOLKS

From Billet in Barn, Local Boy Writes of Vacation Days That
Men Enjoy When Returning From Front Line Trenches

MONOTONY AND HOMESICKNESS HIT THEM HARD;
BOCHES' PROWESS AS SOLDIERS OVER-RATED

Vacation days of the soldiers in France are spent in writing home, it would
seem, judging from the fact that Lieut. Paul Funkhouser wrote two letters in
as many days to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert W. Funkhouser. One letter
was dated June 20 and the other June 21.

Lieut. Funkhouser, although graduating from the first officers training school
of Ft. Benjamin Harrison, was commissioned in the regular army, unlike most of
the other, who were placed in the officers' reserve corps.

Together with Lieut. Morris Levi and Capt. Winston Menzies, whose pictures
were published last week, Lieut. Funkhouser was one of the first local men to
reach France.

He is now attached to Major General Dickman's division as second lieutenant
in a machine gun battalion. His company, the dispatches from Washington stated,
was the first to enter Chateau-Thierry during the memorable attack of the
American troops on that French village several weeks ago, in which the Boches
were cleaned out of the cellars after severe hand-to- hand encounters.

The casualties mentioned in his letters printed below probably refer to the
losses sustained in the attack.

Both letters bear his own initials as proof that they have been censored.

"June 20, 1918.

"I am still back in a so-called 'rest billet.' I have
been taking life easy for the last two days. Cannot think
of any thing interesting to write. Might describe some of
the experiences that I have had lately but since I am back
out of action don't care to write about what has happened.
War is about as General Sherman says, with apologies to
h---. Our men have taken in everything that has happened
in a most wonderful manner. Our casualties have not been
very great, and on the whole our battalion is in good
condition. Think I wrote you that we were the first American
troops to enter a certain sector. and I believe we have had
a very thorough initiation. I feel more like a veteran than
a recruit. Things are going well with me now. I am in good
health and have had quite a bit of experience. Will tell you
some very interesting things when I see you all again, but
have no appetite to write them. I believe you know that our
battalion is motorized. I think it is the one thing that
affords pleasure now, as we have several opportunities to
enjoy our Fords and motorcycles.

"Mail is about as scarce as hen teeth. Had two letters about
a week ago but none for two weeks before that. My clothes
are in rather poor condition. Have to sew up a few holes
tonight. Would sure give a good and plenty to be back home
tonight, but suppose it doesn't do any good to get homesick,
so I won't. The chances are these Boches will be cleaned out
before long. All this 'bull' about the Boche being such a good
soldier is bunk. The only thing they have is a lot of men and
ammunition and won't have that long. They don't make near
as good soldiers as the French and Americans."

"June 21, 1913.

"Expect we will be here for a few days, and hope we do.
There is not much for me to write tonight but at least will
mail this and you will know I am O.K. We had our first
religious service tonight that we have had for some time.
Have a new chaplain and he is a real fellow. Expect that we
will have a baseball team and play Company A tomorrow.
Life over here is naturally monotonous, but on the whole
it is not so bad. While actually in the front line time passes
so quickly and so much happens that when we get out
it is a little like a Summer vacation. We probably will be
in this zone for some time to come, going in and coming
out of the line at irregular intervals.

"We are now living in a town with about fifteen houses
and as many barns. Only a few of the people have deserted
the village, and we are living with the people who are
here in empty barns and in available places. Every one is
fairly comfortable and in good spirits. Hope the next time
we come out of the lines we get a better town.

"My clothing and equipment are strung from one end of
this country to the other; don't know when I will gather
them all up and if I don't before long there will be one
naked lieutenant. Bought a suit in England that I have been
expecting to arrive for some time and hope to get it before
long. Don't know that my personal equipment howls will be of
any interest, but so be it. Will close this and hit the hay.

"I almost forgot to mention that I have a 'soda' mustache.
Doesn't show up much now, but next time you see me will be
all decorated with a misplaced eyebrow."

EVANSVILLE OFFICER HELD GERMANS BACK AT MARNE
Evansville Press, July 22, 1918.

Paul Funkhouser One of First Yanks to Cross Marne

Lieut. Paul Funkhouser has participated in two of the most bitter struggles of the
war, the first crossing of the Marne by Americans on May 30 and the remarkable
holding of six and one-half mile front for twenty hours, east of Chateau-Thierry,
June 15, according to a letter written by Lieut. Funkhouser, 920 Washington
Avenue, received Monday.

Lieut. Funkhouser states that he cannot tell where he has been fighting, but - "I
have become quite familiar with the Marne River and with Chauteau-Thierry,"
he writes.

In Cobbey's Company

In giving the list of officers of his company June 15, to his father, he
mentions the name of Lieut. Cobbey. This officer was reported by newspapers
to have stood on the bridge at the first crossing of the Marne when the
Americans and Germans were both shelling it, and to have called out "Cobbey!
Cobbey!" until the American machine gunners, of which Lieut. Funkhouser
is a member, heard him and quit firing on their own company.

"Paul's company, under Major General Dickman, probably was the first to cross
the Marne after the Boches," Attorney Funkhouser Said Monday.

"He is in the Third Division, Regulars, and it is known that they are right there."

In the crossing of the Marne, May 30, the company to which Lieut. Funkhouser
belongs, was surrounded by Germans and held out four or five days.

Goes Where Needed

Lieut. Funkhouser is known to have been in the Allied divisions which held a
six and one-half mile front along the Marne River, cast of Chateau-Thierry,
July 15. Here a few thousand Americans held out twenty hours against 24,000
Germans, allowing only 5,000 Germans to cross, all of whom were either
killed or wounded.

"I have been in action since May 30 and, believe me, it has been action
with emphasis," Lieut. Funkhouser says.

"Our battalion is motorized (Fords and motorcycles), and we move about
quite a bit wherever we are needed, and it seems that we are needed somewhere
most of the time."

Paper Praises

"I am quite sure that Paul is referring to the same movement as is referred
to in the New York World, under date of June 21, in explaining the battle, when
it says, nothing in this war has been more distinguished than this bitter defense
which enabled the American unit to hold the position it took up May 31, when its
partially complete machine gun battalion traveled 110 miles at top speed."

"I'm O.K."

"In addition to being lieutenant, I am liaison officer for our battalion," Lieut.
Funkhouser adds.

This means that he goes ahead of the company, selecting nests for the machine
guns. It is this position which leads Attorney Funkhouser to believe that Paul
probably was the first to cross the Marne.

"Our outfit has won the warm approval of the high command in back of the
American and French armies," the letter says.

"One of my brother lieutenants in my company has lost his life in action
and he was a darned fine man. He died gloriously, poor chap.

"Don't worry about me. I am O.K. and will remain so.

FIRST LETTER FROM CHATEAU-THIERRY
TELLS OF BASEBALL GAME AND RULES OF VILLAGE
Evansville Journal-News, Aug. 4, 1918.

Evansville Officer Writes From Apex of German Salient
on Marne and Relates Adventure of Boche Airman

Wonders How Home-folk Keep Track of Him in Fight

TELLS OF DEATH OF BROTHER OFFICER THERE

Chateau-Thierry! The first news from that village of France marking the passage
of the Americans across the Marne on toward the sacred goal of freedom!
Once before, in the earlier days of our war, just a few weeks ago, this
selfsame Evansville lad, now an officer of the machine gun company that
distinguished itself by being the first to enter the limits of the village
and cleaned the Hun hosts out of the cellars of the crumpled stone houses
wrote of the great adventure of battle.

Below is the first account of the new battle, told in a letter from Lieut.
Paul Funkhouser, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Funkhouser, which arrived here
Saturday afternoon. More than a month underway, it tells of the beginning
of the new struggle, the beginning of the great German offensive, heralded by
the Hun press to a point where it seemed the defeat of the Allies would take
place within a few days. And that offensive, the tide of which Foch and his
French legions, aided by the Americans, turned after the second day, marked
the beginning of the German retreat, the second decisive defeat at the Marne.

Now Chateau-Thierry lies some sixteen miles behind our troops. It marks the
point of the German wedge which was to have been driven into the heart of France.

Blithely young Funkhouser writes of a baseball game probably played with the
ruins of the shell shattered houses for bases. His letter permits imagination
to run wild. It runs the keyboard of thrills and is the first word of the big
fight of an Evansville officer received here.

The letter of Lieut. Funkhouser, a member of a machine gun battalion, mentions
that he is in the Third United States Division, which has recently been
mentioned repeatedly as being in the thick of the fight at Cierges la Charmel
and other engagements on the Soisson-Rheims front. There is little doubt but
that Lieut. Funkhouser has been through the recent fighting, and Evansville
awaits with interest the next letters from him, telling of the big push across
the Marne.

His letter, dated June 30, follows:

"This is Sunday night. The day has been more or less
one of leisure. We got impertinent this afternoon and
played a game of baseball. 'B' Company played 'A'
Company, both machine gun companies. We (Company B)
were in tough luck and were trimmed, 14 to 7. During
the game two French balloons were on the observation
lines. A Boche aviator came over and pulled the prettiest
stunt I ever saw. He first circled one balloon, causing
the observer to drop, then set the balloon afire and
destroyed it in a few seconds. He then followed the
same procedure in destroying the second balloon.
All this the Boche did under heavy artillery fire. I think
I used the wrong adjective in saying it was the 'prettiest'
thing I have ever seen, but the aviator's courage and work
compelled the admiration and praise of all those who
witnessed the exhibition. He went back toward his own lines
and met two French aviators, who put him down. This is
the first demonstration of a Boche that I have admired or
approved. The French aviators have it all over the Boches,
but this particular aviator was a good one and a man of
courage and daring.

"I have read the clippings of the newspapers from home
which stated that I was at Chateau Thierry. You seem
to be able to keep pretty close tab on me without my help,
and, of course, I am glad of it. The home papers have
certainly given us some good writeups, but they certainly
cannot exaggerate the hotness of that combat. We have
been pretty lucky so far as casualties go. Lieut. Goddard
of our company, was pushed off. He was the only officer
touched in that hot fight. He was one of my best friends in
the battalion, and a fine, brave man. I do not believe that
we can get into a place that will be much warmer than that
was, considering that it was our first experience under fire,
and that we gave the Boches a good cleaning. We all feel
pretty good over our fight there. We have been in action
twice since then - once in the front line trenches. We were
successful each time, and if all the sectors hold as ours,
Berlin will be reached in a year or two. I have been, and
still am, company liaison officer, and also usually, when in
action, handle a platoon.

"There isn't much I can write about without violating censorship,
and there is not much otherwise to write. One thing don't worry
about me. I am safe and sound, am in perfect health, financially
O. K. and spirits 100 per cent. Haven't won any medals, but
haven't failed to do my duty at all times. When you do not hear
from me take it for granted that I am all right in all respects. Of
course, I am lonesome and would enjoy being at home with you
all, but that is only a question of time. I know I have the best little
mother and big dad in the world, and I don't want you to worry
about me. Bad news travels fast, and if you do not hear from me
then I am O.K.

"Now I guess that will hold you for a while. Mother is right in
saying no Boche can get me. I am lucky and will be back home
before you can realize that I have been away. Will close because
it is getting dark and we're not permitted to use candles."

Source:
Funkhouser Memorial
c. 1920
pp. 150-163

Back to the Paul Taylor Funkhouser Page

Return to A Little Vanderburgh County History

©2000
Christopher D. Myers
All Rights Reserved

October 1, 2000