Lieutenant Ben L. Cunliff to 12th Engineers Regimental Historian - October 3, 1918

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Headquarters, 2nd. Bn. 12th. Engrs. (LR) IN the field, France, 3 October 1918. From : Historian, 2nd, Bn. 12th Engrs. (LR) To: Regimental Historian, 12th Engrs. (LR) Subject: Operations of 2nd. Bn. from 25 [August 1918] to 30 [September 1918] I. In writing the history of the 2nd Bn. of the 12th Engrs. from that date when the Bn. moved into the Toul Sector of the front, I would like to request the privilege of a short foreword, not to be considered as a part of the history of the Bn. 2. In the course of my search for data for the history of the Bn. almost every enquiry on my part has been met by an answer to the effect that the less said about this period in the history of the 12th Engrs. the better it would be for the history of the Regiment and the more it would be appreciated by the men of the Regiment, particularly the men of the 2nd. Bn. 3. You, Sir, of course, understand the conditions under which the 2nd. Bn. has been working in this section, both the officers and the men of each Company being under the Command of the Commanding Officer of the corresponding Company of the 21st Engrs. (LR), a situation which has indeed been a sad blow to the pride which both officers and men so justly felt in their Regiment. 4. As the Companies of the 2nd Bn. are so widely seperated the data for the history of the Bn. must neccessarily be given, at this time, by Companies. 5. This being my first attempt as a Historian, I will appreciate any suggestions and criticism which you may have to offer and will gladly revise the attached report to suit any form or style you may be using in the Regimental History. Ben. L. Cunliff, Lieut., Engrs. USA