The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-02-28
AT GRAVELOTTE.
tNeN Orleans Times Democrats Translation from

Bartek took part, convinced him that
in war one may look on as much as one
likes, but that there is nothing else to
do. His regiment was first ordered to
occupy the foot of a hill covered with
vines. Altar off was thunder of can
nonading; squadrons of cavalry APP
preached, making the ground trem-
BILE under the hoofs of their
horses; standards glimmered in
the sun; the vine poles shone
in the light. Through the blue air
above the mountain shells whistled,
looking as they approached from the
distance like tiny white Clouds Gradu-
ally the air filed with powder smoke
The battle, like storm, seemed to DE
coming toward theR-but this did not
last long.
New regiments appeared, followed by
batteries of artillery; the whole valley
filled with troops, and resounded with
shouts of command; the aid de camps
flew by on horseback in all directions.
The private soldiers began to whisper to
another: 'Our orders will soon come"
Men muttered in anguish of suspense:
us it ever going to begin" And it be-
gins in awful earnest. Everybody feels
something enigmate, something I'M
known, drawing nearer and nearer.
Perhaps it is death, for each and
all of them. In the fog of
smoke that hides the hill a sud
den thunder burst is heard-it is
the Prussian artillery redeScending the
height. Then cracking like a mighty
hail storm those are the mitrailleuses
at work. Again the earth trembles; the
air is convulsed. Something screams
above their heads. Bartek looks up. A
respondent rose surrounded by thin
cloud of smoke, approache shrieking,
flashing, roaring. The soldiers cry "a
shell! shell, 1t PUSHES on like a
storm, arrives, falls and bursts A
frightful defamation. The earth seems
about to burst asunder Confusion in
the ranks a moment; but at the order:
CLOSE up every man obeys and takes
his place. Bartek stands in the front
rank, shOuldering his rife, with his head
well up, and his chin a little forward,
as under drill; but his teeth chatter.
Impossible to move; he must stay
there; he cannot have even the consola-
ton of firing Stay and wait, Another
bomb comes whistling-then third-a
jfourth-a tenth. With one great gust
the wind sweeps away the curtain of
smoke that hides the hill The French
have driven away the Prussian battery
which held it; a French battery now oc-
cupieS the summit and sweeps the val
ley below with its mitrailieuSeS Out of
the vines at regular intervals rises a
long, immense streak of white smoke;
and Immediately after vast rash of
detonations. 1t is the French infantry
who, protected by the artillery, are
opening fire. Now the red trousers and
red caps can be plainly seen; tri-coiored
flags are distlnguishable on differ
ent parts of the hill Rifle
shots interchangeable, rapid, fe-
ver.sh firing succeeds. CannOnade
answers fusilade; the shells pass through
the air i'll huge curves Cries are heard
in the vines; from time to time the Ger
man hurrah resoundS. Then the noise
of the fusilade becomes so frightful that
one wants to stop his ears Neverthe-
less BartekS regiment does not move
foot. 1t is surrounded by the French.
Balls buzz by like cock chafers or whistle
like thruSheS. Their number steadily
increases; they whistle close By heads,
eyes, noses, shoulders. There are thou-
sands, millions-a veritable hail. Be-
hind Bartek or close by him every mo-
ment some one means: 80, Lord Jesus"
then is heard the brief command:
"Schliess'' (close upD Then again:
'Iesouss." And then again ''Schliess.."
Finally nothing is heard behind, before.
IN front, but grOanS, diving gaSpS the
brief tommand is heard continu-
ously; the dead heap up higher with
every new crash of rifle volleys, and the
smoke hides the hill. 1t is the Lay of
the asst Judgment.
'Are you afraid?'' asks Woitek of
Bartek
'l es; how can one be not afraidP' he
answers
They are still on their feet. and the
idea has not yet fully impressed them
that one of those little leaden balls
might throw them to the ground. Bar
tex lies. He is not half so much AFRAID
as he wants to a. pear. He is only
thinking o. the awful punishment he
would receive for trying to run away
those men fear discipline more than
death itself-Bartek does not see the
real horror of the battle. Still he be-
gins to h!nk that he might possibly get
killed. lie vent. res to transmit this
thought to Woitek.
~ The world won't perish because there
is one fool less on it," answers Woitek
in a yeXed tone
These words calm Bartek at once; yes,
the great question is to know whether
the world is all right or not, isn't it,
SO he remains there shouldtring his
rifle, without thinking of anything in
particular, though he feels the sweat
pouring down his forehead. Still the
rifle fire becomes heavier. New regi-
ments of the line come to the assistance
OF the French; the Poles are falling
faster and faster. 1t is no longer Dos
slble to move the dead and wounded.
The trl-cOiOred flags Graw Nearer; the
fusilaie BECOMES still more murderous
to Barteks comrades; they keep falling.
falling one after the other. The men de-
spair.
But with the increase of their despair
come mlrmurs of Impotence and rage.
II the soldiers were only told to adj
vance, they would rush upon the French
IKE Wild beasts. Eut they are still
ordered to wait patiently. One soldier
throws his helmet on tie ground, CRYING
out:
for rniS iS ~,ed enough for dogs, not
0i - .-4--tuis is dying like dogs
The outcry calms Burtek down so
that he has no more fear at all Why,
If soldiers are dying like dogs, it is only
because nothing serious has yet oc-
Cured. Still he would like to have
seen really hard battle His regiment,
which has not fired single shot, is al
ready half destroyed. Bavarians and
saxons fleeing in disorder; but the J Ol-
iSh mnn Of Inrzmn and of NipSza ZcSnV