The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-11
TRENCHES ZIG-ZAIG THROUGH FOREST.

US the address of your family" was the
Cheering suggestion of Lieutenant Cen
eral Won k German censor does
not permit the use OF names OF high
officers. the crown princes chief Of
staff. and one Of Germany's famous
strate2ists. Captain Wahl, of the gen
eral staff. who speaks perfect English.
was detailed to accompany me.
II was a clear. bright, but cold morn
ing. We thaveled by automobile for
twenty miles to where horses awaited
us near Cornsy.
French Aeroplane Appears.
A. We rode away n French aeroplanc
appeared high in the sky a little to
the south of US. German guns from
unsupported places opened a slow fire
but the aerial scout made his escape
We entered the ArSonne by broad
avenue-like corduroy road. which the
Germans had cut and built through the
woods. Heavy rains and the columns
OF wagons bringing supplies and am
munition TO the front had left an in
describahle condition. Under the mud
and water tho round sapIings forming
the base Of the road we're more slippery
and treacherous than ice. We were
over an hour riding three miles.
We passed a column OF smoking
"gOulash cannons," rs the field kItch-
eus are called filed with steaming
coree. soup, and stews. Each was
drawn h three horses. The first col
umn was moving toward the front.
Tn" rifle fire deeper in the woods
tho laundering OF guns around Yer
dun. the bOmhardment OF which has
Tor som" unknown reason been post
ppnod.
soon tho occasional "ziuC-zing'' OF
= stray bullet was noticed We then
tlt=
w"rc buried where 70 left orr horses.
Major Nit'c and Major NenGc both
pioneers. As tho Sappers arc called
IA Germany, greeted US and took us
l." General Won N. commanding tho
division in this vicinity The general
came out 81 his Underground head
quarters.
Lodged In Dug Outs"
Numerous holes in the ground led to
quite comfortable habitations They re-
scmhlcd the Nebraska "dugouts' Of
pioneer days. but are far more sub
Siantially built being thoroughly tim
hered to make them l-splinter-proo
Some had iireplacos. and even rugs or
Ii"ces Of carpets for floor coverings
Moving forward. We met a number OF
wounded coming back. They said a
French trench had just been stormed
and taken. Confirming their statement.
a singl" Hlc OF l65 prisoners. including a
lieutenant, followed
The trenches We're half fun Of yellow
'iayish water Captain Won Prittwitz
%: the artillery. had Joined us and
wadcd in. ] followed The muddy
water came to my knees. With long
sack ! sounded for expected depths.
hut soon forgot about that in keeping
my bead below the edge Of the trench
Before going = hundred yards | fell and
""s glast"rcd 10 my shoulders.
captain Won Prittwitz's battery was
firing point blank IT the French $50
Yards away. He said they were some
times most tenacious and very hard
10 get out Moving on. We met sol
di"rs carrying a dead comradc-a youth
- nineteenth canvas slung from a
pole.
stuck his head above the trench and
got a bullet through it was the la
comic explanation.
Dodge Windy Corners"
As We advanced sharp lookout was |
kept for windy corn.rs''-poinis /
whore tho bullets were flying particu- /
larry thick. over our heads shells and |
shri't.s. The French were |
Smelling the ro... -. which q" . entered |
the woods. In ." trenches. rifles |
pcercd over the -uge cy"rv few feet. |!
They w"r" thrust through a loopnUl" !
I'm steel plates large enough TO protect |
the head and shoulders German and /
French sharpshooters spend hours /
daily trying 10 "bull's-cyc" orch other /
through the little si8htholc above tho
rife barrel.
There was heavy roar just ahead