Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-26
Tie Cyer~1z6e RakkZe Czu5ev ZH1Z4e"

absolute safety. Now when I look
back and call to mind the situation
OF my poor squadron of the hfty-eight
surviving. quite few were on parole.
and did not take part in the attack
ON the evening OF that day proceeded
with twenty-sc men and three nom
commissioned officers. In view of that
fact. one must really feel that God
look me in special guard Be Mt ease
and contcnted, my darling. When re-
turn to the front my lucky star Will
again guard me from danger. Now
more than ever I have n feeling OF
absolute confidence!
"on the 18th. bright and early, as
always. In good humor we started out,
realizing less than ever before all that
the day might bring. At 2:so the
fighting between artillery and infantry
broke out. in which we took a hand
at 10 o'clock.
THOROUGHLY INDIFFERENT
AS ADVANCE BEGINS
AS We advanced I felt thoroughly
Indifferent; the only thought that pos
sessed me was to whack away. With
remarkable rapidly one accustoms one
self TO the sight Of the dead and
wounded. One becomes so hardened
that the most awful sight seems alb
solutely natural. Wherever we rode
there were the French in their red
trousers. Many batteries we're de-
stroyed. and tho shells burst and the
shots Gang constantly about one. In
mad temp, with tho horses shyins
more or loss. we always went further
and further; certainly not in as good
order as In the renowned parade at
tack on the drilling grounds
"A French infantry officer, who
called pardon l hit on the head.
what became OF him ] do not know.
AS we were about to enter T.egarde my
horse was shot In the chest and fell
dor t,Nn
bag, saddle-bag, my silver cantecn, my
thermos bottle, toilet articles all the
wash had with me, all COMO to the
devil All that / have left is my re-
volver and my unsheathed sword
With two OF the brave riders of
my division ] took shelter In n ditch
over which countless shots were whiy
%ing, till at last 1t quoted down. In
the distance l dfscerned my regiment
gathering together: then, to my delight.
close by ! found my own infantry.
With my riders who now number eight
] put myself under the command of
that captain. and with this company.
with revolver and carbino. went
through the rest of the battle
The first guaranteeing Frenchmen
drew up in herds. One had to be very
cautious, for the fellows still shot ont
OF the ambush. even when they were
lying wounded. a soldier passed mo
MS canteen. and as / was about to
grasp II shot went right through
his hand.
everything except their red trousers
and shirt. Our company had captured
$50. They had to march by with
raised arms. | felt sorry for the poor
Bellows, several of whom were badly
wounded; chaps not older than six
teen or seventeen years were among
them. I gave them OF what had left
of chocolate and bandaging, and had
water brought for them. Such kissing
OF hands and boots I've never seen
before. They cried continuously: Nous
he voulons pas Ia guerra! Vive
rAllcmagne" When the flag of our
battalion came in sight. they shouted
pellmell: oh, lie drapeau Allemand"
Sixty steps away the rest Of the
French were thrown back across the
Canal. We shot right into that heap:
1t was horrible! At the other side was
the fountain at which, after our vic
torious battle. we refreshed ourselves.
TO reach II we had to step over heaps
OF dead and wounded. On the other
n destroyed battery of the enemy. The
shots in the powder cart exploded
every few moments. Through 1t all
we were cool and collected
Il am surprised at myself; with my
disposition ] should never have con-
sidered that possible. The damage
was still great. and the possibility ex-
| listed that we might be shot at by our
own troops for they could not know
| that the numberless French who are
| easily recognized by their red trousers.
| were prisoners. With the aid OF n
first ] very ingenlously tied curtain
at the end OF Il pole, and its near white
! color waved about us as protection.
| With several captured horses, among
! which was French artillery horse,
! searched for. and eventually found my
regiment and there first learned posi-
, tive facts concerning our great losses
and our glorious victory. On this re-
turn ride l felt the pain In my foot
and side for the first time, which one
does not heed In the heat and excite
mcnt OF the battle"