Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-20

lies and bitches. while here and there
squad OF men would dash out from
ward and drop behind fence or in
ditch. Instead Of the blazing cannon he
would see wtsps of thin smoke rising
from behind hills far in the rear. the
where the guns are concealed. Along the
trenches he would see no serried array
of soldiery: only here and there a head
and shoulders darting up for moment
to drop back after delivering its fire.
Thus much for the pomp and circum-
stance of glorious war on the modern
battlefield Only the bursting shells and
the bodies scattered motionless on the
affair; for, of all things, the troops
strive. as far as possible, to remain dur
ing their advance in small bodies.
thereby the less attracting the fire OF
and now, at 500 yards. the firing line
has come to a halt 1t is beginning to
grow tired and discouraged and Jagged.
1t has lost some of its best officers. Tor
the officers must lead the men and thus
bear the brunt of the fire Many squads
are without even non-commissioned
officers OF any soldier capable of taking
the initiative and moving on. Soldiers
have been falling on all Sides and they
cannot reply to the enemies fire with
any effect. One or two men. unnerved
after two hours of constant strain. give
way and start toward the rear. 1t Is a
critical moment, and one that is always
liable to happen.
This is the moment that the officer
commanding in the field must seize
or run the risk of panic and defeat.
He whispers a hurried order to the
bugler by his side. Swiftly the bugler
lifts his instrument and blows half a
dozen notes. It is repeated to right
and left and rear. Then behind the
faltering line there Is heard a cheer
and, from their cover 100 yards be-
hind, the supports come with q rush
and merge into the front ranks. The
effect is instantaneous. Every man
feels renewed courage: and, while the
artillery red6ubles its efforts to the
notes of the bugle, the men so lately
dispirited take new heart and dash
forward to cover ahead. And now.
when they are within less than 300
yards from the enemy's trenches, the
bugle rings out again. to be taken up
by the bug1es far in the rear
"Signalmen behind cover wave flags
to the signalmen near the artillery.
Suddenly the artillery fire, that has
been spread over a ha1f-mile of the
enemies works. is concentrated upon
a bare 200 yards of trench. Now in
deed it is, in the words of the dis
patches, 'veritable hell. The bursting
Of the shrapned strikes the ear in one
continuous. rafting roar. The smoke
and dust from the bursting shells hide
the trenches. as in fog. Closer the
attacking line moves up, now keyed to
the highest pitch Of excitement for the
impending charge.
"Converging from right and left to-
ward that devoted 200 yards OF in
trenchment. they hurry forward. now
careless Of cover, until the shell are
bursting but few yards ahead OF
them. This is the supreme moment
The signal is given to form line as
best they can, for speed is essential
and to fix bayonets.
Suddenly the artillery ceases fire
and. for a brief moment, there Is q
dead silence, agonizing after the roar
ing, shrieking shells. Then the bugles
ring out, and delivering one volley al
the figures of the defenders who are
now mounting the trenches. they