El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-09-16

shall be quite right again, but the
wound had to be washed and dressed
! by q pretty little dress maker called
nurse who is so sweet and lovely and
kind hearted that one should ike 70
get wounded for the sole purpose OF
being nursed by her.
Nurses Have Heavy Work
'Badinage apart those nurses have
a fearful time I wonder when they
have any time TO rest Day and nlghI
they are busy, and when you ask them,
Are you not exceedingly uredF they
just smile, and with laush IN their
eyes they make some comic reply Iney
are real heroines, and il is not merely
our physical sufferings which they
mitigate. God bless them-
That wound, or rather the compul-
sorry inactiveness which results from 1t,
affords me a splendid opportunity OF
recording some details OF the battle
For, although have changed my 1oun-
tain pen for a rifle, the Germans have
not yet succeeded in opening my re-
pOrters vein, and, queer enough, dur
ing the battle, L was often interested
IN it both as soldier and as writer
Moving to the Battle.
Our army marched along a broad,
sunny road, bOrdered on either side by
vast cultivated plain, on which,
from distance to distance, little groups
Of harvesting peasant girls and old
men were busy, as if they lived in the
most peaceful region Of the most
peaceful OF countries
Here and there the horizon was
bordered by hill ranges, and right in
front Of US, and somewhat to the left,
the wooded crests OF other hills were
observable. Sometimes when we
reached an elevation of the road I
locked backward upon the army, which
was like huge serpent, covering the
road over a distance OF many miles.
It was a great view, quite, quite diff
1erent from review and I have never
seen anything so impressive. For this
was not a mere show, as is a military
review, but these men were to be en-
Eaged in part of an action on which
the fate Of nations would depend. and
the way in which those men would full
M their task might be of the great
est Importance to the result Of the
battle and future movements and de-
signs.
Bright. Lively, willing.
And one felt that these masses Of
men were determined to do their ut
most This was not dull, low spirit
ed army, men going to the front to
night because they were ordered to,
but because they wanted TO. They
were no stern, grave faces. or they
would not be French soldiers nor
were they bOisterOus or Dragging but
they were bright and lively and happy
and brave, governed by n powerful de-
sire TO win, and gifted with an almost
superhuman power Of determination
There was such splendid enthusiasm.
There was still another important
FACTOR, which adds no little TO the eff
ficiency OF the army The commits
sary IS perfect; all these men are ex-
ceuenuy equipped. excellently looked
after They have everything they
want, and they have il without DELAY.
That Is what keeps the soldiers spirits
up and makes them confident And
We are confident
Near a crossing a halt is made. a
meal IS served out 10 US, and we learn
that another division is going to ioin
US they are fast approaching. and
soon after We march on again. In the
distance on our left, a veil OF dust how
ers above the field, and our ears are
caught by the noise of moving troops
ana the trampllng Of horses feet Ev-
cry now and again a glimpse NAV be I
caught OF the body Of an army march
ing IN what seems TO be a direction
parallel with ours Il is rumored that
tney are British troops. but nobody .
knows except the commanders. and
they keep silent All we learn from
our officers is that the distant troops !
are part OF the allied force. but v-heth- |
er they are British, French or Belgian
IS not disclosed to US
Hears the First Firing.
despatch riders are Eauopins past.
We are ordered to Accelerate orr I
march; the division commanders fOin
their chief; various orders are passed.
and instead Of keeping TO the highway, ]
part Of our army has to cross the field q
In diagonal direction. Since some !
time the rafting of volleys is audible.
1hen at distance, which seems not I
50 Tar off, a heavy detonation of a 4
gun IS heard It takes some time he ]
tore another gunshot is fired. but then I
the detOnations are heard at Intervals
oL about q minute from the direction i
oI the hills in front Of US We are /
net by more despatch riders. and now /
We hurry across the field and up the 1
slopes Of the hills"
Arrived on the crest we drop our I
elves. and there, right in front Of US
N the opposite hills, and making for