Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-12-17

y alone for time, without any cover
ing OF infantry, in the middle OF the
crossing of the streets; the bullets
whistled by hundreds about our ears.
spiashed roundabout like a shower Of
hail against the plaster walls. at
once rendered two cannoneers with
the first gun unable TO fight, tore %
shotholes in the iron body Of the first
gun carriage, and the first Timber
and still these heroes did their duty
with a calm and an impassiyiry as if
it was simply matter OF peaceful
drill on the artillery field.
we shot into the fre-spitting side
streets and houses. The detonation
was ear-splitting between the narrow
walls; thick smoke lay over the street,
forced the infantry fire to go wide
on both sides, and concealed from the
enemy hidden in the houses their tar
gets. In the houses which had been
struck yawned wide breaches; in two
places flames broke out; out of the
houses in the side streets hostile
sharpshooters, apparently Belgians
and Frenchmen, were to be seen flee
ing singly and in small groups. Again
and again hating and firing, our adj
vance guard withdrew in perfect or
der. taking with it most of the dead
and wounded and all equipment for
guns and wagons, out Of the smoking
witch's caldron to reassemble before
the gates of the city. Our company
which had been cut off united itself
after-attack of the enemy was not de-
hvered.
THE infantry that attacked US had
just come in in two transport trains at
the moment of our marching in, and
had been concealed in the houses of
the suburb. One sting remains, to be
sure: We retreated before an enemy
in numbers probably inferior and GER
tainly only little superior. But let it
be clear what it means, when a
marching column a kilometer long
fights against an almost entirely in
visible enemy, shooting from roofs
and windows and cellar holes, and a
treacherous population; and the de-
cision of our leader to yield such hot
ground will be found comprehensive
and sensible
Spirit of Men Under Fire.
The pole-rider of the first cannon
brought back the battle-worn first
hoWitZer to the battery with his two
browns, that alone were left of the
team. Both his animals had slight
wounds on the nose and legs; he him
self had in some wonderful way, re-
manned unframed. Although a big,
powerful man, he had remained mo-
tionless throughout the whole fight
seated on his horse in the middle of
the street. Altogether, it is a mar
vel that we came out of the affair with
only negligible losses.
AT the climax of the fight | ex-
changed a couple of words with the
under officer in charge of the first gun
a quiet, pleasant man.
Do you believe that one of us will
live through this day.?
I have given up hope, Herr Lieu
tenant (He said that with man
ner which l will NOT forget all the
days Of my life.)
And SO all thought, probably, in
the worst moments. But every one
remained at his post and composed
ly did his duty. The general him
self, who stayed at the rear of the
advance guard, gave an impressive ex-
ample of calm confidence; in the
midst Of the battle he went on smok-
ing his cigar quietly. GA pose? Per
haps! But, at any rate, an excellent
and sensible poseD He left the sub
urb on foot, among the last"