Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-10-15

Rotterdam, September 19.-Much OF
the news of the war gets into the Ger.
man press in the form of letters which
officers and privates at the front send
to their families. Written by men
who describe what they actually see
and feel, some strange mixtures or SEN
sations experienced and actually en-
countered result in documents or
strong appeal and wide human inter-
est. One of these appears in the
Koelnische Zeitung Of September 10.
From wild French forest, on the
anniversary of the battle OF Sedan
(Sept. q the best greetings. During
the last two days we have again been
at the extreme front, after we had
been given chance to rest up and get
enough to eat. Our position is dan.
gerous one, being we'll advanced into
the French lines, and we are obliged
to fight off many attacks on the part OF
an enemy much superior in numbers.
yesterday we fought from early
morning till late in the night opposing
Alpine chasseurs and negroes, whose
courage it would be foolish to question.
The woods here are very extended and
cover a ground which is much brok-
pm IN. They are so dense that very
often YOU do not see the enemy until
YOU are within SO. even 80 PAGES OF MIN
and quite frequently we get SO close
to the blacks that we can look INTO
their eyes.
"We are greatly indebted to the col
or of our uniform. The French are
constantly at a disadvantage because
of their red pants and blue coats. The
Alpine Chasseurs are fine fellows. and
In German uniforms they would make
q good appearance. In the French no.
rel porter uniform nobody looks smart.
The chasseurs wear red or blue knee
breaches. ribbon puttees, long blue cut
aways and blue cap. Prisoners with
out arms make an appearance OF utter
neglect. There are prisoners taken
every day, because the ordinary
French soldier is only too ready TO
throw away his arms, make hands up
and shout Pardon
at is now one in the afternoon, and
SO far. we have not been disturbed
The dead are buried, and now we are
lying under the trees enjoying spell
of quiet and the peace OF the forest.
have Just finished reading the news
papers to my worthless, and most OF
them are taking a little noon nap.
EVERYTHING about us is peaceful. The
forest is fragrant with the smell of TO-
liage and pine needles, and the sky
laughs in a wonderful blue. 1t is hard
to believe that this is scene on which
men are butchered-the scene OF what
I saw Yesterday But the dull thud and
thunder of artillery in the distance re-
minds me of this"
Two days later the letter is contin-
ued:
eve are out of our position. Yester-
day we began another advance and at
tack on the enemy's positions. We are
still in the forest and so far as can
Judge from the map there are several
kilometers of it yet part brush, part
high growth.
"This is dangerous territory for us,
because the alternating strips of high
trees and new wood make 1t easy for
our opponents to get the best OF us,
The greatest caution is necessary and
our advance is matter of taking one
foot of ground after another. We just
advance 200 meters and then down for
cover. Bullets begin to chirp through
the air. But of the enemy nothing is
seen.
'When the trees are big enough
fairly good cover is offered by them.
Directly the fire opens the battle line
halts and falls fiat to the ground, every
man waiting and looking for target.
There is no shooting done here with
the German rifles except one has some.
body on the sight But often there is
nothing to be done but to advance
again, and to brighten the fellows with
our 'hurrahs.' Along the lines travel
stentorian Fix bayonets.' then comes
the command 'march-march' and the