The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-10-06
How a Modern Battle Looks as
Viewed BY a Bystander
CONTINUED from Page Eleven.)

renee or IN a dltch. Instead o. the
blazing cannon he would see wisps of
tnln smoke rising from behind hills
far in the rear, the light cloud from
the powder where the guns
are concealed. Along the trenches he
would see no Serried array of SOL
dlery; only here and there q head
and shoulders darling up for a mo-
ment to drop back after delivering its
fire.
Thus much for the pomp and cir
culnstance Of glorious war on the
modern battlefield. Only the BURSTING
shells and the bodies scattered mo-
uonless on the ground evidence the
readiness of the affair; for, Of all
tnlngs, the troops strive, as far as
possible, to remain during their ad-
vance in small bodies, thereby the
less attracting the fire Of the enemy.
And now, at 500 yards, the firing
line has come to a halt. 1t is begin
i n to grow tired and discouraged
and Jagged. 1t has lost some of its
best officers, for the officers must lead
tine men and thus bear the brunt Of
the fire. Many squads are without
even non-commissioned officers or any
soldier capable Of taking the initia-
tive and moving on. Soldiers have
been falling on all sides, and thew
cannot reply to the enemies fire with
any effect. IN or two men. I'M
nerve after two hours Of constant
strain, give way and start toward the
rear. 1t is a critical moment, and
one nat IS always liable to happen.
The Vital Moment.
This is the mOmen that the Of
ncer commanding in the field must
seize or run the risk Of panic and
defeat. He whispers a hurried order
70 n bugler by his side. Swiftly the
pugIer lifts his instrument and blows
nail a dozen notes. 1t is repeated to
rlght and left and rear Then behind
the faltering line there is heard a
cheer and, from their cover 100 yards
penlnd, the supports come with a
rush q merge into the front ranks.
The effect is instantaneous. Every
man 1eels renewed courage. and
Whlle the artillery redoubles its ef-
forts to the notes Of the bugle. the
men SO lately dispirired take new
neart and. dash forward to v
anead. And now, when they are
enemy's trenches, the bugle rings o,,t
again., to be taken up by the busles
far in the rear.
"Slgnalmen behind cover wave fla
to the slgnalmen near the artillerv
Suddenly the artillery fire, that has
peen spread over a half mile of the
enemies works, is concentrated unoo
a bare 200 yards of trench. Now in
deed 1T is, in the words of the dis
patches, 'veritable hell The burstine
or n shrap1el strikes the ear in one
continuous, rafting roar. The smoke
and lust from the bursting shells hide
the trenches, as in a fog. Closer tho
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 rwa now
careless of cover until the she'll AFRO
bursting but a few yards ahead If
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 .
dead silence, agonizing after the rear
ing, shrieking shells. Then the bueIes
ring out, and delivering one vollev .,
the figures of the defenders who ara
now mounting the trenches. tbay
spring forward for the charge c,oea
massed, yelling like demons.
In a moment they are at oloa.
quarters with the enemy. For a ~
ment they halt, stopped by the shna,-
OF collision. But at that momen ~
reserve. the last line Of the three +ha.
has suffered but little, comes
ing up. They steady. they stiffen Ga
then with a rush they are nm and Gnu LII