The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-10-08
STORIES OF BATTLEFIELD.
Correspondents Write of Sidelishts
That are Interesting.

troops dramatic approach toward the
trenches at Mons, where the British
lay in waiting. Another stirring cpl
sode describes the ride on horseback
of a messenger along an open road
swept by the shots of the enemy. II
was a fatal ride. but one OF those sac
rifces of life which the eSigencies. OF
war demand.
The London Standard publishes a
description of the fighting at Mons
Belgium, taken from a letter OF a
sergeant in the British army to ms
brothers. The letter says:
I'VE lay in our trenches, with not
a sound or sign to tell them (the Ger
mans) what was before them. They
crept nearer and nearer, and then our
officers gave the word. A sheet OF
fame flickered along the line of the
trenches, and stream Of bullets tore
through the advancing mass OF Ger
mans. They seemed to stagger Ike
drunken men suddenly hit between
the ewes, after which they made run
for US.
Halfway across the open another
yolley tore through their ranks, and
by this time our artillery began drop
ping shells around them. Then this
officer gave an order and they broke
into open formation, rushing like
mad toward the trenches on our left.
We gave thein no rest and soon they
were on the move again in fight.
Thrilling Cavalry Dash.
Then came more furious shelllng
of our trenches and after that an
other mad rush across the open on
our front. This time they were
strongly supported by cavalry, who
suffered terribly, but came right up
TO the lines. We received them, front
ranks with bayonets and rear ranks
keeping up an incessant fire. After
q hard tussle they retired hastily
and just as they thought themselves
safe our mounted men swooped down
on them, cutting them right and lett.
This sort of thing went on
through the whole day. After the
last attack we lay down in our clothes
to sleep as best we could, but long
before sunrise we were called out to
be told we had to abandon our posi-
ton
Belgian who escaped from Mons,
said:
..Amid terrifying din Of thunder
ing artillery shells burst over the
town in all directions. All the In
habitants who hadn't fed from the
town rushed into cellars and barrl-
caded the doors. We were unable
to see the actual fighting, but when
7 left Mons the town was utterly
wrecked. Bodies lay everywhere.
Tempest of Flame.
.As l rushed from the town dur
ing a lull in the battle witnessed
thrilling episode. / was hidden IN
densely wooded district Of the forest
from which I saw column after COL
umn of German infantry emerge. The
French were waiting for them, and
their heavy guns and mitrailleuses
poured a continuous stream OF LEAD
upon the enemy.
1T was a tempest of flame and
bullets from the mitrailleuses moW-
ing down the enemy with terrifying
precision, but still the Germans kept
marching from the woods on to the
roads. I saw a German aeroplane
struck down with a shell fired with
deadly accuracy from French gun.
"Amid all this frightful carnage
what most impressed me was the de-
vastating effect of the French artll-
lery fire"
Demoniac Shells.
All accounts agree on tuls poin''
A surgeon major, writing from the
eastern frontier, says:
For an hour, sheltered under
low wall, was not more than 2Oo
feet from French battery, when
was working magnifcently. During
the hour 900 German shells fell near
this battery. One first hears dull
boom. Then, as the shell flies over
your head, screaming whistle. 1t
bursts with a deafening explosion
with dense smoke and lead, striking
down trees or anything else within
reach. I saw one shell alone kill a
second lieutenant and gunner, and
wound a lieutenant and five men.
noticed among the officers and
men there seemed to be no thought
of death. After the engagement one
gunner said to another: What! Not
dead yet?' Not today was the reply.
I will let you know when / am.