Imperial Valley press., 1914-12-24
GERMAN OFFICERS
DETAILS OF BATTLE
Especial Dispatch to the international
News Service)
(By Fritz JacoDson)

DCi Inn, bSS' ~ Wy Hiiil W 4NcW
York)-I have just come into pos
session of a stirring letter written by
a wounded cavalry officer, now con-
valescent at Dienzei Lothr, to his
wife. At Legarde in August his
squadron lost "a out of 142 men and
he was the only officer not put hors
de combat. Here is the letter:
81 was thrown under my horse as
he fell, and thus bruised my left side
and contracted hemorrhage in my
thigh. After the exertions of the last
few days feel very comfortable here
and am well taken care of by the sis
ters. Probably will have to rest up
here from ten to fourteen days for,
although such bruises are not dan
gerous or painful, they heal slowly,
and for while at least I will not
he able to go to the front. / trust
you received my various messages.
particularly the card l wrote on the
night of the attack of Lagarde, from
which, thank heaven, | returned safe
ly. l sincerely hope that you are all
well.
"In the first place, | want to give
you news of Clemens. He was here
for short time and, to the best of
my knowledge, has now been trans
ported to Saarbruecken. Thank God,
l can give you good news of him. He
was shot right through the lung.
However, no complications arose and
he is as well as can be expected under
the circumstances, and is out of dan
ger.
Indeed, dear heart, August II was
6 great day for our regiment, and in
due time will be recorded in history.
as was Gravelotte and Mars Tour.
1t was death ride in the fullest
meaning of that word, against auto
matte guns and infantry, in which the
First, Third and Fourth squadrons of
my regiment, and the Second squad
ron of another regiment took part.
The Fifth squadron are very disap-
pointed, for they were commanded to
occupy bridge and the opposite bank.
One thousand prisoners, including
twelve or eighteen commanders, can
mons and automatic guns, were cap
tured.
"Our brave brigade suffered bitter
ly. Of the Jap men in my squadron,
only So replied when the roll was
called; and I was the only officer.
All the rest dead or wounded!. The
commander of the brigade was shot
through his breast and hand. His con-
dition, however, is said to be salts
factory. Aide de Camp
of the brigade of my regiment is dead:
captain --, as well as Captain
--, shot. The captain of nv
regiment is seriously wounded Ga shot
In the lower jaw, two in the arm and
one in the foot). Ensign -- is
slightly wounded. All that in three
squadrons.
my squadron suffered most, for
they took part in the worst attack.
Our regiment ought to be spared a
little now; at all events, we have the
hardest day of the whole campaign
behind us. The success, particularly
from the moral point of view, is splen-
did. They have shown what we can
do, and proved that the lancers and
uhlans, of whom the French have al
ways stood in fear, have lost none of
their elan. Everybody behaved splen-
didly and August II will for all time
be day of honor for our regiment,
and this attack of Lagarde will stand
forth as one of the bravest achieve
ments Of the whole campaign.
The commander of the Bavarian cav
airy, Excellence Won at
once expressed his hearty apprecia-
tion in the regiment and telegraphed
an account to the king. All the Off
GERS, several non commissioned Off
GERS and soldiers who participated in
the attack were proposed for marks
of distinction.
"Never before was I as conscious
of the proximity of my guardian an
gel as on that day. l cannot quite ex-
plain it, but all the while I was not
bit excited, and had a feeling of
absolute safety. Now when look
back and call to mind the situation
OF my poor squadron of the Fifty
eighth surviving, quite few were on
parole and did not take part in the
attack. On the evening of that day
l proceeded with twenty seven men
and three on-commissioned officers.
In view of that fact one must really
feel that God took me in special guard
Be at ease and contented, my dar-
ling, when / return to the front NV
lucky star will again guard me from
danger. Now more than ever have
feeling of absolute confidence.