Gilpin observer., 1914-10-22

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day heroic effort was made to
save the city from the consequences
OF a fresh German visitation. The
fight around Melle on Saturday turned
to tho advantage of the defenders. as
did that on Sunday. The combatants
were within 100 yards of one an
other'B positions. Hun 1reds of wound
ed were lying unaided and uncared for
in the immediate front of the two OPP
posing armies. The Germans rifle
fire during the night had been con-
tinuous They fired on every one ap-
preaching their lines and did not dis
criminate between combatants and
noncombatants.
Retreat Decided On.
| "It was a critical moment There
WAS not much time for reflection, and
after careful review of the situation
a general retreat vas decided upon.
The Germans appeared to be in great
strength, but the defending force was
holding on undismayed by the fury of
the German infantry assaults, sup
ported by heavy artillery.
There were no trains from Ghent
towards the coast towns, but vehicles
| of every description, from dogcarts
to ramshackle horse wagons, were
requisitioned, and the inha abitants of
Client fed with some show of confu-
sion from the enemy approaching
their gates. BY midnight the last
citizen who could scrape together
money to hire a vehicle of any kind,
the last soldier, and large proportion
of the wounded had quilted the city,
taking the road to Bruges and Os-
tend
The streets of the city were ST.
lent and deserted, and the Hotel de
Poste, which had been used as resi-
dence by the headquarters staff and
the correspondents, was practically
empty.
| Red Cross Nurses Brave.
There are 12 wounded in the ho-
tel attended by two nurses of the Bel
| gian Red Cross society, who bravely
refused to quit their charges, even
when the doctors and stretcher bear
ers abandoned their posts and van
| ished from Ghent. The wounded were
in a feverish state of excitement.
Somehow, the news of the evacuation
reached their ears, and they implored
the nurses to have them transported
elsewhere, for not one of them rel
ished the idea of falling wounded into
the hands of the Germans.
"It was In vain we sought aid from
the city authorities, who were more
or less distracted at the prospect of
fresh German incursion. They
frankly said they had no aid to give
and no doubt they were right.
Fears for Brother.
AT 6 a. m. the wounded were still
in the hotel, fretting at the long de-
lay. No vehicle, not even a dog cart,
was obtainable, and Germans might
appear at any moment.
"One of the nurses. Mile. Baerde-
maker. whose brother was severely
wounded and was lying in the hotel
had bravely faced the ordeal of the
long night vigil, but now she began
to show some signs of the emotion
that was racking her sisterly heart,
When things looked the blackest
Mr.. Van Hee, the American vice-con
sui, brought his automobile to the no
tel door. He was on his way to Brus
sells, and had called for friend who
was to accompany him.
Mr. Van Hee is big-hearted, sym
pathetic American. and when he heard
of the plight of the wounded. his eyes
filled with tears.
Bother Brussels and official mis-
sions, he said. I will never leave
these poor boys to be taken pris
oners by the Germans
He was as good as his word. In a
few minutes the wounded had been
brought down and the consular car
made several trips to the railway sta
ton. Every man was taken away
from the hotel and placed on board a
military train which was III readiness
TO leave for Ostend.
Saves More Wounded.
Afterwards Mr.. Van Hee took his
automobile to the military hospita
and carried of six wounded soldier:
whose wounds precluded them from
walking. They had been carried or
stretchers.
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in the military hospital who wer'
able to walk had earlier In the morn
ing made a brave attempt to save
themselves.
Some hobbled forth painfully, sup
porting tottering limbs with the ait
of improvised crutches. Others wer'
helped along by the kindly arm OF ,
lad or q woman who had come for
ward in answer to the appeal for aid
II was walk of over half a mile OF
a paved road from the hospital to th'
railway station.
"One train filled with wounded die
get away from the city before thu
entry OF the Germans. but second
also loaded with brave fellows wht
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