Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-09-15
STORIES OF BATTLEFIELD
Correspondents Write Of Sidelishts
that are Interesting.

Among the mOSt VlVlu pen plStui CD
from Europe's theatre of war Is cor
respondents story of the German
troops dramatic approach toward the
trenches at Mons. where the British
lay in waiting. Another stirring epi-
sode describes the ride on horseback
of a messenger along an open road
swept by the shots Of the enemy. 1t
was a fatal ride, but one of those sac
rifces Of life which the exigencies Of
war demand.
The London Standard publishes a
description of the fighting at Mons.
Belgium, taken from letter Of SER
geant in the British army to his broth
ers. The letter says:
1--WE lay in our trenches, with not
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
flame fiickered along the line of the
trenches. and a stream Of bullets tore
through the advancing mass Of Ger
mans. They seemed to stagger like
drunken men suddenly hit between the
eyes, after which they made a run for
us.
Halfway across the open another
volley tore through their ranks and by
this time our artillery began dropping
shells around them. Then this officer
gave an order and they broke into
open formation, rushing like mad to-
ward the trenches on our left. We
gave them no rest and soon they were
on the move again in flight.
Thrilling Cavalry Dash.
Then came more furious shelling Of
our trenches and after that another
mad rush across the open on our front.
This time they were strongly support
ed by cavalry. who suffered terribly,
but came right up to the lines. We
received them, front ranks with bayo-
nets and rear ranks keeping up an in
cessant fire. After a hard tussle they
retired hastily, and just as they
men swooped down on them, cutting
them right and left.
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 position"
A Belgian who escaped from Mons,
said:
Amid a terrifying din Of thunder
ing artillery shells burst over the town
in all directions. All the inhabitants
who hadn't fed from the town rushed
into cellars and barricaded the doors.
We were unable to see the actual
fighting. but when I left Mons the
town was utterly wrecked. Bodies lay
everywhere.
Tempest of Flame.
"As 1 rushed from the town during
a lull in the battle I witnessed thrill
ing episode. was hidden in densely
wooded district Of the forest, from
which 1 saw column after column Of
German infantry emerge. The French
were waiting for them, and their heavy
guns and mitrailleuses poured a con-
tinuous stream Of lead upon the en-
emy
1T was a tempest of flame and bull
lets from the mitrailleuses moving
down the enemy with terrifying pre-
cision, but still the Germans kept
marching from the woods on to the
roads. l 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 artillery
fire."
Demoniac Shells.
All accounts agree on this point. A
surgeon major. writing from the east
ern frontier, says:
For an hour, sheltered under a low
wall. l was not more than 200 feet
from French battery, which was
working magnificently. During the
hour 600 German shells fell near this
battery. One first hears a dull boom.
Then, as the shell flies over your head,
a screaming whistle. 1t bursts with
deafening explosion, with dense smoke
and lead. striking down trees or any
thing else within reach. 1 saw one
shell alone kill a second lieutenant
and gunner, and wound a lieutenant
and five men.
II noticed among the officers and
men there semed to be no thought Of
death. After the engagement one
gunner said to another: What! Not
dead YETI Not today was the reply.
L will let you know when 1 am"
Made Deaf by Gums Roar.
The Germans took the Namur forts
by using 12O siege guns. mostly of
eight inch diameter, and a few even
eleven inch. The latter were so heavy
that it required forty horses to draw
each gun. They throw shell twelve
miles
The Germans did their best work at
5000 yard range, most Of the shots
hitting, and the cannonading was kept
up for seventy eight hours. night and
day.
A wounded survivor said he had
never seen shells Of such size and pow
er. All the gunners within the forts
were stricken stone deaf. and some
went delirious before the French reg
iment sent to relieve them was order
ed to retreat and join the main army.
Then they marched gallantly out
with what was left of the garrison, the
band playing the "Marseillaise."
Rode Into Deaths Jaws.
correspondent describing the
fighting before Malines, Belgium,
says:
Il could see dark blue masses Of
Pelgian infantry falling back, cool as
on a winters morning. Through a |
mistake two battalions of carbineers |
did not receive the order to retire and |
were in imminent danger of destruc
ton. To reach them a messenger |