The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-09-14

1 never SSSu dHs thlHS so Impressive.
For this was not a mere show, as a
military review is, but these men were
to be engaged in part OF an action on
which fate of nations would depend,
and the way in which those men
would fulfill their task might be OF
the greatest importance to the result
of the battle and future movements
and designs.
And one felt that these masses of
men were determined 10 do their ut
most. This was not a dull, low-spirit-
ed army, going TO the front TO fight
because they were ordered to, but be-
cause they wanted to. They wore no
stern, grave faces, or they would not
be French soldiers; nor were they
boisterous or Dragging, but they were
bright and lively and happy and brave
governed by powerful desire to win,
and gifted with an almost superhu-
man power of determination. There
was such a splendid enthusiasm.
| There was still another impor-
tant factor, which adds no little to
the efficiency of the army The COM
m3ssariat is perfect; all these men are
excellently equipped, excellently look
ed after. They have everything they
want, and they have it without delay
That is what keeps the soldiers spir-
its up and makes them confident And
we are confident.
Near crossing halt is made A
meal is served out TO US, an we learn
that another division IS going to Join
US. They are fast approaching, and
soon after we march on again. In
the distance, on our left, veil of dust
hoyers above the fields, and our ears
are caught by the noise OF moving
troops AMI the trampling OF horses
feet. Every now and again glimpse
may be caught of the body of an
army reaching IN what seems to be
direction parallel with ours. 1t is
rumored that they are British troops,
but nobody knows except the com
manders, and they keep silent All
we learn from our officers is that the
distant troops are part of the allied
force, but whether they are British,
French or Belgian is not disclosed to
w.
Dispatch riders are galloping up.
We are ordered to accelerate our
march; the division commanders join
their chief; various orders are passed,
and instead of keeping to the high
way part of our army has to cross
the field in a diagonal direction.
Since some time the rafting of vol
legs is audible. Then at distance,
which seems not so far of, a heavy
detonation of a gun is heard. 1t
takes some time before another gun
shot is fired, but then the detonations
are heard at intervals of about
minute from the direction of the hills
in front of us. We are met by more
dispatch riders, and now we hurry
across the field and up the slopes OF
the hills
Arrived at the crest We drop our
selves, and there, right in front of us,
on the opposite hills, and making for
the plain between them, are the enc
my, engaged in fight with a division
of the allied troops. ! can distinctly
see the German artillerymen moving
about the guns on the hilltops and
the slopes, l see a mighty fash from
one of the guns, the heavy report is
re-echoed by the surrounding hills
1T is strange, but in the face OF
death and destruction | catsh myself
trying to make out where the shell
has fallen, as if l were an interested
spectator at a rife competition. And
was not the only one. l saw many
curious faces around me, bearing ex-
pressioRs full of interest, il st IS if Oh
owners of the respective faces form
ed the auditorium of a highly fasci-
mating theatrical performance, with
out having to do with the play itself.
The impression crossed my mind in
one-thousandth part of a second. and
was followed by numerous others, al
together alien from the utmost seri-
GUS things which were happening and
going to happen.
The human mind is curious and
complicated thing. Now that we
were shooting at the enemy, and Of
ten afterwards in the midst of fierce
battle, heard some remark made or
some funny expression used which
proved that the speakers thoughts
we're far from realizing the terrible
facts around him. 1t has nothing TO
do with heartlessness or anything
like that. / don't know yet what it
is. Perhaps / shall have an oppor-
tunity to philosophize or it later on.
"Volley after voley we sent in the