New-York tribune., 1914-11-29
SHELLS own HOUSE
TO DISLODCE FOES
Vincent ArchambauIt, a
Gunner in French Army,
Makes Sacrifice.
GERMANS STAFF
CHARTERED THERE
Knowing This, Soldier Doesn't
Hesitate to Fire. and His
Shot Hits Mark.

STOt THIS MdTk.
Paris, No.. 19.-Thi, is the sorry o.
Nincer. Archambault, gun pointer OF
the first gun Of the first battery OF the
- army CORPS. He came from the
eastern frontier, near Sedan, and, Ike
the people Of his country, he was a tall
man, strong and calm and slow, put
ting certain power and reflection IN
every step that he took.
The fortunes Of mobilization had
placed him in battery where there
was 10 one who came from his neigh
borhood. and so his comrades knew
little about him and they learned little
from the conversation of the big. 81
lent man. But some drovers and vcnd-
ers Of forage and grain VINO the men
of the battery met in the market
places Of the towns through which
they marched recognized Vincent and
told his comrades that he was pros
porous man, that he had begun early
20 save and that he had bought the
fourth paIt Of big farm on the edge
Of the Champagne. where the ground
begins 70 rise 70 the wooded foothills
Of the Argonne.
And without being told his comrades
recognized that Vincent was born to
bn man of war. lie loved his gun,
this Archambault. II was for him not
only one gun OF battery, but 1t was
an especial piece that ne knew. that
had his own habits and character and
that h could talk TO az one talks 20 a
friend.
In His Own Country.
On October 2l the battery was rest
ing for the MONDAY meal The horses
were browsing in little ield fifty
yards from an old beech wood. The
road mounted gently to the north,
where il passed through the wood.
while the ground sloped away sharply
10 the left. and there some scattered
beeches grew, and between the two
groups Of trees the battery found
perfect shelter for its rest without
danger from the enemy's shells.
The men stretched themselves on
the grass and smoked peacefully. while
the captain walked back and forth near
the guns with his hands clasped be
hind his back All the world had
ceased 10 think Of war and enjoyed
only the beautiful autumn sun. when
suddenly an automobile came painting
up over the road the battery had Just
traversed The captain talked a minute
with the chauffeur and turned TO the
battery.
Reconnaissance"
No time is wasted with the "soixante-
qunze" and in less than a minute the
six horses had been harnessed 10 the
observation caisson. and the captain
and the first sergeant were away for
the reconnaissance. galloping along the
little wood road under the beeches.
Ten minutes later the sergeant reap
pesred in the path with tine order 10
bring I'D the battery, ard this time II
was the four. guns that were engulfed
by the shadows and climbed the hill,
forcing aside the young saplings and
leaving the mark of their passage oil
the trunks Of the old trees. The woods
we're not broad, and soon the freshly
harvested fields could be seen on the
other side. stretching away to the crest
OF the nill
The four guns arrived AZ trot and
took their places on the hither slope.
ready, as usual. 70 fire NJ an invisible
target No. wheeled into place where
the trumpeter stood under the branches
OF wide spreading old beech. while
the first sergeant marked the position
foI No. at the other end Of the line.
Archambault was there with his gun.
ready and waiting the command. But
this time his face was white. instead
Of having It's usual rudGy color.
what is wrong. Archambault? Are
you cold7" asked a comrade.
Archambauit pointed TO the sun.
You are not afraid Of the 'boches
are you? They must be there on the
other side of the hill?'
Archambault. always spaiiug OF
words, only shrugged his shoulders.
The captain was behind the battery.
on his horse, standing in his stlrrups.
He was the only one who could see
over the crest Of the hill. Spread out
before him was valley OF little less
than three kilometres wide. There was
not a house in the valley. II was all
newly harvested fields, divided by
hedges and crossed by two narrow
roads. A. the far side there was
small wood, like the one where the
battery stood and at the northern end.
white and shining IN the autumn sun.
y a
grouped around the church.
SheIled His Own House.
The captain, with gesture Of his
right arm, gave the direction to the
gun pointers. and then, recollectng
that Archambsult was from that neigh
borhood. asked him:
"Do you know the village Of - >"
YES, my captain"
How far do you estimate 1t from
here"
twenty-five hundred metres
The captain gave the order 20 fire
at 900 metres. and the four guns
fired together with a huge roar, fol-
lowed by strained silence until the
sound came back Of the bursting
shells.
Good direction cried the captain.
Quick, mes enfants, VIC will destroy
general staff
Archambault was pointing his gun.
Seated in his place on the left of the
Gun he turned and faced the captain.
"A general staff he said and Il
seemed az though there was something
more he must say. and yet that he did
not have the strength 70 'articulate
And then:
wv captain. look to me right Of the
church. on a little hill. A house rooted
with tiles. with little tower and sur.
rounded by a garden with white walls
Do you see it,
Yes" said the captain; "and wha:
then.
1T is The largesr in The village" said
Archambault 1T has tEo stories. lou
large rooms besides the bedrooms.
cellar we'll stocked with wine. The
General STAFF will be there. Fire OF
it"