Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-09-22
STORY OF A BATTLE
A French Soldier Gives His Experience
Under Fire.
SOME COMEDY, BUT MOSTLY TRAGEDY
Conditions of Warfare Have Been Changed but Men Go
Through the Same Hadshs and Horrors That Have Always
Been Characteristic of War.

us. They are fast approaching, and
soon after we march on again. In the
distance, on our left, veil of dust
hoyers above the field, and our ears
are caught by the noise of moving
troops and the tramping Of horses
feet. Every now and again glimpse
may be caught of the body Of an army
marching at what seems to be dlrec-
ton parallel with ours. 1t is rumored
that they are British troops, but no
body knows except the commanders,
and they keep silent All we learn
from our officers is that the distant
troops are part of the allied forces,
but whether they are British, French
or Belgian is not disclosed to us.
Dispatches Sent.
Dispatch riders are galloping past.
We are ordered to accelerate our
march: the division commanders join
their chief; various orders are passed,
and instead of keeping to the highway
part of our army has to cross the
some time the rattling of volleys is
audible Then at distance, which
seems not so far off, heavy tetona-
ton Of a gun is heard. 1t takes some
time before another gunshot is fired,
but then the detonations are heard at
intervals of about a 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 on 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
enemy, engaged in fight with divis-
ion Of the allied troops. l can dis
tinctly see the German artillerymen
moving about the guns on the hilltops
and the slopes, l see a mighty flash
from one Of the guns battles, the
rounding hills.
Interested Spectator.
1T is strange, but in the face Of
death and destruction, l catch myself
has fallen, as if l were an interested
spectator at a rifle competition. And
was not the only one. l saw many
curious around me, bearing express
sions full of interest, just as if the
owners Of the respective faces formed
the auditorium of a highly fascinating
theatrical performance, without having
to do with the play itself.
The impression crossed my mind
in One-thousandth part of second,
and was followed by numerous others,
altogether alien from the utmost Sc
rious things which were happening and
going to happen.
Humor in Battle.
The human mind is a curious and
complicated thing. Now that we were
shooting at the enemy, and often af-
forwards in the midst of a fierce bat
tie. l heard some remark made or
some funny expression used which
proved that the speakers thoughts
were far from realizing the terrible
facts about him. 1t has nothing to
do with heartlessness or anything like
that l don't know yet what it is.
Perhaps l shall have an opportunity to
philosOphiZe on it later on.
"Volley after volley we sent in the
direction of the enemy. We aimed
quickly and well, while all the Ger
man shells and bullets passed over
our heads. For the Germans maybe,
and are, our superiorS in executing
parade steps, but they are Internally
bad shots. and parade steps are of
very little use i'm war-times, and make
no great impression upon the assail
ants. In the meantime, our heavy
guns were preparing for action, and
our quick tirers began to share in the
general conversation. AS more troops
We're ascending the hills to reinforce
us. we made for the plain. A rain
of hostile bullets passed close over
our heads. and instinctively we stoop-
ed. although when one hears the bull
let it has passed already.
Queer Sensation.
1T is queer sensation which
comes over us the first time we are
met with hail of bullets. We sud-
denly feel as if attacked by fever, but
this feeling very soon leaves us. AL