New-York tribune., 1914-12-21

Especial correspondence TO Tho Tribune
Near Verdun, Dec. 6.-For four days
the village had slowly crumpled to
ruins under the terrific fire of four
batteries which the Germans had
masked 5000 yards away, enabling
them to bring forward important con-
tingents of infantry which had since
taken possession of strategic road
crossing of tremendous Importance TO
the French. That morning orders were
given to take the position at any cost,
dislodge the batteries and push for
ward, the Germans having advanced
toward Verdun TO the very limit al
lowed them by the French commander.
The night had been cold and the
frozen ground allowed the easy ma
neuvring of the cavalry, which had
been called upon 10 clear the ground.
Four regiments formed IN as many
columns, and At 10 o'clock in the morn
ing. after an hours artillery work on
both sides, the French general gave
the order 10 attack.
position twenty yards in front Of his
sauadrons, the captains at their posts
a little to one side shouted final in
structions, and the men, conscious OF
the task before them, silently tight
ened saddle straps and drew closer
reins. Some were fondly caressing
their mounts. whispering to them as to
some one dearly loved. A few, per
haps not quite hardened, were taking
long drafts from their TASKS.
Tbsp sytu the shouts Of orders sub
nS,d and the neighing Of the
horses, clinking OF scsbbards and rasp-
inc Of saddle leather alone were heard
mingling with the bass voice of the
French cannons in the rear. The Ger
man guns were still reserving their
shells until their prey had begun TO
advance. In the rear the clear notes
of a bugler sounded a signal. and the
colonel of the --th, facing his horse
about, cried to his men:
"Men of the -th! Forty-four years
ago your regiment followed its colonel
TO death. To-day you'll fellow me TO
glory. Sabres clear!"
Avalanche Begins to Move.
One more order, the last, and the
gin TO move and rush onward.
On a hillock, back of the squadrons,
the general and his staff were survey
ing the enemy through their glasses.
The suspense was nervc-breaking. The
general nodded, the shrill blast of a
bugle rent the air, and those on the hill
witnessed a spectacle so heroic, sac
rifice so sublime that, win or lose, each
felt il impossible that country that
bred such men could ever be conquere l.
The colonel of the first regiment, rails
ing his sword high in the air at the
bugle call from the hill, roared:
"Charge!'
The bugles sounded through the
ranks, the masses seemed TO shudder
then started in motion. Through the
glass those on the hill could see the
Germans, like ants, scurrying from
their trenches and forming in front OF
them in compact squares. The cavalry
would be met first by the artillery fire,
then by solid walls of bayonets. These
squares, fifty yards wide, consisted of
ten or twelve rows Of men, the first two
rows kneeling, the others standing with
bayonets protrudng between those in
front. Eight Of these human ramparts
awaited the French.
The cavalry's trot heightened. the
horses so close together that over the
uneven ground If one slipped II was
held up on both sides. The bugles
sounded the charge increasingly and
soon the horses were GallopilG des-