The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-08-10
WHAT SOLDIERS DID
BEFORE THE BATTLE
An Altar Was Erected and a
Benediction Service
Was Held.
BY MARY BOYLE o'REILLY.
London. England. July o. 1915.

{ London has been curlously quiet
these last few days. Indeed. the
most real news have heard from the
front was told me the other day by
two tired soldier priests, an lrishnaa
and a Frenchnan. who have come
over for a quiet weekend. The Irish
man spoke drst
English, Irish. Scotch, Canadian.
Australian, yes, and Catholic and
Protestant. we are just bFothers-in'
arms out there. he said, "O2e
must see to understand how the allies
lit up their hearts TO the unseen When
death is at their feet.
Never will ! forget the night be-
fore that last big battle in early June
What an inspiration for poet. what
picture Ior a painter.
We are billeted within hearing ot
the guns. The men belong 10 TWO IA
NOUS regiments OF the guards. me
Young fellows with the deIleious laugh
OF youth and never care Tor bullets
I or shells.
Suddenly a WORKOUT stat officer
rode in to report that disaster threat
ened a salient. The guards we're sum
moned TO action.
Then l saw things which made my
eyes swell with tears. For looked
along the rank: .; brave boys pre-
pairing to die.
1T was very hot. The boys were
coatless and hatless. their open shirts
showed their quietly heaving breasts.
A few wards from the company street
half a dozen Tommies began to pre-
pare a temporary altar while VARIOUS
chanlains heard the confessions OF the
men. Each father embraced his de-
parting penitent, urging him TO shed
his blood for his country.
/ The altar was soon ready and
benediction service began. Not
grenadier was absent. Many OF the
Suardsmen were not Catholics. OF
Course and most OF the Catholics
were Irishmen. Even the irontc cock
reys knelt to make vague petition Tor
rbe sIntthing they could rot under
stand. ,.s
/ Ny
over that battlefield altar the Sacred
I Host was exposed. A thousand voices
rang out with o Salutaris HoStia' the
sound of singing being drowned at IN
teryals by the road OF artillery.
/ When the hymn was finished the
onIciating priest raised the sacra-
nent and every head was bowed IN
client PRAYER. Darkness had fallen.
and ercept for motor lamp the only
i light came from enemy mares as tneE
III nm the night Distant bombs eX.
ploded somewhere and the cFackle OF
machine gun FIRE increased IN volume
when the Catholic part Of the ser
vira was over the Irishmer and the
1nn.catholics burst forth into Onward
Christian Soldier What a thrill must
have gone through the hearts OF those
fighters! ., ...o-,,
man funbled through his knapsacK 10
find and put on his token De- war OF
4 Ace MEDAL. lest he be shot dead, FIVE
ni5utes later he b2$talion rarcheo
out 10 action. light hearted, high spF-
On the dark one could hear mel
low voice inquire. Are you there. Muir
nhy.. or. What's the matter with your
fee, Henressy" and inquirers always
getting as good as they sent So on
fhsy went to the firing line, no longer
singing pious verse but rolicklng
along to lusty Here We are. mere
ve are. Here We are, again,
The little French priest looked up
rtih his quiet smile. ut was lieu.
tenant OF the royal Irish told me
about Grenadier Mulligan." he SAID.
"Tbs lieutenant was close to poor
Mike the night he died. The OFFICER,
slightly wounded, asked what he coulo
do for the stricken private. :,
"'Maybe, sir said Mike. YOU con.o
say a bit OF a prayer for me-. But
naturally. the lieutenant knew none OF
the familiar Catholic prayers, Never
MIN cir Mike reassured him, have
a little book here with them all IN u:
$50 the officer opened the little DOCK
and read the prayer Mike chose. When
# was finished the dying soldier look
ed thoughttll for a moment. 90
hons sir.' he said, that God won't
tbink any less Of that prayer because
Il was said by Protestant Ihen'
still smiling he lapsed into uncon-
"The war has taught US all good
deal that has nothing to DO with mat
tiers military" commented the little
nrieef