Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-01-08

the same: The burning wish to be
finally right at IT and to take our
part.
I'VE saw Journals many-towered
romantic silhouette for the first time
in a wonderful evening glow, form
firing position-across from us on the
other side of the city English ar
tillery, in the city itself Belgian in
fantry. Tournai-this name, like
trumpet tone and clash OF arms.
seemed to be of warlike import-but
without a fight we moved into the
city on the next day. We had our
minds made up to a threatening. hos
tile reception on the part Of the pop
ulation-and we're received in as
friendly a way as never before. Two
chrysanthemums were reached up to
me on my horse. We had good re-
ception, also, in Ath, which we passed
several times. The general told later
that they had named US there the
bridage douce A title Of honor which
we wanted to maintain for ourselves
wherever the course of events might
lead u.s.
Had Their First Battle.
Past Journal we marched toward
Lille. into France, where We had our
first battle. We lay several days
and nights in mist and dampness In
the open field beside our batteries.
and froze. Across from us were
French and Belgian and English-ln-
dian troops. And with them leagued
itself-fortunately always for a day
or hours lonly-another foe: Hunger.
1T is still a question where we
first went under fire At any rate.
It was an easterly suburb of Lille.
We were marching down a
long, barren, suburban street, with
a pair of uhlans from Ulm in ad.
vance, then battalion Of infantry OF
Mecklenburg. then my train of how
itzers with ammunition wagons, and
as rear guard a company of Bavarian
pioneers. This was the composition
of the advance guard; the bulk Of the
detachment followed in one body
We were hungry and fatigued after a
long march, and we're counting upon
a peaceful entry, a quiet evening, and
peaceful quarters for the night. On
the left side of the street were halted
the motors of the commander Of the
tx" division of cavalry to which We
we're assigned; the commander him
self stood in conversation with oul
general on the walk, with the mem
bers Of the staff near by. They were
smoking their cigars peacefully ant
watching the entry of the detachment
We marched well in step behind on
way-weary infantrymen, and turne'
before a great public building. hal
blind in the narrow streets of one o
the older portions of the city.
Ahead at the railroad embankmen
there came a shot. Then two; then
dozen. We attributed little impoI
lance to the slight firing. expectin
that 1t would at once cease, an
marched calmly on. Then suddenl
there came rafting fire Of weapon
from all sides. From the houses b.
fore us, behind US, at both sides Q
the street. and In nearby streets, hui
dreds Of guns spat forth deadly lead
There was an instant Of fearful col
fusion, q second of panic. The II
fantry before us flooded back. presse
against the house walls In order t
have cover for their backs. retire
into doorways. Men and horse
writhed wounded on the ground; ind
vidual teams rushe@ in wild fiigf
along the streets. FOR one moment
had a look as II Ill was lost.
Discipline In Panic.
only one moment! Then the OF
GERS took hold. And how they di
tske hold-it was truly Joy. On
u witnessed q triumph Of discipline. III
infantry began to return the fire
small troops Of brave men gathere
about the leaders. In the mob Of me
and beasts, flooding backward. can
calm and order. The best Of Il
praise cannot restrain myself fro
declaring tiny field artillerymen I
, the first train earned. Unlimbered I
once, the two guns stood-an une
, celled mark for the enemy-absolut