Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-01-08
GERMAN OFFICER TELLS THRILLING
TALE Of A SOLDIERS EXPERIENCES
Describes Sharp Engagement in Streets OF Suburb OF Lille Wnen
the Germans Marched Suddenly Into the Midst OF French
Detachment Discipline TrImphs in Moment Of Panic
Spirit of Men Under Fire Calm, Determined.

Berlin.-Experiences in the daily
life Of soldier with the German
army Of occupation in Belgium, and
later in fighting in France. are given
In the following letter by Reinhard
Weer, lieutenant, from a recent
number of the Frankfurter Zeitung:
I'VE have been at it four weeks
now. Dejectedly we used to ride forth
day after day in the cold, rain-damp
morning, the garrison OF the fortress
of Namur, for field service drill. We
heard distant thunder of cannon, no
one knew whence. In the afternoons
there was inside service. firing exer-
cises, instruction of subordinate Of
fcers, instruction Of volunteers. They
were from the highest forms in the
schools, students, doctors. merchants.
artists-it was question of making
all these into soldiers and good field
artillerymen. Rain, rain, rain. and
autumn cold. Occasional alarms.
Military demonstrations in the streets
Of Namur and its suburbs-the popu-
lation, carrying on talk Of an uprising.
must be put down. Calmer days; in
side service. Visits to the forts and
castles In the neighborhood. Plans
for hunting and conviviality. And the
hours seem far away. when we might
be called to warlike deeds.
6 We began to resign ourselves to
the thought that we must spend the
whole autumn and winter as garrison
q the fortress in Namur.
"But--thank God!-it came out
otherwise. One day came an alarm. a
command to march. as part Of mixed
brigade. An excursion on horseback
~ being made for the safety Of the
railroad. line westward and southwest
ward from Brussels, and to drive
away the hostile wheelmen. horsemen.
and sharpshooters who have ap-
peared there. For this expedition
three battalions of infantry, one
squadron Of uhlans, two batteries Of
held artillery, two pioneer companies.
Leader Major General x.
Keeping the Country In order.
'Two weeks on the Belgian high
ways; back and forth between Braine
le-Comte. soignies. Enghien. Welle
Ath, Journal. On the railroad there
accompanied ~ an armored train
manned by pioneers. that brought uf
ammunition and provisions. We passed
~ A. A~<<1oAo1S~. Ouo<ro nroo RoJ1o
Alliance. Bouvines. We were IN touch
with the enemy. but ~ yet there wal
no fighting. One night we we're close
by Alost, ready to hurry to the aid o.
the troops lighting there. but attach
remained forbidden.
AT Enghien we were Quartered II
the castle Of the Duke of Arenberg;
at Ath In the town house Of the prin
cess Of Loos and Corswaren; thel
again, day and night. in the opel
field, beside ones horse. or near thu
roar of q hoyitxer battery. the shell
ing of q Windmill from which signall
were being given. or Of q hostile air
man. Our ,uhlans began to have thei
irst little siirmishes with sharpshoot
ers and Mheelmen. There we're al
tacks b|the enemy upon our armore'
trsin/ with the aid Of locomotive
Z running wild. and injuries to the line
At Leuse two guns of our battery o
howitsers were within hairs breadtl
Of being destroyed at the crossing o
Z street and railway line. by 81
press engines which came rushing Il
without . driver.
But still no battles for Us field al
tillerymen. Detachment x our corp
called itself. otter our general. Lead
or of very praiseworthy qualities
There was not q man whom he di
not greetiA friendly fashion when 4
efnine, Nm the earliest twilight
his auto droy along the marchin
column. The GU Of greetinH~6oe
morning. comrads1 and Good morI
ing, general!' was for US no empt
formality. Our military assignmer
was altered daily. Yesterday an e.
petition on horseback against whee
men and horsemen; today part of d
vision Of cavalry; tomorrow place
u4der an army corps; the next da
the near support of fighting brigad
And only one thing remained Away