The Washington times., 1915-07-02
BAND SLAUGHTERED
AS IT LED CHARGE
French Composer Tells Of Mu-
sicians Playing 'MarseiIIes'
Till All But One Fell.

NEW YORK. July 2-Having served
as a volunteer in the army until inca
pacitation through rheumatism brought
about his honorable discharge, Camilie
Decreus. a French composer and pi-
anist, who two years ago made tour
of this country with Ysaye. the violin
list, has just arrived here. and Is a
guest of ex-senator William A. Clark
at the laters country place near Green
wlch. Conn.
M. Decreus was a member of the
same regiment with Collignon, former
prefect, general secretary to the Presi-
dent of the republic, and councillor of
the state, who at the age of fifty-eight
enlisted, insisted upon remaining prl-
petuated at every roll call of the gal
liant Forty-s sixth Regiment of infantry, as
is that of La Tour d'Auvergne, First
Grenadier of the republic.
the latter's death, in the intervals of
duty, he composed the funeral mareh
which was a, feature of the memorial
services held at Fontainebleau recently,
and which NJ. Decreus had arranged.
Musicians Head Charge.
I ~ was at Juvisy with my friend
Tourret when the war broke out, and
We had been guests of Senator Clark at
his chateau of Ivry. at Petitbough. near
by said NJ. Decreus. Il had never
heen in the army When my class was
first called to the colors, I was rejected
because of failure to pass the physical
examination. But when our country
was threatened my friend Tourrot and
!, unlike many French artists and mu-
sicians " no Hooked to this country, and
who have, l fear. created an impresslo on
in America that a Frenchman following
such profession places 1t above pat
rlotisn and military service. felt we
owed something to France, and volun-
teered. They rejected Tourret but took
me.
I'm two days we were at scissors.
and Immediately we were sent to the
trenches.
1t was at Nauquois that happened
and incident that l suppose stands alone
in this war, the charge of a regimen
tai band at the head of troops. Nova
days the bands are usually kept at the
rear. But critical moment came.
Our men had three times attacked the
Germans. and had thrice been repulsed.
The Colonel felt that a time for supreme
effort had arrived. He summoned the
leader of the band.
Put your men at the head of the
regiment. strike up the 'Marseillaise. "
and lead them to victory he command
THE bandmaster saluted. He called
his musicians. and told them what was
expected. Then the forty of them took
their positions. Our line reformed. The
bandmaster waved his baton.
Allons, enfants de la Patrie" rang
ou, and the men took up the song.
France was calling upon them to do or
die. The band started out on the double
quick. as if on rapid parade. The Ger
mans must have rubbed their eyes. Nc
musician carried a weapon. But they
were carrying the 'Marseillaise' against
the foe. Then came the continuous rat
tie of the machine guns. The band
marched on, their ranks thinning al every
step. Their leader went down. The
cornetists followed him. The drummers
and their instruments collapsed N the
same volley. In less than five minutes
every man Of the. forty was lying upon
the ground. killed or wounded, that Is
with one exception. That was a from
bone player.