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


ly alone for q time, without any cover
ing of infantry, in the middle OF the
crossing of the streets; the bullets
whistled by hundreds about our ears.
splashed roundabout like shower OF
hail against the plaster walls, at
once rendered two cannonecrs with
the first gun unable to fight, sore ~
shoth holes in-the iron body OF the nrst
gun carriage. and the first Timber
and still these heroes did their duty
with q calm and an impassivity as II
it was simply matter of peacefui
drill on the artillery field.
I'VE shot into the fire-spitting SIDE
streets and houses. The defamation
was ear-splitting between the narrow
walls; thick smoke lay over the street.
forced the infantry fire to go wide
on both sides, and concealed from the
enemy hidden in the houses their tar
gets. In the houses which had been
struck yawned wide breaches; in two
places flames broke out; out of the
houses in the side streets hostile
sharpshooters, apparently Belgians
and Frenchmen, we're to be seen hee-
ing singly and in small groups. Again
and again hating and firing, our ad-
vance guard withdrew in perfect or
der. taking with it most of the dead
and wounded and all equipment for
guns and wagons, out of the smoking
witchs caldron to reassemble before
the gates of the city. Our company
which had been cut OF united itself
later with the troop. The expected
after-attack of the enemy was not de-
livered.
1.-The infantry that attacked us had
J Just come in in two transport trains at
the moment of our marching In. and
had been concealed in the houses OF
the suburb. One sting remains. to be
sure: We retreated before an enemy
in numbers probably inferior and GER
tainly only little superior. But let 1t
be clear what it smeans, when q
marching column kilometer long
fights against an almost entirely In
visible enemy, shooting from roofs
and windows and cellar holes, and q
treacherous population; and the de
cision of our leader to yield such ho1
ground will be found comprehensive
and sensible.
Spirit Of Men Under Fire.
"The pole-rider of the first cannon
brought back the battle-worn frs
howitzer to the battery with his two
browns, that alone were left of thu
team. Both his animals had Sigh
wounds on the nose and legs; he him
self had, in some wonderful way. re
NAMED unframed. Although q big
powerful man, he had remained mo
tionless throughout the whole fgh
seated on his horse in the middle o
the street. Altogether, it is a mai
vel that we came out Of the affair witt
only negligible losses.
AT the climax of the fight l ez
changed a couple of words with tn
under officer in charge Of the first gur
a quiet, pleasant man.
DO you DeileVe that oue VI Us WI
live through this day?'
AZ have given up hope. Herr Lie'
tenant (He said that with a mai
ner which l will not forget all tn
. days of my life.)
, And so all thought, probably, |
. the worst moments. But every on
, remained at his post and compose'
ly did his duty. The general hin
self, who stayed at the rear of th
. advance guard. gave an impressive e.
ample of calm confidence; in tn
. midst of the battle he went on smol
! ing his cigar quietly. "a pose? Pc
|, haps! But, at any rate, an excellel
|, and sensible pose!) He left the su
urb on foot, among the last"