The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-12-21
WEIRD PLEA
tconsana.a FROM rirsr r.s~,

tconsanusa Prom rirst rax&s
trenches to get some rest. About mid
day We were rudely awakened by
someone crying. The enemy has just
counter-attacked and is sending an
avalanche Of hand-grenades and aerial
torpedoes on our position
We have been repulsed. There Is
panic among the troops Not only
have the Germans retaken their trench
but by force OF numbers have reached
ours. Those staring eyes. convulsed
faces. and twisted mouthsi Our men
were running down the long communi-
eating trenches shouting, The enemy,
the enemy! II was a terrible spec
tacle. II was the only rout have ever
seen. All the officers were wounded.
There was no one to lead.
Plans to Give His Life.
Il hesitated a moment II was not
my turn TO attack. especially as my
men were so worn out from the pre-
vious nights fighting. Then I pulled
myself together and decided to sacri-
flee my life TO stop. IL only momen-
tarily. the German advance.
Il pushed my way forward. calling
out, NO. no. my friends: you're
they've gone My confidence spread
down the line. Soon several volun-
teers Joined me. Then peppering the
opposing trenches with hand grenades
for all we were worth, we charged.
The moment / stepped out of the
French breastwork I felt absolutely
sure of death. But what calmness,
II was the tranquility of a moribund
who passes away quietly. feeling the
angels bending over him. We. retook
a portion of our former position and
Immediately consolidated Il by placing
bags of sand along a lateral trench
leading 10 the enemys second line of
Qualifications. A brief pause ensued,
giving US time to look about.
Germans Circle Little Band
"On our left the Germans continued
TO fight in the trenches we had lately
left. We could see our men gradually
giving way and the enemy in a circling
movement pushing ever nearer ouI
little redoubt. There were - just
a handful OF men--completely isolated.
What short shrift would be made OF
US II the Germans only knew our mum.
Der! Throughout the night we hello
on. many of our little band succumb-
ing to the enemy's fire In the first
hazy light OF dawn / crawled over the
bodies. past the bend in the trench.
to see II there some OF our men still
alive and who could come to our as
sistance.
Not a single one living In the fast
growing light streams and little pools
Of blood could be seen. / was alone
with the dead and was frightened. Ny
former high spirits had left | tasted
despair. ! stared at the lifeless bod
les and IL seemed as n they returned
my gaze Meanwhile the enemy's IRE
increased. II was getting very hot.
started back. The thought came to
me: Is their sacrifice. then. to be OF
no avail? Shall they have fallen IA
vain? Are we going 10 let the enemy
return. and permit our dead TO DO
stolen? A sacred fury took hold Of
me.
Calls Dead 20 the Charge.
Il no longer have distinct recol-
lection OF my actions or emotions A
will greater than my own impelled me
on. I remember shouting az the top
Of my lungs something like. 'HalOO,
haloo. Get up. What are you lying
like that for? Up! Up Let's drive
'em out. Come on. follow me! Arise,
ye dead. arise
let the dead arise Had I become
insane? No. because the dead an
swered me. saying. We follow you
Some crawied 10 my side. Their souls
became fused with mine. making an
incandescent mass similar 10 metals
when. white hot. they are fused At
that moment had sufficient faith
TO move mountains. Ny voice. which
bad become cracked and hoarse after
two days hard usage. returned clear
as n bell. I feared nothing and felt
myself the master of my destiny
what happened then? ] honestly
don't know There is a break IN my
memory. ! have dim recollection %
a disorEanized offensive. In which ths
man next TO me. although badly
wounded in the arm. continued 20 hurl