The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-07-20
THE TRAGEDIES OF WAR.
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The great muzzle poked it's nose
through the foliage, seeking out this
point and that along the German
front, stretching off the other side
of the ravine.
Visits were now made to the first
aid surgeons in the trenches, posted
at handy intervals along the line.
There is no effort here to have all
the equipment of hospital; only
the bare necessities for urgent action
are at hand, when some wound needs
heroic treatment at once to stanch
the flow of blood from a severed ar
terry until the wounded man can be
carried back to the field hospital for
fuller treatment.
Saved the Day.
Col. Desfontaines joined the party
at one point, to explain the details
of the rows of barracks rising tier
after tier, six stories high, along the
side of a steep hill. AS he left, one
of the officers said:
ssThat man had remarkable ex-
perience which saved the day at a
bloody stage of the fighting some
time ago. The struggle had been
desperate late into the day, until
both sides were utterly exhausted.
The men fairly dropped in their
tracks, and neither side had the ply
sical energy left to strike the hnal
blow that would be decisive. Col.
Desfontaines realized the situation,
and going to the head of his exhaust
ed men he coolly threw aside his re-
vo1Yer, took out his pipe, lit it, and
then pipe in mouth called to his men
TO make last charge. The audacity
of the act at a moment of such ex-
haustion, heartened the wornout
men; they struggled to their feet and
made the rush which the crisis need
ed. It saved the day; the Germans
were swept from the field. and Col.
Desfontaines is wearing the 'Crolx
de Guerre.'"
Gen. Humbert's Headquarters.
Returning the party passed the
headquarters of Gen. Humbert; and
M. Painleve paused to call on the
commander of the third army corps.
Gen. Humbert is installed in a vast
park, for his reserves are further
back from the fighting front. The
general has the student-like face of
a Moltke, with spare thin build. The
talk turned on the splendid condi-
ton of the men, as NJ. Painleve had
just observed them.
eyes," said Gen. Humbert, "and
let me give you an instance showing
the morale of the men. There was
an exposed position where it was
necessary to send a man. Volun-
teers were called for, as the place
was swept by enemy fire and it meant
sure death. A man stepped forward
immediately. He pushed forward
to the exposed point and was shot
dead. Then his companion stepped
forward, and he, too, was shot dead.
And then third took his turn and
fell; and fourth; and then a fifth.
Yes, five men, one after another,
seeking just what had happened and
knowing it meant certain death, each
took their turn with absolute calm
ness. That is only a passing instance,
but it shows the everlasting purpose
of our men,"
Gen. Humbert's tribute only con-
frmed the impression made on every
member of the party by this trip OF
inspection, covering several days,
over hundreds of miles, to three
army corps with the corps COM
manders leading the way to the very
front looking out on immortal Yer
dun, back to the preparatory works
and reserves. Everywhere the
French army was ready, abundant in
men, ammunition and supplies, and
with enormous resources still un-
called upon.-Associated Press.