Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-05
the bridge and on the main road that

the bridge and on the main ROAD tnal
leads to the city Of Harrington.
Shortly after our arrival Co. G was
ordered on outpost duty Our or
ders were to keep enemy from the
bridge-we were the infantry support
of the machine gun company.
1t was long old night-dark and
chilly but we had to keep on the alert
even though we had marched all day
with a pack on our back
During the night we had number
of battles with the Whites All OF
the boys spoke about the little Skin
mishes we had that night. 1t was a
pretty sight and one Of the most in
terest ing happenings on our recent
manuevers. We were in the game
all night and shortly after daylight we
took the bridge which the enemy
could not hold while we had four ma
chine guns and company OF infantry
with an open field of fire. our faces be
ing well concealed in the mesquite
brush.
Our forces battled all day long at
this point-this was great day-all
day long on canteen of water and
field rations that we carried with US.
Here our forces were supposed to re.
treat and about Q o'clock we started
for San Benito ~
The retreat was orderly and before
long We were in camp near the city
taking up the same position we had
on the advance.
AS we were marching down the road
about one mile from the bridge we
had the pleasure of seeing the artil.
Try in action covering our retreat.
splendid retreat. They had arranged
their guns behind a large drainage
ditch and covered with heavy brush.
they were all concealed from our
enemy.
On Monday the Iowa brigade and
the Second Virginia outhanked the
white army and captured one regiment
and one squadron of cavalry. This
was great day for the Brown. Every
thing was in our favor. We camped
for the night in San Benito.
Tuesday morning, November %, we
were busy at three o'clock Mess was
served and one hour later the entire
Brown army was packed up and on
the march to Olmito. The ability of
the Browns to move about in short
time proved their efficiency. We made
forced march out of San Benito in
order to get the long column on the
move before the Whites entered the
city. Arrived at Olmito at 7 o'clock
and made camp on the same field we
occupied on the hrst day out OF
Brownsville. We were attacked by a
cavalry patrol of the Whites, early in
the afternoon. They were captured
by the cavalry OF the Brown army in
a short time. A number OF boys were
enjoying a dip in the irrigation. canal
nearby, bathing our tired and aching
feet, but as soon as we were attacked
all Of us were on the line ready for
business. We we're dismissed as soon
as everything was quiet and shortly
after mess retired to our bed" two
blankets on poncho and mother earth
Thursday morning we marched to.
ward Brownsville The Browns halted
near an old sugar mill about four miles
from Brownsville. Here We dug stand.
ing trenches mot assumed) prepare.
tory to our last stand to hold Browns.
vile. After the trenches were finished
we marched about one mile to theS
rear and made camp for the night.
The trenches were guarded by patrols
who were keeping close watch on the
enemy.
On Friday morning we took up posi-
ton in the trenches waiting for the ad
vance of the enemy. 1t was about noon
before the Whites made their final at.
tempt on the Browns.
They advanced in a line OF skirmish-
ers. line after line Of them: but when
they attempted to take the trenches a
barber wire ENHANCEMENT greeted them.
AS the enemy neared the line Of
Browns trenches recall sounded ending
one of the grea test and most successful !
ever worked out in times of |
peace.
We, returned to our camp, one mile to |
the rear Of the trenches and shortly |
after mess was over returned to
Brownsville. Camp was cleaned up a |
little and before long most Of us were
ousy at bunk fatigue.
The White army remained near the |
Did sugar mill and camped there from
Friday until Monday There were over
$4,000 troops in and near Brownsville, |
making 1t almost impossible to get in !,
any of the restaurants or confectionery
stores |
, In the open field south of the old |
sugar mill about four miles northeast |
VI the city. $4,000 soldiers both regulars |
md national guard, passed In review |
before the army officials. The parade |
'tarted about 10 a. m. and several |
hours passed before the last troops \
passed the reviewing officers.
A number of Ottumwa boys who are
Enlisted in other branches of the serv- !
CO took dinner with co. II Sunday !
corp. Thomas Tate. Privates Harry
Shanty' Price, John Maring and Red" |
Mullins Of the Iowa calvary. Ralph |
ioonts who lives at Blakesburg and !
Robert Hughes of the engineers.
Height OF laziness Veach |
works an hour to flatten out can to !
.eep from digging hole deep enough
o bury it.
Did you ever walk on the average of
fteen miles day with fifty pounds on
our back-run a couple Of miles I'm
kfrmish line for nine dayS-]iyinp on