Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-08-17

route. They found us ~ comforts bic
! a. bugs In = rug except for the infer
nal and continuous bombing at our
hank barricade. The Germans had
concluded that II was useless TO try to
drive US out. About one-fourth OF the
600 OF us who we're still on their feet
were holding the sentry posts. and the
remainder OF the 800 were having
banquets In the German dugouts which
were stocked up like delicstessen shops
with sausages. fine canned foods cham
payne and beer. IL we had only had
few ladies with US we could have
had a real party.
got 20 happily interested In the
spread in our particular dngout that
forgot shout my wound until some one
reminded me that orders required me
10 hunt up dressing station and get
an anti-tetanus injection. The Tom
mics like 10 take German trench, be-
cause II the Fritzes have 10 move
quickly. as they usually do. we always
nnd sausage. beer and champagne. a
welcome change from bully beef
could never learn 10 like their bread.
however.
After this night | was sent, with
other slightly wounded men, for
weeks rest at the casualty station at
Contay. l rejolned my battalion at
the end OF the week. From Oct. II to
Nov. ~ we were In and out of the
front trenches several times for duty
tours OF forty-eight hours each, but
a.. A . al
on the morning OF Nov. l8, a Bit
ter cold day, we went over to take
the Desire and also the Desire support
trenches. These were the names given
these trenches. We started from the
left OF our old position, and our ad-
vance was between Thlepval and
Pozieres, opposite Grandecourt
There was the usual artillery prep
aration and careful Organization for
the attack was again in charge OF
the 'mopping up" wave. numbering
200 men and consisting mostly of
bombers. II may seem strange to you
that noncommissioned officer should
have so important an assignment, but |
sometimes In this war privates have
been IN charge OF companies number
ing $50 men, and | know of case
where II lance corporal was Temperate
~ IN command of an entire battalion.
Il happened on this day that, while l
was la charge OF the second wave, l
I'D not go over with them. At the last
moment was given special duty by
Major John Lewis, formerly manag-
ng editor OF the Montreal Star and
me OF the brnvest soldiers | ever
NEW. as wei as the best beloved man
n our battalion.
The Troublesome Machine Gun.
"McCllntock." said he. II don't wish
o send you to any special hazard. and, Il
20 far as that goes, we're all going to
ret more or less of n busting. but |
want to put that machine gun which
mt OF action"
| knew very well the machine gun
10 meant. IL was In a concrete EN-
,lacement, walled and rooted, and the
evils In charge of Il seemed to be de-
cendants OF William Tell and the
rophet Isaiah. They always knew
What was coming and had their gun
trained on It before 1t came.
III you are willing" said Major
.ewls. II wish you to select twenty
We from the company and go after
hat gun the minute the order comes
o advance. Use your own Judgment
bout the men aud the plan for taking
he gun position. VIII you goY'
II sure WILL" | answered. I'll go
nd pick out the men right away. l
hink we can make those fellows shut
y shop over there"
Good boyr' he said. "You'll try. all
light"
| started away. He called me back.
This is going to be bit hot, Nc
'lintock," he said. taking my hand.
| wish you luck. old fellow-you and
he rest OF them" In the trenches
hey always wish you the best OF luck
then they hand you particularly
ough job.
| thanked him and wished him the
anne | never saw him again. He
-. ltltod IN action within twO hours |