The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1917-01-19


but enough Of the qualities OF a soldier
to promote him to the lowest rank Of
officer there would be no danger.
There was no military law to prevent a
general from hobnobbing with lieu
tenant, but there was very stringent
law against his having anything Of q
social nature with a private. When
men have confidence In a leader they
are anxious that that leader should
continue to command them. General
Schrieber's troops were fearful that his
partiality for young Oelrioh would end
In his being degraded and they obliged
to accept another untried commander.
Their fears were not groundless. One
day General Wenz. commanding one
of the brigades, went to General
Schriebers headquarters-they were at
the time In farmhouse-fo the pur-
pose Of arranging with him certain
features Of an attack that was to be
made upon the enemy. He found
Schrieber bending over his orderly,
who was lying on bed In an adjoin-
ing room in a high fever. The visitor
called Schrieber out for consultation,
but found 1t impossible to secure his
attention.
Il understand, general" he said to
Schrieber, "that my brigade and yours
are to advance upon the enemy as soon
as the artillery has demolished their
defenses.r
awhat enemy?r asked Schrieber.
what enemy? Why, the French, Of
course There's no other enemy in
our front. The British are far north
of u.s.
"ohr' was the only reply. A groan
from the rear room carried the general
there When he returned he said.
please excuse me, general Ny or
derby is very Ill. He comes from the
same region as |. and we came to the
war together, both In the ranks. feel
1t obligatory on me to take especial
care of him.
Certainly. The orders are that we
shall advance under curtain Of fire.
Another groan. General Schrieber
heard it and did not hear the speaker.
The visitor arose impatiently. II per-
ceive, general" he said, that your
mind is centered upon your orderly,
and the army must wait till the order
ly RECEIVERS"
This was said with bitter tone, and
the man who said it clanked out Of the ]
house.
The next morning the two brigades
were drawn up in mass and at given
signal advanced to capture French
position that had been pounded by
the German heavy guns. The attack
ing force became confused and were
driven back.
General" said Wenz savagely, "this
comes of my being unable to get your
attention yesterday when called to
talk over this attack. Your mind was
on single private soldier instead Of
on the welfare Of the fatherland."
LET us try again." Schrieber replied.
And, moving out to the front Of the
line, he seized standard from color
bearer and led charge that was not
only successful, but was maintained.
Soon after this fight Schrieber re-
ceived an order from the general COM
handing the division to send Private
Oelrich back to his regiment 1t was
evident to the recipient that General
Wenz had reported the failure Of his
effort to secure his colleagues atten-
tion when he had called to arrange tie
details of the coming attack and the
cause. Had not Schrieber by his gal
lantry accomplished the object of the
charge he would not have got Off SO
lightly.
Nothing was heard of the stumbling
block in the way Of General Schrieber's
efficiency till the Germans began their
attempt to reduce Verdun. Then after
one of the terrible and unsuccessful
charges in mass made on the French
works the general was seen by his d.
Vision commander leaning over Pri-
rate Oelrich, who vas lying on the
ground in pool of his own blood.
General Schrieber, what are you do
ng here? Your brigade is forming
With others to make another attack.
We are expected to take the position
Z we have to try hundred times"
There was no response except a moan.
The man addressed quite likely did not
now that he was addressed. The 9TH
r was about to pour forth some sting
ng rebuke when he saw Schrieber fall
lfeless across the body before him. He
lad been struck by the fragment of
hell.
When the Red Cross workers went
yer the battlefield they took up the
odies of General Schrieber and Pri-
ate Oelrich together and carried
hem to the rear. Their Identification
lgs were examined, and 1t was found
nat they hailed from the same place
/ Westphalia. Their bodies were sent
ONE addressed to the same person, an
Id farmer, the father of General
chrieber.
The neighbOs got together 30 do the
Ist honors to the dead Some troops
| the neighborhood were detailed to
lrry the generals body to the grave