New-York tribune., 1917-11-28
By Henri Bazin
Special Correspondence Of The New
York Tribune and Philadelphia
EUening Ledger

Copyright. 1917. Ali rights reservedl
AMERICAN FIELD HEADQUAR-
TIERS IN FRANCE, Oct. 3o.-lt was
the night before certain battalion
Of American infantry left their bill
lets in a village somewhere in France
for top training in the trenches
not training trenches Of their own
digging, but those which are part Of a
great ancient line confronting No
Mans Land.
sat at mess with the major com
manding and his officers. We had
eaten good American stew, with not
biscuit, and had washed down real
pumpkin pie with bowls Of hot coffee.
The room had been the most preten-
tious in all unpretentious farmers viii
lage house. 1t was very old, with hand
hewn oGken ceiling beams and a great
fireplace in which green wood was
feebly burning. For light, there were
two candles upon the long table. and
three more were stuck upon rough bits
Of wood tackled to the walls. Outside,
it was blacker than pitch. and driving
rain beat upon the one great easement
window.
The meal was eaten leisurely and
amid banal conversation. But with the
second bowl Of coffee and the cigar
cites and pipes, the major raped upon
the table. In the instant silence that
followed he began:
Gentlemen, we go tomorrow ior
the first time since landing IN france
upon active service. It's only TOP
training, as you know, but It's actiVe
service ell the same, because we VIII De
facing an enemy and guarding trehenes
he would like to have within his lines.
az don't want any excuse or explana-
tions about anything. just want the
thing done. II you need anything
come to me for it. If / can get 1t for
YOU. YOU shall have it. If you don't
get it. it's because couldn't get 1t for
YOU. Just remember that, and don't
ask for il the second time. The men
will work in shifts, as you know. four
Jobs will begin at midnight and end at
the next midnight. If you miss any
sleep. it's because duty demands IL.
PERHAPS in such case you can snatch
a few minutes the next day. II you
can. all right; and If you cant, az
right II YOU miss one meal you VIII
he ALI the hungrier for the next, ana
II Won miss two, you won't remember
!. five wears from now. ! propose you
sban't miss any, but there is no telling.
"Remember. gentlemen, active ser
,.;oa Have Won each and all your stuff
ready?" ,,;o.
Columns in Action
| rolled out of my blanket at the
sound of the bugle. IL was the last
time we would hear it until we returned
because bugles don't go on TO tho front.
At fifteen minutes before 5 We were eat
ing sizzling hot bacon, black molasses,
white bread and coffee. At 5:l5 the
battalion had formed in columns OF
fours and was on the way. taeh man
had full equipment and had exchanged
his campaign hat for helmet. lie
carried a full days rations. The heavy
equipment had gone on ahead.
At 6 in the evening, amid a torren-
tial rain and a blackened sky, the bat
talon, again in columns OF tours, en-
tered a village some kilometres PACK
of the line. 1t had been the scene OF
heavy fighting, as many another IN
long geographical line, in the early
davs Of The war. But few civilians
still lived in it; these were part OF II
in more ways than mere years OF habi-
tation, and had stayed on because they
had no other place to 90.
The following day was just day 10
while away. We knew that at night we
would 20 in as relief for the hrst bAt'
talions of our regiments. :
With night-that -, az about
o'clock-the battalion formed in col
urns of fours and, accompanied bg
mule drawn equipment and ammunition
wagons and rolling kitchens, passed into
road leading toward the front line.
This road was as black as Il pocket. IL
has, in common with many another in
martyred France these last .hree years.
been constantly under range Of Bocfe
artillery. ] stood at signpost corner
road beside the major and watched
the Sammies 60 by. II was an inspir-
ing and dramatic sight, yet simple in
the extreme.
Progress Was Magical
I knew some of them by name and
most Of them by physiognomy, for this
battalion had been my fsvorite among
the infantry, and ! had spent many
day in their company in the rural roll
ing country where they had ben Dig
ging trenches, stabbing sand-bag
Boches with bavonets, throwing bomb
and grenade at an imaginary enemy. |
had watched their almost magic prog
rsss from bunch OF raw recruits TO
almost perfect soldiers. Every one Of
their officers was my friend, and their
major by my side was among the dear
est TO me in the army. | felt that /
would give much to probe the mind of
every passing figure and read what was
registerin" within. As the last man
passed, the major turned 20 me and
said in tones Of justifable pride:
When | awoke in the abri twenty
feet under ground il was dark as two
pockets. IL took me about thirty sec
onds TO remember that 1t would be dark
there at midday, and ] flashed my
pocket lamp TO see the time. IL was
Just 6 in the morning. ] had turned in
81 standing save for boots, puttees,
helmet, belt and overcoat, wrapped up
ia Two army blankets, and lying down
in a bunk that had sheltered many
man, Hc was
man and not mere recorder.
Trenches Were Flooded
The slated floor of the abri was
damp and a little muddy water could
be seen beneath il; the air was chill as
outdoors when Mr.. Humidity at home
is on the winter job. As ! was buck
ling on my puttees heard the tramp
of hob-nailed leather coming down the
steps. 1t was the major. lie had been
up for an hour, he said, and breakfast