Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-12-20
CHAPTER n.
First Time Under Fire.

Mai afternoon 0DOut O'CLOCK
SHELLS began to drop into the
town. and we made Il quick exit.
1t was my first time under fire. and it
was far from being agreeable. ] had
very often wondered whether would
he scared or not Well. found out
then. and certainly was scared. Since
then have often wondered about that
family and what they would think OF
me for advising them that they were
in no danger.
1t didn't take US long to move, and
1t is Il good thing it didn't. for as
We were leaving the town we could
see the Germans coming over the lill
about four miles away. We won
dcrcd why we didn't go TO meet them.
but apparently our time was not yet.
My duties were very light Attached
TO Captain Colyin, ! had the care Of
his horse ana saddlery and had to ride
behind him wherever he went WHEN
mounted. That Is about iii | had TO
do. OF course wien the regiment went
into action my duty would be 10 fol-
low the captain.
Eventually we arrived at little
place called Iirebeke. and it WAS here
that we joined up with the Seventh
infantry division. There was very lit.
tie doing. aud nobody seemed to know
just what we were going 10 do. Our
chaps went out on patrols every day.
and occasionally they would run into
German patrol. and there would be
scrap.
During our stay at Zillebeke 1t was
decided that all unframed men were
to he returned TO England to finish
their training. and 1t looked very much
US II was going to land back in that
riding school after all. While the mat
ter was still undecided the driver Of
General Byng's car was killed. so
went to the captain and told him
services. He put In word for me.
and was given the car but only until
q regular driver could be secured
1t was while WAS driving this car
that l saw the city Of Ypres for the
first time. There had not been a shell
In the place get, and 1t certainly was
q fine old town.
One afternoon I was waiting in tho
car for some stat officer In the Grand
place when | heard 4 lot of shooting
and shouting. looked over in the
direction OF the noise and saw that
some OF cur troops were all firing into
the air. And there. above. was the first
a
pilot was flying very low and within
leasy rifle range. so ! got excited and
dragged out my rifle and began firing
at him too. His machine heard aft
,erwnrd. was absolutely -iddled with
bullets and he was wounded In three
places. That was my first shot at u
German 1t WAS in Ypres. too. that I
saw 100 of the PruSsian guard brought
In. and must say that they were some
OF the finest looking soldiers | have
ever seen They were all great big
fellows. and our infantry chaps look ed
mighty small he,iG. hem
Ii was suou after This that the Ger.
mans got their forces together and
klade their first attack on our positious
outside or Ypres. l was In the towl
when the first shells landed. and tn
panic they created was something ter
ible to witness.
Men, women and children seemed Z
have but one idea. and that was to ge
out as quickly as possible Old wome
would go staggering along with thei
belongings tied In each end OF be,
sheet and the whole thing slung aroun
their neck. The streets were crowds
with them. Men were driving pigs an
chickens before them and the wome
leading and carrying children Th
roads were Uttered with dead and dy
ing, wounded horses screaming thei
horrible scream and kicking The di
was terrible Shells would burst in tn
roads choked with people. but the mt
mentary gap would Immediately q
and the panic stricken people woul
sweep over their own dead
At the time couldn't seem to rea
ize what was happening. felt mum
all over. but with an awful terror griI
ping me. and lonxed to sArn and d,
I remember seeing my officer comin
SO | got out and started the engin
There were two horses standing Jui
behind the car. asd rs the officer we,
to step In . piece Of shell cut one
these horses in two
As soon as we were clear Of II
town We were all right for while Il
shells continued screaming orer q
they were still bursting In the town
This was the eexinutng OF the Or
battle Of ypres. In whish the TIT
serenth division did tie ssstrsagiy I,
possible Dag and Night the ssesnai
poured shells into cs. aud still we he
GA Then their artillery Gre ~ou
s.scxsz, aud they Een,d bszi sEeix =
~ - - + 80 e. E.iElLI