Evening star., 1917-10-31

The Germans also took advantage OF
the conditions. but the firing on both
sides was more or less sporadic. Some
of the American shells burst over the
enemy trench positions. "A few German
projectiles exploded near the American
positions. sprink1ing fragments. but do
ing no serious damage. However, more
than one American soldier was able to
show dents in his shrapnel helmet The
condition Of the first wounded Ameri-
can arriving at the base hospital is ex-
cellent.
The infantry and artilleryists took
advantage of the sunshine to dry their
soaking clothing. Notwithstanding the
bad weather conditions of the last few
days, there is no report of a single case
of sickness resulting from this cause.
The perfect physical condition of the
men is declared to be responsible for
this.
Full Moon Aids Snipers.
A full moon was shining last night
over the sector occupied by the Ameri-
can troops, flooding with its silver
light the entire position and the sur
rounding country. 1t made conditions
favorable for snipers. but hindered the
patrols from working freely in No
Mans Land.
The first Americans to establish con-
tact with the Germans yesterday were
bathing in the mud Of eastern France.
They constantly are under fire and con-
stantly have their guns on the enemy
American shells have been hurled into
German territory and they have ex-
ploded near the enemy line.
On hill to the right of the expIo-
sions cataracts of mud are to be seen.
ing on the scene through his field
glasses. He is'trying to see what dam
age has been done by the artillery to
the enemy and his barbed wire en-
tanglements.
Closer to the enemy In the flrst-line
trenches Is the infantry. with the shells
Of both American and German guns whiZ-
zing over their heads. The men are rub
with snow. pelts their helmets. No cloth
ing. however, is able to withstand the
wind-driven drops Of rain and snow, but
gunners and infantrymen. although they
honor Of having been the first Americans
in action is more than sufficient recon-
pense for their discomfort.
Took Long Motor Ride.
The correspondent reached the Ameri-
can position after a long motor ride
through shell-battered towns Leaving
the motor in one Of the towns, he walked
the rest of the way. Motor cars attract
the eye of the Germans and they are
likely to drop half dozen shells in the
direction that any machine Is seen. The
first American battery was almost walked
upon before it was discovered. 1t was SO
well hidden under the trees and with
foliage about it on low wire netting
Under the net water dropped steadilS.
Some of the gunners We're digging an
other pit in the mud alongside their hid
den gun.
I'm, co,,gb tho folia e-a Il, ayar,, ,7;-o..:
the ground was undulating At that mo-
ment there was flash of flame through
the mist. 1t was the crack of a 10 gun
and following it closely came the noise Of
the shell rushing through the air, becom-
ing fainter and fainter as the projectile
went on its way to the German position
over the crest of a hill farther away.
The mud digging artillarists con-
tinued their work without even look
ing up.
4 lieutenant from Georgia emerged.
He was the officer who directed the
first shot. He led the way down the
slippery, muddy hill to q dugout cover
ed over with sandbags and logs. There
was met lieutenant from Indiana, of
the same battery. who directed the
first eighteen shots of the war against
Germany from an observation point.
Cleaning Their Gun.
On the other side of the hill was
found the first gun fired. The muddy
gunners were hard at work cleaning
their gun.
'"This was the first gun fired in the
war;" said the jaunty lieutenant. "The
sergeant inside the pit there fired ft.''
Looking into the pit the lieutenant
said: Sergeant. where are you from %
| A husky voice replied: I'm from South
Bend. Ind"
NO. sir" the sergeant laughingly re-
piled.
J. : At this time orders came for thia