St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1918-06-22
CHAPTER /.
Copyright BY Detroit Free Rsss

at the time when the war started we
did not know that there would be such
q war &C IS being waged today.
Daily we soldiers were told that
France and Russia wanted to attack
us and that the kaiser was doing ey-
erything possible for our protection.
Already on July 20 we were armed to
the teeth and prepared tt march away.
During these preparations, which
showed us all that war had to come,
ID men of my company deserted.
The government published, during
this time, bulletins almost hourly to
prepare the people for the war, a
subterfuge that succeeded perfectly.
Consequently two days before war was
declared, the people were overwhelm-
ingly for war, but they were certain
that it was only to be between Ger
many and France.
Of the Intervention of Belgium,
Russia, England and Italy, the coun-
try had as little thought as it did of
any participation of the United States.
All thought only of the promenade to
Paris, which, to the disappointment of
the people, and also, surely to the
disappointment Of the autocracy, has
been longer drawn u than had been
wished for.
In these days of uncertainty the
soldiers, contrary to the cruel treat
ment which they had experienced be-
fore, were treated literally with great
quantities of supplies, delicacies and
beer, SO that most of the soldiers were
so drunk continuously that they were
unable to realize the seriousness of
the situation.
And yet the majority of the sol
diers could not be enthused over the
war. They cheered and were enthu-
siastic because they knew it was the
orders. On July 81. 1914, one day be-
fore the declaration of war. we left,
after being brought to war strength,
for our garrison at Mainz-am-Rheine.
Where the enemy toward which we
were to point u bayonets was we
had not the slightest idea. All we did
know was that we had to be trans
ported somewhere to protect the bor-
der.
There were stirring times as we
started out. Tens of thousands OF
people threw flowers at us and all
wanted to shake hands. All-even
soldiers-criedi Many embraced their
wives or young brides. The bands
played farewell songs and people
laughed and cried all at the same
time. Strangers embraced and kissed
each other. "a veritable witch's holt
day. of emotion was loosened and en-
quilted the populace like a storm. No
one, not even the strongest, could re-
sist it's powers. Yet even this was
surpassed by the leave-taking at the
depot, where last farewells had to be
said. This scene will never leave me!
How desperately many women chung
to their men! Many had to be forcibly
removed.
But this was at last done and then
we were placed in cattle cars. Night
came and we had no lights. The train
went slowly toward the Rhine. 1t
Welt S1lUOl1lif S14OdSLs Sh4 SO14ARoAS1
which had had days of great excite
ment, welcomed the rest that the jour
ney afforded. Most of the soldiers
slept with their knapsaeks as pillows.
Others looked dreamily into the fu-
ture. Still othersasecretly pulled pic
lures from their breastpockets and only
a very few killed time by discussion
and comment on their possible desti-
nation.
"Where are we going? Yes,
where? No one knew. Then after
endless hours, the train stopped. We
were in Duren. What were we there
for? We did not know. The officers
only d shrugged their shoulders at u
questions.
After d REF pause we went ahead.
On the evening of August / we reached
a farmyard near Duren. Our company
was billeted in a barn. No one knew
what we had to do. Ignorant of the
purpose of our being sent so near the
Belgian border we laid dosvn OF our
beds of straw. Something had to
happen soon to rescue US from this I'M
certainty.
How few suspected that would be
the last night for many of us on Ger
man ground. An alarm took US from
our beds at 3 a. m. The company
gathered and the captain demonstrate
ed the war situation. As to the direc-
ton of the march he himself was ig-
norant.
Scarcely half an hour later SO big
trucks drove up and. stopped on the
road before our quartz s. The driv-
ers also were ignorant and waited for
orders. Discussion of our destination
started afresh. The orderlies who
had been keeping their ears open said
we would enter Belgium that day.
Others contradicted them, no n
knew for certainty.
But the order TO march did not come
and in the evening we went back to
our straw. But the rest was