The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1918-03-22

SdlNO AC
'Then roar through the receiver
as the four guns helched forth,
screaming and whistling overhead, anc
the shells were on their way.
oThe captain jumped as if he wer'
81 OF. and let out q great big expressive
d---.~n, and eagerly turned his glasses
in the direction Of the German road.
I also strained MY eyes watching that
target. Four black clouds of dust rose
up Right in the middle of the German
column. Four direct hits-ano1tGr
record for D 23S.
"The shells kept on whiStling over
head, and ] had counted twenty-f"ur
of them when the firing suddenly
ceased. When the smoke and dust
clouds lifted the destruction on that
road was awful. Overturned limbers
and guns. wagons smashed up. troops
fleeing in all directions. The read and
roadside were spotted all over with
little field gray dots, the toll of our
guns.
"The captain, in his excitement, had
slipped off the sandbag and was on
his knees in the mud, the glass still at
his eye. He was muttering to himself
and slapping his thigh with his Olsen
gagged hand. At every slap big
round juicy cuss word would escape
from his lips followed by:
"Good! Fine! Marvellous! Pretty
Work! Direct hits ALL
"Then he turned to me and shouted
Wilson, what do you think of it?
Did you ever see the like of it in your
life? D-n fine work, I call it,
"Pretty soon look of wonder stole
over his face and he exclaimed:
"'But who in hi gave them the
order to fire. Range and everything
correct, too. know I didn't. Wilson,
did l give you any order for the bat
terry to open up? Of course didn't,
did ~
81 answered very emphatically, No,
sir, you gave no command. Nothing
went through this post. / am 'abso-
lutely certain on that point, sir
"'Of course nothing went through,
he replied. Then his face fell, and he
muttered out loud:
"'But, by Jove, wait till Old Pep
per gets wind of this. There'll be fur
flying
Just then Bombardier Cassell cut in
on the wire:
"'General's compliments to Captain
A.. He directs that officer and sig
naler report at the double to brigade
Headquarters as soon as relieved. Re
lief now on the way
"In an undertone to me, Keep a
brass front, Wilson, and for Gods
sake, stick I answered with, Rely on
me, mate but 1 was trembling all over.
81 gave the generals message to the
captain, and started packing up.
"The relief arrived, and as we left
the post the captain said:
"'Now for the fireworks, and know
they'll be good and plenty They were.
"When we arrived at the gun pits
the battery commander, the sergeant
major and Cassell were waiting for us.
We fell in line and the funeral march
to brigade headquarters started.
"Arriving at headquarters the bat
terry commander was the first to be
interviewed. This was behind closed
doors. From the roaring and explo-
sions of Old Pepper it sounded as If
raw meat was being thrown to the
lions. Cassell, later, described it as
sounding like bombing raid: In about
two minutes the officer reappeared
The sweat was pouring from his fore
head, and his face was the color Of a
beet. He was speeches.. AS he
passed the captain he jerked his thumb
in the direction of the lions den and
went out. Then the captain went in
and the lions were once again fed
The captain stayed about twenty min
utes and came out. I couldn't see his
face, but the droop in his shoulders
was enough He looked like wet hen
''The door of the generals room
opened and Old Pepper stood in the
doorway. With roar he shouted:
"'Which one Of you is Casseli:
D@n me, get your heels together
when speak! Come in here!'
"Cassen started to say, Yes sir
"But Old Pepper roared, Shut up!
"Cassell came out in five minutes
He said nothing, but as he passed me
he put his tongue into his cheek anc
winked then, turning to the CLOSED
door, he stuck his thumb to his nose
and left.
"Then the sergeant majors turf
came. He didn't come out our way
Judging by the roaring, Old Peppei
must have eaten him.
"When the door opened and the gen
eral beckoned to me, my knees started
to play Home, Sweet Home agains'
each other.
"My interview was very short.
yN0n