The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1918-05-17
Boch.. are using that road

| all. What pretty hibe'
4Bs' The beggars know that We
won't ERE. A id shame eau ~,
oh. lust for chance to turn u 20
loose on them
II was trembling with excitement
From repeated stolen glances AZ the
captain's range chart, that rond Win
its range was burned into my MIND
"over the wire tapped, ID 2Ss bg'-
terry, Target II. Range 5000. 3 degrees
30 minutes, left, salyo, fire. Ctsseil
o. KID my message. and with me re
ceIver pressed against my ear ! wall
ed and listened. In a couple oil MN
utes very family over the wire caIsie
the voice of our battery commanaef
issuing the order: ID 235 battery
Salvol FireP
.'Then roar through the receiver
as the four guns belched forth, D
screaming and wblstllng overhead anc
the shells were on their way.
'sThe captain jumped as If he Were.
shot, and let out a great big expressive
d-n. and eagerly turned his glasses
In TIE direction OF the German road.
also strained my eyes watching that
target. Four black clouds of dust rose
up right In the middle Of the German
column. Four direct hlts-another
record for d 23s.
"The shells kept on whlstling over
head. and | had counted twcniyfnur
Of them when the firing suddenly
ceased. When the smoke and dust
clouds lifted the destruction on that
road was awful Overturned limhers
and guns. wagons smashed up, troops
fleeing In all directions. The road and
roadside were spotted all over with
little field gray dots. the toll OF cur
guns.
The captain. in his excitement. had
slipped on the sandbag. and was on
his knees In the mud. the glass still NJ
his eye. He was muttering TO himself
and Shaping his thigh with his olsen
gagged hand. At every slap big
round Juicy cuss word would escape
from his lips followed by:
",Good Finei Marvelousi 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 II in your
lifes D-n nne work. call t.
pretty soon look OF wonder stole
over his fnce and he exclaimed:
but who In hi gave them the
order to FIRE. Range and everything
correct. too. know didn't. Wilson.
did ! give you any order for the bat
terry to open upi OF course I didn't.
did II
Il answered very emphatically. No.
sir. you give 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. walt I'LL Old Pep
per gets wind OF this. Therell be fur
flying
Just then Bombardier Cassell cut in
on the wire:
Generals compliments TO Captain
A.. He directs that officer and sig
naler report at the double 20 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 answered with. Rely on
me. mate, but was trembling all over.
81 gave the generals message to the
captain. and started packing up.
''The relief arrived. and as we left
he post the captain said:
-'Now for the fireworks, and know
'hey'n be good and plenty They were.
when we arrived at the gun pits
he battery commander. the sergeant
major and Cassell were waiting for us.
We fell In line and the funeral march
o brigade headquarters started.
ARRIVING at headquarters the bat
cry commander was the FIRST 10 be |
Interviewed. This was behind closed |
locrs. From the roaring and explo-
ions Of Old Pepper II sounded as II
aw meat was being thrown 10 the
Ions. Cnsseli. later. described II as
ounding like bombing raid. In about |
wo minutes the ofieer reappeared. |
The sweat was pouring from his fore
Iead. and his face was the color Of
eet. He was speechless. As he
assed the captain he jerked his thumb
q the Objection Of the lions den and
rent out Then the captain went in.
nd the lions were once again fed.
he captain stayed about twenty min
ties and came out. I couldn't see his
ace. but the droop IN his shoulders
'as enough. He looked like a wet hen.
The door Of the generals room
pened and old Pepper stood In the
With a roar he shouted:
Which one Of you II Casselif
'"n ne get your heels together
hen / speak, Come IN hersr /
"Cassell started to say. Yes SIR
But Old Pepper roared. shut upr
"CasseIl came out In five minutes.
e said nothing. but as he passed me
E put his tongue into his cheek and
linked. then. turning to the closed
Dor. he stuck his thumb 10 his nose
I'd left.
'srhen the sergeant majors turn
"a