The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1918-10-04
CHAPTER vll-Continued.

j.
AT ten O'Clock the French attacked
a fourth time. They came on in enor-
nous numbers. Our leaders recognized
the danger of our position and ordered
us hack, abandoning the wounded ana
much booty. BY a supelhunan effort
we did manage to save the machine
guns and ammunition. We retreared
1000 meters and took stand In our
former trenches. The officers told us
we would have to makesa stand under
any circumstances and that the re-en-
forcements would come SOON.
In n moment the machine guns were
set up and soon we were sending nali
of bullets into the ranks OF our pur-
suing enemy. His advance stopped IN
stantly. Encouraged by this success
we fired harder so that the French
we're compelled to seek cover.
The promised re-enforcements failed
. to appear. About 600 meters TO our
rear were six German. batteries In poo-
sition, but they maintained only 9 very
weak fire. An artillery officer appeared
before us and asked the commander OF
our detachment if it would not be Wen
to recommend that the batteries De
taken back. He said he had learned
by telephone that the German line was
wavering on its entire length.
Before the co@,nGnder could reply,
another attack en- masse foiOwed'
which outnumberedfus by from five to
seven fines Our commander now gave
nm this position ALSO Completely de-
moralized, we retired in flight. leaving
the six batteries (36 guns) to be taken
by the enemy. v4D
The French stopped their ba-rage
fire because they feared to hurt their
own troops. The Germans utilized this
moment to bring up re-ent0rcements
made M of all branches of the service
Scattered infantrymen, unmounted cav
airy. detached pioneers. had all been
assembled. Every makeshift was en-
Moved to fill the ranks. Complete re-
serve units apparently no longer exist
ed on this the third day of the battle
of the Marne.-
Once more the command was given
RI turn and take a position and the I'M
equal fight began anew. We saw the
enemy advance, and seize the bat-
ferries. Then we saw him stormtng
ahead with fixed bayonets. We fought
IKE wild animals For minutes there
ragged bayonet fight beyond descrip-
tion. We stabbed through the breast,
through the abdomen, and Wherever
else we could. This was no occasion
TO employ the bayonet tactics taught nj
drill. something which must be left Tor
battle-ground practice only
The hurts of the rifles whiZZed
through the air and any mans head
which they struck was broken. Hell
NETS and knapsacks had been lost long
since In spite of the superiority vi
Numbers. the French could not defeat
this little group of desperate men. We
forpot everything around US and fought
ME hIoodthirsty beasts. thinking or
nothing else. Part Of our men pene-
troted the hostile ranks and fought TO
retaI5e the lost cannon. The enemy
recognizing the danger. retreated, and
tried To hold the conquered guns with
all his energy. we cohllhutu 10 S''"'
10 rInb. man for man. hut the enemy
held on TO the batteries. Every can
non was surrounded by corpseS. and
every minute new victims were Gre
sted. The artillerymen who were fight
Ing with us tried TO remove the breech
blocks of the guns.
Three Germans fought four French
b my right. They were all that was
left around that piece. At another gun
20 men Iay dead or wounded. A pIo-
neer went r. the mouth Of this gun and
with astounding calmness pushed she'll
after shell into the barrel. touched
them of and ran. Friend and foe alike
we're torn by the terrible explosion.
The run was completely demolished.