Evening journal., 1918-08-07
BY FRANK ]. TAYLOR.


WITH THE AMERICAN TROOPS IN
ALsACE-LoRRArNE. July 2O-tBy Mail
by the dim light OF the moon you
could barely see the stream OF dough
boys pouring out OF the shelterlng
woods and scraping over the dusty
French road toward the trenches
They said very little and trudged alone
With that measured swinging tread
vhioh enables Europe's veterans TO
lrry their heavy packs almost un-
esrd-of distances.
The stream seemed unending. as the
United States stan car picked Its way
from SQUAD TO squad without using
lights, without falling into bitches, and
without touching a single dOughboy
Finally one section OF the human
stream halted in a ruined village. The
press car stopped, too. for beyond this
point evetgthlng except ammunition
and food goes on foot.
The officers gave the order TO rest snd
q lot OF packs dropped to the ground
followed by doughboys. Their rifles
they never dropped. In the moOnligh,
you could see the ground covered with
resting soldiers, mostly sitting. There
was a clicking OF rifles, and sounds OF
tightening packs, and bits OF gossip
which could come only from a group
heading for its first night In the
trenches.
These were Uncle Sans citizen-sol-
diers, new men just over from the
States" as they have a habit OF call
ing home when over here. A few
questions revealed the fact that a year
ago these boys were clerks, carpenters
students and whatnot, In civilian
clothes. Six months ago they were in
q training camp. Now they were sol
dlsrs In France, and tonight they were
making their genuine debut into the
war for civilization.
There was no wild enthusiasm nor
any evidence OF fear or even appre-
hension among these oitizen-soldiers
as they rested before making the last
lap into the trenches. There was a
mstter-of-fact sort OF confidence
prevalent, and every man was making
the most OF the breathing spell to see
that he was 100 per cent. ready for
battle. Interest and talk centered
around the clicking rifles and other
equipment.
"This old guns sure going TO do some
work from now on" said one dough-
boy to his pal. as he played with the
rifle fondly, ITS the best gun in this
army"
SAY you never shot this gun" re-
piled the other. Nobody ever did, and
nobody will but me. It's some boche-
getter. Il was made for me specially,
Bo."
Officers went through the crowd,
giving a final warning about use Of gas
masks, and attention centered around
masks for a moment. A lot OF chaps
tried them on again. Then packs were
again adjusted. and the group OF
doughboys streamed slowly on.
As they got nearer the front
trenches. the word was passed 10 walk
more quietly. Conversation except In
undertones stopped, and they descend
ed into trenches. All you heard was
the steady knock Of hobnailed shoes
on the trench duckboards. as these new
arrivals were quietly initiated to the
trenches on the western front, some
where in France. Quietly and with
out commotion the officers stationed
their men. with lookouts watching
across moonln No Mans Land. the
former occupants OF the trenches left,
and the relief was completed.
There Is something about the fearless
quiet way these new doughbOys take
10 the trenches that makes you feel
they know a lot about warfare. They
ara veterans before they enter the
trenches. by flrst-rate military training
II not experience Their discipline is
fine. and their efficiency tells you they
are ready for business-meaning
whipping Germans.
We'll YOU can tell Kaiser Bill we're
here TO night" said one doughboy, as
ne took his station. Hear the Germans
saw we're lust a crowd OF unframed
BOYS. Wen soon show them we're
soldiers"
II happens this doughboys platoon
did lt very soon. The next night 40
Germans came over. and % Of these
UNFRAMED boys" wlthstOOd the at
tack and stuck 10 their guns. The Ger
mans who were still alive and able to
run. retreated. double-quick time.
Speaking Of the way the newly-ar-
rived Americans take to the trenches
and TO their duties, one brlgadier gen
HTdl WllO llhu Iueh AAAt0tANN N
relief. said, They're not exactly glad
TO get into the trenches. l guess no
one is glad Of that. But these boys all
figure its work TO be done, and they're
here 10 lick Germans. They're keen
20 get the Job done. They're confident,
all right, but not boastful, because
they know there's a lot to learn
A doughboy gave his version OF how
he and his pals felt while out there
facing No Mans Land for the first
time Were not scared Of the Ger
mans. and when the time comes we'll
show them. We're going to do our
best, which is about all they ask OF
us Believe me, it's going to be a
mighty good best
The new men in the fighting game
adapt themselves TO the front quickly
as did the FIRST Americans over. Every
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