The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1918-07-18


copyrshs ~ Ietrols roe l'rcss
IN THIS way we proceeded until VI
reached a forest which was filed viii
fugitives. Many OF these had stretched
some sort Of cloth from tree 10 tire.
as . protection from the rain. There
hey lay. men. women aud children
end old men. some In unspeakable mis-
cry. This fugitives' camp was spread
over the forests 10 the edge OF the
road and as we passed we could see
the fnrrows woven into their faces by
the terrible sufferings they had been
Through. They looked at US with weary
and saddened eyes. The children
begged for bread. but we had none
for ourselves. even though we were
tortured by hunger. The enemy's
shrapnel continued 10 accompany u.s.
Scarcely had We passed through the
forest when shrapnel burst IN II. As a
consequence q camp OF fugitises. now
exposed 10 trench fire. was abandoned
and its numbers sought safety In the
open fields Many tried to accompany
NJ until the order came forbldiing
them the road. as their advance him
dered troop movements. The fuAtives
therefore. were forced into the rain
soaked fields.
Toward evening we reached a VII
lage which had previously been sacked
and here we found some rest. The
mayor and two citizens OF this village
hnd been seized by the Germans aud
taken away under cavalry escort. Just
Why THE had been done We were un-
able 10 find out. We did know. how
ever. that almost every town was
obliged TO give hostages. Most Of the
cattle were taken along and large
herds were transported to the rear by
cavalry.
We belonged 20 the rear guards
which explained why we were unable
10 find anything TO eat. There was ab-
solutely nothing TO the village where
we were now quartercd. Afsar half
IN hour with our hunger still unap-
peased we resumed our march. After
we had marched about three kll0me-
ters we arrived at a spot which had
formerly been hivouac. Advancing
armies had camped here perhaps eight
days before. Bread. which had been
plentiful then, lay strewn around on the
ground. In STite of It's water.Soaked !
condition It had been gathered W and |
eaten wifh rayenous appetites Moth /
ing mattered how our stomachs were /
filed II only our hunger might be APP (
pegSed.
Night now came. yet no sleep nor
rest was in sight. No one knew how
much farther we would have to retire
before there would be respite. The
unfamiliar surroundings indicated TO
US that we were not returning over the
road which we had travened when. as
victors. we marched 10 the Marne.
With this and similar thoughts. hour
after hour passed. Some Of US ran
along. Others actually walked in their
sleep. Our boots were filled with wa
ter. yet we had TO keep on. Thus the
night passed.
The next morning troops Of the
main army were placed in the rear
guard. They formed long columns
which they opened to let US pass
through. after which they closed
ranks. We gave q sigh OF relief. for
we were At last free Of hostile artil-
cry fire. After marching about five
more hours. we Joined a company Of
Infantry which fortunately had saved
II field kitchen. II was not quite
lark when we reached the village.
Here we were billeted in order 10
'et ~ much rest as possible. But We
II knew that we could rest only as
cng % the rear guard was able to
'eep back the enemy. We were placed
n the village school. Because Of the
hortase cf provisions we were al
owed 10 use our timed supplies. hut
one OF US had any left. This consist
4 Of sope meat aud hardtack. II had
nng since been eaten up sud so we
rere compelled TO lie down with our
unser stu unsatlsfed.