Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1918-08-04
CHAPTER I.

AZ the time when the war started we
did not know that there would be such
war &C Is being waced today.
Daily we soldiers were told that
France and Russia wanted 10 attack
us and that the kaiser was doing ev-
erything possible for our protection.
Already on July 20 we were armed 10
the teeth and prepared 10 march away.
During these preparations. which
showed us all that war had 10 come
is men of my company deserted.
The government published. during
this time, bulletins almost hourly TO
prepare the people for the war. q
suhterfuce that succeeded perfectly
Consequently two days before war was
declared. the people were overwhelm
,nsly for war. but they were certain
that il was only to 10 between Ger
many and France.
OF the intervention Of Belgium
Russia, England and Italy. the coun-
try had as little thought as il did Of
any participation OF tle United States
All thought only of the promenade TO
Paris. which. TO the disappointment of
tie people, and also. surely TO the
disappointment OF the autocracy, has
been longer drawn out tlnn had been
wished for.
IN these days of uncertainty the
soldiers. contrary 70 the cruel treat
ment which they had experienced be-
fore. We're treated literally with great
quantities Of supplies. dclicacies and
beer. so that most OF the soldiers were
so drunk continuously that they were
unable 10 realize the seriousness Of
the situation.
And yet the majority of the SOL
diers could not be enthused over the
war. They cheered and were enthu-
siastic because they knew il was the
orders. On July 81. 1914. one day be-
fore the declaration of war. we left,
after being brought 10 war strength,
for our garrison al Mainz-amR heine.
Where the eLemy toward which We
were 10 point our bayonets was we
had not the slightest idea. All we did
know was that we had TO be trims
ported some& here TO protect the bor-
der.
There were stirring times as we
started out. Tens Of thousands Of
people threw flowers at US and all
wanted to shake hands. All-even
soldieYs-cried, Many embraced their
wives or young brides. The bands
played farewell songs and people
laughed and cried all ~ the same
time. Strangers embraced and kissed
each other. "A veritable witch's holi-
day" of emotion was loosened and en-
quilted the populace like storm. No
one. not even the strongest, could re-
sist its powers. Yet even this was
surpassed by the devastating at the
depot, where last farewells had 10 be
said. This scene will never leave me !!
How desperately many women chung
10 their men! Many had 10 be forcibly
removed.
But this was at last done and then
we were placed In cattle cars. Night
came and we had no lights. The train
went slowly toward the Rhine. 1t
went smoothly enough. Our company,
which had had days of great excite
ment. welcomed the rest that the jour
ney afforded. Most OF the soldiers
slept with their knapsacks as pillows.
Others looked dreamily into the FL
fure. Still othersssecretly pulled pic
lures from their breastpockets and only
a very few killed time by discussion
and comment on their possible desti.
nation.
"Where are We goingT' Yes.
where? No one knew. Then after
endless hours. the train stopped. We
were in Duren. What were We there
for? We did not know. The officers
only shrugged their shoulders at our
questions.
After a brief pause we went ahead.
On the evening Of August we reached
farmyard near Duren. Our company
was billeted in barn. No one knew
what We had to do. Ignorant Of the
purpose Of our being sent SO near the
Belgian border we laid down on our
beds Of straw. Something had TO
happen soon to rescue US from this un-
certainty.
How few suspected that would be
the last night for many Of US on Ger
man ground. An alarm took US from
our beds at 8 q. m. The company
gathered and the captain demonstrate
ed the var situation. As to the direc-
ton Of the march he himself was ig-
norant.
Scarcely half an hour later 50 big
trucks drove Up and stopped on the
road before our quarters. The driv-
ers also were ignorant and waited for
orders. Discussion Of our destination
started afresh. The orderlies who
had been keeping their ear open said
we would enter Belgium that day.
Others contradicted them, no one
knew for certainty.
But the order TO march did not come
and in the evening We went back to
cur straw. But the rest was