The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1918-05-01
U.s., B0YSGO into
BATTLE CHEERING
Americans Rejoice When Orders Are
Received to Get Into Front Ae-
ton, Writes n. G. Evans.
DRIVE srlFFENs THEIR NERVE
The Boys Were Impatient for Ae'
tion-Inspirino Scenes As Our
Boys Left for the War Front
(By Harry c. TvansD
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE-Let


SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE-Let it
be known in the United States that
the drive of the German legions
against the English has stiffened the
nerve of the American soldier in
France.
Nothing that has gone before has
so moved him How impatiently we
waited during the first ten days of
the drive. and how eager were our
boys to get into the fray! Then came
the simple, eloquent statement of
Pershing that America would feel
greatly honored If her troops were en-
gagged in the present battle" and the
glorious proffer: Everything we have
is yours. Dispose OF us as you wish.
Further men will come, as many as
may be necessary
/ All! "Then and there was hurry
ing to and fro" From our camps and
cantonments began the movements to-
ward the front. officers and men on
detached service were recalled. Scat
tered units and regiments were mObil-
lied. Infantry officers and men who
had been road building and in the
transport service reformed, ready for
the line.
1t was Good bye. good luck, God
bless you" The hour had struck.
The days of waiting were passed. The
air was vocal with Pack up your
troubles in your old kit bag and smile,
smile, smile!" And the boys were
gone-gone to fight side by side with
the soldiers OF their own fatherland!
Gladly and Gaijy
Gladly and gaily they went, and
with Joy in their hearts. Strange words
these. and perhaps you doubt them,
considering where the boys we're 60
ing and what awaited them there.
But I set it down as solemn fact
that these lads Of ours, fully sensing
what their going meant, marched
away for the battlefields of old Pic.
ardy with songs on their lips and joy
and courage in their hearts. ! know.
for these old eyes OF mine saw. and
this puzzled brain Of mine is not so
puzzled-yet God knows what may
happen in this land of tragedies--as
to mistake Joy for sorrow or courage
for cowardice.
And every day we "unarmed SOL
diers" bid the boys good bye. and
when they are gone the heart IS sad
as when something or somebody you
love has gone out of your life-for
we know and love these fine lads of
ours. 1t may have been but yester-
day we first met, but we know each
other. 1t doesn't take lifetime quite
for men to form friendships here. We
have quit asking each other from what
city or state we hail. It's sufficient
that we are all Americans. To us the
United States is simply one neiEE
borhood, and here we are all neigh
bors. and brothers and comrades. With
our men there is neither east nor
west, nor border nor breed nor
birth" Never was there finer com.
radeship among men.
Last night our headquarters afford
ed a rendezvous for final greetings
and good byes. and twas then
caught the hitherto dormant love Of
our boys for England.
Fighting for England.
France and her people are all
right" exclaimed a young lieutenant.
but men, IFS England and English
soldiers. our own kith and kin, the
Huns are attacking today. Germany
Is appealing " HcE peOplc all o'oI TIC
world to come, to. the defense Of their
fatherland. Men. England is our faith
erland, and the Huns are striking her
I'm ready!"
shall not attempt to record the en-
act words of these American soldiers
who were just starting for the front
in answer to England's call to send
US men, Here. however, is the sub
stance of their reasoning:
The methods of the shrewd adver-
tiser in using catchy" words and
phrases extolling the virtues Of pat