The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1918-07-25
CHAPTER XII

We were once more hrouhtu NJ
eleven o'clock that night. and with the
utmost haste made ready TO resume
our march. The night was pitch dark
and the rain continued. At daybreak
we passed the city OF St Menehould-
This had not been harmed. From here
we turned to the east. closely pressed
by the French and In the afternoon We
reached Clermont- t-en-Argonne. Once
more we managed TO get a rest OF sew
eral hours Toward evening we pro
ceeded again and maintained q forced
march through the whole night We
were now more exhausted than ever.
yet could not halt.
The rain had stopped before ten
O'Clock In the morning AT which hour
we left the road and made camp.
There Was a general sigh OF relief. for
this long g-contlnued. wearing retreat
had brought our troops into n state
now become uncomfortable. We began
TO dig ourselves in. Before our
trenches We're even hnlf completed n
literal haiistorm OF shrnpnel fell
among us Our losses were 30 great
that II became Impossible to remain.
We received orders to retire at once
We marched over the iields until dark
when We began once more to dig In.
We were now near the village of Ger
nay-en-Dornois IL was pitch dark and
heavy fbg lay over everything. or
the enemy we knew nothing. With the
utmost silence and speed we dug our
selves in deeply. stopping frequently
TO listen us hostile rsIding parties hp-
mr. .h..N ..t.I. .s,tlallr
Here we received our first re-
endorsements. They arrived In long
columns In the darkness. All were
fresh troops-most OF them reserves.
The majority wore blue uniforms. This
a. well ms the nature OF their equip
ment. Indicated TO us that they had
been hastily ftied out and transported.
None OF them Ind ever heard the
whistle OF bullet and many asked
Hnxiously whether IL WAS dangerous
here. They brought numerous rpn
chine guns. and tn nm instant we had
everything prepared for defense.
At daylight the French began the at
tack. They made several onslaughis
throughout the day hut without sue
cess, for our re-enforcements were
large.
No one realized nj this stnee Of the
battle that II was the beginning OF
murdcrous, exhausting struggle for po-
sitions.
We were 10 fight here from the same
trench. month after month. without
gaining territory. The wounded. who
lny In No Mans Land between the
trenches. were left TO perish.
The French tried 10 rescue them un-
der the protection Of the Geneva fing.
the emblem of the Red Cross. but We
only sneered nt them and shot IL to
bits. The Impulse Ia shoot down tire
enemy surpassed every human feeling.
The Red Cross fing had lost all its
value for us when II WAS rnised by the
French. Mistrust wns nurtured among
us. We were told that the enemy mis-
used the nag md that we must shoot
down the men That bore 10.
We repulsed all attacks until they
gradually ceasesi. We were now able
to fortify our position. which we did
with the greatest cnrc. making IL nS
strong ns possible. Half the men re
mained ON guard while the other hnif
deepencd and wldepcd the trenches. A
lively fire was maintained continuous
iy by both sides. The losses were very
large. Most Of the men killed were
shot through the head. the trench pro
tcctIng the remainder OF their bodies
Firing Increased In intensity nS
night fell. Although nothing could he
seen we continued firing all the time
because we thought this would prevent
shs.
Through the nights munitions and ma
tcrial were brought up and new men
arrived. Great quantities of sandbags
were sent US. which were f,llcd ana
used ms protection ngninst bullets.
The pioneers were relieved toward
morning and gathered In farrnynrd
behind the firing line. The farm had
been spared by the cnnnon. and even
nll the stock remained. This haoty
was soon to he consumed. Several
hundred soldiers came and Wild hunt
ensued for ducks. chickens, geese. pir-
cons. etc. About Ave hundred OF these
were caught. after which everybody
began cooking. Not far away so cows
and heifers were seized and turned
over to the field kitchens. Hay and
grain were carried nwny. even the
strawstacks and barns were torn down
and the lumber used for fircwooi In
a few hours bcnuiiful farm had be-
come a ruin and the proprietor a beg
gnr. ! hnd seen the owner In the
morning. but he Ind suddenly dlsap-
penred with his wife ana children, nnd
nobody knew where he was.