Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-08-30
CHAPTER vllI--conslousd.

The color sergeant. noncommls.
stoned officer. realized that his military
career was az an end. We all felt for
hlm. Duriag the months preceding this
Incident be had always associated him
self with the privatea.
we never learned whether he was
brought before eourt'martiai. Pun.
islltnent for standardization was daily
event and many severe sentences were
pronounced and then made known TO
all the others 10 serve as a lettering
sxampie The color sergennt's place
was conferred upon another, after
switch the captain disappeared once
more In the direction OF vitry.
We marched away and halted al
point northwest Of the village. Here
We met other pioneers who had been
gathered together from various bat
talions and our unit was once more
brought up 10 ~ men. The officers
told as that we would not enter the
battle today. Our only duty for the
time being was to keep the bridges
over the Marue IN good condition for
the German troops lighting on the
other side. 50 that they could be used
IA case the battle went against us.
We then marched 90 our destination.
whlch was az the point where the
Saulx flows Into the Marine.
We reached our destination about
sir o'clock Ia the morning. The dead
iay around IN heaps everywhere. We
were camping on wooded height
and conld overlook tho country for
many kilometers IN all directions. We
saw shrapnel bursting by the thou.
sands. Little could DO seen OF the |
men who were fghting despite the fact |
that many divisions were locked To q /
death struggle.
Presently We saw the fighting line. I
The Germans we're about two kiiome-
tiers behind The Marne. which flowed
By directly Ia froat OF us German
cavalry Ia great numbers was en-
cafnped along the banks Of the river
Two temporary bridges IN very dllap.
idafed condition constructed OF what
ever materials were ut hand were To-
Gated near us. Preparations had been
made 20 blow them up with thousands
Of pounds Of dynamite. The electric
fuses had been strung 10 the point
where We were located and Il was up
10 as % manipulate the switches. Con.
necfed With the battle tine BY teie-
phone. Ne were In position 20 destroy
he bridges ~ moments notice.
The fighting became more lively
We saw the Preach rush 70 attack and
retire again. The Gre ~ musketry In
eaaed and the attacks became more
frequent This continued FOR more
han two hours
We xz~ the French continuing 20
srfnx up re-enforcemsnfs constantly
iesplie the German artillery Gre.
After an extended pause The Preach 2
nece aaSfser attack. employing sew
.rri Different kinds OF formations.
Each tine the waves d offensive Z
r1Osst were forcfd back ht three 4
feaock h the Affernoon. under a blow z
rhsek contained tie full p0wer 81 {
Franes. our tr0ose werr forced 70 re- {
Ire. first s.ogiy. fhen II Wild flight
ne exkaeste1 Gernlans couid not Be Z
.zIne1 ~ Tie face - fAls bios. VIA ?
nd confezlon AL tired ~ ne same 2
isns 70 reach the bridges beyood
<kich Ley Ezfe4y. q
az this instant he cavalry Eiaie4 >
.2f taEen coger aiOng he siser bank a
sxIioDe1 T. the briezs position. IL a q
zeEne1f ne bridge w4z covered With o
dnrz4n 5ocles. al racing for The ~ y
ssssfe baaE We eoplc ees this tern =
;s-zry strssrtsre tsezbEi@z sn1sr tfslz =
:zD1zsorz 5sr6<n- h
Our o5lesf saw ths Ataztior and he q
servczsfy pressed the teietbor.e ~
.efyer 70 bss eff EAR Eis rzfst hand b
ses % he switch. H>e@zf8s14sy BE
itsre<s ~ Ne teelng nsaesee- II enig 4
ae tes<D5ons eoaneetlone hs6 nos bsen
,<ozeE0 he nsrttere1 - himself. he Il
tnes ss wei ss ~. me rsst If ~ that q
V vas % aet % fs> irzfszf that ne =
rsr< sr6<r eaG.s< over The Wire b