Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-09-06
CHAPTER vlII-contInusd.

ii
Other field Kitchens were near by.
TheF had prepared more food than
sl.sssr companies needed. Many for
whom they had cooked will never eat
again. We were invited 10 come and
get whatever we wanted.
We had scarcely finished eating
when we had TO march on. Presently
we were Joined by more members OF
QUE company. Our captain appeared
One OF our officers reported 10 him the
nuhhcr missing. He stepped Ia front
OF the company aud anid cheerfully.
Good morning. mcn.7 although II was
aeven O'Clock in the evening. A gr0wl
was the only response. We were then
ordered 20 10 10 the wagons standing
at The north side Of the town. where
eseh man was 10 supply himself with
cartridges and three hand grenadcs. |
We gathered az the wagons at 0 80 |
O'Clock and each man took 800 car
tridges. his three grcnades and matches |
% light them. on the way 10 the wag- |
ons we saw everywhere formations be-
INK hastily organized from stray sol
oilers and we received the impression |
OF some great activity In preparation.
The rain had begun TO fall In tor
rents. As we took our places we saw
tho streets filled with troops wearing !
special uniforms 10 protect them
against the weather. These uniforms
consisted Of u suit of weatherproof
clothing. a cap. such baggage as must
be taken on a march. tent cloth, tent
sticks. dishes and, with the pioneers.
trcheh tools. Thus equipped. we stood
IN The rain and waited. ignorant OF
what lay before US.
We were ordered 10 take the breech
locks out OF the guns and put them
IN cur bread bags The guns now
were 10 good for shooting. We now
began TO understand what lay before
as A night attack was planned with
bayonets and hand grenades. and the
meafures which had been taken were
fnkrn 10 that we would not shoot at
one another In the darkness.
We stood and waited until eleven
o'clock. when the order suddenly came ,
20 20 into quarters We did not know
what 20 make OF this after all the
We could tell from the
drum FIRE and the red glare Ia the sky
hat the battle had not lessened In
violence. The sky giowed. lllumined
by the burning villages and farms.
on the way 10 our quarters we heard
The officers saying among themselves
hat flnai trial had been intended to
iefent the French. This Ind been the
reason behind the preparations for the
night attack which had now been
,ailtd on.
Headquarters apparently had de-
,ided otherwise. Perhaps II was known ,
here that nothing could be accom-
olished by attacking aud the order was
,iyen 10 begin the retreat which was
put Into eject the next morning az six
''clock. We did not realize then that I
his was to be our last night In Vitry.
We were sheltered In a shed for the
light. As we were very tired. we soon
vere fast asleep. We were arobsed at
our o'clock In the morning. everyone
vas given LOAF OF bread and ordered
o fill his canteen with water, after
Which the march began. Although we
we're ignorant OF our destination, the
Inhabitants OF yitry seemed TO under
tanG where we were going and they
TODD on the streets throwing us sig :
lfcant glances.
Everywhere the feverlsh movement
las on. We stopped In front OF the
own hall. Here the captain told US
hat because OF difficulty In the terrain
ar troops had 10 yaeate their posi-
.ons aud retire TO nearby heights aud
ccups new defenscs. With that he
srned around and pointed TO a ridge
o the horizon. b'
There we shall make a stand and re
'ait for the enemy" he said "No OF
endorsements viii arrive today and 81
) Few days we may send picture m
ostal cards to your homes from Ia
arts" az