The Nevada County picayune., 1918-08-22


 else for Us to do except to jump into the icy water and swim. Hardly had we left the boat when 1t sank, but we all reached the other bank safe for the moment,
 In spite of our wet clothing we had to take a new boat at once, and with our blistered hands had to man the oars again. In the middle of the river we collided with another boat. This boat had lost its pilot and two rowers. It rammed us and our pontoon tipped over and IS infantrymen and one mem Der of the crew were thrown into the water We were saved along with four men from the other pontoon and taken to the left bank. Hardly had we landed before we were ordered to take over pontoon loaded with ann munitiOn.
 About five more times we crossed the Mouse. Meanwhile day broke and then terrible battle developed between the troops which had crossed and the French The Germans had the best in this encounter because they could not be shelled by the French ar tillery.
 We were given short rest and lay In our water-soaked clothing in an old abandoned trench shivering with cold. Our hands were swollen to twice their normal size. They pained so greatly that we could not hold bottle to our lips. It was terrible sight to see young and strong men lying on the ground helpless and broken.
 After a short rest we were ordered to seek for wounded in the burning houses but we did not find many, for most of those who had been badly wounded and unable to save them selves. were burned to death. Only the buttons of their uniforms and their weapons indicated to us to which side they had belonged.
 In some cases, there were not even these vestges. Only little heap of ashes within the ruins of a house, was all that was left of whole families for whole streets. During the search most of us behaved as If we had not taken part in the terrible events of the last hour, as if we had not seen the hor- TOTS of this encounter and as If we had forgotten entirely the danger we had just escaped.
 As to honoring the dead, something which had been taught us by our moth CTS from infancy, or a fear which the average person feels toward a body, there was no sign. My pen would balk if l tried to recall the expressions, to describe the acts soldiers as well as of ficers committed to determine the na- tionality or sex of the dead. In the meantime. the battle between our troops and the French had reached climax. Our troops had suffered great losses but now our turn came.
 The German artillery shelled ss we crossed the enemy's position with great fury. Our artillery succeeded in silencing the enemy's batteries and we tried to take his high positions by storm.s
 When we were within POO meters of chine guns were turned upon us and we were driven back with enormous losses.
 Ten minutes later. we stormed a second time and had to retire again with great losses. We again formed for attack within the shelter of our trenches, but the fighting spirit was gone. But we dared not lose courage, although the victims of our useless storming attacks covered the field and we were able to look at our dead com rades all about us.
 The artillery started up again: re- endorsements arrived; after half an hour, we stormed a third time. over the bodies of our fallen comrades. AS we halted about 20 meters from the enemy's trench, he withdrew his en- tire first line. Soon after We saw the Germans advance along the whale line. The reason for this unexpected retreat was explained later when we learned that the main part of the French army had retired some time before. The heavy toll of life among our comrades was taken in a mere rear guard action.
 During the next hour the enemy abandoned all the heights of the Mouse. As we reached the crest of these heights. we could easily over look the roads over which the French had retreated. They were departing in close formatioa, in long columns. Our company and others received orders to assemble and soon we pursued the fleeing enemy. It was osr work te re- pair roads which had been destroyed so that they would be passable for our armies. . task that was harder in the burning midday sun. owing to the fact that the dead and wounded had first to