Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-04-04
The Firing Squad.

The Firing Squad.
A few days later had orders to re-
port back to divisional headquarters,
about thirty kilos behind the line. I
reported to the A. P. NJ. assistant pro-
vost marshaD. He told me, to report
to billet No. 70 for quarters and ra-
lions.
It was about eight o'clock at night
and ! was tired and soon fell asleep in
the straw Of the billet. 1t was mis-
cradle night outside, cold, and drizzly
rain was falling.
About two in the morning 1 was
awakened By some one shaking me by
the shoulder. Opening my eyes I saw
a regimental sergeant major bending
over me. he had lighted lantern In
his right hand. I started to ask him
what was the matter, when he put his
finger to his lips for silence and whis-
pered:
sect on your equipment, and, with
out any noise, come with me-"
This greatly mystifed me, but I
obeyed his order.,
Outside of the billet, I asked him
what was up, but he shut me up with:
: :'Don't ask questions, it's against or
ders. don't know myself"
It was raining Ike the mischief.
We splashed along muddy road for
about fifteen minutes, finally stopping
at the entrance Of what must have
been an old barn. In the darkness, I
could hear pigs grunting, as II they
had Just been disturbed. In front Of
the door stood an ofncer in q mack
(mackintosh). The r. s. M. went up
to him, whispered something, and then
left. This officer called to me, asked
my name, number and regiment, at the
same time, in the light of lantern he
was holding, making & notation In q
little book.
When he had finished writing, he
whispered:
"Go into that billet and wait orders,
and no talking. Understand"
stumbled into the barn and sat on
the floor in the darkness. could see
no one, but could hear men breathing
and moving; they seemed nervous and
restless. I know I was.
During my wait, three other men
entered. Then the officer poked his
head in the door and ordered:
Fall in, outside the billet, In single
rank"
We fell in, standing at ease. Then
he commanded:
"squad-Shunl Nqmberi"
There were twelve Of Us.
7 'Right-rurn! Left-Wheel! Quick
-Marchl" And away we went. The
rain was trickling down my back and
was shivering from the cold.
With the officer leading, we must
have marched over an hour, blowing
through the mud and occasionally
stumbling into shell hole In the road
when suddenly the officer made left
wheel, and we found ourselves In sort
pf enclosed courtyard
The dawn was breaking and the
rain had ceased.
In front Of Us were four stacks Of
rifles, three to q stack.
The officer brought us to attention
and gave the order to unpile arms. We
each took q rife. Giving US "Stand at
ease" in q nervous and shaky voice,
be informed:
'Men, you arc here on very solemn
duty. You have been selected as a
airing squad for the execution of a sol
&iier, who, having been found guilty
OF q grievous crime against king and
country, has been regularly and duly
tried and sentenced to be shot at S:28
q. m. this date. This sentence has been
approved by the reviewing authority
and ordered carried out. 1t is our duty
to carry on with the sentence Of the
court
There are twelve rifles, one Of
which contains a blank cartridge, the
other eleven containing ball cartridges.
Every man is expected to do his duty
and fire to kill. Take your orders from
me. SSausd-'Shrn ~
We came TO attention. Then he left.
Ny heart was Of lead and my knees
shook.
After standing at attention" for
what seemed week, though in reality
1t could not have been over five min
utes. we heard low whispering in our
rear and footsteps on the stone flag
eing Of the courtyard.
Our officer reappeared and in low,
but firm voice, ordered:
= "About-Turn
We turned about. In the gray light
Of dawn, a few yards in front OF me, !
could make out q brick wall. Against
) this wall was dark form with white
square pinned on its breast. We were
supposed to aim 1t this square. TO the
right OF the form noticed a white spot
80 ,SSSI ~ $780, yu,6sestA 10 vnsy f2PYot