The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1918-11-21

had fitted things up and settled down
as though they never intended to
leave. nor did they think it possible
that they could be driven out. but
when the Yanks got busy with their
artillery and machine guns, and wheE
we began to advance. they received
the surprise of their lives. We were
irresistible; they had to go. Our loss
was very small. while theirs was very
great, both in killed and captured.
There were great many prisoners
who could speak good American. and
they tod us that il was the most ter
rfble IRE they had undergone In the
whole four years OF the war; that even
officers lost their head and ran de-
serting them, leaving them to get
away the best they could. They all
say that the war can't last much
longer with us making such drives as
we are making. They are greatly sur
prised at finding so many Americans
facing them They had been led TO
believe that we had comparatively few
men over here. and what there was
were poor fighters; at the best that
we were only half trained and couldn't
use the bayonet. and they all agree
that our advance. was the most superb
thing they ever saw in any OF the Al
lied armies.
of the guns comes to me very family.
and / believe that we will be behind
the lines for some time We need
rest and are getting II now. Today
! received new uniform, all but leg
gins. l am wearing pair OF French
leggins. My old uniform was torn
badly and covered with blood 1t
had soaked through to my undercloth-
ing. None of II was mine: IL was
from the other men and from the
horse. | was sure glad TO get clean
new clothing. | feel no ili-effects from
my part in the drive. only that am
tired. But in a day or two ! will be
as good as new and ready for another
one. But don't think will be called
upon To take part in one Tor whiie.
l will sure be glad when II is all over
and | am home again
oh, yes. ] must tell you about a
funny thing which happened In the
drive. In the advance seven dough
boys tor infantry men) had been go
ing all morning and had not found a
Fritz to shoot when they came across
three-inch piece of artillery which
Fritz had abardoned. together with
large supply OF shells for e. None
of them had ever fired cannon be.
fore. but you know American boys,
Well, they fooled with IL a few min
utes. ana found out how she worked.
then they turned the gun around until
II pointed In the general direction OF
Germany. loaded IL up and cut .oose.
None OF them understood how to get
the range. bui they Just fired in the d.
reciion Fritz had gone. FIRST north.
then northeast. then northwest. and
they kept at II for four hours had lots
OF fun ard no one will ever know how
much damage they inflicted upon the
Boche. guess they would have KEEP,
at Il all night, but they ran out OF am.
munitlon and had to.
Another funny thing saw was
march of the yictors. one Yank had
captured violin that was In FIRST.
c'ass shape. He led the columnb are
headed. in shirt sleeves. bandage
around his read. his face covered with
blood. sweat and dirt. and playing I'VE
won't come back TIL it's over. over
there" Behind him came two more
Yanks. one with colonies helmet on
and his dress uniform coat, and on the
coat an iron cross. and the others had
a majors helmet and coat. Behind
them came eight or 10 more Yanks
loaded down with captured helmets,
rifles, bayonets. pistols and canteens.
and all singing I'VE won't come back
'tfll it's>over. over there" Everybody
yelled; our nerves were strained until
II was relief to yell.
Tonigh, am going to enjoy lux
ury of cot and five blankets. What
do you know about that? Some bed |
claim know ! will sleep fine and
have pleasant dreams.
JESSIE r. Mode.
Sergt. First Claas. Company -. 9Th
United States Engineers.
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