Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1918-08-18

down and the second row took their
places. our guns were now held so
that the barrels were forward and
the butts were hip high. "Aim"-and
slowly we aimed. holding our guns
tightly with the butts against our
shoulders and our fingers on the trig-
gers
The sergeant paused a half minute
and then ordered US TO fire. l do not
know to this day whether our victim
cied at once. nor was there ever an
opportunity 10 learn how many Of the
SIX bullets found their mark. All day
went around like man in trance.
approaching myself bitterly for having
acted the part OF eXccut!cner. For
long time could not bear 20 speak
about il Ia my comrades. for | felt
guilty. and yet what c"ulj "" soldiers
do other than execute the orders given
Us?
In the evening we went into camp
In an open field. pitchln: tents. and the
next day continued our march.
The country through which We
passed was embarrassing and offered
nothing in the way of variety. The
few tiny villages through which we
passed had all been abandoned. ana
war.
After long march. interrupted only
by hats and short hivouacs We ap-
preached the large Belcian-French bor-
der town 81 SuGny, located on the Bel
rian side Of the border. II was about
noon, and rs The thunder Of cannon
constantly grew stronger, which indi-
Gated that a new battle was develop
ing. We hoped to he able TO remain In
the town overnight. About one O'Clock
we entered and we're billeted in big
barn. Most OF the soldiers refused 10
eat from the field kitchens, and requi-
sitioned eggs. chickens. geese and
:oung pigs. Soon everybody was
cooking ! am sorry TO say that most
Of those who foraged had refused 10
pay for what they had taken.
Several soldiers now arrived with
barrels Of wine and also many bottles.
which were instantly opened and emp
tied The obvious resulted. and soon
many nonconmissioned officers and
men were helplessly drunk. The owner
of our barn had possessed three large
hogs. One Of the drunken poncorn-
missioned officers tried TO kill one Of
these hogs with dull pocket knife
He had tortured the poor beast almost
10 death when the animal was inerci-
fully killed by q bullet. A few min
utes afterward the officer went to
sleep. This was only an example and
not the worst, for the inhabitants Of
the town had 10 endure much from
our men who had become drunk There
were open and secret robberies Of
gardens, stables and houses here and
TO restrictions whatever We're put on
the soldiers. There was no improve
ment in their general conduct. despite
many complaints. One family report
ed that the French had treated them
very well. but that our highly trained
soldiers plundered and stole. II was
therefore not surprising that the pop
ulation suffered want and hunger. !
often shared my bread with these suf-
fering people. With two comrades.
one day. I gave my portion Of meat
vegetables and preserves and also a
bag Of onions to q woman with eight
children. Because the iron was miss
ing in our blood. we three were SEN
fenced to extra watch duty for q week
for the offense Of displaying a love Of
humanity.
Our. leader. Lieutenant of Reserve
Elm. declared that such thing as pity
was insanity. He said II the woman
had eight children that was her busi-
ness. Then he concluded by saying
with great emphasis: I'm war every
body looks out for themselves. even
If everything around him perishes."
Another soldier was sentenced TO
serve IA days at hard labor. He was
bringing bread to q hungry family and
had six small loaves In his arms. which
he had gathered from among the SOL
diers. The same lieutenant met him,
accompanied by several noncommis-
stoned officers. To the question as to
where he was going. he replied that he
was on his way TO assist q poor family
which had actually suffered hunger.
The lieutenant at once ordered him to
return the bread TO his company. Then
he ragged and ragged at the soldier. cali
ing him fool, idiot. Hottentot. etc. But
the soldier nevertheless did not obey
and when the lieutenant Numbered Q
second command TO halt, the soldier
turned around and threw the bread
before the lieutepant's feet. Then he
said quietly. Il % not wish anybody
any harm, but IL you and your auto
cratic family. and the whole German
nation had TO endure what the poor
Beigians are obliged 10 suffer. IL would
be bitter but just lesson"
This man was sentenced to serve II
days for talking back to his superior
Officer. 1t surprised US all that he was
let OF so easily.
But bitterness In the ranks grew,
and at last the many hard punishments
that were pronounced created so much
feeling that the soldiers refused to de