The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-07-04
CHAPTER |,

am German soldier. Naturally
/ 4 the time when the war started we
Ad not know that there would be such
war &c IS being waged today.
Daily we soldiers were told that
france and Russia wanted to attack
rs and that the kaiser was doing ev-
,rything possible for our protection.
Already On July 20 we were armed to
the teeth and prepared to march away.
During these preparations, which
Aowed US all that war haG to come,
il men of my company deserted.
The government published, during
Ills time, bulletins almost hourly to
mepare the people for the war, n
| nbterfuge that succeeded perfectly.
Consequently two days before war was
declared, the people were overwhelm-
indy for war, but they were certain
hat it was only to be between Ger
many and France.
OF the intervention of Belgium.
Russia, England and Italy, the coun-
III had as little thought as it did OF
nv participation of the United States.
Al thought only of the promenade to
Paris, which. to the disappointment of
lie people, and also, surely to the
disappointment of the autocracy, has
been longer drawn out than had been
wished for.
In these days of uncertainty the
pldiers, contrary to the cruel treat
pent which they had experienced be-
fore, were treated literally with great
enanuties of supplies, delicacies and
leer, so that most of the soldiers were
y drunk continuously that they were
mable to realize the seriousness of
De situation.
And yet the majority of the SOL
ders could not be enthused over the
Mr. They cheered and were enthu-
aastic because they knew it was the
aders. On July 81, 1914, one day be-
bre the declaration of war, we left,
liter being brought to war strength,
BE- our garrison at Mainz-am-R heine.
Where the enemy toward which we
pere to point our bayonets was we
I'd not the slightest idea. All we did
now was that we had to be trs MS
Mted somewhere to protect the bor-
Ii.
There were stirring times as we
aArted out. Tens of thousands of
people threw flowers at US and all
xanted to shake hands. All-even
sdiers- cried. Many embraced their
wives or young brides. The bands
rayed farewell songs and people
hlghed and cried all at the same
tine. Strangers embraced and kissed
ath other. "A veritable witch's Holt
~ Of emotion was lOoSened and en-
ufed the pcpulace like storm. No
Me not even the strongest, could re-
- its powers. Yet even this was
mpassed by the leave-taking at the
eepot. where last farewells had to be
nd This scene will never leave me
dow desperately many women chung
etheir men Many had to be forcibly
emoved.
but this was at last done and then
were placed in cattle cars. Night
me and we had no lights. The train
nt slowly toward the Rhine. It
At smoothly enough. Our company,
aich had had days of great excite
Mt, welcomed the rest that the jour
n afforded. Most of the soldiers
p with their knapsacks as pillows.
Aers looked drcamily into the .fu.
e. Still otherstsecrctly pulled pic
peg from their breastpockets and only
sery few killed time by discussion
90 comment on their possible desti-
sdsn.
Where are we going?" Yes,
mere? No one knew. Then after
aaiess hours, the train stopped. We
sde in Duren. What were we there
We did not know. The officers
V shrugged their shoulders at our
esstions.
alter q brief pause we went ahead.
1ile evening OF August 1 we reached
tathyard near Duren. Our company
hlleted in a barn. No one knew
Is We had to do. Ignorant of the
lcse Of our being sent so near the
gan Border we laid down on our
S Of straw. Something had to
.aRn soon to rescue us from this I'M
Ftainty.
NV lew suspected that would be
last night for many of us on Ger
9found. An alarm took us from
peuS at s a. m. The company
sassed and the captain demonstrate
ue war situation. AS to the 6irec-
Aant
alVely half an hour later SO big
50 0rove up and stopped on the
lore our quarters. The driv-
" were ignorant and waited for
DISCUSSION Il our destination
49, aIresh. The orderlies who
keeping their ears open said
p'd enter Belgium that day.
eontradicted them, no one
y iof Certainty
10y ortier to march dix. not come
we evening we went back to
But the rest was