The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-08-08
(BY FRANK J. TAYLoR1

Omitted Press STAFF Correspondent
WITH THE AMERICAN TROOPS IN
ALSACE-LORRAINE July 20.-(By
iI.)-By the light of the moon you
could barely see the stream OF dough-
boys pouring out OF the sheltering
woods. and scraping over the dusty
French road toward the trenches. They
said very little and trudged along with
that measured swinging tread which
enables Europe's veterans to carry
their heavy packs almost unheard-of
distances.
The stream seemed unending as the
United Press stan car picked its way
from squad to squad without using
lights. without failing in bitches. and
without touching a single doughboy.
Finally one section of the human
stream halted in q ruined village. The
press car stopped. too. for beyond this
point everything except ammunition and
food goes on foot.
The officers gave the order to rest.
and a lot OF packs dropped TO the
ground. followed by doughboys. Their
rifles they never dropped. In the moon
light you could see the ground covered
with resting soldiers. mostly sitting
There was a clicking of rifles. and
gossip which could come only from a
group heading for its first night in the
trenches.
Our Citizen Soldiers.
These were Uncle Sans citizen-sol-
diers. new men just over from the
States" as they have habit OF calling
home when over here. a few questions
revealed the fact that a year ago these
boys were clerks. carpenters. students
and whatnot. in civilian clothes. Six
months ago they were in a training
camp. Now they were soldiers in
France. and tonight they were making
their genuine debut into the war for
civilization
There was no wild enthusiasm nor any
evidence OF fear or even apprehension
among these cltizen-soldiers as they
rested before making the last lap into
the trenches. There was a matter-of-
fact scrt Of confidence prevalent. and
every man was making the most of tho
breathing spell 10 see that he was 100
percent ready for battle. Interest and
talk conferred around tho clicking rifles
and other equipment.
This old guns sure going to do some
work from now" said one doughboy to
his pal as he played the rife fondly,
It's the best gun in this army"
Say. you never shot this gun" re-
piled the other. Nobody ever did. and
nobody will but me. It's some boche-
getter. 1t was made for me specially.
Bo"
Officers went through the crowd, Civ
ing 8 Anal warning about use OF gas
masks. and attention conferred around
masks for a moment. 4 lot Of chaps
tried them on again. Then packs were
again adjusted. and the group Of dough-
boys streamed slowly on.
More Silent Now.
As they got nearer the front trenches.
the word was passed to walk more
quietly. Conversation except IN under
tones stopped. and they descended into
trenches. All you heard was the steady
knock of hobnailed shoes on the trench
duckboards. as these new arrivals were
quietly initiated to the trenches on the
western front. somewhere in France.
Quietly and without commotion the Of
ficers stationed their men. with look
outs watching across moonit No Mans
Land. the former occupants Of the
trenches left. and the relief was COM
pleted.
There Is something about the fear
less quiet way these new dou ghboya
take to the trenches that makes you
feel they know a lot about warfare.
They are veterans before they enter the
trenches. by frst-rate military train
ing II not experience. Their discipline
is Ane. and their efficiency tells you
they are ready for misunderstanding
whipping Germans.
Well you can tell Kaiser Bill we're
here to fight" said one doughboy. as
he took his station. hear the Germans
say we're just a crowd Of unframed
boys Wen soon show them we're
soldiers"
They Did Tt, Too.
It happens this doughboy's platoon
did It very soon. The next night $50