Omaha daily bee., 1918-11-18
A Day IN the Fighting Army
Private Theodore Emery, in Stars and Stripes.

Through the blackness of the morning the
three shrill blasts of the whistle rasped, grating
the ears, and rousng to semi-consclousness the
sleep -drugged senses-not mnds-of the tagged
humans who sprawled in uncouth and animal
like postures over the dirty floor of the barn.
Here and there a touseled shock of hair pro-
truded from a miscellaneous pile OF blankets,
tents and hodge-podge of equipment Stiff
backs legs and necks Damn the hard ground!
God! Another day! On with the shoes stiff
and cold, smelling to high heaven. Leggins next,
wrap ones at that-what do we care if they do
60 on upside down? We must make formation.
A hitch to the underwear and belt and then on
with the blouse. still wet with yesterdays cold
sweat damp and i'll smelling. A hasty dive for
gun and belt and out the door to fall in once
more
A drizzle of rain is falling. One hour for
breakfast and preparations. Rolls are half made
then call to breakfast. Stand in line 10 min
and bacon. Half an hour left. Wash? Impos-
sible. Half weeks growth of beard and un-
brushed teeth. Water, the infantrymans main
stay, is scarce. Every drop must be husbanded.
Out in the rain to slap together the pack,
grunting and cursing. The straps become
twisted-will we ever be ready? Time to fall in
and at least IS more things to go in-extra ra-
Swing it up on the back sling the gun, and
stagger into line, muttering and cursng.
Up the steep hill, and the days gruellng
work has begun. Everything goes pretty we'll
the soreness disappears from the legs and the
packs settle to more comfortable position.
The first halt is welcome Wholesale adjust
ments are in order. A bit thirsty, but better
wait; the sun is coming out and long march
ahead. Sixteen miles today? Discussion varies
That whiste Up again; stretch of road
and the pack gets heavier How long have we
been going? Twenty minutes Shift the rife
and plod some more. The sweat starts, saturat
ing shirt, coat and trousers. Some sing;
would, too, if the sweat would keep out of my
mouth. A little swig from the canteen-not
much. Damn! l shouldn't have taken that
much III be up against it later on
Two more hours pass. Mechanically hating
and plodding Dust-it will be worse in the aft
ernoon. How far do we have to go, anyway?
l wish I'd shaved Dirty drops of sweat drop
over my gun sling. Thank the Lord my feet
don't hurt. Half the water gone and not yet
time for lunch. 1t is hot brutality hot and the
through cloud of it. A bit faint? Nibbe
bit of greasy bareback that has been in the
pocket for week. getting chummy with old
letters, loose cartridges and the stub of pencil
Smoke another cigarette.
Empty, aren't you? Well, it's time for lunch.
Into hay field we pile-throw off packs and
coats and flop down to wait for the kitchen. An
other butt
Half cup Of weak coffee, mixture of
corned willie and bareback, and off we 60 to
war again.
Sweat, sweat, sweat Dust. Why didn't the
water cart come up?
Let's day-dream bit; maybe it'll make the
going easier. The Biltmore on the left-think
III turn III for one of those long Tom Collinses
in oh, Of cd
ice floating in it. 1t is a bit tiresome to walk
~ distance on pavements, isn't it? Raises the
Vii with your feet. All right think I'll make
two. It's bit hot, so home early for the old
ID and dinner coat. A complete change and
III be fit again.
Bingo! Five drops of sweat on that damn
gas mask. which swings like clumsy suitcase
against the leg. Filthy underwear, sweat soaked,
slides against the soled body. Canteen three
quarters gone and four hours more to 90.
Red sun higher and higher, more dust.
Tongue like blotter, and unbrushed teeth
make things worse. What's that blue sign?
10 Kilos to X. Halt! Thank God Off goes the
pack, To hell with the extra trouble. 1t cut
my shoulders the last hour. Think I've got a
blister Bzzz. That whistle.
God, I'm thirsty! Can't seem to day dream
this time. Bumps in the road twist your feet
bit What makes you stagger, you damn fool?
That's the stuff, watch the other mans feet
One, tWo-one, tWo-one, two, three, four
Carry on Damn that expression Water
water. water! Shift the rife Is that chafe?
Damnation.
Well, might as we'll have couple of good
swallows and know you're all through Fn
Brooches getting soaked with sweat, pack
cuts-wrgge with chafe at every step-water
why did clean it up?
You don't want to club that man ahead of
you and take his canteen. Damn fool. One
two one, two.
French town, five estaminets Maybe we'll
stop here. No such luck
Don't get ahead of the line-one, two--water
-God I'd sell my soul for one swig Twenty
francs for canteen full would be cheap. When
you need something you need it, Haiti
Off again. Sweat and dust in the eyes
you're not getting blind. That pack weighs
ton. Lots to think about-one, two-one,, two
pack sweat, chafe, blister, one, two.
What's that? pump? Think III fall out
No, you'd look like a jackass doing that. If the
other worms can keep moving you can, too
Well, we're by it, and you couldn't drink any
way. One, two. Don't bump into your next
door neighbor.
What's that? Our town around the corner?
Chorinated waterl Estaminet champagne
Dix Francs" Home again Got cigarette?
n.Is