Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-04-02

II was impossible to register on the
Boche wire. But a way must be cut
through. What did it mean? When
We want 10 cut a place through a
wire path 20 inches wide is cut
through SO as TO permit men 10 pass
through into No Mans Land. There
was that mass of wire. What could
be done: Well..we used a young man
like young SeWall. loud applause.)
In front of us were about 1000 yards
OF the worst wire l have ever seen.
! pick this Young mar as a sample of
the kind found in the Maine troops.
Sure. we can cut that way
quick" ; was his reply.
And that yourgster called a young
man by the name of Shumway. en-
thusiastic apDlause.p Their task was
to cut the wires at night in the dark.
a briGadier-general said it was i'm
possible. But they cut the wire.
We went over the top on the
morning of the 18th. NJ barrage
table | changed to six minutes be-
cause of h woods and growth. This
lad ShumwIy at II hour was walking
up and down along the trenches un-
der a whitening shell fire. He said
to his men: l want YOU to get them.
Get a few IL some unaccountable
way they through. The next
day l went through. and I spoiled a
pair of trousers in doing it.. They
came up against the barraGe and
went through quickly what it DOL
me 10 minutes TO do in the daytime.
'Shumway with a battalion went
through in a remarkably short time.
The French allow 3 per tent losses
from barrage. ! didn't want to,
couldn't stand that. But he went
through. a Boche covered with dec
orations and with an orderly at his
side carrying his equipment was fol-
lowed by men. This quic little lad
Shumway. when the barrage lifted. !
jumped. and he passed back to the
rear 4 whole battalion of Bochcs,
greater than the attacking battalion.
and he had only six casualties.
Later We had a German band with
all its implements and those boys |
brought it down and made it scren- !
ado me. Laughter and applause.)
"Gcntlcmcn, this was typical Of the |
1881 Infantry. 1t was a regiment of !
interest and ability.
And then YOU have got here in
Maine a trench mortar battery. 1t
was taken from BaIentine's regiment.
with a football centcr-a chap called i
Greene cloud a%pplause) for a captain.
| think that battery has had more vi
ciSitudcs than any other organization
in France. said goodbye to them
the other day at Devens. went
down the line. Some of them would
liked to have said 'How'dy do"
they didn't all hate me-and no an
eye moved as | went along the line.
Not an y or hand was in the mud.
They were eyes UP. great big, splen-
did mem"
The. generals voice broke for a Sec
ord: he bit his lip.
Not a pilgrim Of the night among
them he went on and then. turning
toward the group of former cS;h men at
his left. he remarked: They don't,
know what mean" And then those
boys cut loose with a little laugh ana
applause of their own which was con.
tagious and caught the crowd
Il walked COW and took a last look
at them continued Gen. Edwards,
and then l said. Good Lord and they
were good to look att (Appiause).
Il had them break ranks and then |
said goodbye to them. To some Of
them / said: What would YOU take for
your experience" and they answered.
almost to a man: General. l haven't
.~-, cant lnf wouldn't taEo era nal ,
for it
And they went home. but they don't
have to take off their YD from their
shoulders s, but the only place they'll
let me wear mine is on my raiamas.
(~Laughter).
THE captain of that battery is proud
Of these men and they are proud OF
him. They had a wonderful re .ord.
They were in every show and they