Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-13
IIO8TH ARTILLERY
MOVES TO THE FRONT
Soldier Chronicles in Maer-of Fact Fashion-The Ad-
UentWes of Our Boys Member of the old
Second, ~ G.. p, in France
BY ERIC SANVILLE

I middle of the road, with me on her
back. and refused to move for few
minutes. The French horses they, gave
us may have been good for plowing and
| farm work. but they certainly were no
good for riding, at least those issued to
us were too big and clumsy.
Bugler Rau was heard to remark
after a stormy session with his shapely
horse. Look here. II I ever find out
which is your rear. I'll bust you over
the head with this here club.
| The march continued all morning
! frequently halted by traffic blocks and
! to rest the horses. Near noon numerous
white spots appearcdi in the sky toward
the front Some one said 'airplancs.
so Corporal Clyde Fisher Immediately
wanted to set up the machine gun he
| had charge of in nearby field, as he
believes in preparedness. The white
spots increased in number and soon
black ones appeared. He was later in
formed that they were bursts of shrapnel
from Allied antiaircraft guns
The march then continued without
interest until the town of Ciergcs was
passed and halt for the night made
at the edge of the Meunicr woods lust
outside of the town. The cook wagon
pulled under shelter of the trees and
the men started exploring parties Word
was sent back that Il German was found
with bayonct thrust clear through
him, pinning him to a tree. the dough
boy making tho thrust had evidently
detached his rife and gone on, rather
than lose time trying to recover the
oayonet. y burying squad was immedi-
ately sent to take care of the body.
The woods were full of trenches
machine gun pits and dugouts-thc
latter were holes in the ground. but
good protection against shelIfre, From
inc appearance of things it was evi-
dent the Germans had been caught in
surprise attack. for there wcrc moss
KITS half filled, blankets still laid ont
"her" some mad been sIcepipr and
numerous other little things. As this
was the first chance Of the mon +o soo
things, each new find brought choor.
"nu examinations one fellow being very
p.puu 10 exhibit severed hand hc
picked up. ~
'1ailF mess was served and aftcr.
"ard the men started to pitch sho1tor
'en'S. n hurried consultation of off.
GERS followed and all tents wero ordorod
doWh and the mon told TO remain in tLo
shclter OF the woods until after dark
fIops' the army name for slccninp
places' would be made in the open field
ana each man would dig himself in
also smoking was forbidden. These
regulations seemed pretty severe.
but when the knowledge was cir
culated that the woods were fre.
qucntly bombed at night, the mon
thought better of them; in fact. these
orders became virtually permanent for
all positions near the front. The night
proved uncvcntful. though exciting. for
the firing seemed very close and it was
interesting to watch the rockets.
In the morning it was announced that
the extra equipment could be left in a
pile for salvage. 1t was wonderful the
way that pile grew. The men had
started out with shelter tent poles,
pins, condiment and bacon cans, extra
trousers. shirts and other of the count
less things that the government issues
that arc never used at the front. OF