Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1919-02-20
FIT TO LEAD men
Soldier Tells of Spirit of Ameri-
can Officers.
Marching Soldiers, Near Limit Of Phys.
ical Endurance, Brought Back to
Sense Of Discipline by Act
Of Gameness.

There was none of the thrill of
crowded grand stands in the race that
Sergt. Harold Baldwin describes in
Holding the Line" It was run by
men so exhausted that they could
scarcely stand. Yet in that slow, Stun
bling a C. there was more %self-denial
more heroism. more indomitable cour-
age than could go into the breaking Of
worlds records.
1t was midnight, Sergeant Baldwin
says, and as hot as Hades when we
started from the banks of the User.
We had been some % days constantly
in action ; again and again we had been
launched into the line to help our ter
ribly hard-pressed French and British
comrades. Every time q tornado Of
German artillery fire opened up, we
stood ready to advance across open
ground to the front line. Judge, then,
Of u condition for a 25-mile march.
At the beginning, they sent us at the
double between batteries Of roaring
Is and 60-pounders. The awful din
was the Flushing touch, and our nerves
went snap. At last we were clear,
and we settled down to q steady hike.
On, on, we tramped! Would we nev-
er halt? One after the other exhaust
ed men fell. Men dozed as they WALK
ed, fell as they dozed, lay where they
fell.
At last, as day was breaking, they
took us into a field. Here a drink of
hot tea, some food and a rest of one
hour revived us somewhat.
I noticed that one of the officers was
carrying a puppy in his arms. 1t was
only a few days old, and I marveled
at his wonderful heart in forgetting
his w troubles and caring for the
poor little helpless creature.
On again, all through the blazing
heat Of the day we hiked. Tommies
would walk with us, easing our lot
In their rough, kindly manner. They
promised us Fritz should pay dearly
for his dastardly gas attack before
they were through. On, on, till we
entered Bailleul. Thank God! Rest,
we thought. But no, ever on.
And then the men, the limit of en-
durance reached and mad with disap-
pointment, began to get in an ugly
mood. Discipline was sorely strained,
nnd we openly shouted our opinion of
the officers to their faces.
And then we witnessed a thing that
brings tears to my eyes every time I
think of it. Those officers of ours
were in no better shape than our
selves; in fact, owing to their respon-
sibility, they were in worse plight. In
stead Of marking down the offenders
FOR future punishment, they inflicted
worse punishment on us by making
us thoroughly ashamed of ours Elves.
Lining up across the road, they babe
us halt for a space, telling us that they
had q bet to decide, and it must be
decided at once. They were going to
run q race. Their effort was pitiful in
the extreme. Although they started
out bravely enough, after a few PAGES
one, then another staggered and fell;
but they struggled to their feet and
staggered away again. After such an
exhibition of courage, what could we
do or say? Not only was it a lesson
to us, but it is n Of the grandest
memories I have. There were those
battle-weary men, utterly worn out,
with nerves on edge, scarcely able to
walk, yet to show that they were game
to the end they went through the three
fold agony Of that race.-Youth's Com
panion.