The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-03-12

ploded shells by the hundreds mark
this field of carnage. From this an
idea can be gained of what it meant
to keep the supplies going forward
under such hazardous conditions. This
mission was performed by the 21st Regi-
ment of Engineers in manner that
the American nation can justly feel
proud of. These accomplishments
have not all been accomplished without
Il mortal toll. L; one INSTANCE a
'lieutenant paid his life as result Of
artillery fire while attending his duties
in track construction. In other in
stances Il giant shell madea direct hit
upon the locomotive of one of the
trains tearing the legs from the engin-
Ger who died as result Of the wounds
and badly wounding the fireman. A
number. Of other instances could be
cited but suffice it to say, considering
that terrible hazards the regiment had
been quite fortunate Nevertheless.
some havt paid the toll as result of
the hazardous duties incidental to rail-
way operation. OF course, the equip
ment in France is far from the stand
ard equipment Of the states so far as
safely is concerned and as a matter
Of fact, accidents are inevitable.
The regiment operated under cOndi-
tons where rest was ut u premiums.
Thirty and ,fourty hour periods of SER
vice were common to the transporta-
ton men in the critical hours. Like
wise mechanics and .traCkmen willingly
worked over hours to keep the wheels
of transportation turning. The officers
too were kept extremely busy with
their official duties. In fact every
man bent that effort which is
characteristic of the Americans when
Il real object is to be attained.
Of course it is not to he supposed
that the regiment feels that other regi-
ments engaged in railway Transporter
ton have not given the some service.
but the fact that this regiment had
been organized and recruited for light
railway service and in which branch
it so successfully served gives the men,
bers just cause of pride, The regi-
ment has in nowise been found want
ing from Il standpoint of efficient SER
vice in the particular branch it was
recruited from throughout the entire
United States.
On the 18th Of November, one day
after the armistice had been signed,
and the roar of heavy artillery had
ceased, stood amidst the ruins Of
Montfaucon. which are but a. short
distance from the narrow gauge which
was so successfully operated in the
final days Of the titantic struggle by
this regiment. saZed down into
the miniature railway yard which but
a day before had been operated under
the hazards of warfare and watched
the various movements of trains and
breathed Il sigh of relief when thOt
that those thains could 80 their way
unlnolested. That the only hazards
those faithful souls would encounter
were those incidental to railway SER
vice as q vocation. The world was
again in a state of peace The sur
roundings were ideal for my thoughts.
for, on turning found myself in front
of ruined church. Then suddenly
remembered that from the destroyed
steps of that very church the deposed
Kaiser had addressed his troops urging
them in their terrible onslaught against
Verdun in 1916. From somewhere
in this ruined village the then crown
prince directed the military movements
which cast Germany such toll of
mortality. At this particular place,
both were ut their zenith in their
dream of conquest. This day they
were both political refugees in Holland.
Those very walls seemed to speak out
Eve, in our ruins stand as a monument
to the failure Of the worlds most sell
fish despot. America, you have been
our Savior"
Silently I tread about the ruins and
in their ghastliness, l could not but
imagine heard those same words ever
and over again. At last l gazed into
the depths of ruined mausoleum and
then beheld the exposed remains of one
who had trOd this earth one hundred
and twenty eight years before. The
eyelesx sockets and the lipless mouth
seemed to express satisfaction that the
world was again at peace and that
he could again return to his immortal
sleep undisturbed. Again turned my
steps toward the, railway yards where
I was to engage y, the duties Of rail-