The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-03-14
CHAPTER vill-csatInusd.

CHAPTER vill-csntInusd
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Other field Kitchens were near BY.
They had prepared more food than
their companies needed. Many for
whom they had cooked viii never eat
again. We were invited to come and
got whatever we wanted.
We had scarcely finished eating
when We had to march on. Presently
w were Joined By more members Of
our company. Our captain appeared.
One Of our officers reported to him the
Of the company and said cheerfully.
Good morning. men," although 1t was
seven O'Clock I'm the evening. A growl
was the only response. We were then
ordered to 60 to the wagons standing
at the north side Of the town. where
each man was to supply himself with
cartridges and three hand grenades.
We gathered at the wagons at 9 80
O'Clock and each man took 500 car
tridges. his three grenades and matches
to light them. On the way to the wag-
VWH We U1w GV0Iy WAUA o AOA AA1SAVAA9 U0-
ing hastily organized from stray SOL
diers and We received the impression
Of some great activity In preparation.
The rain had begun to fall in tor
rents. A. we took our places we saw
the streets filed with troops wearing
special uniforms to protect them
against the weather. These uniforms
consisted Of q suit Of weatherproof
clothing. q cap; such baggage as must
b taken ON q march, a tent cloth, tent
sticks, dishes and, with the pioneers.
trench tools. Thus equipped. we stood
in the rain and waited. ignorant Of
what lay before M.
We were ordered to take the breech
locks out Of the guns and put them
In our bread bags. The guns now
were NO good for shooting. We now
began to understand what lay before
%. A night attack was planned with
bayonets and hand grenades. and the
measures which had been taken were
taken SO that we would not shoot at
one another in the darkness.
We stood and waited untfl eleven
o'clock, when the order suddenly came
to 20 into quarters. We did not know
what to make Of this after all the
preparations. We could tell from the
drum IRE and the red glare In the sky
that the battle had not lessened In
violence. The sky glowed. illumined
by the burning villages and farms.
On the way to our quarters we heard
the officers saying among themselves
that O flnal trial had been intended to
defeat the French. This had been the
reason behind the preparations for the
uight attack which had now been
called OF.
Headquarters apparently had do
cided otherwise. Perhaps 1t was known
there that nothing could be accom-
plished by attacking and the order was
given to begin the retreat which was
put into effect the next morning at SIX
o'clock. We did not realize then that
this was to be our last night in vitry'
We were sheltered In a shed for the
night. As we were very tired, we sOOn
were fast asleep. We were aroused al
four O'Clock tn the morning. everyone
was given a loaf Of breao and ordered
to nm his canteen with water, after
which the march began. Although we
were ignorant Of our destination, the
Inhabitants of vitry seemed to under
stand where we were going and they
stood on the streets throwing US sig
uincant glances.
Everywhere the feverish movement
Vas on. We stopped in front Of the
town hall. Here the captain told us
that because Of difficulty In the terrain
our troops had to vacate their posi-
tons and retire to nearby heights and
occupy new defenses. With that he
turned around and pointed to q ridge
IN the horizon.
There we shall make a stand and
walt for the enemy" he said. mo
re-enfOrcements will arrive today and
In a few days we may send picture
postal cards to your homes from
paris.~