On September 28, the Legion attacked the Bois Sabot or wooden shoe, a wooded eminence protected by fifty yards of barbed wire entanglements, stretched, tree to tree, behind which bristled three rows of machine guns. About four o’clock, the Legion lined out to attack in a long row, a yard apart. The Germans watched our formation, their guns trained on the first wire, and waited.
Finally, the Colonel said to a Sergeant, “Here, you take this section. Go over and wake them up.” No one was anxious. The rifles of the Boche could be seen above their trenches. But Musgrave said, “Let’s go over and stir them up and see what kind of a show they put up.” The section went, 35 or 40 men. Just two, both Americans, Musgrave and Pavelka, came back.
That attack lasted all night. Daybreak was coming. All the officers had been killed, except a little squeaky voiced Lieutenant. He was afraid to give the order to retreat. But, daylight in sight, he finally said, “Gather up the wounded and go back to the trench we left.” The dead were left in rows by hundreds, as thick as autumn leaves, each man on his stomach, face to the foe.
Artillery was then brought up. Two days later, we again attacked. The wire and the whole mountain top had been blown away. The Germans we met were either dead, wounded or dazed.
CHAPTER XI
LIFE IN DEATH
“If a man die, shall he live?” Aye—and that more abundantly!
We know that “except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but, if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Nature is constantly demonstrating Life as the manifestation of Death. Nature’s laws are the laws of God, to whom are all people subject. So, man, is passing his progress, into a higher, or lower, form of spirit continuance—as he may have chosen and prepared.
They do not die,—who instil love of country, and the highest degrees of patriotism, in those who live.
The materialistic profiteer, who shirks his duty, and fattens on the soldier’s blood,—will die and pass away as a clod. But the soldier whose inspiring deeds will warm the blood of future generations has started a flame that will burn forever.
When the materialist has cashed his coupons, he will find the money won’t keep his body from being eaten up by the maggots. It may buy him a tombstone, but not the respect of loyal patriots who are willing to give their all, in order to live up to the traditions of those gone before.