Viewing page 62 of 171

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

-3-

me see your orders".  I unbuttoned my trench coat, took the orders from an inside pocket where I had been keeping them dry, and handed them to him.  Then he said "Now what are your orders?"  I recited them while he read.  Then he handed the paper back to me, saying "Very good.  Button up your overcoat."  Then they rode away.

My trench coat had been properly button when the generals rode up.  I had unbuttoned it to get out that paper.  Knowing it would be given back to me in a moment, I had thought it unnecessary to button up again for that brief interval.  I don't think Summerall was obsessed with a craving for tidiness, or that he was displeased with me.  He was merely following the time-honored military principle that an inspecting officer must find something to scold about.  When scolding he must wear an expression of restrained disgust.  I had been in the army long enough to understand those formalities.  I was thankful that my unshaven face had escaped the general's notice.  That would have let me in for a real tongue-lashing if not a court martial.

Some time later the rockets went off.  I duly noted the time and we went through the prescribed firing.  Then we just waited again until dusk.  Finally a messenger arrived with orders and a horse for me.  The men were to walk to the nearest road, where the battery, then on its way home to Marley, would pick them up.  I was to ride back to Houdelaincourt and take charge of our supply wagons, following with them to Marley.

As night came on the rain began to freeze as it fell.  The roads became icy.  The horses kept slipping because they were not roughshod.  I was afraid of losing one or more with a broken leg, but we were spared that.  We passed one of our guns that had slid off the road into the ditch.  Its crew had left it there overnight and had sought shelter for themselves and their horses with a unit of the 6th F. A., billeted in the nearest village.  I was glad that gun was not my responsibility.  Riding, my knees were exposed and the rain trickled down into my boots.  Finally about 10 P. M. we reached Marley.  The sergeants took over and I went to the battery office.  There I found Julian Hume, waiting up for me with hot food and coffee.  I never enjoyed a meal more than that one, and I have always felt grateful to him.

I remember little about the remaining ten days or so I stayed with