T H E C O V E N A N T E R
kept awake a lot during the night by [my] know what’s happening, but see we are
cough. Firing going on steadily to E. & S.E. getting up some rations, fire seems to have
Censoring letters. Weather is perfect. We are ceased. Time 2.45 pm. The Germans have
in a pretty country. Many apple trees line blown up the bridge over the Marne. We
the road. A battle seems to be developing. have had some rain, which will make things
We are standing by. I see the aeros, going cold tonight.
out to either flank. I think division is in 9 September After quite good night, leave
front. Push on to Roman Villiers, where bivouac about 6.30 am, to relieve Middlesex,
we halt, and hear that Germans have who are holding posts on hill in front. As we
slipped away. March on hard. Very hot and come up, come under shellfire. Move into
dusty, dust several inches deep. ‘B’ Coy is positions held by Middlesex, there is a good
advanced guard. March on to Haute Maison deal of shelling, but not much near us. Ferry
where we arrive about 6.30 pm. Infantry wounded. The battle opens out, and guns
fire, and shells are fired at us. We have are going all along the line. About 11.30
marched into German cavalry, who clear the Germans begin to leave, it is interesting
off. We form outposts, pass one of the most to watch their movements. Our guns shell
unpleasant nights I have ever spent. Intend village, which seems to hold hostile battery,
to lie down a bit. Begin to itch very badly but it does not seem to mind. This place is
all over, intense irritation. At last lie down thick with wasps. I have rather troublesome
in cemetery, which has been loopholed, and indigestion. The retreating Germans are
get about 30 minutes’ sleep. shelled on all sides. A wooded hill on my R.
8 September Stand to arms at 3.30, kick front still seems to hold out. It is dreadfully
men up. Told we are to attack. Take place in hot sitting in sun. Good deal of rifle and
firing line and wait for daybreak. Nothing machine gun fire round wooded hill. I
happens. See our cavalry and aeros go out, hear Ferry has been hit in arm. As sun goes
then form up and march on a few miles down, shelling still continues. We remain
to Pierre Leve, where we halt to breakfast. in position as Outposts. I have eaten and
This consists of half a biscuit, some bully, drunk nothing all day, and feel better for it.
and some chocolate, also water. There is a Very uncomfortable night, as if I put head
vigorous battle going on to our left N.W., near straw, cough badly.
probably German rear guard. Our unit is in 10 September Feeling weak, but better.
sight of German bivouac of night before. We are to retire from firing line to support.
Find German papers etc. We now enter Eat a little breakfast, and feel fairly well.
the disease range, the dead horses we pass It has been raining mildly since 3.30 am,
smell dreadfully, and no attempt seems to when we stood to arms. Lee has shaved, but
be made to clear them. Dawn was fine, but I shall not. It is now over three days since I
fear it means rain. The French Chasseurs are had any clothes off. March after Germans,
very picturesque in their blue uniforms. pass through La Ferte-Sous-]ouarre, over
After a dusty march, till 11.30 am, pontoon, see broken bridge which had been
suddenly the troops begin to move out, and shelled a good deal by us. Did not show
take up preparatory formations near Signy- much damage, but holes here and there,
Signets, on some open ground, to which and chimneys off, many windows out. Over
the country has now opened out. Suddenly the rolling wooded country, and squalid
bang, bang, bang, and the enemy’s shrapnel village tract, people glad to see us. Traces
begins to scream over us. The 1st line of Germans now. Dozens and hundreds
transport, which has gone too far forward, of bottles all along the road. Germans are
gets shelled but is soon stopped. Several moving very quickly.
shells, or rather their contents, fly over my Day improving, feeling very weak, but
little party. Apparently very near. Then our ride a lot. All kinds of debris, hundreds of
guns begin, and the battle gets going, and petrol tins, broken bicycles, even broken
continues till about 1 o’clock. Then the motor cars and carriages, German papers
enemy’s guns slacken, but ours seem to go etc. See great many of our aeroplanes at close
on. It is very hot indeed, broiling, and no quarters. Lots of high-smelling dead horses.
shade. They begin to get back the wounded, Glad to see that peasants are burning and
not very many. ‘C’ Coy has had the most burying same. Pass lots of live shell, also fine
of it. Money got his leg bruised by a ricco insulated telephone wire. Am able to eat a
[ricochet]. I rig up a shade, we are hungry, little lunch, find march very tiring. About 6
and eat a tin of bully beef, no biscuits. Don’t pm arrive near Coulants, where we bivouac,

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