one of the events most eagerly awaited by the cadets each year was the fall military offensive. it was designed to give the cadets, especially the newer ones, some taste of actual military work. rhodes explained it to the friends.
“the idea is to teach unity of action between the different branches of the service,” the senior said. “first of all, the infantry takes up its position with the artillery under cover just back of it and waits there until the actual shelling begins. the cavalry, dismounted, is stationed somewhere near to support the infantry. after the shelling of a hill—we generally shell an old hill which we call hill 31—the infantry advances close behind the fire of the artillery, meanwhile getting a message through somehow to the cavalry to dismount and fall in on the wings. i don’t know how the message will be sent this year. sometimes they send it through by telephones that the engineers put up and sometimes they send a runner through the hill just before the bombardment or after it. when we take up the active campaign we don’t use these uniforms, of course. we get into the regular khaki and go at it right. i guess we’ll get to it soon.”
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it was a week later when major tireson issued orders that the fall offensive was to take place. the cadets were overjoyed at the prospect, for it meant three days of vacation. it was the custom then to camp out one day, drill on the second, and attack the imaginary enemy on the morning of the third day, returning home in the evening. to jim, who was an officer of the cavalry, instructions were given.
the captain and lieutenants of the infantry, artillery and cavalry were present at the time instructions were given. there was no captain of the cavalry, for the last captain had graduated, and major tireson was undecided as to whether to make jim or a cadet named thompson captain. consequently, both of them were lieutenants and equals. the major explained that the infantry would wait until the shelling was over and then advance on the hill. the artillery officers were instructed in the method and time, and then major tireson turned to the cavalry lieutenants.
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“you understand, boys, how you are to advance dismounted when the word comes to you?” he asked, and the lieutenants nodded. “very well,” continued major tireson. “mercer, you are to have charge of the left wing of the cavalry and are to take up a position on the east side of hill 31. thompson, you will take your place on the west side of the hill, on the flank of the infantry, and you will send a man over hill 31 as soon as the firing has been stopped. the artillery fire will be ended all in one burst, there will be no scattering shots, and it will be perfectly safe to send your man over the hill to inform lieutenant mercer to join the left wing of the infantry. we are going to act as though our telephone lines were down at the time, and the message is to be delivered by word of mouth. you both understand plainly?”
both cavalry lieutenants replied that they did understand and after looking over maps they went back to rooms to prepare. official word was passed around the school and campaign uniforms were issued, together with “tin hats,” trench tools and all the necessary implements. the artillery was brought out, horses prepared, and one brilliant morning late in october the three divisions marched away to the practice warfare.
hill 31 was twelve miles from woodcrest and in wild country, where the danger of running across anyone was slight. the infantry marched first, the artillery rumbling back of them, and in the rear, the cavalry unit followed leisurely. the spirits of the cadets were raised by the clear and sparkling air and the bright sunshine, and they marched with a swing. terry, who was riding a gun carriage, laughed at don when they all halted for a brief rest.
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“seems like jim and i have the cream of the outfit,” he grinned. “i ride a gun carriage and jim rides a fine horse. little old donny walks along on his feet.”
“i don’t mind,” retorted don. “you and jim will grow old and fat, while i will still be in my prime, due to the fact that i used my feet. when you two are in your wheelchairs, i’ll come around and see you.”
terry laughed. “that’s how you talk, but wouldn’t you just jump at the chance to ride!”
in the afternoon they reached a long, dusty plain, with hill 31 before them. here the cadets made camp. a small city of tents shot up like magic, all hands helping. four rows of orderly tents stood erected before nightfall, and then there was a drill and review. after that the cadets were free to do as they wished, although no one was permitted to go far afield.
in the evening there were races and wrestling and soon after supper taps sounded. the night was cold and clear, guards patrolled the camp, and the boys were glad to get a good night’s sleep. at six in the morning, they were roused from bed by the blare of the bugle and a busy day began.
there was inspection and roll call, breakfast, drill, and a long march for all divisions. in the afternoon the cavalry drilled on horses, the artillery cadets went through a rigid examination in sighting and range finding, and the ever busy infantry once more drilled. just before they went to bed that night major tireson summoned all officers into his tent and gave final instructions for the shelling and advance on the following morning.
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“but i have changed one phase of my plans,” he added, turning to the two cavalry lieutenants. “i have decided, lieutenant thompson, that you will not send a man over the hill at any time. we will use the telephone connection, and you are to call lieutenant mercer on the phone and tell him when to join the flank of the infantry in the advance. the reason for informing him is so that you will both form the junction with the infantry at precisely the same time. from your position you can see the infantry advance, which lieutenant mercer cannot do, and so it will be your duty to send him word to dismount and move up. is that all clear?”
both lieutenants agreed that it was and went back to their tents. taps sounded and the young soldiers literally fell into bed and slept the sleep of exhaustion. in the morning they got up without enthusiasm, but as soon as they had washed in cold water and become wide awake they snapped into action with vigor.
events moved rapidly after breakfast. the infantry swung into position, and with bayonets fixed as though for a charge, took up a position behind a low ridge in the field. the artillery rumbled into position and the cavalry left the camp.
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just before the cavalry left jim noted that lieutenant thompson was not at the head of the second division. while he was wondering what the trouble was the major came up and looked over the troops. he addressed a second lieutenant named stillman.
“lieutenant stillman,” asked the major, “where is lieutenant thompson?”
“he was taken ill, sir,” reported stillman. “it looks very much as though he will not be able to take the field today.”
the major frowned. “ill, eh?” he thought for a moment. “lieutenant stillman, do you understand the plans for the advance this morning?”
“why, i believe so, sir,” said the second lieutenant. “lieutenant thompson told me all of the plans the day before yesterday.”
“very well,” nodded the major, turning away. “you are in charge of the west wing, lieutenant stillman. kindly carry out the plans to the best of your ability.”
he turned away, leaving stillman flushed with pleasure at the unexpected responsibility and the cavalry moved forward, stillman’s division toward the west side of the hill and jim’s toward the east side. there was a doubt in jim’s mind that he could not shake off.
“oh, well,” he murmured, as they galloped off. “i suppose stillman is capable enough. i feel a little more confidence in thompson, though.”
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jim thoroughly enjoyed the gallop across the fields, and when they had gained their position they stopped and waited, facing hill 31. while they waited a unit of engineers, working in haste, strung a line from nearby trees to the place where jim’s cavalry outfit was waiting. this telephone line was in some places hidden in the grass and under the dirt and in some places up in the air. it communicated with the infantry base, the artillery headquarters, and went around in a looping circle and connected jim with stillman on the other side of the hill. it was over this line that the order to form a junction with the infantry was to be given.
most of the waiting cavalrymen were looking at their watches, on the alert for the beginning of the artillery bombardment. it was scheduled to begin at exactly ten-thirty, and on the minute it began. the first gun roared out and a cloud of dust rose from hill 31. the cavalry horses started and moved restlessly.
a regular series of detonations now shook the ground and jets of dust flew about the old hill. after the first furious discharge the firing abruptly ceased, to prepare a brief breathing space for a second discharge. this was a change in major tireson’s original policy. he had given the original order to have one bombardment and then to cease firing, but the order had been changed and two distinct shellings had been ordered. after a minute of silence the second period of firing began, and this time it was more scattered and not so furious. the cavalry unit waited quietly.
“in just about five minutes we’ll be on the march,” thought jim, calming his restless black horse.
at that moment the telephone box at his feet emitted a buzzing sound. somebody was calling for him, and with a frown jim swung down from the horse.
“now how in the world am i going to hear anything with that firing going on?” he grumbled. “and i wonder who can be calling me? i’m not supposed to receive any message now. whoever it is certainly wants me in a hurry, judging by the way he is buzzing.”
