Page:The history and achievements of the Fort Sheridan officers' training camps.djvu/377

 "The organization of the Michigan position, trench duties, liasion between the infantry and artillery barrage fire, the telephone system, claims of runners and signal rockets were managed so efficiently that little w^as left to be desired.'

On Tuesday they had maneuvered through the night as troops of the State of Michigan, which is at war with the State of Illinois. The heavy rain flooded boyaux, traverses and dugouts and parades and para- pet exuded a slimy ooze.

Under command of Captain J. J. Wuest, acting as colonel for the night, Michigan's forces defended the trenches against the operations of hostile Illinois battalions in charge of Captain W. C. F. Nicholson. Ad- vancing from Evanston, Captain Nicholson bivouacked at Highwood.

Patrols from both sides occasionally met in sharp contact. After making a demonstration on Michigan's left flank, Captain Nicholson, with Companies 12, 21, 22 and 23, rushed the trenches on Michigan's right and center. Michigan sentries gave the signal for barrage from Captain Marley's batteries. In two minutes the guns began to roar, but in that interval three of Nicholson's companies managed to seize a sector of Michigan's front line.

Major Farrand, in Michigan's second line trenches, ordered a coun- ter charge over the top and Nicholson was dislodged. Then Colonel Wuest ordered the artillery to sweep the entire front and Illinois was routed.

"Captain Nicholson's approach from Highwood w^as well managed, " said Colonel Ryan, who w^as an all-night spectator. "The momentary* occupation of the Michigan front line by Captain Nicholson was made possible because of a single barbed wire entanglement. Entanglements w^ould not have been crossed so easily if actual w^ar conditions existed.

"The lesson here is that no enemy could have gotten in under real war conditions, and one notable thing that developed in the repulsion of Nicholson's troops was the charge over the top. That showed very good tactical judgment, as Major Farrand's action enabled him quickly to move a large force which could not have been done if the troops had been sent forw^ard through the trenches."

Real music, the best in the country, was brought to Fort Sheridan. It had to be good, for there were hundreds of rookies there v/ho, as producers, artists and critics, could maintain highest standards.

The first big musicale was given by the Paulist Choir, Father Flynn con- ducting. This great chorus with its international reputation, sang one Sunday night to a crowded gymnasium full of student officers.

Those who were there will not forget either the beautiful singing or the close appreciative attention of the audience. Somehow music seemed to have a big place in men's emotions those days. Someone versed in national psy- chology will explain why war and music seem to be so close in their inter- dependence.

Both those who sang and those who listened seemed to feel music with a new forcefulness. Perhaps it filled some lonely places in their hearts — perhaps it soothed emotions that had been overstrained or satisfied feelings w^hich could not be spoken in words.

At least those black vestments of this w^onderful chorus the sw^eet voices

of the boys and the strong voices of the men made a deep impression upon

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