. Illinois in the World War; an illustrated record prepared with the coöperation and under the direction of the leaders in the state's military and civilian organizations. FORMING UP LINE FOR THE RAIDS ON ST. HILAIRE and the strain to which they had been subjected, became ill and were sentto the hospital. On October 19 the regiment was ordered south to the Nixeville men believed that they were to secure a much-needed rest but they weredoomed to disappointment. The regiment marched every night in the rainand mud until it arrived at the former St. Mihiel salient on October 23. ByOctober
. Illinois in the World War; an illustrated record prepared with the coöperation and under the direction of the leaders in the state's military and civilian organizations. FORMING UP LINE FOR THE RAIDS ON ST. HILAIRE and the strain to which they had been subjected, became ill and were sentto the hospital. On October 19 the regiment was ordered south to the Nixeville men believed that they were to secure a much-needed rest but they weredoomed to disappointment. The regiment marched every night in the rainand mud until it arrived at the former St. Mihiel salient on October 23. ByOctober 28 the second battalion had relieved a French infantry regiment andwas again occupying the front line, facing the enemy. In fourteen days, mostof which had been spent in marching and with scarcely any rest, the regi-ment was again in action and preparing for a general offensive in the direc-tion of Metz. The long march from the Verdun sector to the new front wasone which the men of the 131st will never forget. The following extract from THE 131ST INFANTRY 257. the report of the opera-tions officer gives someidea of the difficultiesand hardships that wereencountered and over-come: October 19 at 4:30p. m., the regiment re-ceived orders to move tothe Nixeville area thatnight. Route waschanged at 8:30 p. billeting detail wasunable to proceed withits work. The men weredrenched, having lain intrenches for several days in the continuous rain. New line of march couldnot be reconnoitered for lack of time, which resulted in battalions lengthen-ing the necessary marching distance in the dark. A cold, drizzling rain fellall night. Many men who had been slightly gassed had difficulty in keepingthe pace because of shortness of breath. The pace was of necessity slow onaccount of the mud. Nixeville Woods were reached after daylight and the mud there wasfrom six to ten inches deep. No chance to dry wet clothing as the rain still MACHINE GUN NEST AT ENTRANCE TO CHURCHYARDIN ST. HILAIRE
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectworldwar19141918
