Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

Page 14 text:

8 The MisshiE Soon it became a hand-to-hand fight for life. The struggling ma of blue and gray surged backwards and forwards. At this point I don’t remember what happened, but I was dimly conscious of a cheer that was given by the arrival of rein- forcements from the second line and the hasty retreat of the Germans. Then I lost consciousness. When I came to, I was in a French field hospital, with a nurse continually by my side. Our captain came in later with his right sleeve dangling without his right arm, and a huge gash upon his cheek. He congratulated me for my brave conduct, and said he would recommend me to General Joffre for a Cross of the Legion of Honor. How my heart leaped at that ! He told me that I had killed nine Germans, two of them officers, and with my own hand had captured the German flag that was carried by the enemy. That is about the end. At his recommendation I received from Gen. Joffre himself the Cross of the Legion of Honor and a ringing salute was given me for my bravery. Now, as I am writing this, my treasured Cross is fastened under my uniform above my heart, and it is my most treasured possession. But this letter must come to a close sometime, so I will make an end now. Therefore I remain. Sincerely yours, Private Demot, Co. K; 3rd Army Corps. (Montgomery Jackson, ’17.) Theorem. : One dog has three tails. Given: One dog. To Prove: One dog has three tails. Proof: One dog has one tail (according to nature). No dog has two tails (unnatural). By Addition : One dog has three tails. Q. E. D. — Ex. Teacher: Now children, name some of the lower ani- mals, starting with Willie T — . —

Page 13 text:

The Missile 7 CHotttmmttrattanB from “Prittate iemot” “Somewhere” in Northern France. December 24, 1 14. To Editor of “Third Year Weekly News” — I hope this will reach you in time to be published before the New Year’s issue, as I should like to proclaim to all the United States what an adventurous life it is to be in the trenches of the French army. Early in September I volunteered for the French army, but I was not sent to the front until late in October, the 28th to be exact. Our company was sent into the second line of trenches until we became used to trench life, and then on the 9th of November, we were ordered to occupy the first line of trenches imtil we became used to the life, and then was not that I was afraid, but there was a twitching feeling all over my body that every man experiences on his first day of real fighting. Eight hours after we had occupied the trenches, the Ger- mans began sniping at us, but their shots had no effect. Soon a huge shell burst about one hundred yards in front of our trench, and some behind us. I only wondered what would happen if one of those large shells exploded in our trench, where I was. But I soon gave it up, because we saw a Taube flying overhead, trying to get our range and send it by wire- less telegraphy to the battery. We turned four machine guns upon it, but the Taube was out of range, and it suffered no harm. But one of the larger guns in the second trench dis- abled it, and it was forced to retire. Then there came a lull in the firing. The captain in command, issued an order to stand by to repel invaders, and his words were whispered down the line. Soon there came a volley, two volleys, three volleys, and then continuous firing from the enemy. A gray line of German infantry sprang up from their trenches as if by magic, and charged down upon us. But we were ready for them, with fixed bayonets.

Page 15 text:

The Missele 9 mtjHin nf j|iil;0nznlkrn He is working for his people, Who love their native land And striving hai i to conquer The opposing allied band. He fought beside his soldiers, And a man as brave as he Should rule a mighty empire And her islands in the sea. He loves his native country, Which is just beyond the Rhine, And this love has just been proven On the dreadful firing line. And his men cry, “God save Wilhelm For a man as true as he, Should rule our mighty empire And our islands in the sea.” — Eaythond C. Perkinson, ’17.