My message had reached the Colonel.  The battle of the Marne had begun.

* * * * *

Under a superbly clear sky, lit up by myriads of stars, the brigade, in a high state of delight, crossed the battlefield on returning to camp.  Above our heads the last shells sent by the enemy were bursting in bouquets of fire.  We paid no attention to them.  Meeting some battalions of infantry on their way to reinforce the line, we were asked for news, and shouted:  “Courgivault, Montceau ... taken, lost, then retaken with the bayonet by the brave infantry of the M. Division.  Enemy’s regiments annihilated by our artillery, which has done magnificently....”

Little by little the firing died away along the whole line.  Fires, started by the shells, lit up the battlefield on every side, like torches set ablaze for our glory.  All hearts were filled with joy.  It hovered over the blood-stained country, from which arose a kind of intoxication that took possession of our souls.

How splendid is the evening of a first victory!

IV.  THE JAULGONNE AFFAIR

On September 9, at about eight o’clock in the evening, our advanced scouts entered Montigny-les-Conde at the moment when the last dragoons of the Prussian Guard were leaving it at full speed.  Our pursuit was stopped by the night, which was very dark.  Large threatening clouds were moving across the sky, making it impossible to see ten paces ahead.  Whilst the captains were hastily posting guards all round the village, whilst the lieutenants were erecting barricades at all the outlets and setting sentries over them, the quartermasters had all the barns and stables thrown open.  With the help of the inhabitants they portioned out, as well as they could, the insufficient accommodation among the men and the horses of the squadrons.  In each troop camp fires were lighted under shelter of the walls so that the enemy should not see them.

What a dinner we had that evening!  It was in a large room with a low open roof supported by small beams.  The walls were smoke-blackened and dirty.  On a chest placed near the door I can see still a big pile of ration loaves, thrown together anyhow; and leaning over the hearth of the large fireplace, lit up by the wood fire, was an unknown man who was stirring something in a pot.  Round the large table a score of hungry and jaded but merry officers were fraternally sharing some pieces of meat which the man took out of the pot.

The Captain and I ate out of the same plate and drank out of the same metal cup, for crockery was scarce.  The poor woman of the house ran round the table, consumed by her eagerness to make everybody comfortable.  And in the farthest corner, away from the light, a very old peasant, with a dazed look and haggard eyes, was watching the unexpected scene.  The company heartily cheered Captain C. for his cleverness in finding and bringing to light, from some nook or other, a large pitcher of rough wine.