Stormed at all the way, we kept on, and no one was hit until we came to
a white house which stood in a clearing. Immediately the officer passed
the gap hell was let loose on us, but we got across safely, and I was
the only one wounded, and that was with a ricochet shrapnel bullet in
the right knee. I knew nothing about it until an hour after, when I had
it pointed out to me. I dug it out with a knife: _Private Smiley, at
Mons_.
“Stand Solid!”
The captain said, “Get up, men; stand solid.” We formed about six
deep. Then we gave them the surprise of their lives. We could just
see a black mass in front of our trenches, and we let out for all we
were worth. We were like devils possessed. I could feel my bayonet go
through something soft. Not a German got his foot in the trench. They
ran down the slopes like rabbits, and to help them we gave them five
rounds rapid: _Pte. D. Hamilton, Royal Scots_.