The English of military communications — John Shaqi
The English of military communicationsGanoe, William Addleman
History
The English of military communications
Ganoe, William Addleman
English language -- Rhetoric; Military orders; United States. Army -- Records and correspondence
3. You are 1st Sergeant James in charge of a combat patrol from
the 38th Infantry which is on outpost duty for the 8th Division at
Granite Hill (5, bottom). In passing the house at 5-E the farmer
tells you that yesterday at noon he saw about one hundred and fifty
saddle-horses in a lot near the cross-roads in Hunterstown. On
questioning him further he tells you that there were quite a lot of
soldiers about, having a good time, and wearing the enemy’s uniform.
You keep on your course. When you arrive at the orchard near 603 it
is after nightfall. You hear voices and laughing at the northern edge
of the orchard just south of the “6” in 603. You sneak up until you
can make out four of the enemy’s infantrymen sitting about a little
fire. You charge with bayonets fixed, kill three and capture one. He
is half drunk on apple-jack and talks freely. He says his brigade
is in bad shape, has marched four days and nights without stopping,
has a big outpost at Woodside School House, and that he himself is
with a bunch of the advance cavalry in the town. At a quarter of
ten at night you hand your message to a member of your patrol for
delivery. You then proceed along the road toward 549, looking for
more information. You arrive there, having seen nothing of value, the
next day at 7 a. m., July 18, 1940.
4. On June 21, 1920, you are a first lieutenant in charge of an
officer’s patrol from the 80th Cavalry which is operating as
Independent Cavalry for the 190th Division. It is six o’clock in
the evening when as you are riding along the road from Texas to
Biglerville, three of the enemy jump out upon you. In the struggle
which ensues the three are overpowered and sabred by your superior
force. You search the dead men, but find nothing upon them but
ornaments indicating they belong to the 27th Cavalry. You dismount,
tie your horses in the orchard near the word Stiner, and proceed with
two of your men along the railroad track toward Biglerville. Near 626
you look toward the town to find the space between you and it well
dotted with tents. Placing your men well under cover in the woods,
you lie down in the culvert at 626. Before taps is blown in the
enemy’s camp, from conversations which have gone on in your vicinity,
you have learned that a regiment of cavalry has been encamped there
for two days, that no other force is about, and that the regiment
will move out at five the next morning, marching toward Goldenville.
You write your message at 9:15 p. m. After it is sent, you take up
your position again in the culvert.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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