After a few minutes, the Major took out his Bull Durham and started rolling a cigarette, saying: “I have a little problem for your companies to do tomorrow morning,” quite as he had been saying any afternoon for the past year. Then he went on to explain. The great Argonne drive was to begin the next morning. It was to be a surprise attack, preceded by only a couple of hours’ artillery preparation. We were to make a demonstration, a sham attack, with the object of keeping the enemy guessing for a few hours as to where the real blow was to fall, and so to delay his concentration of troops to meet the main drive. The 312th Inf. on our left, and the 90th Div. on our right, were to advance several kilos. We were to advance about half a kilo, to approximately the line 368.3-243.4; 369.5-242.3. This line we were to hold, and the units on our flanks were gradually to fall back and re-establish the outpost line on us as a guide. We would have no barrage, but there would be an hour of concentration fire--that is, our artillery would shell points in the sector of the advance like crossroads, probable strong points, battery positions, etc. Zero hour was 5:30 A. M. At that moment we were to cut loose with all our small arms fire. The battalion scouts had reported that there were no Germans for 500 meters to the front, but this Fourth of July stuff was to get the enemy’s wind up. The arrangements for supplies and liaison were soon made. We had had no chance to use any ammunition, and about all we asked for was water and food. Foulkes said that orders had arrived at Regtl. Hdq. detailing me to report to the Army School of the Line at Langres on Oct. 1st. I thought of the men we had buried that morning, and reflected grimly that I should probably not matriculate. When the Major finished his instructions, we sat quiet for a moment. Then Fleischmann said “Well, come on, Daddy; we’ve got a lot to do before dark,” and we set out. As we climbed Dead Man’s Hill, the Boche balloon saw us, and they amused themselves by sniping at us with a couple of 88’s. We kept about 20 yards apart, so that if one was potted the other could see to the attack. It was rather like playing “Going to Jerusalem.” We would linger by a good shell hole and then hustle for the next one; and of course the shells would always catch us between two holes, and we would have to flop into some six inch puddle. On arriving at Co. Hdq. I sent for the platoon commanders and sergeants. Welch and McGarrity were left in command of the 3rd platoon; I had perfect confidence in their ability to handle it after their showing two nights before. I knew that the moment we opened fire the German barrage would drop. If he hadn’t shortened his range since Monday night we would have it behind us. If he had, we would have to go through it anyhow, and the sooner the better.