no cover for the men, who were ensconced in
bivouacs, except a few who were in an old disused trench close by,
only a couple of them were hit. The officers were rudely awakened by
large splinters entering their tent, and only just missing their heads
as they lay on their valises, while the sergeants had a most
miraculous escape. They had formed a Mess in a bay of the trench, the
sides supported and heightened by some of the Q.M.S.'s stores, and
covered on top by a large tarpaulin. A shell dropped practically on
top of them, fortunately detonating instantly against several (p. 066)
boxes of iron rations, which undoubtedly contributed to saving their
lives. An officer arrived on the scene immediately afterwards, and
found them all lying unconscious as the result of the explosion, but
they soon revived and took a stout part in rescuing the horses. The
construction was completely wrecked, and the clothes they wore were
stripped into ribbons, but only one of them had a scratch on him.

No delay was made in attending to the wounded horses, and in conveying
the remainder to a place of safety. The drivers were all splendidly
cool and collected under the trying circumstances, but many of the
poor beasts were beyond human aid, and had to be destroyed.

The scene next morning was a gruesome one, and it was a most pathetic
sight to watch the drivers, with tears running down their cheeks,
bidding a last farewell to their lost charges before burial, for the
men become exceedingly attached to their four-legged comrades,
especially when they have had charge of them for a considerable time.
No time was lost in selecting a new locality, as it was considered
wise to get out of the salient altogether, and thus avoid the risk of
incurring further unnecessary casualties; so the wagon lines were
removed to the vicinity of Ruyaulcourt.

A spell of hard frost set in, with an occasional fall of snow, which
added to our difficulties as well as to our discomforts, for it must
be remembered that both battery position and wagon line were occupied
at a moment's notice, and no time could be spent in making any
preparations beforehand for our reception. Affairs were now settling
down for the winter, and nothing unusual was taking place beyond a
good deal of artillery activity on both sides, consequently we were
only awaiting orders to withdraw from the line. These came through in
a few days' time, and the Brigade pulled out in the middle of Dece