Perrin, with authority from Gen. Joffre to conduct us
anywhere we chose to go, providing it was safe.
From there to Epernay, where we had luncheon, and then to
Chalons-sur-Marne, where was stationed the chef d'etat-major. There they
told us it was possible to go to Rheims, although the bombardment had
been rather severe the day before. So we turned northwest and proceeded
to Rheims, passing by Conde-sur-Marne and Verzy. Here we passed many
troops, who, although fagged, seemed to be in very good condition, and
we arrived at Rheims at 4:30, proceeding directly to the cathedral,
where I remained until dark, talking and visiting the monument with the
Cure Landrieux and the Abbe Thinot, who had been in charge of the
cathedral from the commencement.
The next day I was again at the cathedral, from 7:30 in the morning
until 4:30 in the afternoon, visiting it in every particular,
endeavoring to realize the damage done, whether intentionally inflicted
or not. The following is as near as I am able to ascertain the different
phases of the bombardment:
Four Bombs on First Day.
On Sept. 4, when the Germans first entered Rheims, there was a first
bombardment by their guns, interpreted by the Germans themselves as
either a mistake or caused by the jealousy of some corps not allowed
that privilege.
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