Professor
Danny Crooks found this at the Historical Society in Charleston, South
Carolina. Prof. Crooks says ``So, my impression is that for a young man from
Russia who came to America in 1906 and enlisted, he was quite intelligent. And,
he and Brux must have had a very special bond for
Louis to take time to compose the piece. Other documents in the file attest to the
popularity of Lieutenant Brux as a fine leader, but Louis Poskanzer went further,
writing a poem about his deceased lieutenant``
Word of Brux's death in WWI was received by his men with great
sorrow.
Private
Louis M. Poskanzer wrote this poem in memory of his commanding officer:
Our late
Lieut. Brux
I am sitting
and thinking
what to write
or do
a vision flashes in front of me
of our late
Lieut. Brux
We had a
first lieut. in our co.
his name was
Cecil d. Brux
he was
popular with the boys
and his
friendship was very true
He came to
France ahead of us
and became
our town major
he told us
stories about the front
and warned us
against the danger
He was taken
to the hospital
when we left
the St. Die sector
but came back
the 26th of October
and became
our company commander
He jollied us
along
when shells
were thick overhead
he cheered
the men up
everyone that
felt sad
He felt sad
on the morning of Oct. 28th
as nine of
our men fell
by the
terrific explosion
of a big
German shell
We moved a
little to our left
and jumped
ahead of the 90th Division
he made sure
that his men were jolly
and had enough
provision
One morning
as we ate breakfast
he told us
stories of fame
he said
"boys I have a hunch
that there is
a shell with my own name"
Of course we
jollied with him
in his old
usual way
he said
"I may not die yet
but they will
get me some day"
The shells
were flying around us
he formed us
into battle line
he gave each
man courage
he himself
felt very fine
On the day of
November 3rd
at the hour
of four o'clock
word was
passed along the line
which gave us
an awful shock
We sent up a
prayer
for our
commander who fell
for he got
hit through the back
with a big
piece of shrapnel
We were left
without a commander
on top of a
hill
just a little
to the left
of a town by
the name of Aincreville
He died on
the field of honor
for we all
know
he gave his
life for his country
and the flag
that he loved so
He wont be
forgotten
our First
Lieut. Brux
for he fought
under our flag
the red white
and blue
composed by
Pvt. Louis M. Poskanzer
Co. B, 61st Inf.
5th Div. a.p.o. 745 A. E.
F. 7.