Ripley County democrat., 1918-02-22
Tells OF BURIAL
OF US. SOLDIERS
General Pershing Sends Official
Report Of Funeral Of Amer
lean Heroes.
TRIBUTE BYFRENCA GENERAL
Soldiers Of France and United States
Surround Grave as General Bor-
deaux Eulogizes Dead-suq-
gests Monument Inscription.


washington, d. C.-The war DEPART
ment has received from General Per-
shing a copy Of the record describing
the funeral services for the three
American soldiers who were killed In
the Germans first trench raid against
United States troops on November 8.
The papers bear the following indorse-
ment from Major General William L.
Sibert:
FORWARDED recommending that the
request of General Bordeaux to have
the remains Of the men left at Bathele-
mont be favorably considered"
The record, including the address of
General Bordeaux, In part says:
by command of General Bordeaux,
French division, the bodies of Corporal
Gresham, Private Enrlght and Private
Hay, company f. Sixteenth infantry,
were Inferred with religious and mill
tary ceremony at Bathelmont on the
afternoon of November A.
lmprovlsed Altar Used.
IAN altar was improvised and elabo-
rately decorated in the village. The
chaplain Of French regiment con-
Quoted the church services.
FOLLOWING the church ceremony the
cortege proceeded to a field adjacent
to the village and formed on three
sides Of a square, the bodies being
placed In front Of the graves on the
fourth side. An American flag, pro-
vlded by the French, had been placed
over the caskets.
"At two O'Clock General Bordeaux.
accompanied by his full staff, his in
fantry, artillery and engineer chiefs
and a representative Of the French
corps commander, arrived and took
position.
"The troops presented arms and the
French field music and band played
a funeral march. The chaplain per-
formed the religious ceremony at the
graves. Then General Bordeaux ad-
Iyanced to the center of the square and
addressed the troops and then the
dead. A copy Of his address Is at
tached.
"The company Of United States In.
fantry fired three volleys and It's trum-
peter sounded taps. All the troops
were then marched by the graves, SO.
lutng as they passed. General Bor-
deaux and his staff advanced to the
graves, saluted and departed.
Throughout the ceremony at the
graves French batteries from their Do
sitions, fred minute guns, over the
village at the German trenches.
"The entire ceremony was most i'm
pressive."
French Commanders Tribute.
The address OF General Bordeaux In
part was as follows:
In the name of the Eighteenth division.
In the name Of the French army. and ir,
the name Of France. I bid farewell 10
Corporal Gresham Private Enrfght and
Private Hay OF the Sixteenth infantry,
American army.
OF their own free viii. they had left
their happy and prosperous country To
come over here They knew that the war
continued In Europe; they knew that the
FORCES hghting for honor. love, Justice,
civilization were stfll checked by the long
prepared forces which are serving the
powers OF brutal domination, oppression.
ha r1Q rifV ThoV Imam haA
still necessary. They wished to give us
their help; and also their generous hearts
did not forget old historical memories,
while others forgot more recent ones.
They ignored nothing Of the circum-
stances. Nothing had been concealed from
them-neither the length nor hardships OF
this war, nor the violence OF the battle.
nor the dreadfuiness Of the new weapons
nor the perfdy Of the foe Nothing stop
ped them.
They had accepted to lead hard ana
strenuous life; they had crossed the ocean
despite great peril; they had taken their
place on the fNont by our side; they have
fallen, facing the foe. In q hard and des-
perate hand to hand fight. Honor to
them! Their families, their friends and
their fellow citizens will be proud when
they learn Of their death.
e2ohs Ahcoc graves, tu6 uF3I TO Do aug
In our national soil, at but short dis
tance from the enemy, are as O mark OF
the mighty hand Of our allies, firmly
clinging to the common task, confirming
the will OF the people and army or the
United States, to fight with us to finish,
ready to sacrifice as long as II win be
necessary, until final victory for the no.
blest Of causes, that Of the liberty of ma
tions, the weak as wen as the mighty.
Thus, the death OF this humble cor
poral and Of these two private soldiers
appears to US with extraordinary grand
eur.
We will, therefore, ask that the mortal
remains Of these young men be left here
be left to us forever. We viii inscribe on
their tombs:
Here lie the first soldiers Of the
United States Republic to fall on
the soil Of France for Justice and
Liberty"
The passerby win stop and uncover
his head. The travellers OF France, OF the
allied countries, OF America, the men Of
heart who will come to visit our battle
field Of Lorraine. viii 90 out OF their way
to como here to bring to these graves the
tribute Of their respect and OF their
gratefulness
Corporal Gresham, Private Enright.
Private Haydn the name OF France,
thank you. God receive your souls Fare
a.