Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-10-15

lAmong these troops the crack German
regiment, the 2sth and the 9th Prussial
Guards.
Belleau Wood Was taken and held
and has now been christened "Boiss dc Il
Brigade de Marines''. It is the fight fol
these woods which George Patullo q
vividly described in the Saturday Even
Ing Post Of August S1st in his article
entitled "Hell&ood".
During this struggle for Belleau
Wood, two battalions of the Third
American Division were sent 10 to sup
port the Second Division. It was theiI
hrst time In line, but they held ths
position through Belleau Wood and nm
I'll the Marines had taken Q much needed
rest. The marines then went back into
position and held until relieved by The
Yankee Division. This was accom-.
plished on July 4tb, when our New
England boys Of the 26th Division took
over the line held by the Marines,
and occupied Q sector extending about
FIVE and . half miles, from Torcy on the
north to Chateau Thierry on the south.
The French we're operating in articula.
tion on the right and left TANKS.
On July 11th, as they took up their
position In the Chateau Tbierry line,
General Edwards, as commander of the
26th Division, issued the following order
to his troops:
Headquarters Goth Division
American Expeditionary Force
France, July II, 1918. :
GonApal Ordass NJ Qn
l. At tho moment that the 26.h
Division takes up its position on its
third sector 10 three months 1t is fitting
and proper that the division commander
should take this opportunity to thank
and congratulate the officers and men
of the Yankee Division on the record
that they have achieved since the
Division actively took its place in the
fighting lines of the Allies for the com.
mon cause.
2. You have been taken from q
sector where In three battles You have
shown that the blood of New England
has not attenuated and that the spirit
and traditions which your forefathers
made glorious at Lexington and Bunk or
Hill still survive in the generation which
at Bois Brule, Seicheprey, Humbert
Plantation and Xivray have met and
defeated the picked troops of the
enemy. His four years experience in
active warfare and the ferocity of his
methods have not daunted you, and on
every occasion where you have been
called upon to face him you have dis.
tiDguished yourself with notable valor
and brought credit upon your division
upon the people of New England from
which you have como to engage In this
righteous conflict.
8. A great honor has been conferred
upon the whole division In that the
French and American High Command
has at this time picked your division to
come into this critical sector. That you
have been so hurried to this sector Ia the
evidence to you ell of the opinion of the
High Command Of the mettle in which
this division is constituted.
4. The past months In battle have
brought men and officers into that close
union of confidence and affection which
have resulted in the growing morale of
this division. Looking back on the past
four months With its spotless record and
known achievements which have been
recognized by both France and America.
It is with unqualified faith In the future
and pride In the past that see the Goth
Division 60 into new sector, certain in
my conviction that the men of New
England will prove once more that they
are capable of every effort and every
sacrifice which the future may demand
of them.
G. R. EDWARDS,
Major General, Commanding.
From July 9th to July 18th, It was
quiet on the sector from Torcy to
Chateau Thierry. On the latter date,
however, the Germans launched their
great drive on front extending from
Chateau Thierry to the east of Rheims,
and aimed across the Msrne, towards
Epernay and Chalons, their grand OBJ
jectives. The story of how American
troops stood fast against the savage
rush Of the Germans, how they counter.
attacked at Crezanoy, and drove the
Huns back across the Marne, infcting
terrific losses, is already familiar history
to American readers. 1t is also known
how General Gouraud and the French
stopped the Germans In their drive to
the east Of Rheims.
This great German offensive halted by
American troops, Foch at once took the
initiative, and on the evening of the
seventeenth of July the Goth Division
received orders to 60 over the top Q,
4:30 the next morning. The objective
assigned to tho 103rd Regiment was the
town OF Toroy. The 104th Regiment
was assigned Bslleau Wood lying to the
east of Torcy. The attack was started
with heavy barrsge, and at 4:30 the
Maine boys went over the top. They
took Torcy 10 twenty-five minutes. In
forty-flve minutes they had overrun
Torcy, taken the trenches on both sides
of the town, moppsd up the village, and
consolidated their positions ready for q
counter.attack. Sergeant Harvey
Butler Of Whitefeld, since recommended
for the distinguished service medal, was
In charge Of platoon of forty-three
men, mostly Augusta boys, who entered
the town and, In less than half hour,
mopped up some two com mpanIes of Ger.
mans, concealed with machine guns, In
dugouts, In the upper stories Of the
stone dwellings, and In trees. Few
prisoners were taken.
Meantime the 104th Regiment, to the
east, had not Jared 80 we'll. They failed
to take Besleau Wood plateau under the
first bsrrage. Another was laid sl
| eight O'Clock in the morning, but this
attack also failed In the face of the
desperate German resistance. At ten
O'Clock. however under cover Of q third
bsrrage, the plateau was taken and the
Germans driven out. During this time
the 103d were exposed to artillery fire
from Belleau Plateau and had beer
obliged to protect their flank with
| machine guns and infantry, In case the
Germans should finally hold their posi-
tions there.
The manoeuvre being executed by thu
Allies at this time was swinging Of ths
whole Scissor. Chateau Thierry line, tt
the east on the latter city - q pivot
When the 103 went over the top on ths
morning of July 18th, General Manglr
was launching an attack south 0
Scissor. The 32d American Division
was aiding him In this move.
The French operating north OF ths
10Sd Regiment we're held up In theil
advance BY strong enemy maohine-gur
/ nest at Monthlers. The third battalion
of the 108d Regiment consisting of thi
Augusts, Eastport, Houfton and Farm
ington companies. by . well.executet
flank attack dislodged the Germsus, snt
aided the French 10 their advance. Th,
French general In command, sent I
letter to General Edwards. In which. b,
i "a alad khak hia .haak fxoona amid han,