Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-12-02
BOYS Of 33RD DIV.
CELEBRATE PEACE
WITH TEARS IN EYES
FIGHTING DURING LAST HOURS
BEFORE HOSTlLiTlES CEASED
WAS PARTICULARLY HEAVY
"STAR SPANGLED BANNER"
PLAYED AND BOYS SALUTE AS
NEWS OF THE SIGNING OF THE
ARMiSTlCE is RECEIVED.

How the 33rd Division celebrated
the signing of the armistiee is told in
two very interesting letters received
from France One letter was written
by Col. John Y. Clinnin of the both
infantry and the other was written by
a Chicago man of the 33rd Headquar-
ters. This company and the 129th in
fantry have been stationed together
during the recent heavy fighting on
the Meuse The both infantry is an
Illinois regiment, composed largely OF
the men from the southern and central
parts OF the state.
The letter from Col. Clinnin which
was written to Governor Lowden, says
in part:
This morning at II o'clock the war
ended in most dramatic manner
We were attacking on all fronts at 5
a. III, anu iiUiii iiOIidifu W bN
land the great guns doomed, small
guns ratified and cracked, while the
infantry hoped over and advanced
at all points.
"At S.2l message came to me in
/ the advance OF nay sector 'Armistice
signed; cease firing, signed King
commanding my brigade commander
! THE Germans continued to shell us
1 and after a while our guns replied.
At II o'clock there was a hush, then
dead silence and the woridS greatest
war was ended and recorded on his
tory's pages
THE Illinois division has been en-
gagged in the front line for forty-seven
days. We have gained all detectives
and done our full duty
I'VE sheath our sword, which has
only been drawn in "a righteous cause,
and await the action of final tri
bunal which will fix for all time the
status of nations in war and peace.
America has saved the world from
destruction. Der sons have proved
themselves worthy of their traditions
and people.
They have fought hard and dice
nobly that the world might be free
to all men, regardless of sect, color
class or creed. The product of oul
melting pot has stood the test and W.
are today real American people"
The other letter was written b,
z Sergt John j. Mcmahon of Chicago
who is stationed in the headquarter
of the 33rd division.
; McMahon's letter was written on
! hour after the last shot was fired, an,
} read:
La Guerre finish '--'Vive Ia Amer
ique,' the French people are shoutin
from the housetops,
d THE last shot was fired an hou
ago. Oh, what a grand and gloriou
feeling
when the news was received i
, O'Connor and | were walking int
, a little village occupied by some of on
doughboys. Suddenly we heard th
, Star Spangled Banner played as ne
: er before Everybody stopped at a
, tention and saluted II was very in
. pressive, probably about 200 me
fresh from the trenches.
4. Tears were in the eyes Of many
a these men as they stood there thin
" ing of their fallen comrades wi
c could not share in the greatest m
n ment Of their lives"
e "As We passed. the little villaI
IT church number Of French WON,
IS were standing iby listening to Il
n bells as they started to toll
e "As | approached one of the woI
en- who was wiping her tearstain
li face with her apron, she told /
n these bells were Ginning for the fiji
III time In five years
'l And now all am waiting for
IL the day leave the docks at IIobok
ne bound for my own home