The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-10-02

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very name synonymous of bravery
cannot be entirely credited to the gal
liant Poilu, writes Wilbur Forest In
New York Tribune.
What has inspired the valor OF SOL
diers who have stirred the world with
their deeds throughout the European
war and who have, during the last few
months, fought against numerical SUI
periority with a morale of Crusadersf
The best answer to this question Is
the Poilu's leaders. And no better
illustration of the le~adership'of French
Poilus during this war can be given
today than by quoting brief, terse
citations awarded to French generals
for most conspicuous gallantry-a list
of citations available only now-brief-
est keynotes on which volumes could
have been and probably will be writ
ten later-tabloid stories, many never
before known, which, despite their on
fetal wording, tell the full story of the
French Poilu.
1t has been the inspiration of his
officers from generals down that has
keyed the Poilu to set the example for
American doughboys, who have begun
literally to follow 1t on French battle
fields. The bravery of both Poilus and
doughboys fighting side by side to
stem the German march on Paris may
undoubtedly be traced back to the SUI
preme example set by French generals
for their officers and men.
Many Generals Fall.
The death of a general on the bat
tlefield Is not emphasized when 1t oc-
ours for obvious reasons. Many French
generals have fallen. That which fol-
lows will show that the example they
gave In death has been the force al
lowing French arms to pit pure valor
against numbers until the weight of
America could be thrown into the bal
ance.
General Bridoux, commander of a
cavalry corps, wounded while leading
a reconnaissance, whispered to those
about him before he died:
II die with great joy for my coun-
try; say to the cavalry corps that the
sacrifice of my life must serve them
an example"
The simple citation adds:
"He has given proof of immovable
energy in the command of his corps"
Here Is the story Of General Diou.
commander of an infantry brigade
"Of courage entirely proved, he was
MORALLY wounded In struggling
against a numerically superior enemy
with his brigade, to whom he gave the
best example Of bravery, struck In
their midst with a rifle In his hand"
The following tribute is paid to Gen.
Georges Il. J.. Riberpray, a division
commander:
"Officer generally Of the highest
moral value and beautiful character,
never having known other cares than
those Of the wellbeing of the army
and the accomplishment of his mill.
tary duties; adored by his officers
and men, lie preached contempt OF
danger to them, in each day giving
greatest examples Of courage. He
fell gloriously September IL, 1917
present among his regiments Of the
first line during the height Of com
bat under artillery and machine CUR
fire."
Risks Life Hundred TImes.
Brigadier General C~audrelier, Colon
lal infantry:
"Fell gloriously In examining en-
envy works from the most advanced
trench of his brigade after havins
during the campaign exposed his lift
a hundred times with the utmost con
tempt for danger; wounded previous
ly, he had never interrupted his ser
vice a single day."
Brig. Gen. Grand d'Esnon was killet
leading one Of his battalions In action
Having received the order to hol'
In Vigneul les Hattonchatel. he exc
cuted this order until the momen
he was killed, struck through tn
heart by a bullet, at the head OF
battalion"
The following, longest Of all genel
ais citations, but 10 more length
than thousands Of Poilus have receive
during the war, is that Of Geners
Battaille:
Learning that u positions wer
violently bombarded by enemy arti
lery of heavy caliber, he considere
it his most sacred duty to invest
gate the situation and encourage tn
defenders by his presence II nece'
sary. 1t was at the moment he wa
giving instruction to the chasseuI
Of the Twenty-eighth and Thirtiet
battalions with sangfroid and col
a tempt for danger, which to him wei
habitual, that he was MORALLY strue
by fragments of an enemy shell. E
thus gave, to his last hour, the exar
l. pie Of bravery and greatest of mi
9 tary qualities"
2 Without Fear or Reproach.
Brig. Gen. Lucien Rousseau IL citt
as follows:
IAN officer to whom bravery al
admirable calm were commonplace
il best shown during combats on Il
- Souhro durfun <hn ~nk~onk uuA Z