Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1918-11-15
rs The
Won
FOUGHT UP TO
LAST MINUTE
Americans on Western Front
Engage in Fierce Combat Just
Before Cessation of HOstil-
ities-Ali Celebrate.

An Associated Press Dispatch from
Parls, dated Monday morning, says:
When dawn came this mornina
there was not hint of cessation of
hostilities. East of u!,a Meuse the
American second army attacked in
force at enght o'clock.
The onslaught wa3 preceded by q
tremendous barrage which was re-
turned by the enemy. For three hours
the Americans swept forward, hurl-
ing themselves against the wire eh-
tanglements.
The German gunfire was devastat-
ing. Then, at exactly one minute o.,
eleven, like final thunder crash of
the clearing of storm, the guns on
both sides abruptly ceased.
The silence was more startling than
the deafening roar of the barraEe.
For brief minute intermittent rifle
fire followed; then came pause,
punctuated by ripping cheers from
the trenches on both sides of the line.
What followed on one sector was
perhaps one Of the most singular
events of the wara. Against the sky
line figures were suddenly silhbuetteu.
They appeared cautiously at first,
but soon, growing bolder all along the
line, they stood upright. These were
Germans.
The Americans were not so eau
tious. AS the barrage died, ending In
;a final husky rumble in the distance
,springing along the fire line. In
;stantlv comprehending, the whole line
of doughboys leaped from trenches,
fox holes and shell craters, splitting
the unaccustomed silence with shrll
cheer. The roar of voices was like
an outburst at some great college con-
test in America when contestant
scores a classic play.
Strange to relate, the defeated en-
emy Joined vociferously in the cheer
ing. The world war was finished.
At one minute before eleven it
would have meant death to show ones
self above shelter. Not more than a
Eliute aaftetr THE hour the rolling
plain was alive with cheering, shout
ing men, so recently deadly foes Nor
many minutes latetr Germans and
Americans were coming along the
narrow stretch of ground, some shy
ly and awkwardly, like embarrassed
schoolboys. The first advances fol-
loked by offers from thte Americans
of cigarettes, chocolates and chewing
gum. The Germans in some places
reciprocated with offers of hot coffee,
bread and sausage.
The order forbidding fraternizing
was strict, but the novelty of the sit
nation at times overcame prudence,
and doughboys surreptitiously visited
nearby enemy dugouts. Along the
barbed wire at road crossing some
doughboys and Germans began brisk
were bewildered by thet number of
Americans speaking German.
"Sure, my old man was born in
Germany" laughingly remarked one
stalwart private.
"That's nothing" said another, "my
mother and father were both born
there"
A middle aged landstrumer ex-
claimed:
eyes, the war is finished, thank the
good God. My only wish is to get
back to Germany"
A slender, pink-cheeked machine
gunner said: "Yes, know the kai-
ser ras abdicated"
Instantly q young aristocrat raised
his voice: "There will be no revolu-
tlon in Germany, new emperor will
succeed"
An uproar Immediately arose. The
speaker was drowned out by protest
ing voices. Then the Germans began
offering the Americans such news and
gossip as they knew. The approach
Of an officer broke up the conversa-
tions.
Tonight the Germans are celebrat-
ing peace along the lines by firing
flares, rockets and signal lights. The
night is uproarious with their cheer
ing: The victorious Americans are
taking it more calmly.
Along the front the majority of
them are getting a good nights rest.
Behind the lines towns are brilliant
ly lighted for the first time in four
years. French and Americans are
parading the streets arm in arm.
singing the Marseillaise, the Star
Spangled Banner and French and
American war songs.