Republican farmer., 1918-04-19
Y ANKLES TWICE IN 24 HOURS HAVE REGA|NED
 TRENCHES IN CHARGES
THEY GO "OVER THE TOP" AND WITH COLD STEEL ROUT ENEMY-MANY DEEDS OF BRAVERY IN FACE OF
 DEATH ARE RECORDED.

With the American Army in France, Wednesday, April 17-i (By the Associated Press)-, American troops operating on the Lorraine sector have taken over control of No Mans Land. Patrolling parties are making almost nightly visits to the Ger man wire entanglements with out encountering any resist ance.
 A party of lieutenant and 12 men has made f1ve-hour trips, penetrating to the German third lines, making maps of German machine gun points and strong points without being seen by the enemy.
 Twice in A hours an American company has assisted French troops in a neighboring sector to regain trenches temporarily taken by the Germans. The company was led by a capatain which took his troops over the top in the face of the most vio- lent machine gun fire and artillery fire. Each time he succeedd in driv- ing out the enemy and inf1icting heavy damage and then strengthening the positions.
 A most pathetic story from the American lines is that of young cor poral who was wounded fatally after fighting for four hours. A piece of shrapnel struck him in the head. He had a grenade in each hand. Giving them to his companions, he said: q guess Pm one. Please
 write to my mother and tell her
 how it happened. But here, take these grenadeS and for Gods sake don't waste them" The corporal fell in faint and died in hospital the next day without re- gaining consciousness.
 At one point on this sector there was only Is yards between the op- l posing trenches. A day before an att tack the Germans threw a note into the American trenctau- It read: What are you. Canadians or Aus l tralians?"
 Come over and find out,'' was
  American soldier.
 The infantryman who related the incident added,
 "I guess they know who we
 are now and they will not be l likely to forget for some time." | One lieutenant in a listening post with a small party of men was cut off from the remainder of the platoon in l &rS4 4@ rockets to signal an American bar rage, but the rockets failed to work. A private then volunteered to run back with the message. He passed through three lines of baFrage fire without being harmed and delivered the message. The American gunners laid down a barrage immediately and saved the lieutenant and his party. Commanders of units that partici- pated in several days fighting last week in company with the French in the Apremont wood sector are finding it difficult to pick out men that espec- iaIly distinguished themselves in the operations.
 One commander said every man acted like hero and it was hard to choose the more deserving ones. One of the most popular men with the sol- diers on this sector is the Rev. Des Valles, a Roman Catholic priest of New Bedford, Mass, who is living with the men in an unofficial capacity, he having come to France as a repre- sentative of the Knights of Columbus,
 When the attacks began Father Des Valles, braving the dangers of shell and machine gun fire, went to the casualty clearing station near the front line to administer to the wounded. He assisted in dressing the injuries of the soldiers and gave each man a word of cheer. He handed out cigarettes to the men who smoked.
 Hes as game as they make them and every inch a soldier" said a doughboy, while other soldiers spoke of the inspiration furnished by the priest.
 Another popular man is a young banker of Springfield, Mass, who was pressed into service as a stretcher bearer. He was the smallest man in the outfit and after several trips be- came so exhausted that he was unable to hold the stretcher. He refused to give up and had his companions tie the stretcher on his wrists with rope so as to enable him to hold the stretcher on the journey from the front line to the dressing station.