New-York tribune., 1918-05-08
Our Soldiers
LikeDenonsn i'm
Whipping Foe
Defeated Picked Prussians
in First Fight, Says DR..
Ellis, an Eyewitness

AN ATLANTIC PORT, May 7.-Dr.
William T. Ellis. writer, of Swarth-
more, Penn, who saw the American
troops in their first big independent
fight with the Germans, three weeks
ago, reached this port to-day on
French liner. Giving the first eye
witness account of the battle, DR.. Ellis
declared the Americans fought like
story book heroes. and won complete
victory over picked Prussian troops.
81 chanced to be the only corre-
spondent at this part of the American
front when the Boche attacked, the
other men having gone to see the
Somme drive" said Dr. Ellis. "The
action lasted five days, during which l
stayed at the brigade headquarters.
Captured Many Germans
1--WE never gave an inch to the storm
troops. and we did not lose single
prisoner, though we captured two
truckloads of the Germans. Our cas-
ualties were heavy, but the Germans
lost three or four to our one, about
the proportion they outnumbered us.
american history has no brighter
incident than this fight, with its in
Vulnerable instances of individual hero
ism. The troops in the action / wit
messed were from Massachusetts, and
were holding the line on the Toul
sector. They fought like demons.
"If I had not been on the spot l
stances of bravery - motion-picture
stuff you might call it. One captain,
from Boston, who was dry goods
merchant at home, was in the trench
when German sappers started to move
forward, preparatory to raid.
Captain Leads Men
"This captain ripped off his shoulder
straps to prevent Identification by the
Germans and seized a rifle. ITO hell
with the saps,' he shouted to his men,
and went over the top in the lead.
"Well, they captured that German
trench and came back with prisoners,
the captain being unharmed. Another
case out of scores is that of little
private, Greek. He was taking part
in a desperate hand-to-hand engage
ment, when his gun was shot out of
his hands. A German officer, a lieu
tenant. was upon nim, on the point of
into him, when the American pulled
out his knife, and, with the same move
ment, slashed up the German, killing
him instantly.
- Nothing can be said in praise of
the Americans that is too extravagant.
The quality and performance of our
men are beyond praise, but we must
increase their numbers even more
rapidly than we are now doing. This call
cannot be too strongly expressed.
Suppose we keep at home most of the
commissions and investigators such
as are now cluttering up France, and
give their room on the ships to fighting
men,"
Finds Men in Fine Shape
Concerning the condition of the
American troops in France, DR.. Ellis
said:
81 made full and rather careful
study of the question, and beyond all
controversy, the health and spirits and
morals of our men are better than
when they were in civil life at home.
Anybody who says that our soldiers
have been debauched by going to
France either does not know the facts
or is fanatic to whom facts have no
meaning.
"But America is not giving the men
square deal in delaying for months
their letters and their pay. This twin
grievance is the only serious complaint
of the army, officers and men alike.
If we are not able to get their letters
and their pay to the soldiers on time,
we may we'll question whether we have
the efficiency of organization to beat
Germany.
eff / could say one sentence to
America, it would be, Send more men
to France; send them more letters and
sec that these letters are promptly de-
livered."