The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-11-09

to contend with in addition to the rain
and mud. We have great difficulties
in getting supplies and ammunition,
for there is only one good road here.
That is terribly congested, and the
others are almost impossible, despite
the work of the engineers to keep
them open. Trucks, guns, caissons,
wagons, etc, are stuck in the mud in
all directions. AS you get close to the
front the only way to make any time
is on foot.
lone splendid thing about this big
fight is that the boches don't seem to
have much artillery at this point, so
our losses in this respect are slight,
six wounded the first two days and
nobody hurt since. OF course, there
have been numerous narrow escapes
and a number of officers and men have
had to go to the hospital, due to eX-
haustion, exposure, and uncertain
meals. This whole thing is tremen-
dous and far beyond anything | ever
expected to see.
THE German defense system which
we have taken has splendid new dug
outs and gun positions mingled with
the old ones so plainly that they were
prepared to stay here all winter They
evidently did not expect any attack
in this sector, but were sure they
could hold.
"Pershing's communique of Septem-
Der q tells of our days advance,
towns we have captured, and mentions
the Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Mis-
souri, troops. The Pennsylvania troops
are the Twenty-eighth division, ana
they certainly did their share. The
infantry, engineers, machine gunners,
etc, are doing their best to keep up.
Battery F yesterday captured three
German 77-mm. guns, one or which
they were able to repair and fire
against the boche with his own am
munition. l had the extreme pleasure
of firing two shells myself. ] hope to
be able to bring the gun to Wilkes
barre as trophy after the war. 1t is
No. 1851 and the One Hundred and
| Ninth claims 1t as its own. The regi-
ment was highly complimented the
night before last for work done that
day."
Col Miners second letter is written
few days later.
II have had two more strenuous
days in this great battle and have
seen more misery and suffering than
at any time heretofore. Lieut.. Col.
Harvey was wounded in the leg. He
has done splendid work and Is brave
and cool under fire. Lieut.. Lyon was
wounded and Lieut.. Grubbs of F. bat
terry was killed. Fine young officers,
recently attached to us.
81 visited the batterie today which
have had losses. l was especially
touched with boy from Battery A,
who had his hand shattered When /
spoke to him he broke down and /
said: You're all right, my boy; don't
lose your nerve. Remember you be-
long to the One Hundred and Ninth.
He Immediately replied: Colonel, my
nerve is all right, but I'm so afraid l
won't get back to the battery with this
hand
81 told him I'm see that he got back
as soon she left the hospital. There
was another boy from this same bat
terry lying near him having three bad
shell splinter wounds dressed without
a whimper. Isn't that spirit of my
boys remarkable? The tale OF their
heorism will never be told.
"The boches counter attacked here
last night with esmall division of L.
500 men and were repulsed with a
heavy loss by one battalion of the One
Hundred and Ninth infantry OF 800
men and some machine guns, assisted
with our barrage, The boche lines got
within fifty meters OF our infantry
line, but we're stopped there"