The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-05-29

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With the American Army in France
Tuesday May 2s.-(By Associated Press
The American line now runs $50 to 200
yards east of Cantigny as a result OF
the successful attack to-day. The near
est German trench is several hundred
yards east of where the Americans have
dug in. The Germans il has been found,
had many outposts and machine gun en-
placements in Cantigny
Americas first offensive blow was
struck in mist The French tanks ap-
parently did not have much TO do as the
American artillery already had prepared
the way. A bright sun came out and
shone on the Americans as they dug in
their new positions.
As the Americans started out across
No Mans Land there were many jokes
about "eating Boche for breakfast" The
Americans fought as though they were
veterans and there was no hesitation
when the officers sprang forward and
shouted: Come on, boys"
Several officers, describing the scene,
agreed that the outstanding feature in
their minds was the wonderful morale of
the men and their absolute confidence in
chine gun bullets all around the Amer
leans as they were digging in, but no at
tention was paid to thenH as Jokes and
quips We're handed back and forth.
The demeanor of the men wounded in
the action was found similarly cheerful
when the correspondent visited the field
hospital this afternoon. He saw stretched
out on their cots number of these
Americans, for the most part only slight
" wounded, who acted like school boys
returned from great day of sport,
smoking cigarettes, eagerly relating their
personal experiences and laughing loudly
It the humorous incidents.
Lieut.. George p. Butler, formerly an
lttorney in Indianapolis, who was slight
Y wounded in the leg, said that going
'ver the top was like a maneuver in
he training camp back home. The men
we're eager for it, he said, and some of
hem remained up in the trenches all
light talking about the approaching ad-
enture with cheerful anticipations.
when we reached Cantigny,' he add
d, lit was only a pile of bricks and
tones. Our artillery had levelled the
own. The German machine gun bullets
'ere buzzing about like humble bees, but
ur fellows did not pay any more at
sntion to them than if they had been
,nfetti.
ut was the finest example of team
ork | ever saw. There was not
Itch anywhere. The men cracked Jokes
nd sang, but they were businesslike in
leir work"
Lieut.. Albert E. Billings of Brooklyn,
u, who also was slightly wounded,
as brought to the hospital and placed
! cot adjoining that of Lieut.. Butler.
S soon as their eyes met they clasped
lnds and greeted each other like long
st brothers
at was great show. wasn't it ?" Bill
lgs said. Gee, / wish the folks at
,me could have seen it. | wouldn't
I'VE missed it for the world.
Lieutenant Leonard Wood said he did
It see on American fall during the days
tack. 1T was more exciting than
otball game" he added I'VE have got
e Huns on the run. All we need is
Dre Americans and then we shall lick
en-"
The Americans penetrated the German
sitions to a depth of nearly a mile
eir artillery completely smothered the
rmans; the roar of the American guns
lld be heard for many miles in the
IT. Several fires are burning behind
, German lines.
Twelve French tanks supported the
lericsn infantry.
The German prisoners include men
m Bavarian and a Silesian regiment.
ne of them as young as IL or is and
ers between As and so All are poorly
thed and appeared to be underfed
The Germans trooped out of their dug
5 when they saw the futility of resist
e. their hands held up, shouting
amersdi' Apparently they were glad
surrender. One of them said he did
want TO fight, but had been com
ed 10 do so.
he garrison at Csntigny was all sc-
nted for. The men either surrendered
we're killed. Many German dead were
,wn over the ground.