The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-11-14
(By stephen Doughton, Y. NJ. c. A
Directory

Directory
London. England, Oct 22.-This is
the first blast OF the trumpet sound =
ing the glories of X company, Chat
tanooga's own company. that went
off as a unit into this world war. It
will be many long years before the
last blast of the trumpet will be
heard. for the bravery of Chattanoo-
gas own in taking the toughest part
of the Hindenburg line will live in
history .always.will live in a way
that will make Tennessee prouder
than ever that she of all states is
the Volunteer state.
1t Is only due to the peculiar cir
cumstance that the British official
communique of Oct. 10 publicly
praised the Twenty seventh division
of New York and the Thirtieth divi- :
sion of Tennessee for their work on
the front at st. Quentin In the fight
starting Sept. 20 and lasting well inta
October that the facts concerning the
glories of Tennessee's boys may now
be recounted.
The story of this remarkable fight
ing was told to me by several of the
participants who had been wounded
and were sent to n London hospital
for treatment. Fortunately, all the
cases are those of boys who have
suffered leg wounds. and It can hon
estly be stated that all are in no
danger and practically certain of n
speedy recovery, else they wouldn't
have been sent to u hospital at this
distance.
When old K company marched
70 1,tt tntt IN In, hn ca.,
the Mexican border, and later when
it returned and started in this world
war, it was commanded by Capt.
Ernest Bell, whom all Chattanooga
loves and appreciates MS n great mil
itary man. Capt. Bell was trans
ferred to the headquarters company
and the command of X company of
the old Third Tennessee fell to n
2-year- old boy from Memphis, Cant.
A. w. Brinkley. who despite his youth
has proven a fearless and wonderful
leader.
Capt. Brinkley was n junior at the
University of Tennessee when he de-
cidcd to enter the army. He became
n lieutenant and soon rose to the
rank of captain.
Capt. Brinklcy Is now in hospital
in London, having suffered wounds
that incapacitatcd him from duty, yet
he Is up and about in the hospital
and just longing for chance to re-
turn to duty, which will come at no
distant date.
During Capt. Brinkleys absence
the company is commanded presum-
ably by the next in command, Lieut..
benjamin Moore. graduate OF the
first May training camp at Chatta-
nOOga
Capt Brinkley Is absolutely mod
est. AS to himself or any part he
may have had in the fighting he will
say nothing, but he cannot say too
much for the other officers and men
of the old Third Tennessee,
"They fought like demons-they
fought like the very devil" said
Brinkley. "The hardest thing was to
hold them in check"
Briqaded With British
The old Third Tennessee was part.
OF the Thirtieth division. This divi-
sion and the Twenty seventh from
New York were the only divisions
brigaded with the British. They par
ticipated in the famous British show
in which the st. Quentin canal was
crossed and the Hindenburg line
broken at point where the Ger
mans concluded it was absolutely
imDregnablc.
The Germans had erected their
famous concrete pillboxes. which
were the most substantial kind Of
masonry construction. Yet the Brit
ish with their wonderful organiza-
ton and their limitless feld artillery,
blasted out the plllboxes. allowing
their infantry in company with the
two American divisions TO follow the
harrage and clean UP the Germans
that remained there.
The Americans had much hand-to-
hand fighting. They fought with
wonderful valor. They crossed the
canal. They were present when
piece of Australian artillery was
turned upon the Germans huddled In
the st. Quentin canal tunnel. blow
ing hundreds of them to their doom.
Tho resistance was severe. 1t was
no walk away. II took valiant fight
ing to conquer n foe on line that
always had been supposed to he un-
conouerable. yet these Tennessee and
New York boys, in company with the
British. gained fifteen miles. which
was far bevond their objective. and
also took 5000 prisoners. besides n
quantity Of guns. II was the first
time over for most Of them. yet they
fought like veterans. 1t was the first
serious work that had been intrusted
to them. yet whom one gets n cool
perspective on this war, then and
then only will tho world rcallze what
nm important part of winning the
war was the British show in which
these Yanks participated-the fight
that battered down the Hindenburg