New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-04-24
CAPTAIN GRISW0LD
KILLS four BOCHES
Then Leads His Men in Daring
Charge to Victory
In HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING

Causes Great Enthusiasm in City
He Is Veteran of Spanish-Ameri-
can War.
How Captain Alfred H. Griswold Of
this city, thrice surrounded by Ger
man soldiers in the town Of Seiche-
prey and in imm ediate danger of be-
ing killed or taken a prisoner Of war,
stubbornly fought them single-handed
and succeeded in killing three with
we'll directed shots from his Colts
automatic and dubbed the fourth to
death with the butt of his pistol, and
then rallied his men together and led
them in the final charge that re-
claimed the town for the American
forces, is graphically told in a cable
gram to the New York World by
their special war correspondent, Jo-
seph w. Grigg.
City Enthused at News.
The first intimation that New Brit
ain people had of Captain Griswold's
act was CLEANED from the columns of
the Herald last night when they read
a brief account Of his being men,
toned in dispatches. Seldom has a
war dispatch caused more interest in
this city than has this one concerning
the valor of one of New Britain's
native sons. Everywhere it has caused
the greatest enthusiasm and, it is
said, has stimulated in no small way
the sale Of Liberty Bonds.
Is Veteran of Spanish War.
Captain Alfred H. Griswold, a vet
eran of "a years service in the Ma
tional Guard, is a veteran of the
Spanish american war when he
served as sergeant in Company I of
the old First Connecticut. Later he
became captain Of this company and
was in command when the city of
Waterbury was put under martial law
at the time of the big strike. A num-
ber Of years ago he was placed on
the reserve list, but was recalled for
active duty at the time of the Mexi-
can trouble two years ago. At the
death of Captain Henry f. Ladbury
Of Company /, Captain Griswold was
given command of that unit and led
it out of New Britain a year ago this
month. When the First and Second
Connecticut regiments were amalga-
mated, Captain Griswold was trans
ferred from Company [ and placed in
command of Company G, which has
in it's personnel number Of Middle
town men as well as some from this
city. Since going across Captain
Griswold has also been detailed as
acting battalion major.
In cabling the story of the great
battle at Seicheprey, the World cor
respondent states that about 1900
German shock troops were thrust
against the American forces in an at
tempt to break through and crush
them and destroy their morale. At
the time his dispatch was filed the
correspondent said that 500 German
dead had been counted and the Am
ericans were once more in possession
of the town from which they had been
temporarily driven. Continuing in de-
tail the correspondent writes:
Capt. Griswo1d Kills Four.
.'I am now able to give the names
of some of the many officers who
greatly distinguished themselves in
this hard fight. The units on the
right end Of the section attacked ap-
pear to have borne the brunt of the
onslaught, Captain Alfred H. Girls
void of New Britain, being under the
heaviest fire of all. Capt. George G.
Freeland and Capt. Joseph Felsted,
both of New Haven, Machine Gun
Captain Parker and Lieut. Pickett of
Hartford were not SO badly hit.
cit was to Captain Griswold to
whom / referred in my dispatch of
yesterday as having been surrounded
at least three times, and apparently
captured in each case, but who, with
an automatic pistol, killed four Ger
mans. using the butt of his weapon
on the head of the fourth. He is re-
ported as having finally led his men
in the charge that re-took the village
of Seicheprey."
Before leaving for the front Cap
tain Criswold was employed in this
citv as a mechanic and lived with his
wife and family at 217 Shuttle
Meadow avenue.
Another Brave Soldier.
a story Of another instance of in
dividuaI bravery is also related pN
the World correspondent, but no
name is mentioned. His account OIL
the thrilling incident follows:
zone of the most conspicuous acts
of bravery vet recorded among the
American forces in France goes to
the credit of an American soldier of
| German ancestry. 1t was through his
| fearlessness under fire and his devo-
| tion to his friend that the latter is
now convalescing in a hospital while
the German-American himself has
won an enviable position with his
| whole regiment.
| TN a recent raid by Americans one
/ ,,,,o,,ican soldier was hit by she'll
| G,.a and his leg was severed above
| tho knee. His German Am erican
conrade. despite the heavy fire, stop