New Britain herald., 1918-10-22

but with fixed bayonets and all our ammunition we doubled time for three kilometres C IA niles) to a town that was just set atire by the retreat ing Huns. ! was never so tired in my life, but I was never so eager either and the way all those tired fellows re- sponded that morning when the cap tain said "double time" thrilled me with new pride.
 The four p1atoOns to the Hanks and
 my platoon marched straight in. Just as we were about a, hundred yards from the first building we saw about forty Roche with a wagon load of machine guns. As soon as they spied us they made a move to set up the guns but as they did forty-six Spring. fields were brought to the position of aim and every man had a target The Hun officer immediately threw up his hands and was followed by all the others. It's a damn good thing for them that they did not fire a shot for hardly had they put their hands up when three husky platoons rushed with bayonets from all Hanks and even at that it was hard trying to hold them back. Then we secured the
 town and found more of them. Tn the
 meantime the French people who were held prisoners there for four years rushed up and down the streets
 crying: The Americans have come
 the Americans are here-God bless
 the Americans soldiers, our saviors and
 hberators." One Frenchman about 70
 years of age rushed to the largest
 house in the town and hoisted the
 French flag for the first time since
 the war started. The French women
 and children grabbed us and almost
 chOked us to death. After we cleaned
 out the town the French people made
 coffee for us and treated us like kings.
 Naturally they all started to get ready
 for a trip to the interior of France to
 their relatives so the Yankee heart
 opened and we emptied our pockets of
 all the money we had. They told us
 that if it were not for the American
 Red Cross they would have starved
 long ago. That morning they served
 us American coffee, sugar and milk.
 We stayed there until about 12 o'clock and then went back with our prisoners and booty. We captured several
 towns similar to that, a train of am munltlon and any number of machine guns. The poor French people will never get through singing the praises of the Americans.
 When we got back to our packs it was then 36 hours since we slept out side of that 45 minutes We fell
 asleep again and four hours later started on what would be called a forced march. In other words we had to make it. Believe me, MT. Toomey, it was a tough one but without a murmur or grumbIe, the boys went at it and we marched 19 kilometers and connected the links of the whole line. It was a splendid achievement I will confess. We established the new line ana with the help of our good Lord
 we are at the front and holding it now.
 When we arrived just outside the town we sent three of our platoons to the Hanks and one went straight in. This is the work for which we enlisted and the only reward we ask 1 is more strength to carry our work on further
 One of the main reasons for my 1 writing you at this time is on account | of Eddie. In this war personal bray | cry is common but without mention. I The soldier himself does not realize | what he has accomplished and he is 1 too loyal to praise himself. Is it not | the duty of his friends 10 tell his peo- pie? l think it is and that is why ! I am about to tell of Ed. I want to 1 tell you and Mrs. Toomey and Ruth and the boys that they, have every