The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-11-12
capture STENAY
|ATLAST MOMENT
Americans Rush Through the
Town lust Before Armistice
Becomes Effective.
"GooD LUCK" SHOTS FIRED
Flags Appear Like Magic Over
verdun-Orders as to Con-
duct Allied Troops.

With the American Army on the
Meuse and Moselle. Monday. Nov. II.
IA. P.)-Flags appeared like magic
over the shell. torn buildings OF verdun
today. French and American colors
were flying side by side. In every
village, even those from which the
Germans had been driven within the
past few days. there were flags and
decorations which were brought up to
the front by the soldiers. In the
villages back of the line there were
impromptu celebrations. and the civil
ians In holiday spirit saluted the Amer
icans and shouted "The war Is
finished"
Northeast of Verdun. just before II
o'clock. American artillerymen In load
\ ing six-inch howitzer wrote "goCd
luck" on a ninety pound shell and let
'er 60" The shot was aimed at the
cross road at Ornes. just ahead Of the
American lines.
Last Town to Fall.
\ The last French town to fall into
American hands before the armistice
went into effect was Stenay. Patrols
reported they had found 1t empty not
more than quarter of an hour before
IL O'Clock. American troops rushed
through the town and In few minutes
allied flags were beginning to appear
from the windows. As the church bell
7 solemnly tolled the hour of eleven,
troops from, the Ninetieth division were.
pouring into the town.,
Only a line of glowing camp fires
\ marks the front tonight. Except for
( the rumble of thousands Of trucks and
! other noises incident to the stirring Of
enormous armies there is not a sound
to indicate that two great forces are
still facing each other. So far no
violation of the armistice has been re-
ported. there not being even an ac-
cidental burst of machine gun hre.
Fearing sombardment.
The greater part of the 500 odd per-
sons still remaining in Stenay were
still In their cellars fearfully awaiting
The bombardment which they believed
Would surely come as the Americans
entered the town. Many had yielded
to German persuasion or force and had
retreated with the enemy. The few
who dared first to venture into the
streets. greeted the Americans with
tears in their eyes and fairly deluged
them with questions. The majority
seemed too dazed to be able to UNDER
stand that fighting had stopped. With
trembling hands they offered coffee and
bread to their deliverers.
The town is not badly damaged by
shell fire. but, according to the remain
ing Inhabitants has been plundered of
nearly everything of value The streets
were barricaded with huge heaps of
furniture, indicating the intention of
the Germans to hold desperately II
attacked before the armistice was ef-
fcctive. At the last moment, however,
they withdrew without struggle.
Strict Orders to Army.
With the American Forces in France,
Monday, Nov. 11.-Orders announcing
that the armistice between the allied
powers and Germany has been signed
and giving directions as to the future
conduct of allied soldiers along the line
were sent to every corps this morn
ing. They were transmitted to the
units in the front ranks. The orders
follow:
81. You are informed that hostilities
will cease along the whole front at IL |
o'clock am, Nov. II, 1918. Paris time
"2. No allied troops will pass the
line reached by them at that hour and |
date until further orders.
"3. Division commanders will I'M
mediately sketch the location of their |
front line. This sketch will be re-
turned to headquarters by the courier |
bearing these orders.
"a. All communication with the en-
emy. both before and after the term
ination Of hostilities,. is absolutely for
hidden. In case of violation of this .
order, severest disciplinary measures
will be Immediately taken. Any officer
offending will be sent to headquarters ,
under guard.
rs. Every emphasis will be laid on
the fact that the arrangement is an
armistice only and not a peace.
&c. There must not be the slightest )
relaxation of vigilance. Troops must |
be prepared at any moment for further
operations.
~. Special steps win be taken by all
commanders to insure strictest disci-
pline and that all troops be held in
readiness fully prepared for any even
tuality.
IS. Division and brigade commanders
will personally communicate these
orders to all organiza tions."