Mexico weekly ledger., 1919-04-10
CAPT. COATSWORTHS
Tells OF 18TH

The following letter from Capt
William Coatsworth, son of Mr.. ana
Mrs. Frank Coatsworth, of this city
will be of much interest here as il
gives the authentic record of the seth
Division with which he had a promin-
emit wart in directing its activities on
the Western from.
To the, Editor,
The Mexico Ledger,
Mexico, Missouri.
Dear SIR
Hdqrs. 35Gth Infantry, 89th Divis-
ion, A. E. F., Quint, Germany, March
18th, 1919.-In your edition of Febru-
airy 18Th, 1919, there is contained an
account of the operations of both the
89th and 35th American Divisions dur
ing the recent war. AS concerns the
83th Division, this account is grossly
inaccurate and | believe that you will
appreciate the facts set below, as no
doubt, certain residents of Audrain
county will quote from what ever YOU
publish and in a matter such as this,
l believe that they should quote cor
rectIy.
During the st. Mihiel offensive, l
was Regimental Adjutant of the 356th
Infantry, and during the Argonne-
Muessc offensive, I was Regimental
Operations officer of the same regi-
mcnt. I therefore am in a position to
speak correctly concerning the simple
facts that l mention, and in addition
these facts are a matter of official rec
ord, even though they do not seem to
be in possession of the War Depart
ment at Washington.
The seth Division as a whole, landed
in Liverpool, England, around June
18th, 1918 and proceeded to the train
ing area in France via Southampton,
England and La Harve France. The
training area was in the vicinity of
Neufchateau France and in the De-
partment of the Vosges.
The Division left the training area
on or about August LIST, 1918, and
travelled via trucks to the Lucy sector
of trenches, which was about 10 miles
north and west of Toul. This sector
is at times called the Toul sector.
The Division went into the line
on or about the 4th of August, 1918
and was not brigaded with any other
troops, as stated in your article. Also,
please note in the paragraph above
that the sector taken over was not in
the Vosges mountains.
This sector was held by the seth
Division till just before the St. Mihial
offensive on September 18th, 1918,
when the Division was moved over to
the right to make room for the addi-
tional incoming Divisions.
The seth Division participated in the
St. Mhiel offensive, 1916 September,
1918 and after the close of that drive,
they established and occupied their
part of the new line, holding it till
on or after October 7th, 1919. They
then moved to the Argonne-Meuse
country and went into the line on
October 18th, 1918, where they stayed
till HOO A. M, November 18th, 1918.
on or after October It'll, 1913. They
started the march into Germany,
through Luxembourg and have up to
date been a part of the American
Army of Occupation, stationed in Ger
many.
The Division ranks as one of the
very best of the American combat
Divisions. The men call themselves
the Fighting Farmers land it IS due to
the wonderful spirit of our enlisted
ment that the American Army has won
the place it holds today among the
Allied Armies.
The 89th Division was not at any
time brigaded with troops of any
other country. They never occupied a
sector in the Vosges mountains. They
never fought in Belgium, and they
were not withdrawn from the Army of
Occupation as the Chief of Staff gave
out to a newspaper correspondents.
Regarding the 35th Divisions, their
most fighting is being done right now
in the legislative halls of Missouri
and Kansas. They are getting good
publicity and seem to be known in
Missouri, as the heroes of the Argonne.
I believe that they lasted five days in
that, their only major operation, and
then bad to be withdrawn. I
/ mention the above in a joking
manner, no offense intended, only l
do fear that with all the racket being I
back in Missouri and Kansas
about the 35th Division that many will ,
overlook the fact that practically as :
many Missouri men were in the seth $
Division as in the 35th Division and 7
hat justice will not be done to the 9
Missouri men in the S9th. I
The Army of Occupation is COM 7
posed of the elite of the combat div O
sions of the American Army. Each a
livision fought it's way into this Army y
md the 89th Division holds a promin- "
mt position in this Army. Need more n
re said as to who represented Missouri h