Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1919-01-03
N|NETY.F|RST WILL
HAVE UNUSUAL PART
IN HISTORY OF WAR
PERSHING PRAISES COAST
MEN TRAINED FOR BATTLE
AT CAMP LEWIS.
DIVISION ACTIVE THROUGHOUT
PiecemeA History Reveals ValOr of
Troops From Administrations
Military Work Credited.

A brilliant chapter in the history Of
the world war will be that in which the
valorous deeds Of the 91st division, mo-
bilized and trained at Camp Lewis. are
chroncled. To the Washington bu-
reau of the Portland Ore. Journal The
Bugle is indebted for the brief sum-
mary of the campaign of the DIST here
with:
THE fragments of news that have
come from time to time. pieced togeth
er from official reports and devoid OF
descriptive establishment. neverthe-
less show that this division has distin
guished itself in two of the hardest
campaigns Of the war. General PERISH
ing has given it high praise by saying
in an official report to the secretary OF
war. concerning the operations along
the Escaut and the Scheldt in Belgium.
by clever flanking movement
troops of the DIST division captured
Spitaals Bosschen. difficult wood ex
tending across the central part of the
division sector. reached the Escaut and
penetrated into the town of Audenarde
These divisions (91st and 37th) re-
ceived high commentator from their
corps commanders for their dash and
energy
1.-THE 91st first figures in the front
line reports under date of September
IL when the American army advanced
for the reduction of the st. Mihiel sa-
lient. In that engagement however, II
formed a part of the reserve. assigned
to the support of the first army.
Next the 91st was reported in the
line at the beginning of the Meuse-
Argonne offensive on September 26.
This was the great offensive of Amer
lean arms aimed at Sedan and Mezieres.
In a difficult country filled with de-
fensive machine gun nests, where the
German reserves were thrown in with
out stint In describing this attack.
General Pershing says:
1--WE drove through the barbed wire
entanglements and the sea of shell era
ters across no mans land. mastering
all the first line defenses. Continuing
on the eth and 2Sth. against machine
guns and artillery of an increasing
number of enemy reserve divisions, we
penetrated to a depth Of. from three to
seven miles.
"Tn the chill rain of dark nights our
engineers had to build new roads across
spongy. shell torn areas. repair broken
roads beyond no mans land and buila
bridges. Our gunners with no thought
OF sleep, put their shoulders to wheels
and drag ropes to bring their guns
through the mire in support of the in
fantry now under the increasing fire
OF the enemy's artillery.
"'Our attack had taken the enemy
by surprise. but. quickly recovering
himself he began to fire counter at
tacks In strong force. supported by
heavy commandments, with large guam
titles Of gas. From September % until
October we maintained the offensive
against patches Of wood defended by
Shippers and continuous lines of machine
guns, and pushed forward our guns ana
transport seizing strategical points in
preparation for further attacks"
During thse operation the Dist
formed a part OF the Fifth corps and
in the narrative of the second phase of
the Meuse- Argonne drive. this corps Is
to provide entertainment. There were
special programs in all welfare build
ings, including moving pictures, music
and other features. There was a party
in the Butte building and there were
various other social gatherings and en-
tertainments given under the auspices
OF different clubs and organizations.
A special event was the concert given
by the Nurses Chorus of 20 voices at
the ~" auditorium. A feature Of this
entertainment were the vocal solos of
Rachel Van valen, daughter Of the head
q the Camp Lewis Red Cross, who has
won considerable recognition in camp.