Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-01-20
Monument Erected to First to
Fall Fighting on the Soil
of France.
FRENCH SHOW APPRECIATION
Replica of Monument Erected in Mem
CRY of Three Americans Who Fell
at BetheImont Is Sent to
Washington.


soil fen in the village of BethelInont.
about twelve miles east of Nancy. The
population of this region decided to
erect monument COMMUNICATING
their sacrifice, and "A replica of this
proposed monument was sent to Pres
ideut Wilson by Ambassador Sharp
ut Paris few mouths ago at the re-
quest Of those in charge Of the prof.
eet. Originally it was the intention
to hold the ceremony of dedication in
the very village of Bethelmont where
the three young heroes had given their
lives for freedom. but the community
was situated 50 near the firing line
that the ceremony had To be held at
Nancy. Ambassador Sharp has sent
10 the state department Il graphic re-
port on the subject. A large crowd
OK distinguished people We're present
at the dedication exercises.
NJ. Mirmnn, in his address before a
huge assembly at Nancy, emphasized
the fact that the three young heroes
in whose honor the monument had
been erected We're not, indeed, the
first Americans whose blood had
( tinged the battlefeds of France.
Young men from the United States
impatient to fight, had enrolled volun-
tarily in the French and English ar
mics and already in 1916 their num-
Der exceeded 10000.
Carried American Flag.
A very touching incident illustrates
the patriotism of those Americans who
had joined the French Foreign Legion
before the United States entered the
war. Not being able to fight openly
under the Star Spangled Banner they
procured Gn American flag ard decided
that each of them, in turn, should car
ry it wrapped around his breast. In
this way our flag was present in all
those numerous cOmbats in which the
colors of the Foreign Legion partici-
pated. Twice 1t was pierced by bull
lets and stained with the blood of
wounds. Once he who carried it fell,
the American volunteers searched the
field and found their dead comrade.
took from his body the well-beloyed
colors, and, armed with this emblem.
they went forward to new exploits.
When the United States took up the in
Sulting defiance of Germany these
American volunteers already veter-
ans, took their places in their Nation
al army and presented to France this
flag which so proudly they had borne
through numerous battles, ana vne
French reverently deposited it at the
mvalides.
few days after the first Ameri- |
cans entered the trenches the Germans /
desired to test the worth of their new
enemy They directed an attack .
against the sector Valiantly did the
American soldiers support their bap-
tisnal fire.
Did Not Yield an Inch.
They did not yield one inch of their
positions. The enemy who had pene-
trated for moment into their trench
es withdrew, leaving numerous dead.
Three Americans were killed In the
French lines. one pierced by a revolver
shot, the other two stabbed with pom
iards. They were inferred in field
below the hill on which are clustered
the houses of the village of Bethel
mont. 1t was decided that the names
OF these three first victims should be
inscribed on stone. and although the
project could not be given dimensions
n t-ith ln
historic fact to be commemorated, the
design is artistic and was drawn by
Louis Majorelle. The cross and the
thistle Of Lorraine are entwned with
the stars of America. The inscription
on one side reads:
LORRAINE TO THE UNITED
STATES"
That on the other side:
Here
In Lorraine territory
repose
the three first
American soldiers
killed by the enemy
on November 3D. 1917
Corporal JAMES b. GRESHAM
(of EVANSVILLE
Private THOMAS f. ENRIGHT
(of Pittsburgh
Private MERLE d. HAY
(of Cldden)
AS worthy sons of their great
and noble Nation they have
fought for Justice, Liberty
and Civilza ion against
Gernln Imperial, m,
the scourge OF the human race.
THEY DIED ON THE BATTLE FIELD.