Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-19

scribe my feelings. and as I stopped in
my tracks the party, realizing the rea-
son, with one accord remained silent Tor
some minutes.
Several years later. at the dedication
Of the Ossuary near Douaumont, 1T was
my privilege to speak, and l addressed
myself as follows to the distinguished
commander who uttered the above In
spring phrase:
THE poignant horror of the tragedy
enacted here has been brought home to
me anew, and my triumphant sense OF
victory has been entirely overwhelmed
by my sympathy for the men who fell,
the victims of the sacrifice. Their pa
thence and courage. their unalterable
will to follow to the end the long and
dolorous road of martyrdom which they
were treading, have been celebrated in
words more appropriate than 1 could
utter. But the grief of the man who
commanded them has been too often
forgotten by all who have commented
on these battles I have often felt, when
you and I were together, that l could
read your thoughts and follow your
mind as it reviewed the days and weeks
of your struggles on this soil, when
your country's fate hung in the balance.
Only those who know the kindness of
your heart can appreciate the weight
of sorrow which 1t carried. The fall of
each one of your soldiers was stab in
passive expression under which you hid
your feelings masked constant and I'M
renting grief.
Assumes Command.
"As an old friend and comrade in
arms, I feel my thoughts dwelling on
those who did not return, and, like you,
I think of than with infinite SYM
pathy."
My diary records:
"SouilIy, wednesday. September Is,
1918. Assumed command of Meuse-
Argonne sector the 22d. Gen. Gouraud,
commanding the French 4th Army,
called to discuss joint operation.
"Gsn. Deletoille, director of the Zone
des Etapes, reported Monday and was
given charge of relations with civil
authorities in our area. Have spent the
past three days working with staff on
final details of preparation.
To-day visited headquarters Of all
front-line divisions. Satisfied that they
appreciate and understand their mis-
sions."
The 1st 5th and Sd Corps Headquar-
tiers, located at Rarecourt, yille-sur-
Cousances and Rampont, respectively,
worked in cooperation with the CORE
spending units Of the French I'd Army,
which, under Gen. Hirschauer's able
and friendly direction, did everything
possible to expedite preparations. Gen.
Hirschauer was of the greatest assist
ance in helping to place installations
and in assigning units that were moved
into the sector during to two weeks
preceding the battle Tie command
passed to the 1st Army September %,
and at that time the last of the French
troops and two Italian divisions serving
with them were withdrawn, except for
a thin line of attachments in the front
trenches which were maintained until
the night of the 25th
On the front of the American Army
the tactical missions varied for the diff
ferent sectors. 1t was not INTENDED to
attempt a further advance on the Mo-
elle-Watronville front. but to hold that
portion of our line for the time being
and utilize all available divisions for
the extension of the front west of the
Meuse. On that part of our line from
Watronville northwest to the Mouse it
was planned to keep the enemy busy
by demonstrations while the attack be-
tween the Meuse and the Argonne was
developing.
OF the 10 enemy divisions on our
front from the Moselle west, with
IL in reserve, we're in line between
the Meuse and the Argonne. Judging