SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE VOL. LXXVII JUNE, 1925 Fix Bayonets! THE CHARGE AT SOISSONS BY JOHN W. THOMASON, JR. Captain, U. S. Marine Corps WITH PICTURES BY THE AUTHOR, SOME OF WHICH WERE DRAWN ON THE FIELD IN NO. 6 In the town of Villers-Nancy, where the battalion billeted, they published this order to the troops: Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the Third United States Army Corps: Shoulder to shoulder with your French comrades you were thrown into the counter-offensive battle which commenced on the 18th of July. You rushed to the attack as to a festival. Your magnificent courage completely routed a surprised enemy and your indomitable tenacity checked the counter-attacks of his fresh divisions. You have shown yourselves worthy sons of your great country, and you were admired by your comrades-in-arms. Ninety-one guns, 7200 prisoners, immense booty, 10 kilomètres of country liberated; this is your portion of the spoil of this victory. Furthermore, you have demonstrated your superiority over the barbarian enemy of all mankind. To attack him is to vanquish him. American comrades! I am grateful to you for the blood so generously spilled on the soil of my country. I am proud to have commanded you during such days, and to have fought with you for the deliverance of the world. HE 1st Battalion lay in Croutte-sur-Marne. It drank deep of the golden July weather, and swam noisily in the Marne, which swung a blue and shining loop below the town. The battalion took but little interest in the war, which could be heard growling and muttering intermittently to the north and east. Indeed, the unpleasant Bois-de-Belleau-Bouresches area was only a few hours' march distant, and ChâteauThierry was just up the river. The guns were loud and continuous in that direction. (Signed) MANGIN. rines and troops of the Regular Armyhad just finished a hitch of some thirtyeight days attacking and holding and attacking again, from Hill 142, on the left, through that ghastly wood which the French now called the "Bois de la Brigade de Marine," to Vaux, on the right; and in this battalion, as in the other units of the division, such men as had survived were quite willing to think about something else. Division Headquarters were over Montreuil way, and thither certain distinguished individuals were ordered, to return with crosses on their faded blouses. This furnished pleasant food for gossip and speculation. Then, vin rouge and vin blanc were to be had, as well as fresh milk But the 2d American Division-Ma- |