History of the United States from the Earliest Discovery of America to the Present Time (Volume 6) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922 edition. Excerpt: ...troops they retained their foothold and made considerable progress up the river valley toward Epernay. The American forces on the Marne front consisted of the Third and Twenty-eighth Divisions, but the Third played the larger part. The American artillerymen, machine-gunners, and riflemen slaughtered the Germans by hundreds as they tried to cross the river under cover of a smoke screen. One determined regiment, the 38th Regulars, commanded by Colonel McAlexander, held its position, although surrounded on three sides, and practically annihilated the 6th German Grenadier Regiment, and took 400 prisoners. In some other places the Americans were temporarily forced back a little, but they soon counter-attacked, and by noon next day there were no Germans except dead and prisoners on the south side of the Marne along the American front. It will readily be believed that the news that the Americans had not only held their ground but had taken 600 prisoners was vastly heartening to the defenders elsewhere along the Allied line. CHAPTER VI WINNING THE WAR By the end of the third day of battle it was clear that the German drive was making little headway. The hour for which Marshal Foch had long been waiting had come. He saw that here was the chance to snatch the initiative away from the enemy. He proceeded not only to dash the cup of victory from the enemy's lips but to smash it to splinters in his face. Foch's preparations were already made. At dawn on the 18 th two armies commanded by Generals Mangin and Degoutte suddenly attacked the Germans on the western side of the Marne salient. A considerable part of the strength of these armies consisted of the First and Second American Divisions, commanded respectively by Major-Generals Summerall and...