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Division went over the top on Sept. 12, and in 24 hours the salient had ceased to exist and the 26th had its full share of the vast numbers of prisoners and enormous booty which fell to the American army.

The Yanks at St. Mihiel took 2400 prisoners, many cannon, much ammunition and stores of every kind; released hundreds of civilian prisoners and occupied a score and more of towns to the great delight of the inhabitants. The gratitude of the liberated people is expressed in the letter from the Catholic priest of Rupt-en-Woevre after the boys had gone in there and the Huns were on the run, in which he says:

'Sir, your gallant 26th American Division has just set us free. Since September, 1914, the barbarians have held the heights of the Meuse, have murdered three hostages in Mouilly, have shelled Rupt, and on July 23, 1915, forced its inhabitants to scatter to the four comers of France. I, who remain at my little listening post upon the advice of my bishop, feel certain, sir, that I do but speak for Monsigneur Ginisty, Lord Bishop of Verdun, my parish­ioners of Rupt, Mouilly and Genicourt and the people of this vicinity, in conveying to you and your associates the heartfelt and unforgetable gratitude of all.

'Several of your comrades lie at rest in our truly Christian and French soil. Their ashes shall be cared for as if they were our own. We shall cover their graves with flowers and shall kneel by them as their own families would do with a prayer to God to reward with eternal glory these heroes fallen on the field of honor and to bless the 26th Division and generous Americans.

'Be pleased, sir, to accept the expression of my profound respect.

'A. Leclerc.'

THE BATTLES OF THE MEUSE

Following St. Mihiel the 26th had little rest, and what it had was under shellfire. On September 25 the New England boys were in the thick of the fighting again, and they stayed in the thick of it until the clock struck 11 on November 11. Their first task was to create a diversion, in conjunction with French units, the purpose being to befog the enemy as to Gen. Foch's real intentions in this general section of the battleline and to keep as many German divisions as possible away from the sectors where the great American drive was to be staged.

So the Yankee Division and their French comrades made a feint in the vicinity of Dommartin, out on the plain of the Woevre. The action of September 25, the day before the 1st Army started on

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