Elk Grove High School - Elk Yearbook (Elk Grove, CA)

Page 40 text:

ef,- Nu l X HX! X N, p , TLHE 'w:q,,,f ' ELK flf 5?4Zi'ff2-ij 'T'V 'l'lTl Q 19. THE ELEVENTH HOUR During the early part of November, 1918, the Division to which I belonged was located in the Lagny area, France, preparing for what was conceded would be the biggest drive of the war. 'llwenty-six divisions-six American and twenty French-were to attack Metz on November 14th, with positive orders for its capture, or isolation by an encircling movement. Because it was perhaps the most strongly fortified city in all Europe-it was all but im- pregnable-and because of its extreme value, strategically, to both sides, and especially to the Germans, it was a foregone conclusion that the utmost resist- ance would be met with and that the losses would be very heavy. Already one brigade was advancing into position and in twelve more hours would be at the front. Such was theesituation on the night of November lOth. It was known that the Germans had asked for an armistice, though not much credence was placed in the sincerity of their request. Rumor Qinsepa- rable from army lifej had it that they had no intention of signing an armis- tice, but were playing for time or, perhaps, were attempting trickery, even. Morning, however, brought the news that an armistice had been agreed to, to become effective at eleven o'clock of that day-the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. One would expect that news of that sort, on the eve of a gerat offensive, would result in an outburst of uncontrollable enthusiasm. Quite the opposite thing occurred. lt was received with calm- ness amounting to indifference. Perhaps there was a shade of relief that the greatest and most destructive war in all history was about to terminate, but there was no display of feeling. Some there were, even, who expressed the keenest disappointment that the XN'ar was not continued until Berlin, itself, were captured. This psychological state, l am told, prevailed very generally throughout the armies of the Allies and the United States. Amongst the Germans, on the other hand, the news was received with out- bursts of the greatest enthusiasm, manifesting itself in rousing cheers and abortive attempts at fraternization with their mortal enemies of a moment before, the German army had not been defeated, Germany had been saved a destructive invasion, and to many of them at that time it looked as if the Fatherland would go to the Peace table on equal terms with the Allies and their Associate. The French civilians, too, rejoiced exceedingly. Here and Thirty-eight

Page 39 text:

Mush 1.-Kodak Sleuthg 2.-Communion Sweetg 3.-Favorite Occupationg 4--A Snapg 5.-A Rude Awakeningg 6.-Three's a Crowdg 7.-Fresh Facesg 8.-Baby Bliss: 9.-Pure Mushg 10.-The Human Flyg 11.- Sweet, Sweet Sweeties g 12.-The Chaperone: 13.-Shy Little Violet. H - ' ' Iirty-seven

Page 41 text:

if Xxx - ffliiififi 3' - THE 5,1 ,gli ELK Q ii if there excited groups, sublimely happy that over four years of anxiety and suf- fering were at an end, gathered to discuss the event toward which they had all been working, hoping and praying, and from young and old, alike, one heard joyous shouts of, La guerre est finiel la guerre est l:llll6li,-Tl16 War is over! the VVar is over! Finie, la guerre lv In another moment a Vive la France l would be followed by, Vive l'Amerique ! Although the Armistice had been signed at live o'clock on the morning of November llth, hostilities did not cease at that hour, Some Divisions, in fact, actually went over the top after the signing, and the artillery kept up a con- tinuous firing. As eleven olclock approached, firing became more intense than ever. Even where we were-a number of kilometers away-the noise and din were well nigh deafening. More and more terrific became the cannonadingg it was hard to persuade oneself that this was the finale of the great conflict. One minute before eleven, and for thirty seconds such bedlam broke loose as to beggar description. Then there was a pronounced retard-the climax had been reached. Very rapidly gun after gun became silentg the firing became spas- modic. Five seconds before eleven, and only two or three guns barked their farewells, each desiring the final word and the distinction of having fired the last shot of the W'ar. Eleven o'clock, and all was still, oppressively so-the War was over! The little group, of which I formed one, who had witnessed the dying agonies of an old Order, remained silent, each one intent on his own thoughts. The silence was finally broken and Lieutenant Colonel Eastman translated the thoughts of all of us into words. Gentlemen, said he, slowly and impres- sively, this is the greatest day in the history of the worldf, -l-I. VV. Dahleen. OLD ABE Ah, he was a wonderful bird, that Old Abe, mused grandfather as he sat before the fire place on a cold winter evening. How he used to soar above us while a battle was on. We could see by the faraway look in grandad's eyes that he was a boy again, a boy who had even lied about his age, in order to fight that the Union might stand. Tell us about your experiences and the old eagle which you think so much off' I ventured quietly that I might not rouse him from his dream. Have you ever heard the story of how Old Abe became the mascot of the eighth Xllisconsin, a member of the Iron Brigade ? o, I answered, the children havenltg tell us about it. So he began in this way. Old Abe, the famous war eagle, was captured by Chief Sky during sugar- making time. l-lis birthplace was a tublike nest of mud and sticks in a tall pine. Chief Sky sold his precious possession for a bushel of corn. One day la veteran said in a speech of his, that I had the pleasure of hearing, 'And for this paltry sum was a noble bird sold from freedom to captivity, from barbarism to civilization: from the murmur of the pines to the crash of battlesg from obscurity to fame' Daniel McCann, the man who purchased Old Abe, carried him to Chip- pewa Falls, where a regiment was just recruiting for the First XVISCOHSIH Battery, he hoped to dispose of him there, but failed. The clouds of the Civil War were gathering heavily, and Nr. McCann found, as he entered Eau Claire, a company in formation. Here, Captain Perkins, of the company, ac- HN 'I'hirty-nine