April 4, 1918 - Don Martin tells story of German prisoners, and reports Croix de Guerre for four Americans

Don Martin diary entry for Thursday, April 4, 1918: 

Spent a very dull, rainy day in Neufchateau. Interest of all correspondents now centered on the First Division which is soon to leave for the Arras section to get in the big fight. Wrote some letters and hung around the club. Would write some mail stuff but my room is too cold and the light too poor.

Am waiting to hear from [Commodore] Bennett before making a fight to be one of the few who will go with the 1^st Division.

Had a slight touch of indigestion during the night but am all right now.

Weather miserable.

  Don Martin wrote and cabled a dispatch dated Thursday, April 4, about his encounters on April 3 with German prisoners. It was published in the New York Herald on Friday, April 5, 1918. Notable is his use of the first person, "I", telling a story, giving his writing a more personal touch, which resonated with his readers.

CAPTIVE GERMANS LOSE HOPE AS THEY SEE AMERICAN TROOPS

Prisoners Realize Might of United States Soon Will Be Felt

WATCH MARCHING MEN FOR HOURS

“You Must Hurry or It Will Be Too Late,” One Tells Don Martin

By DON MARTIN

[Special Cable to the Herald]

AMERICAN FRONT IN FRANCE, Thursday

       Gloom has replace hope in a Boche prison camp near the section of the front held by the American troops. A hundred captive Germans stood recently against the barbed wire fence and for hours watched the passing of a steady stream of Americans. At first there was great excitement among the prisoners, then there was perturbation. The Boches for the first time actually realized that America’s troops were ready to fight. They always had sneezed when told that the Americans soon would be fighting the allies.

       I went to the prison camp today and talked to several of the captives.

       “The Germans laughed when told that you would come into the war,” a keeper said. “They asserted the German-Americans would prevent a declaration of war. Then when they learned that you really had decided to come in they sneeringly said that America never would be able to do anything because the submarines would sink all your troop ships.

       “A few days ago when the Americans marched by for hours and hours the prisoners were more downcast than at any time since they became prisoners. The talk among them was less concerning the big battle then raging and concerning the war already being won than that Germany would lose unless her people stand the hardships until the submarines finally have won.”

       I saw one young German private who spoke perfect English. He said he was a business man, having relations with Marshall Field and Stern Brothers, in America. I asked him who would win the war and he replied, “I’m a German.”

       I asked him if the Germans realize that the Americans are ready to send millions of men to fight in Europe. “They must do it quickly or it will be too late," he answered. 

      As we talked a long line of American artillery passed twenty rods away. “That’s nothing,” he said.

      The prisoners are in splendid condition and have plenty to eat, even of sugar. The mess is prepared by a professional cook, formerly of the Carlton Hotel in London. When he cooks for the captain he has to eat his own food first as an assurance that it is not poisoned. 

       General Pershing’s automobile recently killed a growing pig, the most valuable possession of a poor, aged woman. The woman wept, as the pig meant so much to her. She knew the car contained an American general, but she was told not to make a claim, as the pig was to blame.

       General Pershing later instituted an inquiry and learned the situation. How much the pig meant to the destitute woman was shown when her tears of grief changed to joy when a letter arrived containing a cheque for $20, with kind words besides.

            The New York Herald began to print the following notice at this time.

         Don Martin is cabling fine despatches to the HERALD daily from the American front in France. Read them to-day—and every day.

   Don Martin cabled another dispatch on April 4,reporting the receipt by American soldiers of the French Croix de Guerre.  It was published in the New York Herald on Friday, April 5, 1918.

FRENCH CROSS FOR FOUR HEROES

Reward 2 Officers and 2 Privates for Rescuing Wounded in Wrecked House

SAVE SUPPLIES WORTH MILLION FROM HUNS

Volunteers Also Risk Lives to Prevent Destruction of Doughnuts on Way to Front

By DON MARTIN

[Special Cable to the Herald]

AMERICAN FRONT IN FRANCE, Thursday

            In recognition of their bravery under fire the Croix de Guerre has been granted to these four Americans:--

   Major HAROLD B. ESTEY

   Lieutenant RALPH HOPKINS

   Private JOSEPH JOHNSON

   Private DODGE

          These men all took part in a recent big battle, Johnson being Major Estey’s chauffeur. They rescued French wounded from under a house which had been destroyed by shell fire and then drove with the wounded through a shell swept zone and in the midst of the bombardment oversaw the removal of probably a million dollars worth of supplies. When the house collapsed under fire and shells were falling all around, Major Estey with others pulled the debris away and got the French soldiers out, saving some lives.

          Earlier, with great danger on all sides, Major Estey directed a large force of Americans which loaded valuable supplies upon trucks which moved out of the region not long before the Germans entered.

          A French officer who saw part of the work of the Americans gave the cross to Major Estey and notified him that three others were to be given to those with him.

         After two days’ shelling, day and night, the Germans ruined a Salvation Army truck, but its precious cargo of doughnuts successfully was removed by volunteers.

        That the Salvation Army might not be hampered by the loss of its truck, the engineering corps sent word it would transport to the trenches doughnuts and such other dainties as the Salvationists may wish to send. The Red Cross, seeing the HERALD’s story, also came to the Salvationists’ aid and offered trucks, and then the Quartermaster’s Department added its assistance so that the soldiers’ supply of doughnuts be not cut off.

         “Trench life without doughnuts is hardly worth while,” said a Texas lad. “Give us doughnuts hot and strong and we will stay in the front line permanently.”

(National Archives photo no. 111-SC-10443, Ansouville, April 8, 1918)

(National Archives photo no. 111-SC-10442, Ansouville, April 8, 1918)