rmistice was signed by General Foch and
the German representatives on the morning of November 11th, but fighting
did not actually cease until eleven o'clock, several hours after the
terms had been agreed to. This was in accordance with arrangement made
between the signers.

Sedan, where Marshals McMahon and Bazaine, commanding the armies of
Napoleon III, surrendered to the King of Prussia in 1870, marked the
last notable victory of the American forces in France. The Sedan of 1870
marked the birth of German militarism. The Sedan of 1918 marked its
death.

Preceding the advance of the Americans upon Sedan, came a cloud of
aviators in pursuit and bombing planes, headed by the famous aces of the
American forces. The First and Second divisions of the First army led
the way. In the van of the Second division were the Marines, whose
heroism in Belleau Wood marked the beginning of Germany's end. The
famous Rainbow division made the most savage thrust of the action,
pursuing the foe for ten miles and sweeping the Freya Hills clear of
machine nests and German artillery.

The last action of the war for the Americans followed immediately on the
heels of the battle of Sedan. It was the taking of the town of Stenay.
The engagement was deliberately planned by the Americans as a sort of
battle celebration of the end of the war. The order fixing eleven
o'clock as the time for the conclusion of hostilities, had been sent
from end to end of the American lines. Its text follows:

1. You are informed that hostilities will cease along the whole front at
11 o'clock A. M., November 11, 1918, Paris time.

2. No Allied troops will pass the line reached by them at that hour in
date until further orders.

3. Division commanders will immediately sketch the location of their
line. This sketch will be returned to headquarters by the courier
bearing these orders.

4. All communication with the enemy, both before and after the
termination of hostilities, is absolutely forbidden. In case of
violation of this order severest disciplinary measures will be
immediately taken. Any officer offending will be sent to headquarters
under guard.

5. Every emphasis will be laid on the fact that the arrangement is an
armistice only and not a peace.

6. There must not be the slightest relaxation of vigilance. Troops must
be prepared at any moment for further operations.

7. Special steps will be taken by all commanders to insure strictest
discipline an