cars to keep in touch with him. It was the same on other fronts. The
Germans put up a resistance at the strong fortress of Metz, which the
Americans were attacking November 10 and 11.

Armistice negotiations had been started as early as October, 5, and were
concluded November 11th. This date saw the complete collapse of the
German military machine and will be one of the most momentous days in
history, as it marked the passing of an old order and the inauguration
of a new era for the world. In the armistice terms every point which the
Americans and Allies stipulated was agreed to by the Germans. The last
shot in the war is thus described in an Associated Press dispatch of
November 11:

"Thousands of American heavy guns fired the parting shot to the
Germans at exactly 11 o'clock this morning. The line reached by the
American forces was staked out this afternoon. The Germans hurled a
few shells into Verdun just before 11 o'clock.

"On the entire American front from the Moselle to the region of
Sedan, there was artillery activity in the morning, all the
batteries preparing for the final salvos.

"At many batteries the artillerists joined hands, forming a long
line as the lanyard of the final shot. There were a few seconds of
silence as the shells shot through the heavy mist. Then the gunners
cheered. American flags were raised by the soldiers over their
dugouts and guns and at the various headquarters. Soon afterward
the boys were preparing for luncheon. All were hungry as they had
breakfasted early in anticipation of what they considered the
greatest day in American history."

The celebration, which occurred November 11, upon announcement of the
news, has never been equalled in America. It spontaneously became a
holiday and business suspended voluntarily. Self-restraint was thrown to
the winds for nearly twenty-four hours in every city, town and hamlet in
the country. There was more enthusiasm, noise and processions than ever
marked any occasion in this country and probably eclipsed anything in
the history of the world.

[Illustration: RETURN OF THE 15TH NEW YORK, 369TH INFANTRY. SHOWN
SWINGING UP LENOX AVENUE. NEW YORK CITY WHERE THEY RECEIVED A ROYAL
WELCOME.]

CHAPTER XXIX.

HOMECOMING HEROES

NEW YORK GREETS HER OWN--ECSTATIC DAY FOR OLD 15TH--WHITES AND BLACKS DO
HONORS--A MONSTER DEMONSTRATION--MANY DIGNITARIES REVIEW TROOPS