as brewing for the British
Command. The poilus had heard of the proposed armistice on the Western
Front. "La guerre finis," they declared, and refused to remain with "I"
Company on the line.

So on October sixteenth this company found itself single-handed holding
the advanced position against the counter-attack of the reinforced Reds.
After a severe artillery barrage of the Reds, Captain Winslow pushed
forward to meet the attack of the Bolos and fought a drawn battle with
them in the woods in the afternoon. Both sides dug in. "I" Company lost
one killed and four wounded.

Meanwhile "M" Company, after one day to reorganize and rest, hurried up
during the afternoon fight and prepared to relieve "I" Company. Sleeping
on their arms around the dull-burning fires at 448 between noisy periods
of night exchanges of fire by the Americans and Red Guards, this company
next morning at 6:00 a. m. went through under a rolling barrage of Major
Lee's artillery, which had been able to improve its position during the
night, thanks to the resolute work of Lieut. Giffels and his American
Engineers on the railroad track. Stoner's platoon destroyed the heavy
outpost of Bolos with a sharp fire fight and a charge and swept on, only
halting when he reached a large stream. Beyond this was a half-mile
square clearing with characteristic woodpiles and station and woodmen's
houses, occupied by a heavy force of six hundred Red Guards, themselves
preparing for attack on the Americans. Here Captain Moore timed his
three platoons and Lieut. Spitler's machine guns for a rush on three
sides with intent to gain a foothold at least within the clearing. The
very impetuosity of the doughboy's noisy attack struck panic into the
poorly led Bolsheviks and they won an easy victory, having possession of
the position inside half an hour. The Reds were routed and pursued
beyond the objectives set by Col. Sutherland. And the old company horse
shoe again worked. Though many men had their clothes riddled not a man
was scratched.

The position was consolidated. An hour after the engagement two sections
of the French Company that had sulked the preceding day came smilingly
up and helped fortify the flanks. Their beloved old battalion commander,
Major Alabernarde, had shamed them out of their mutinous conduct and
they were satisfied again to help their much admired American comrades
in this strange, faraway side show of the great world war.

One or two interesting re