We spent last night in this shell-torn town, and this evening we take up the pursuit of the withdrawing Germans. Donovan’s battalion is out getting touch with them and McKenna is starting up too. The 84th Brigade has already relieved the 26th American Division and a Brigade of the 28th and have been in a hard battle with the enemy at Croix Rouge Farm. It took all their undoubted courage to sweep over the machine gun nests, and they succeeded in doing it at the price of a battalion. The roads coming down are filled with ambulances and trucks carrying the wounded and dripping blood. We are relieving the 167th French Division, but nothing seems definitely settled, and messengers are coming and going with orders and counter orders. I have greater admiration than ever for McCoy these days. He moves in war as in his native element, expending his energies without lost motion or useless friction. Tonight we go to the Chateau de Fere. If the Germans decide to make a stand at the Ourcq we shall be in action by tomorrow. FOOTNOTES: [2] These distinctions were won by men of the 2nd Battalion in a _coup de main_ led by Lieutenants Ogle and Becker (also decorated) in the Baccarat Sector. [3] The three O’Neills and Bernard Finnerty as also Sergeant Spillane of Machine Gun Company came from the town of Bantry. “Rebel Cork” added new leaves to its laurel wreath of valor in this battle on the plains of Champagne. CHAPTER VI THE BATTLE OF THE OURCQ Croix Rouge Farm was the last stand of the Germans south of the Ourcq but it was expected that they would make some sort of resistance on the slopes and in the woods north of this river.