Walking the Point

posted by Writer on Sep 3

So, who cares about a battle in the “War to end all wars,” fought over ninety-plus years ago? What do the names Charles White Whittlesey, George G. McMurtry, and Nelson M. Holderman mean to a generation, including many adults, ‘dumbed down’ by reality t.v.? Probably nothing.

In the fall of 1918, as part of the Muesse – Argonne Offensive, Major Charles Whittlesey and the men of New York’s 77th Liberty Division were ordered to take the Binarville-Charleveaux Mill Road, but in the process found themselves surrounded.

Cut off, the unit suffered severe casualties. Running low on food, water and ammunition and communications with headquarters almost non-existent, the unit was forced for days to defend against repeated attacks by the enemy. Making matters worse, they were hit by allied artillery, ‘friendly fire,’ if you will, which killed a number of men.

At one point, the German commander offered Whittlesey the chance to surrender, however, he refused and the fighting continued.

Under the leadership of Major Whittlesey and Captains McMurtry and Holderman, the men didn’t give in, but held on until other American forces broke through causing the Germans to retreat. The actions of Whittlesey’s men eventually led to a turning point in the war, all because the Germans were unable to drive them from their position.

The three were later awarded the Medal of Honor, with Whittlesey being singled out by General John (Black Jack) Pershing, Commander of American Expeditionary Forces, as one of three exceptional soldiers in World War I – although Whittlesey refused to take any of the credit for his unit’s courageous stand.

“The Lost Battalion”*, an incorrect name for such brave men, were “largely from New York City and from the Northwest plains. There were Irish, Canadian French, English, Jews, Italians, Swedes, Norwegians, Northerners, Southerners, but Americans all, in this outfit, all fighting bravely for the land of liberty. There were Jew and Gentile – Catholic and Protestant, all fighting as brothers under our Stars and Stripes, Patriots each and all of them. Each ready to give up life for his country – truly those of them who gave their lives have shown their patriotism for “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend”. (1)

Now, just as then, we find ourselves at a crossroads because many are trying to divide our nation. Don’t think so? If you can stomach it, just watch those gathering in Charlotte, NC this week.

Warfare has changed a great deal since then, except the horrors still remain while good young men continue to die – and a lot of good men died in the Charlevaux Ravine for us.

Like the men in the Argonne, who distinguished themselves during those dark days in October so long ago, days where the stench of their dead fellow soldiers filled their nostrils, we too, must hold on to our republic.

Those who emerged from that fierce struggle used every ounce of strength to pass on to us the things that make up the uniqueness of the American system; individual liberty, limited government, and self-reliance.

They gave us a blueprint on how it’s done. In “The Pocket”, as it is sometimes called, they were not “hyphenated Americans”, just Americans fighting for the greatest nation on earth.

They did their part, and beckon us to do the same in this hour. The question is, do we have what it takes?

(1) The Experience and Meaning of the Lost Battalion: Presented by Lt. James V. Leak, Company E, 308 Infantry, November 11,1938 – The Doughboy Center The Story of the American Expeditionary Forces

* – The writer highly recommends the book, Finding the Lost Battalion: Beyond the Rumors, Myths and Legends of America’s Famous WWI Epic by Robert J. Laplander. It is the most thorough work on that battle and an excellent read. A&E also produced the t.v. movie entitled; The Lost Battalion, starring Rick Schroder and Phil McKee. You may be able to check it out at your local library. Warning – Some graphic scenes!

Ist photo – Sidney Morning Herald; 2nd photo  from John R. Cotter homestead.com website