It is the general impression that the tide of victory set in with
Marshal Foch's splendid movement against the German flank on July 18th.
That movement, it is true, started the irresistible sweep of the wave
which was destined to engulf and destroy the hideous power of
Prussianism. But the tide which gathered and drove forward the waters
out of which that wave arose, had turned before. It turned with and
through the supreme valor of our marines and other American troops in
the _first_ battle at Château-Thierry and at Belleau Wood, _in the
first week of June_.
The American force engaged was small, measured by the standard of
numbers to which we have become accustomed in this war, but the story
of their fighting will remain immortal and in its psychological and
strategic consequences the action will take rank, I believe, among the
decisive battles of the war.
I am not speaking from hearsay. I was in France during the week
preceding that battle, the most anxious and gloomy period, probably, of
the entire war. What I am about to relate is based either on
authoritative information gathered on the spot, or on my own
observations. In telling it, nothing is farther from my thoughts than
to wish to take away one tittle from the immortal glory which belongs
to the Allied armies, nor from the undying gratitude which we owe to
the nations who for four heart-breaking years, with superb heroism,
fought the battle of civilization--our battle from the very beginning,
no less than theirs--and bore untold sacrifices with never faltering
spirit.