Casket of The Unknown Soldier with 2nd Division and French Escorts

Article describing the event during which the two 2nd Division soldiers and the French soldier were photographed with the casket of 'The Unknown Soldier.' The photograph is from a 3" x 4" Keystone glass slide.

Every man who participated in the reduction of the St. Mihiel Salient, will recall with little effort the morning of September 12, 1918, when the First American Army effaced forever from the map the bulge in the line, which had stood as a thorn in the side of France for four years. The days of mud and rain proceeding, the mighty barrage, the attack, the victory all stand as convincing proof of the fighting qualities of the American soldier.

Corp. Thomas D. Saunders of Company A, Second Engineers, a Cheyenne Indian, better known as "Chief" by all his comrades, was in this fight, detailed with several teams of wire cutters to accompany the infantry in the attack, and cut lanes through the enemy wire defenses for the infantry to pass through.

There was, however, very little for these wire cutters to do as the barrage had pretty effectively destroyed the whole system of defense. Aware of the fact that rifles would be more effective than wire cutters now, the engineers grabbed their rifles and went with the first wave.

In the rapid advance some elements of the Second Division became separated from their commands. One of these groups of which Corporal Saunders was a member, was before the little town of Jaulny about five kilometers north of Thiacourt, far in advance of the first wave.

The detail halted about fifty yards west of the wagon road leading into Jaulny. It was, while waiting for other troops to come up, that one of the party saw six German soldiers running along the road to Jaulny.

Proceeding over the railroad track the little party entered the town by the station. Singly, and in pairs, they began to search the houses. Corporal Saunders entered the basement of the church where he captured a German lieutenant, a chaplain, and six wounded, which were sent back under guard.

His blood up now and knowing that the town concealed several more, Corporal Saunders continued up the street thoroughly searching every house. At the far end of the street he came upon a large cellar, containing several French civilians. A Frenchman here tendered him a bottle of Cognac, the invigorating contents of which stimulated him to further efforts.

While engaged in conversation with the Frenchman, Corporal Saunders noticed a German cap move by the window in the far end of the cellar. Instantly alert now, he lighted a candle, and ascertained that the cellar was jammed with German soldiers. Calling to Corporal Wilkerson of Company B, Second Engineers, who was outside, for assistance, they lined the Germans up and marched them out of town.

Arriving at the outer edge of town, some German machine guns opened up on the detail, but ceased firing immediately when the prisoners were placed between the guns and the captors.

Considering the fact that Corporal Saunders and Corporal Wilkerson were practically alone in the town and succeeded in capturing sixty-three of the enemy right from under their noses, it is an exploit that few have had the experience of living through. It may be stated here that Jaulny was not occupied until the next morning, when the Marines cleaned it out. Corporal Saunders and Corporal Wilkerson were each given the D. S. C. for this act. The Indian had gone over and come back.

—Sgt. Irvin B. Gaard,
Company A, Second Engineers.