With reference to the crossing of the Meuse River the American commander in chief reported as follows:
On the night of November 10, the Fifth Corps forced a crossing of the Meuse against heavy enemy resistance between Mouzon and Pouilly, and advanced to the Inor-Mouzon road with two battalions holding the high ground northwest of Inor.
The general success achieved by the Second Division in the Argonne-Meuse offensive is well described by the words of the order citing Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, of the Marines, for an Army distinguished service medal, reading in part as follows:
In the Meuse-Argonne offensive his division was directed with such sound military judgment and ability that it broke and held, by the vigor and rapidity of execution of its attack, enemy lines which had hitherto been considered impregnable.
During this fighting the headquarters of the Fourth Brigade was successively established at Exermont, one-half kilometer north of Exermont, Sommerance, Bayonville-et-Chennery, Fosse, Belval-Bois-des-Dames, and Beaumont.
The following self-explanatory memorandum was sent out by the Commanding General of the Fourth Brigade:
Headquarters 4th Brigade,
Marines, American E. F.,
11th November ’18—8.40 a. m.
Peace Memorandum No. 1.
The following telephone message received from Surprise 1 at 8.35 a. m. this morning forwarded for compliance.