The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-10

a. !. n e %
DAILY - A1E J0Q
f2sth the cavalry became 4 good deal
scattered but Ey early morning OF the
18th. General Allenby had succeeded In
concentrating two brigades to the south
OF Cambria. The Fourth division was
placed under the orders Of the general
OFFICER commanding the Second army
corps.
ION the 24th the French cavalry
corps consisting of three divisions un-
der General sordet had been in BIZ
lets, north Of Avesnes.
"On my way back. from Bruay.
i which was my poste de commando
mente during the fighting Of the Esd
and earnestly requested his corpora
ton and support
He promised to obtain sanction
from his army commander to act on
were too tired to move before the next
day.
Although he rendered me valuable
assistance later on the course of the
reasons given to afford me any sup
port on the most critical day OF all,
namely the 26th.
lat daybreak 1t became apparent
that the enemy was throwing the bulk
of his strength against the left of the
position occupied by the second corps
and the fourth division. At this time
the guns of four German army corps
were in position against them and Sir
Horace Smith Dorrfen reported to me
that he judged 1t impossible to con-
| tinue his retirement at daybreak as
ordered. in the face Of such an attack.
Ordered to Break Away.
Il sent him orders to use his ut
| most endeavors to break off the ac-
ton and retire at the earliest possible
ant soil III FrH~r 10
send him support the first corps be-
ing at the moment incapable Of move
ment.
The French cavalry corps under
General Zordet was coming up on our
left rear early in the morning and I
sent him an urgent message to do his
| utmost to come up and support the
retirement of my left flank, but owing
to the fatigue of his horses he found
| himself unable to intervene in any
way.
There had been no time to en-
trench the position properly but the
| troops showed a magnificent front to
the terrible fire which confronted
| them.
The artillery although outmatched
by at least four to one, made a splen-
did fight and inflicted heavy losses on
their. opponents. s-s.
AT length it became apparent that
if complete humiliation was to be
and the order was given to commence 1T
| about $3.50 in the afternoon.
THE movement was covered with
| most devoted intrepidity and determi-
nation by the artillery which had it;
self suffered heavily, and the fine work
| done by the cavalry in the further re-
treat from the position assisted mate
rally the final completion of this most
difficult and dangerous operation For
tunately, the enemy had himself suf-
| fered too heavily to engage in an en-
ergetic pursuit
Saved the Left Wing. ~ =:
Il cannot close the brief account OF
this glorious stand of the British troops
| without putting on record my deep ap-
probation of the valuable services rem
dered by Sir Horace Dorrien. say
| without hesitation that the saving OF
the left wing of the army under my
command on the morning of the 26th
could never have been accomplished
usual GOODNESS, intrepidity, and deter
mination had been present to person
ally conduct the operations.
1.-The retreat was continued far into
the night Of the 26th and through the
9th and 28th, on which date the troops
halted on the line from Noyon, Chauny
and LIE Fere. having then thrown OF
the weight Of the enemy.s pursuit.
ION the the 9th and 28th was much
indebted to General Sordet and the
T
| mands for materially assisting my re-
tirement and successfully driving back
| some Of the enemy on Cambria. Cen
eral D'Amade also with the Sixty first
and Sixty-second reserve divisions
moved down from the neighborhood OF
Arras on the enemy's right flank and
took much pressure on the rear of the
British forces.
This closed the period covering the
heavy fighting which commenced at
Mons on Sunday afternoon. August %
and which really constituted four
days battle At this point. therefore.
propose to close the present dispatch
II deeply deplore the very serious
| losses which the British forces suffered
| in this great battle but they were in
evitahle in view of the fact that the
British army-only a few days after
concentration by rail-was called upon
to withstand the vigorous attack of five
German army corps. z~f-srs
| 1T is impossible for me to speak too
highly Of the skill evinced by the two
general officers commanding army
CORPS. the, self-sacificing exertions OF
their STATS. the direction of troops by
the divisional. brigade and regimental
leaders. the command Of small units by
their officers, and the magnificent
fighting spirit displayed by the nom
commissioned Officers and men.
| The Flying Corps.
| Il wish, particularly, to bring to your
llordship's notice the admirable work
done by the Royal Flying corps under
ergy, and perseverance has been be-
You'd all praise. They Eve furnished
Thin Folks Who