The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-10

plane reconn oissance and as a re- suit of this determined to effect a retirement to the Maupeuge position at daybr eak on the 24th.
 "A certain amount of fighting con- tinued along the whole line through out the night and, at daybreak on the 24th, the second division from the nekghborhood of Harmi gnies made a powerful demonstration as if to re- take Bfnche. This was supported by the artillery of both the first and second divisions while the first di- vision took up a supporting position in the neighborhood of Peissaut: Un- der cover of this dem onstration, the second corps retired on the line of the Dour, Qdarouble and Tram cries The 3rd division, on the right of the corps, suffered considerable loss in this operation from the enemy, who had re-taken Mons.
 'FThe second corps halted on this, line, where they entrenched them selves, enabling Sir Douglas Haig, with the first corps gradually to withdraw to the new position and he effected this without much further loss, reaching the line from Bavaryi to Maubeuge about seven in the seyen- ing sse
 rewards midnight, the enemy ap- peared to be directing his principal eff fort against our left. had previous ly ordered General AIlenby, with the cavalry. to act vigorously in advance of my left front and endeavor to take the pressure off.
 About 7:30 in the morning General AIlenby received message from Sir Charles Ferguson, commanding the 9th division, saying he was very hard pressed and in urgent need of support. On receipt of this message, General A1lenby drew in his cavalry and en- deavored to paralyze the further ad- vance Of the enemy's infantry by mak- ing a mounted attack on his flank. He formed up and advanced for this pur- pose but was held up about 500 yards from his objective and the 9th Ian viers and the 18th Hussars suffered severely in the retirement of the bri- gade.
 "The 18th infantry brigade. which had been guarding the line Of com manifestations, was brought by rail to IValeneiennes with the 22nd and 23rd On the morning of the 24th, they moved out to a position south of lQuaroubles to support the left flank of the second corps. With the assistance of the cavalry, Sir Horace Smith Do rfen endeavored to effect his retreat to a new position, although having two corps of the enemy on his front and one threatening his flank. He suf- fered great loss in doing so.
 +'At nightfaI1 a: position was occu- pied by the second corps to the west of Bavay, the first corps to the right. l The right was protected by the fort ress of Maubeuge.
 The French were still retiring and I had mo support, except such as was afforded by the fortress of Maubeuge and determined efforts of the enemy to get around my flank assured me that it was his intention to hem me against that place and surround me.
 'fI felt that not a moment must be | lost in returning to another position. I had every reason to believe that the eneny's forces were sor1ewhat ex- ha4sted and knew that they had suffered heavy losses. I hoped, there fore, that his pursuit would not be too vigorous to prevent me effectine l my object The operation,N however was full of difnculty and danger, not only owing to the very superior forces in my front but also to the exhausted condition of the troops
 "The retirement was recomm menced in the early morning of the 18th to a position in the neighb orhood of Le Cateau and the rear guard were or
 dered to be clear of Ma>ubeuge and Baxay by 5:3O 3. m. Two cavalry brigades, with the divisional cavalry of the second corps, covered the move.
 ment of the second corps and the re- rnainder of the cavalry division witt the 18th brigade. the whole under | command of General A11enby, covered
 the west flank.
 4I0 It'll dIN1S1Oh COIIl4H0HCSA US
 detrainment at Le Cateau on Sunday
 the 23rd and Hoy the morning of the 25th eleven battaIions and a. brigade
 of artillery with the divisional staff
 were available for service. ordered
 General Snow to move out to take UT
 a position with his right south o1 J Solemes, his left resting. on the Cam brai--Le-Cateau road south of Ie
 Chapriz. In this position: the divisi or
 rendered great help to the effective re
 tirement of the second and first corp:
 to new positions.
 Although, the rtoops had been or.
 dered to occupy the Cambrai-Le-Ca
 teu-Landreceis position and ground
 had during the 18th been. partially
 prepared and entrenched, I had grave
 doubts-owing to information I had
 received as to the accommodating
 strength of the enemy against me-a: fn the wisdom of standing there fI