The Hayti herald. (Hayti, Mo.) 1908-1922, 1914-09-17
GEN, FRENCH TELLS HOW STRATEGY
SAVED BRITISH FROM ANN|H|LAT|ON


Cateau.Landrecies position an
ground had, during the 25th, been par
TALLY preparing and intrenched, had
grave doubts-owing to information
had received as to the accumulating
strength of the enemy against me
as to the wisdom of standing there to
fight.
Having regard to the continued re-
tirement of the French right, my en-
posed left flank, the tendency of the
enemy's western corps to envelop me,
and more than all the exhausted con-
dition Of the troops, I determined to
make great effort to continue the re-
treat till could put some substantial
| obstacle, such as the Somme or the
Disc, between my troops and the ene-
my, and afford the former some OPP
portunity for rest and reorganization.
Orders were therefore sent to
the corps commanders to continue
their retreat as soon as they possibly
could toward the general line OF Ver-
mand. st. Quentin and Ribemont, and
the cavalry under General Allenby
were ordered to cover the retirement.
Throughout the 25th and far into the
evening the First corps continued to
march on Landrec,es, following the
road along the eastern border OF the
forest of Normal, and arrived at Land.
recies about ten o'clock.
Enemy Allows No Rest.
Il had intended that the corps
should come further west, SO as to fill
up the gap between Lecateau and
Landrecies but the men were exhaust
ed and could not get further in with
out a rest.
"The enemy, however, would not
allow them this rest, and about $3.50
that evening the report was received
that the Fourth Guards brigade in
Landrecies was heavily attacked by
troops of the Ninth German army
corps, who were coming through the
forest to the north of the town. This
brigade fought most gallantly and
caused the enemy to suffer tre-
mendous loss in issuing from the for
est into the narrow streets of the
town. This loss has been estimated
from reliable sources at between 700
and 1000.
AT luS SdIIlC tiIiC
reached me from Sir Douglas Haig
that his first division was also heavily
engaged south and east of Marbles"
Two French divisions assisted the
First corps to retire in the night Of
the 25th. Second corps took position
between Caudry and LeCateau.
l Attacked by Four Corps.
HAt Iap13Spaly aDDarort
: 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
d time the guns Of four German army
e corps were in position against them.
: and Sir Horace Smith Dorren report
e ed to me that he judged it impossible
to continue his retirement at day
s break, as ordered, in the face Of such
l. an attack.
n 81 sent him orders to use his ut
g most endeavors to break off the action
l. and retire at the earliest possible mo-
e ment, as it was impossible for me to
IL send him support, the First corps be-
ing at the moment incapable of move
u ment.
IT "The French cavalry corps under
e General Sordet was coming up or
q our left rear early in the morning and
p sent him an urgent message to dc
u, his utmost to come up and suppo"
"a the retirement of my left flank, but
% owing to the fatigue Of his horses he
found himself unable to intervene ir
any way.
e, Outnumbered Four to One.
Of "There had been no time to in
III trench the position properly, but the
d. troops showed magnificent front II
re the terrible fire which confronted
OF them. The artillery, although out
TX matched by at least four to one, mad
a splendid fight and inflicted heav.
ry losses on their opponents.
n "At length it became apparent tina
w II complete annihilation was to b
ps avoided retirement must be attempte
ne and the order was given to commenc
ed it about $3.50 in the afternoon. Tn
movement was covered with most de
'u- voted intrepidity and determination b
ISL the artillery, which had itself suffere
At' heavily, and the fine work done b
Dr. the cavalry in the further retreat fror
ne the position assisted materially tn
De- final completion of this most difficu
w. and dangerous operation. Fortunate
en- ly, the enemy had himself suffered to
ip' heavily to engage in an energetic pu
ny suit.
er- "The retreat was continued far int
'et the night of the 26th and through til
IL 9th and the 2Sth, on which date til
lst troops halted on the line from Noye
Chauny and LeFere, having the
thrown off the weight of the enemy
be pursuit
on. French Come to Rescue.
the "On the 9th and the 2Sth l ws
,si- much indebted to General Sordet an
eau the French cavalry division. which |
be commands, for materially assistir
80 my retirement, and successfully dri