Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1914-10-07

dered 10 occupy the CambraiLe-
CateauLandrecies position and
ground had. during the 25th. been par.
TALLY preparing and intrelched. I had
grave doubts owing to Information |
had received rs TO the accommodating
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 ex-
posed left flank. The tendency OF the
encmy's western corps to envelop me,
and more than all the exhausted con
dition of the troops. l 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 enc
my, and afford the former some OPP
portunity fo- rest and reorganization.
Orders were therefore sent to
the corps commanders to continue
their retreat rs soon IA they possibly
coulG toward the general line OF Yer
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 landrecies. following the
road along the eastern border OF the
forest OF Normal, and arrived at Land
recies about ter o'clock
Enemy Allows No Rest.
Il had intended that the corps
should come further west. so as TO fill
mp the gap between Lecateau and
Landrecies, but the men were exhaust
ed and could not get further In with
out n rest.
The enemy. however, would not
allow them this rest, and about 9:30
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 CALAMITY and
caused the enemy to suffer tire
mendous loss I'm issuing from the for
est into the narrow streets OF the
town. This loss has been estimated
from reliable sources Mt between TOO
and 900
reached mo from Sir Douglas HaIg
! tina. lis first division was also heavily
engaged south and east of Marbles"
Two French divisions assisted tho
First corps To retire In the night OF
the 25th. Second corps took position
between Caudry and LeCateau.
Attacked by Four Corps.
AT daybreak it 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 i'm position against them,
and sir Horace Smith Dorrien report
ed TO me that he judged II impossible
TO continue his retirement at day
break, as ordered. I'm the face OF such
an attack.
81 sent him orders TO uRe his ut
most endeayors TO break OF the action
and retire at the earliest possible mo
ment, as II was impossible for me TO
send him support. the First corps be
Ing at the moment incapable Of move
ment.
hb Ilfufu fdFdlIy OlBb uHutI
General SOrdet was coming up on
our left rear early i'm the morning and
/ 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.
Outnumbered -Four TO One.
There had been no time to In
trench the position properly. but the
troops showed "A magnificent front to
the terrible fire which confronted
them. The artillery. although out.
matched by at least four 10 one, mado
a splendid fight and inflicted heavy
losses on their opponents.
AT length II became apparent that
n complete annihilation was TO be
avoided retirement must be attempted
and the order was given TO commence
II about $3.50 I'm the afternoon. The
movement was covered with most de-
voted intrepidity and determination by
the artillery, which had itself suffered
heavily. and the fine work done by
the cavalry In the further retreat from
tho position assisted materially the
final completion OF this most difficult
and dangerous operation. Fortunate
~, The enemy h"f himself suffered too
heavily 10 cngat.. tu an energetic mr..