The Sentinel=record. (Hot Springs, Ark.) 1900-current, 1914-09-10
Three German Army Corps Threat
ened to Surround His English Force
Which Was Unsupported.

made dispositions 10 move lne loIGd
TO positions / considered most favor
able from which to commence opera
tons which General Joifre requested
me to undertake.
The line extended along the line
of the canal from Condo, on the west,
through Mons and Binche on the
east
The British took position on Au-
gust % on a line from Condo on the
west through Mons and Binche on
the east. General French understood
that almost two army corps were in
front of the British position.
AT o'cock on the evening of Au
gust 90 he received an unexpected
message from General Joffre, the
French COMMUNICATIVE chief, that
three German army corps were NOV"
ing on the British and that another
corps was engaged in a turning move
ment from Journal. General Joffre
also stated that the French army on
the British right was retiring.
As a result of this information he
determined to retire to a position
which he previously had reconnoiter-
ed, extending from Maubeuge west to
Jenlain. southeast of Valenciennes.
There was certain amount OF
fighting along the whole line of the
right. The retirement was carried out
successfully throughout the 24th
amid continuous fighting.
"As the French troops still were re-
tiring,' General French continues, i
had no support except from the fort
ress at Maubeuge, and determined at
tempts of the enemy to get around
my left flank assured me it was his
to press me against that
pace and surround me. ! felt not a
moment must be lost in retiring to
another position.
This operation was full of danger
and difficulty not only owing to thu
very superior force in my front, b.,
the exhaustion of my troops. The re-
tirement recommended in the morn
ing OF the 25th to a position near
Lecateau.
Although the troops had been or
dered to occupy Cambria, Lecateau
and Landrecies and that position and
ground had during the 25th been par
TALLY prepared and entrcnched, | had
grave doubts owing to information /
received regarding the accommodating
strength of the enemy as to the wis
dom of standing there to fight.
Moreover, the retirement of the,
French troops on my right continued
and | determined to make great eN
fort to continue the retreat until |
could put a substantial obstacle, such
as the Somme or the Disc river, BE-
tween the British and the enemy and
afford the former some opportunity
for rest and reorganization.
Therefore, the corps commanders
were ordered to retreat as soon as
possible to general line from st.
Quentin to Ribmont."
General French then describes the
march through AL that day and until
late in the evening, duri g which
time he was necessarily harassed by
the enemy, who continued to attack
late at night on the exhausted British.
General French continues:
General Sordet. commanding three
cavalry divisions, whom | had called
to my assistance, though he rendered
valuable aid later, was unable to af-
ford any support on the most critfQil
day, the 10Th, owing to the exhaustion
of his horses.
AT daybreak on the Goth IL bocamS'
that the enemy was throw
ing the bulk of his strength against
the left of our position and the guns
of four German army corps betns in
position against it, General Smith
Dowien reported that he was unable
to retire as ordered In the face of
such an attack il was impossible for
me to support General Dorrein as the
first corps at the moment was in
capable of moving. There had been
no time to entrench properly but the
troops showed magnificent front 10
the terrible fire.
Finally it became apparent that +
complete humiliation was to De
avoided a retirement must be at
tempted, and an order was given to
commence it at 1880 o'clock in the
afternoon. The movement was GOV
cred with the most devoted intrep-
idity and determination by the artil-
lery, Which had suffered heavily, and
the fine work of the cavalry, assisted
materially in the completion of the
most difficult and dangerous opera
ton. Fortunately the enemy had suf-
fered too heavily to engage in ener-
getic pursuit.
The retreat was continued far into
the night of the 26th and througlEsS.t