The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-09-02

u,
refitted and reinforced for the next
great battle, according to an an
nouncement today by Lord Kitchen
fer, Secretary of State for war. In
statement based on reports from Sir
John French, commander Of the Brit
ish expeditionary forces, the sccre-
tary says that the British, after strug-
Cling against tremendous odds, re-
tired to a new line Of defence, where
they have not been molested since
Thursday. Their casualties are be-
tween five thousand and six thousand.
Since this fighting ceased the French
on the right and left have brought
the German attack to a standstill, it
is declared.
Lord Kitchener's statement, which
was issued through the official infor-
nation bureau, follows:
Although dispatches Of Sir John
French as to the recent battle have
not been received it is possible now
to state what has been the British
share in the recent operations. There
has been four days battle-on the
23d, Gath, 25th and 26th of August.
During the whole of this period, the
British in conformity with q general
movement of the French armies, were
occupied in resisting and checking the
German advance and in withdrawing
to new lines Of defence. The battle
began at Mons Sunday, during which
day and part of the night the German
attack, stubbornly pressed and re-
peated, was completely checked by
the British front On Monday, the
cath, the Germans made vigorous cf-
forts in superior numbers to prevent
the safe withdrawal Of the British
army and to drive it into the fortress
of Maubeuge.
This effort was frustrated by the
steadiness and skill with which the
British retirement was conducted and
as on the previous day losses far in
excess of anything suffered by us were
inflicted on the enemy, who, in dense
formation and in enormous masses,
marched forward again and yet again
to storm the British lines.
"The British retirement proceeded
on the 25th with continuous fighting,
though not on the scale Of tho pre-.
Vious two days, and by the night Of
the 25th the British army opened the
line of Cambrai Landrecies ana Leca-
teau. (Cambrai is a fortified town. in
the department Of the North, 32 miles
southeast of Lille on the River
Scheldt. Lecatueau is IA miles east by
southeast Of Cambrai) 1t had been
intended to resume the retirement at
daybreak on the 26th, but, the Ger
man attack, in which no less than five
army corps were engaged was so close
and fierce that it was not possible to
carry out this intention until the af-
ternOon.
"The battle on this day, the Goth,
was severe and desperate. The troops
offered superb and stubborn resist
ance to tremendous odds and at length
extricated themselves in good order,
though with serious loss and under
the heaviest artillery fire. No guns
were taken by the enemy, except those
the horses, Of which had been killed,
or which were shattered by high ex-
plosive shells.
Gen French estimates that during
the whole of these operations from
the 23d to the 26th, inclusive, his
| losses amounted to five or six thous-
and men. On the other hand, the
losses suffered by the Germans in their
attacks across the open, and through
their dence formation. are out Of all
proportion to those we suffered.
I'm Landrecies alone on the 25th a
German infantry brigade advanced in
close order into a narrow street and
SuA SuIS were DfOuGnt To
bear on this target from the end of
the town.
"Anothcr incident was the charge
of the German guard cavalry division
upon the British 18th cavalry brigade.
when the German cavalry was thrown
back with great losses and in abso-
lutc disorder These are notable cx-
amples of what has taken place over
the front during these engagements
and the Germans have been made to
pay the extreme price for every for
ward march.
Since the 26th, apart from cavalry
hghting, the British army has not
pccn molestcd. 1t has rested and re-
ntted after It's glorious achievements