The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-12-25
HEROIC ACT OF ENGLISH GUN
NERS
Only Three Men OF Entire Battery
Left Alive.

In the course Of the terrible retreat
to the Marne, according to a story
told for the first time today, Battery
l. of the Royal Horse Artillery was
instructed with the support Of bri-
gade of cavalry to cover the retreat of
that part of the allied forces which
fell back on Compeigne. For nearly
three weeks the battery was fighting
a rear-guard action. So tired were
they that it was a common occur
renee for men to fall asleep in their
saddles, being rudely awakened by
falling from their horses. On the
last day of the general retirement the
battery was called upon to make the
great effort.
At this time the battery was situ-
ated near Compeigne, a ridge about
600 yards away being occupied by
French cavalry, whilst the general
retreat was going on in their rear.
Battery IL had been instructed to BE-
ready to move by a. m. and to await
further orders. Through the cutting
of the telegraph wires, or from some
other cause, the expected order did
not reach them and thick mist pre-
vented their seeing the retirement OF
the French cavalry. The order to re
tire not having arrived, Battery l.
waited, limbered up, ready to move at
moments notice. Just after 5
o'clock the mist cleared and they
were suddenly subjected to a terrific
enfilade fire from the ridge which
they had supposed to be still occupied
by the French.
They learned subsequently that
after the French cavalry left that
position in the early hours OF the
morning strong German force with
10 field guns and two Maxims had
under cover of the mist advanced
and occupied the position. AS soon
as the mist lifted sufficiently All IL
guns were brought to bear on the
unsuspecting battery 600 yards away.
The first volley killed nearly all the
horses Of the gun teams. This, OF
course, made retirement with the
guns impossible, and with all speed
the men of Battery IL, inspired by
their commanding officer, Captain
Bradbury, unlimbered and COM
menced to reply to the German fire.
Owing to their position they were
only able to bring three Of their guns
to bear on the enemy, but these were
manned by such Of the men
as had not been killed during the first
few moments. With magnificent
GOODNESS and courage these three guns
replied to the German fire with such
good effect that one by one the Ger
man guns were put out of action.
By this time very few men of the
battery were left, but the gallant lit
tie band continued to work the guns
so skillfully that they continued to
silence the German guns. Many of
the officers and men had been wound
ed, and at last only three men, all
officers, remained
TO serve the gun. Although all
wounded, these three men, crouching
behind the shield, kept up a deadly
ire with such effect that eventually
All but one Of the German guns were
put out or action. This unequal duel
went on for time until, al one Or
H. survivors remarked, WED both
lad enough or it, and the enemy ]
ind the three brave gunners ceased !
ire, almost at the same moment.
Thus, crouching behind the shield OF /
heir last gun, the three heroes were
ound by the strong force Of cavalry (
md infantry who shortly afterwards !
anne to their rescue {
The relieving force advanced to. the {
herman position, and found that all
Who had survived the British fire had
etired, leaving all their guns in the S
lands of the Allies. |