The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-09-18
GEN, FRENCH TELLS LOW STRATEGY
SAVED BRITISH FROM ANN|H|LAT|0N

| although the troops had been or
dered to occupy the Cambrai-Le
| Cateau-Landrecies position and
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 OK
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, l determined to
make a 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 op-
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 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 ten o'clock.
Enemy Allows No Rest.
II had intended that the corps
should come further west, 80 as to fiji
up the gap between Lecateau and
Landrecies but the men were exhaust
ed and could not get further In with
out 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 CALAMITY and
caused the enemy to suffer a 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 TOO
and 1000.
AT the same time information
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.
Attacked by Four corpa
AT daybreak 1t 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 in position against them,
Ind Sir Horace Smith Dorrien report
ID to me that he Judged It impossible
to continue his retirement at day.
break, a. ordered, in the face Of such
m attack.
II sent him orders to use his ut.
most endeavors to break of the action
and retire at the earliest possible mo-
ment, as II was impossible for me to j..
send him support, tho First corps be.
ing at the moment incapable Of move.
ment.
The French cavalry corps under
General Sordet was coming up on
,ur left rear early In the morning and
sent him an urgent message to do
his utmost To come up and support
he retirement Of my left flank, but
,wing to the fatigue Of his horses he
'eund himself unable to intervene IN
my way.
outnumbered Four to One.
There had been no time to IN.
rench the position properly, but the
roops showed magnificent front to
he terrible IRE which confronted
hem. The artillery, although out.
by at least four to one, made
! splendid fight and inflicted heavy
osses on their opponents.
AT length it became apparent that
( complete humiliation was TO IA
welded retirement must be attempted
md the order was given to commence
{ about $3.50 In the afternoon. Tho
was covered with most de-
'oted intrepidity and determination BY
no artillery, which had itself suffered
and the hne work done by
he cavalry in the further retreat from
no position assisted materially the
nal completion Of this most difficult
nd dangerous operation. Fortunate
y, tho enemy had himself suffered too
leavily to engage In an energetic Dur.
uit.
The retreat was continued far into
he night OF the 18th and through thu
7th and the 18th, on which date tho
roops halted on the line from Noyen.
;hauny and LeFere, having then
brown al tha wAisht ~ xN~