Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-09-03


Chronicles correspondent, from an I'M
named town, sends under Mondays
date an account of the third British
battle, which follows:
Desperate fighting in which the
British troops are playing heroic
part. is taking place close by. The
right wing of the allied forces, form
ing the northern army, has been
fiercely engaged, but 1t is against the
British, or left wing, that the Germans
are flinging the whole of their weight,
regardless of the enormous sacrifice
OF human life entailed. The enemy
seems bent upon breaking through
our defensive line and SO pushing back
the allies near To Paris.
The battle, which is still a tan in
conclusive stage, was preceded by very
heavy artillery fire. The German guns
were well served and the aim of their
gunners was rendered very accurate
by observation of aerial pilots.
Freshly arrived troops from Eng
land, who had been pushed forward
from a certain base. arrived on the
scene of action in time to participate
In the great struggle. These British
reinforcements had been carrying out
strategic movements in troops trains
for several days, and in the expressive
phraseology of Tommy Atkins they
were fed up with the whole thing and
were all eagerness for a brush with
the enemy.
Their chance came yesterday. Many
were reserves with South African ex-
perience and they marched to the
front cheering the French and growl-
ing for William the Weed somehow
confusing the Emperor with William
tof Wied) of Albania. French and
English flags were borne at the head
of each company.
They were in fine fettle. Are we
own-hearted?' would shout someone
from the ranks and Immediately back
came the fervent reply: No, but Will
liam, the Weed, will be down-hearted
by the time we finish with him.
The fight for supremacy, which
continued throughout the day, is by
no means ended. The brunt of the at
tack was splendidly borne by our SOL
diers and never did the unflinching,
bulldog courage of the British show
TO better advantage. The heavy and
well directed German artillery fire
made little impression on our men,
although the casualties entailed by the
splendid resistance of the British were
necessarily heavy.
Toward evening. after a day of
most sanguinary fighting, our brave
fellows were compelled to give ground
slowly. The slight advantage gained
by the German hordes was dearly
purchased. as the attacking German
infantry fell in heaps.
"on the right and center the
French were more fortunate than our
selves and contrived to hold their own.
reward evening when the fun force of
the German attack had spent itself,
The French delivered a sharp counter
attack, repuising the enemy all along
their front. The German losses are
Stated TO be very heavy.
THE battle was continued TODAY by
a fresh onslaught on the British. con-
shutting the left flank. According to
the latest information which has
reached me. our sorely tried troops
are being reinforced and they are con-
ndent OF being able to check the enc.
my's advance.
The Germans are displaying extra
ordinary recklessness fiinging away
thousands OF lives in the hope of ulti-
mately gaining their end No doubt the
rapid advance Of the Russians IN East.
ern Prussia has something to do with
this and Is responsible for the frantic
ana insane haste which characterizes
ths German attempt in northern
France TO smash the thin khaki line
which so vaiiantly bars the road to.
ward Compeigne, scissors and Paris.
ihat stories OF German atrocities
are not one whit exaggerated may be
gathered from the story told me by a.
sergeant who was wounded in the ac-
uon near Mons Sunday a week ago.
AS ne lay helpless on the ground and
tue German infantry swept by he
could hear, from the imploring cries
OF the wounded in his front that thew
were being futhlessly put to death by
their foes. Closing his eyes and simu-
lating death. the wounded sergeant Law
perfectly still. AS the Germans passed
him no received violent blow in the
chest from the butt Of a rifle, which
broke one of his ribs. He bore the main
undlnchingIy and never moved a mus
Gle. Another Prussian stabbed a
wounded man with his bayonet as he
went past.
The sergsant's ordeal was a terri
bic one and BE- expected every moment
to be his lag Ultimately the German