Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-10-19

military characteristics is that. except
for Small stretches on the top OF the
plateau, either side cannot be seen.
owing TO the woods on the edges of
the slopes. The tract OF the country
above described is well adapted for
Skiliul Conccalmcnt.
The enemy SO sklfullN turned this
to account that II made Il impossible
to Judge Of the real nature OF his np-
position to our passage OF the river.
but have every reason to conclude
that strong rear guards. at least three
army corps. were holding the pnss-
ages early on the morning of the 18Th.
'On that morning ! ordered The
British forces forward The first
corps ana cavalry advanced on the
river The first division was directed
on Chanonille, Via the canal bridge nj
Bourg. ON the right the cavalry aud
first division met with little opposition
and found passage by means OF the
canal aqucducl which crosses the
river This division therefore was able
to press on. supported hy the cavalry
on the outer flank. driving the enemy
before H.
Crossing Under Difficulties.
rOn the left the leading troops Of
the second division reached The river
by . o'clock. The NTH infantry
brigade only was able to cross the
river in singlc file under considerable
shell fire by means Of broken glr-
der of a bridge which WAS not entire
y submerged In the river A pontoon
bridge was constructed by q o'clock in
the afternoon.
"The fourth guards brigade met
with severe opposition at Chavonnc
and only late In the afternoon were
able 10 establish a foothold on tho
northern bank OF the river
ny nightfall the first division occu-
pied the area around Moulins. Palsy
and Geny. The second division blv-
on the southern bank Of the
river leaving only the fifth brigade on
the north bank TO establish brigade
head The second corps found allsthc
bridges destroyed except that at
Conde, which was in possession Of the
enemy ana remained 80 until the end
nf the battle
Swept by Artillery Fire.
In the approach to Missy, whore
The fifth division eventually crossed,
there is some open ground which was
swept by artillery fire from the oppo-
site banks. The thirteenth brigade
therefore was unable to advance but
The fourteenth, directed to a less eX-
posed point. was fcrred over and at
night established itself on the left of
st. Marguerite, whore later with the
fifteenth bridagc, supported by the
fourth division on their left, Il suc-
'ceded In repelling heavy counter at
acks on the third corps,
"On the morning Of the iath the
hrd corps found the enemy ostab-
ished In strength on Nregny plateau.
rhe twelfth infantry crossed at Ven
eel. but the bridge was so damaged
hat the artillery could only be man
handled across IL. Meanwhile the con-
Of bridge began close 10
he road bridge at Venizel
severe Struggle at River.
AT . p m. an infantry attack in
he direction Of chivres and Vregny
lad made good progress, but at 5.aD
}. M, the enermy's artillery and ma-
hine gun fire from the direction OF
'regny became so severe that no fur
her progress could be made. The
POSITIONS reached were held until al
most dark, The third corps made an
ttempt to throw n heavy pontoon
cross the river late IN the afternoon,
'ut gave up because Of the heavy
Iowizter fire Of the enemy
"ln the evening the enemy retired
{ all points and entrenched himself /
n high ground about two miles north |
( the river, along which runs the /
'hcmin des Danes. Dotachments Of /
Infantry however, strongly entreneh- +
d in commanding positions down the +
lVptH dHu hh NhilVhH HFtiHf Nfif 80 I
A front of all three army corps, with +
owerful artillery in support Of them.
Splendid Work of Inglneers.
During the night of the 18th ana
n the 14th and following days tield
incessantly worked night
nd day, throwing eight pontoons ana
ne foot bridge across the river nn-
or a generally heavy artillery fire,
hich was incessantly kept M or
ost of the crossings after their com
etlon. The other wagon and rail-
ay bridge were temporarily repaired
take foot passengers one would
Ike weight up to six tons. Thc
)orations of the field companies dur
& this trying time were worthy the
st traditions Of the royal engineers
important Advance Made.
"Wc1 weather added 10 the difii-
llties. on the evening Of the l4th
was stll impossible TO decide /
neither tho enemy was only making
temporary halt or Intended to stand
ID defend his position. with a view
clearing the situation, J ordered n
neral advance. The action Of the
rst corps on this day under the di-
ction and command Of Sir Douglas
aig was Of so skillful, bold and de-
sive a character that he gained po-
ions which alone would have en- II
lied me to maintain my position for II
ore than three weeks Of very severe q
yhting on the north bank of the IL
YER lc
Enemy Driven Back. n