The state herald., 1914-09-04
BY FRANKLIN P. MERRlck.
International News Service,


Paris.--Burned villages and heaps OF
bodies lying on Belgian soil around
Charleroi show the ferocity with which
the allied French and British troops
opposed the wave Of German troops
that rolled them over and drove them
back to France.
For ten hours the tide Of battle
ebbed and flowed at Charleroi, the
town being taken and retaken five
times before the allies withdrew.
Part Of the city was wrecked. ac-
cording to reports received by the war
office. The villages of Marchiennes.
Monceau, Chatelet and Landelies were
burned.
Citizens Killed.
Though the inhabitants Of the peace
ful little villages had been warned
that the conflict was coming. scores
remained In their homes and perished
In the flames or were killed under the
rain of shot and shell that swept the
streets when they were driven from
the shattered structures.
Fierce hand to hand fighting took
place In Charleroi The French were
the first to occupy the town. but they
were driven out by a bombardment
from the German artillery. The Ger
mans then entered by the left bank
of the river Sambre. but within a
short time more Of the allies troops
arrived and the conflict was renewed.
The Germans sought cover In the
houses in the lower part of the town
and to dislodge them the French
were forced to sweep that section with
their artillery.
Wounded FIJI Town.
The lower part Of the town was soon
In flames and the Germans were
forced into the streets. Back and forth
through these surged the contesting
soldiers. fighting desperately for VIC
tory. The dead lay thick when the
French were finally forced to with
draw.
For three days wounded soldiers
have been pouring into Maubeuge.
The monastery and nunnery there are
filled. The Inhabitants have given
up their homes to the wars victims.
On Sunday the Germans drove the
French troops through the town OF
Charleroi, back to the second de-
fensive position on the line defined by
the towns Of Avesnes, Rocroi and Me-
zieres.
Reeaptured by French.
The French artillery from the
heights now turned a furious cannon
aiding on Charleroi. which had been
bombarded previously by the Germans
from the other side. The German po-
sition was 20 weakened by the deadly
accuracy OF the French gunnery that
counter attack by the allies was or
dered and at daylight on Monday the
entire line advanced. charged the Ger
man position and recaptured Chartered
The conflict probably was unequaled
in history In severity and casualties.
The Germans must have succeeded in
bringing up reserves. for early on
Tuesday they made a successful coun-
ter attack along the whole battle line
and retook Charieroi. driving the
French back to an intrenched position.
which they held until the morning Of
the second day.
Retreat In Good Order.
The retreat wns made In good Or
der. the main forces OF the French re-
manning intact
Both armies suffered terrific losses.
The battle has not yet finished.
The German catapuit is hammering
at the French and British allies again.
trying to batter Its relentless. way to
Paris. There is desperate fighting
along the Belgian frontier at several
points. and French victories are re-
ported at two places. Charleroi and
Courtrai. though nothing ofYicial has
been given out
Tureos Charge Battery.
At the beginning OF the combat the
French made n sortie in medieval
manner. with the object OF surprising
the enemy. The latter were found in
number far exceeding the French ex-
pectations, and the attempt to rout
them failed.
Then the Turcos. In the face OF n
withcring FIRE. charged German bat
tery nt the point OF the bnyonet Five
hundred OF these brave French sol.
diers from North Africa left on tho
charge. Only 100 returned,
Their sortic had no effect against
the steady German advance. which
continued to creep step by step
through the outskirts OF charlcroi.
Before the railway station the Ger.
mans fought for two hours in an effort
TO capture the bridge. Their losses
were enormous. but the bridge was
captured.
French Beaten Rapidly.
After the Teutonic advance over
wheimcd the bridge. the Germans
gained ground rapidly. taking In sue.
ccssion the villages OF Mnrohlcnnes.
Landelis and Monti.nien and the coun.
try m far ~ waicourt