Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-09-18

6AO1Ao AAut uuEAuS the eolht DeCn PAL
TALLY preparing and intrenched. had
grave doubts-owing to information /
had received as to the accommodating
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 ex-
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 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 Landrectes, following the
road along the eastern border Of the
forest OF Normal, and arrived at Land
recfes about ten o'clock.
Enemy Allows No Rest.
Il had intended that the corps
should come further west, 80 as to I'LL
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 q 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 700
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
t between Caudry and LeCateau.
Attacked BY Four Corps.
"At daybreak It 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
2 corps were In position against them,
: and Sir Horace Smith Dorrien report
2 ed to me that he judged II impossible
to continue his retirement at day
break, as ordered, in the face Of such
/ an attack.
n II sent him orders to use his ut
Q most endeavors to break on the action
l. and retire at the earliest possible mo
9 ment, as It was impossible for me tC
y send him support, the First corps be
ing at the moment incapable Of move
u ment.
IT THE French cavalry corps undel
q General Sordet was coming up or
q eur left rear early In the morning and
p I sent him an urgent message to ID
a. his utmost to come up and supper
"a the retirement OF my left flank, bu
% owing to the fatigue of his horses h
found himself unable to intervene Il
any way.
g, Outnumbered Four to One.
OF There had been no time to In
III trench the position properly. but tn
d. troops showed a magnificent front {
re the terrible fire which confronte
Of them. The artillery. although out
TX matched by at least four to one. mad
a splendid fight and inflicted heav
~ losses on their opponents.
n. AT length It became apparent tha
W IL complete humiliation was to b
ps avoided retirement must be attempte
ne and the order was given to commenc
ed it about $3.50 in the afternoon. TIL
movement was covered with most d.
"a voted fntrepidity and determination b
'st the artillery, which had itself suffere
1t. heavily, and the fine work done b
or- the cavalry In the further retreat frol
ne the position assisted materially Il
BE- final completion of this most dificu
~ and dangerous operation. Fortunat
ch ". the enemy had himself suffered tc
lp- heavily to engage in an energetic pu
py suit
er- "The retreat was continued far I'M
get the night of the 26th and through Il
II 9th and the 2sth. on which date IL
lst troops halted on the line from Noye
chauny and LeFere. having this
thrown on the weight Of the enemy
be pursuit.
on. French Come to Rescue.
he "On the 27th and the 9sth WI
,sI- much indebted 20 General sordet 81
,au the French cavalry division. which
be commands, for materially assistiI
80 INV retirement, and successfully dri
the ing hack some of the enemy on Cal
md brai. General d'Amade also. with Il
The Sixty-nrst and Sixty-seeond reser
Of divisions, moved down from the neIg
ne borhood OF Arras On the enemy's rig
i'm fank and took much pressure OF b
the rear of the British forces.
This closed the period covert
its the heavy fighting, which commenc
ay, at Mons On Sunday afternoon. AugJ
the %, and which really constituted
ar four days battle. At this point. the