The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-10-19


report heavy losses in killed and wound
not think they have been excessive in
view OF the magnitude OF the great night
and the Generalization and loss an kili-
ed and wounded which are known to
have been caused the enemy By the Wig
or ana severity OF our pursuit
Second Report
:, LONDON, Oct. rs. $3.50 .. m-s-Field
Marshal French's report. dated Octo-
Der 3. concerns the operations of the
british forces since the evening OF
Early in the morning Of the nth.
says the report. three corps crossed
the ourcq further pursuit of the enc
my being practically unopposed-the
cavalry reaching the line OF the Aisne.
Two brigades south OF Scissors. and
three brigades at Couvreiles and Ger
seuil on the afternoon of September
From the opposition encountered
py the sixth French army TO the west
OF scissors and two or our army corps
south OF Missy. and certain other indi-
cations along the line, formed the
opinion that the enemy had for the
moment. at any rate. arrested his re-
| treat and was preparing to contest
the passage OF the Aisne. with some
yigor. south OF Scissors. where the
Germans were holding Mont DE Paris
against attack. With the assistance
OF artillery the third corps of the
| french drove them back across the
River Scissors. where they DESTROYED
the bridges. Heavy artillery FIRE
showed that the Sixth French army
was meeting with heavy opposition all
4 along the line
ON this day the cavalry. under
General Allenby. reached the neigh
borhood OF Braine and did good work
IN clearing the town and the high
ground beyond ii of strong hostile de
tachments. The Queens Bays ars
particularly mentioned by the General
as having assisted greatly in the sue
cess OF this operation. They were
well supported by the third division.
which on this night bivouacked al
| brenelle, south of the river
| The NTH division approached Mis-
~ out were unable TO make headway
neighborhood OF Vauxcere without
much opposition. In this manner the
| cattle OF the Aisne commenced
| Position Very Strong.
4 Inc position OF the enemy was
very strong either for delaying action
or Tor defensive battle. One of the
chief military characteristics is that,
/ exceut for small stretches on the top
OF the plateau, either side cannot be
! seen, owing 10 the woods on the edges
OF the slopes. The trend of country
Is well adapted for concealment. The
enemy so skillfully turned this to ac-
| count that IL made IL impossible 10
Judge the real nature of his opposition
! 10 our passage OF the river but have
reason 10 conclude that strong rear
I guards at least three army corps, were
holding the passages early in the
morning of the 18th
on that morning | ordered the
british forces to advance and make
| good the Aisne. The first corps and
| cavalry advanced on the river
by nightfall the first division oc-
cupied the area around Moulins, Pals
Sy and Geny. The second division
hivouacked on the Southern bank
tho river. leaving only the fifth bril-
4 bridge head. The second corps found
all the bridges destroyed except that
| ut Condo which was in possession of
the enemy and remained so until the
end OF the battle.
In the approach to Missy, where
the fifth division eventually crossed
there Is some open ground which was
swept by artillery FIRE from the oppo-
site bank. The 18th brigade therefore
was unable to advance but the 18th
directed to less exposed point, was
RATED over and at night established
itself on the left of Saint Marguerite.
where later with the 18th brigade
supported by the fourth division on
their left, II succeeded in repelling
heavy counter attacks on the third
corps.
"On the morning of the 18th the
third corps found the enemy estab-
ished In strength on Nregny plateau.
The 18th infantry crossed at Nenizsl
but the bridge was so damaged that
the artillery could only be man-han-
died across 1t. Meanwhile. the con-
struction OF a bridge began close TO
the road bridge at Nenizel.
Enemy Retired.
In the evening the enemy retired al
i ALL nnfufa aud
high ground about two miles north of
the river, along which runs the Chem
| in Dies Danes. Detathments OF IN
fantry. however. strongly entrenchcd
in commanding position down the
/ slopes and on various spurs were left
In front OF all three army corps with
powerful artillery In support OF them.
During the night of the 18th and
on the 18th and following days field
companies necessarily worked night
and day. throwing eight pontoons and
one foot bridge across the river under
I a generally heavy artillery FIRE, which
was necessarily kept up on most of
the crossings after their completion.
The operations OF the field companies
during this trying time were worthy
the best traditions OF the Royal en-
gineers.
The weather added to the Difficult
ties. On the evening Of the 1fth Il
was stu impossible 10 decide whether
Auf tutulg was ONlN MAKING temper
airy halt or intended 20 stand and de.
fend his position. With a view 10
clearing the situation ! ordered a gen
eral advance. The action Of the first
corps on this day under direction OF
] Sir Douglas Haig was Of 30 skillful.
bold and decisive a character that he
gained positions which alone would
have enabled me TO maintain my pos
ition for more than three weeks Of
very severe fighting ON the nor.h
bank Of the river
About I D. m. the enemy obtained
/ a footing between the first and sec
ond corps and threatened 10 cut he
communications Of the latter General
Haig was hardly pressed and had iit-
tie reserve In hand. 7 placed a cavai-
~ division az his disposal. part of
which he skillfully used 10 prolouc
and secure the left flank Of the
guards brigade Some heavy fighting
ensued which resulted in the enemy
being driven back with heavy loss
Resistance Decreasing.
/ About O'Clock "A weakening OF lhr
lcounter attacks By the enemy and
other indications tended 20 show that
his resistance was decreasing aud a
general advance was ordered hy he
army corps commander A1fhnurh
. ma 90 HHIa. HHHHH 81