New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-28
CAVALRY DIVISION
MET NO HORSEMEN
French Mounted Troops
for a Months Opposed
Only Infantry.

Nancy. france. Dec. y. - NlNHldHs
who seek striking evidences Of war
must 20 several miles out Of Nancy
toward the Lorraine frontier. The vii
lage of B - is the centre of a divi-
sion Of cavalry which participated in
the first marches on Sarreburg at the
beginning Of August, i'm the retreat
which followed, in the operations IN
the region of Luneville, then in the
Woevre. to come back finally 10 the
first theatre Of its exploits. At present
this iudefatigable division is at rest,
though it sends patrols and recon
Eoitring parties every day in all direc-
tions and makes raids on the German
lines Of communication.
Ii is curious eXempliiication Of the
characteristic Of modern warfare that
this division, though constantly fight
ing for four months, never has had
occasion TO charge the German cav
airy The chief object of the mounted
troops in this region has been 10 pre-
vent German troops being detached for
use elsewhere.
IL is here also that the sight of the
deep blue uniform Of the Alpine chas-
scur is most familiar. These why,
agile and enduring troops have rem
Gered valuable service in this war
Passing through q forest of the NosCes,
coming suddenly into o little clearing,
one sometimes sees a formidable rush
OF a moving mass in blue, which stops
abruptly here and there and rushes on
again. Il is battalion of the Alpine
chasseurS camping in the region. re-
posing for the moment. but tirelessly
continuing its exercises in order not TO
get out OF training. The officers o.
these troops are very young. but well
selected, for they are always i'm the
advance guard and. more often than
the troops coming behind, arc obliged
20 resort 20 an intelligent initiative.
Here, within sight of the Hohneck, a
crest of the Nosgcs, that these chas-
seurs carried at the beginning Of the
war by a gallant charge. they are like
boys az play. seemingly unconscious Of
the booming Of the cannon that con-
tinuea over the mountains IN the di-
rcction Of Thanh. Their losses have
been severe. The battalion camping
here in the clearing has left 300 dead
including 10 officers. and 700 wounded.
including IA officers. on the field OF
battle.
The voids have been filled with new
recruits taken from the bases, young
men only and some Of them of the
class of 1914, but all Of them made Of
the same hardy. wirv stuff th-t is re-
quired for an Alpine chasseur
In the retreat of the French army
from Upper Alsace these troops COW
cred themselves with glory. especially
the 18th and 22d regiments, supported
by two regiments Of cavalry fighting
on foot. These four regiments pro-
tected the retreat of the entire l4th
Army Corps. They had pushed over
the crest of the NoSges at Bonhomme
and at a critical stage OF the opera
tions received the order 70 defend the
peak of Mandray, the possession of
which was necessary in order 20 assure
the safety Of the artillery Of the re-
treating army. For five long DAYS.
LOO strong. they remained there under
the TIRE Of three German brigades. sup
ported by brigade of artillery
On the evening Of the fifth day. not
having slept an hour in 100. they still
found the courage to charge with the
bayonet and put to flight a regiment Of
POmcranian rihemcn who were advanc.
ing under the cover Of a terrific artillery
fire 10 force the passage When IL was
over, Of the ZOO there remained barely
700. The commanding officer, Nerlct-
Hanus. had been killed and twenty Of
his officers died at his side One of the
companies which, on strict orders. had
evacuated Sauzy, was reduced TO fifty
men. with one wounded officer and two
other dying officers. The sacrifice had
not been useless, for the stand had
protected the retreat Of the bulk OF the
troops and the Pomeranisns abandoned
DuTeuif