The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-19
GERMANS ROLLED BACK
WITH ENORMOUS LOSSES
Sacrifice Many Of Their Number In
Displaying Resolution Which
Approaches Desperation.
CoMBATs EVERY HOUR OF DAY
Adversnries In Many Instances Come
to Hand-to-Hand Clashes, and
Bayonet Is Extensively Useti-Car-
mage Is Terrifying.

ON THE BATTLE FRONT, September
IS tby way of Paris. $3.50 =. M).--The
gigantic battle or more properly. bat
ties. continue day and night along tho
entire front from Noyon TO the frontier.
The fighting does not consist of one
sustained and combined movement but
in reality OF several combats proceed :
ing necessarily at the strongest points
Of the Gerrpsns' defending line along
the River Aisnc.
Each encounter. however. influences
the execution of the general idea of the
cmnander-in- chief of the allied
armies. Attacks and counter attacks
follow one another in rapid succession
every hour u Tic twenty-four.
During the ItRht of September 1916
the Germans attempted formidable
movement in the western sphere. but
were met by the French and British
with courage that was marvellous
against overwhelming odds. The Ger
mans returned TO the attack no fewer
than ten times with remar TX a BILE
tenacity and intrepidity. but were UNI
able 10 break through the firm line pre-
sented by the allies infantry.
The fight Just before daybreak was
the most violent of all. The Germans
appeared to throw in the charge all
that remained OF their energy, but were
rolled back with enormous losses. Be-
| fore retiring behind their big guns,
they sacrificed many of their number
displaying resolution which approached
desperation. a vigorous counter at =
tack from the allies ensued, during
which small extent OF ground was
gained.
FIGHTING BECOMES
EVEN MORE FURIOUS
Last night was relatively calm along
the front, but to-day the fighting be-
came more furious than ever. During
the darkness. operations are rendered
difficult, owing to tho reluctance of tn Q
opposing commanders to use search :
lights. which might expose thcr posi-
tons
After this stage OF the fight was con
c!udeo' the Germans appeared to retire
about seven miles. During the combat
tho adNcrsarfes in many instances
came to hand-to-hand clashes, and the
bayonet was extensively used. The
carnage was terrifying. but the troops
OF both armies appear to have been
haraehed to such scenes. and fought
with great GOODNESS
The allies aviators apparently dis
covered to-day the placements of big
German guns. notwithstanding the
cleverness with which they are hidden
beneath an earthen covering, strcwn
with the branches OF trees.
The allies artillery opened con-
centrated fire on certain portion of
| the line. and the heavy German artil-
lery shortly afterward lapsed into
siicnce at that spot, although 1t Is not
known whether they were rendered
impotent or merely were effecting a
change of position.
GERMANS INCLINED
TO RECEDE SLIGHTLY
1t is impossible to learn from any
one portion of the line what is oc-
curing at other places. but an incli-
nation to reccde slightly seemed evil
dent on the German side. although they
offered the most obstinate resistance
and fought as though made Of iron
| The allies at the same time dogged!y
| pursued the small advantage they
gained. and kept at the heels OF their
| reluctantly retiring foe.
| AT point where the bulk OF the
British troops formed part Of the al
| lies line. the fighting WAS furious yes
terday Rnd to-day. and some of the
most famous English. Scottish and
Irish regiments, including the guards
and the Highlanders, suffered severely.
They performed the task set for them
untlichingly, advancing and occupying
some of the advanced German posi-
lions, but at terrible cost.
Behind the lighting line along the
Acy-Puisseux road stiil lie many of the
dead who fell In the fgAting of Sep
TENDER 3. Laborers engaged in the
task of interment declare that al
though they had buried great num-
bers. more than a thousand bodies still
awaited removal from the hattleN old