The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-10

Quarouble end Frameriex The THIRD
division On the right Of the corps suf-
fered considerable loss in this operation
from the enemy. who had retaken
Mons.
THE second corps halted on this
line where they entrenched them
selves. enabling Sir Douglas Halt with
the first corps to withdraw to the new
position. and he effected this without
much further loss. reaching the line
from Bruay to Maubeuge about seven
in the evening.
Towards midnight the enemy ap-
peared to be directing his principal
efforts against our left. I had pre-
viously ordered General Allenby with
the cavalry to act vigorously in adj
vance Of my left front and endeavor
to take the pressure OF.
About 1880 in the morning Cen
eral Allenby received q message from
Sir Charles Ferguson. commanding
the Fifth division. saying he was very
support. On receipt of this message
General Allenby drew his cavalry and
endeavored to bring direct support to
the Fifth division.
Held Up BY Wire.
During the course OF this opera
ton General DeLisle OF the Second
cavalry brigade thought he saw a
good opportunity. to paralyze the fur
Their advance of the enemy's infantry
by making mounted attack on his
flank. He formed up and advanced
for this purpose but was held up by
wire about 500 yards from his OBJ
jective and the Lancers and Eigh-
teenth dussars suffered severely in
the retirement Of the brigade.
The Nineteenth infantry brigade.
which hac been guarding the line of
communications, was brought by rail
to Valenciennes on the 22d and 23d.
Tho morning of the Gath they
moved out to position south of
Quaroble to support the left flank of
the Second corps. With the assistance
OF cavalry, Sir Horace Smith Dorrien
was enabled to effect his retreat to a
new position although having two
corps of the enemy on his front and
one threatening his flank. He suf-
fered great losses in doing so.
AT nightfall a position was occu-
pied by the Second corr to the west
of Bruay. the First corps to the right.
The right was protected by the for
Nineteenth brigade in position be-
tween Jenlain and Bruay and cavalry
on the outer flank. The French were
still retiring and had no support ex-
cept such as was afforded by the for
tress of Ma lbeuge and determined ef-
rts of the enemy to get around my
flank assured me that it was his in
t. ntion to hem me against that place
surround me.
lie Had to Hurry.
Il felt that not a moment must be
lost in retiring to another position. I
had every reason to believe the enc
my's forces were somewhat exhausted
and I knew that they had suffered
heavy l. sses. I hoped, therefore, that
hi crrit 114 ~rirr
GUS to prevent me from effecting my
object. The operation. however, was
full of danger and difficulty. not only
owing to the very superior force in
my front but to the exhaustion of the
troops.
THE retirement was recommended
in the early morning of the 25th to q
position in the neighborhood of LIE
Cateau and the rear guard were or
dered to be clear of Maubeuge and
Bruay by $3.50 a. m. Two cavalry
brigades, with the divisional cavalry
of the Second corps covered the move
ment Of the Second corps ind the re-
mainder of the cavalry division with
the Nineteenth brigade. the whole un-
der command of General Allenby, COW
cred the west flank.
THE Fourth division commenced
it's detrainment at LIE Cateau on Sum
day the ed and by the morning of
the 25th the eleven battalicns and a
brigade of artillery with the divisional
staff were available for service. or
dered Gene-al Snow to move out to
take up a position with his right south
Of Solesmes. his left resting on the
Cambrai-Le Cateau road south of La
Chaprise. In this position the divi-
sion rendered great help to the ef
fective retirement Of the Second and
First corps to new position.
Had Grave Doubts.
although the troops had been or
dered to occupy the Cambrai-Le
observation-disclosures posi- on and
ground had. during the 25th, been
partially prepared and entrenched, I
had grave doubts-Owing to informa-
ton 1 had received as to the accumu-
lating strength of the enemy against
meas to the wisdom of standing
there to fight. Having regard to the
continued retirement Of the French
right my exposed left flank, the ten
dency of the enemy's western corps
to envelop me, and more than all the
exhausted condition OF the troops, I
determined to make q great effort to
continue the retreat till 1 could put
some substantial obstacle such as the
Somme or the Disc between my troops
and the enemy and afford the former
some opportunity for rest and re-or-
ganization.
Orders were. therefore. sent to the
corps commanders to continue their
retreat. as soon as they possibly could
toward the general line of Vermand.
st. Quentin and Ribemont. and the cav
airy under General Anenby was or
dered to cover the retirement.
Throughout the 25th, and far into
the evening, of the First corps contin-