The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-30
Ubsoss csrrssses1sscs 90 Tn evs.

eminent mas repeatedly been pressed to
gfvs the country the story Of the stand
II the Tenth tIrish) Division against
overwhelming forces Of the Bulgars In
Macedonia before the retreat Of the
Allies to salonica, the United Kingdom.
and ireland In particular. il still wait
I'M for the official account OF the action,
vhtch. though II ended adversely, will
mnk among the finest exploit. Of Brit
len arnp.
The Weekly Despatch publishes the
story Of how the Irish regiments stood
their ground against wave upon wave
Of Rulgars, moving them down with
rife and machine guns to the accom-
paniment Of shouts of stick 1t. Jolly
boye give EN- he'll. ~Connaughts. - The
account flls more than a page OF that
newspaper. and the following are the
main points OF the story:
"on December 8. which was a Fri
Bulgar deserters who had much of in
terest Ia tell. They said that the Bull
cars not only had suffered very heavily
III AAA'Nh Wv h"t 81 btollN
but we're losing men rapidly owing to
SICKNESS and frostbite.
What is more to the point, they
warned the officers that a big attack
against our line was impending. that II
had been arranged to take place that
day hut that the severe snowstorm had
caused them to put 1t off to another
day which would not be long delayed.
Preuared for Rattle.
These opportune tidings. which as
events proved we're thoroughly reliable.
were communicated to headquarters and
the necessary precautions for battle
taken. The outposts were drawn in
and finishing touches given to the
trenches.
The night before the great Bulgar
attack began one Of the b~attslions held
. powwow in their dugouts, which
they had covered in with a big tarpau.
I'm that hid tho smoke Of a match
WOOD FIRE. lit for cheerfulness as much
a for warmth. There was little in their
Surroundings to make them happy. but
their own lively spirits allowed them to
triumph over their environment and the
night passed pleasantly In song.
TN that bleak corner OF the Balkan.
thousands OF miles from home English.
men sang themselves happy with senti-
mental and topical ditties. II a pro-
srsmme had been printed II would "
run like this:
Song. NJ Little Grey HON. in tn.
Vest"
Mouth organ colo. who We're You With
Lest Night"
sons. when irish Eye. Ar. smiling"
Visiting SOLO stop Four Tickling
la',r,a, FOR enrichment. Ctea, bully beet.
80 biscuit sand witches, jam sandwiches.
song "YiIdle on Your Fiddle"
Mouth organ solo, "Tipperary."
song. AR" We All Here"
\n'' Smoking allowed in all parts OF
u. hoI>e
Though the West Kents thu amused
themselves and put many a shy comrade
Who refused 10 sing in the oven there
Wa q feeling that danger was near.
Instinct proved unerring. The Tenth
Division stood to all night. 30 that II
the anemy came in the morning they
would not find their hosts unprepared
L. The first trenches were the Con-
raughts, III" MINISTER'S. the Dublin Fusi-
liers, the Hanpshires and the Innis-
filings. the latter 10 a large extent
lister men holding the extreme right
Wig.
"'awn has scarcely broker when the
eAcmy made his expected attack. The
conditions wholly favored him. for a
'''f ''''''' VI " R'' e''' '''
cover the Bulgars were able 10 get
within 500 yards OF parts OF our line
without being observed. The Innis-
killings we're the first TO be attacked !;
about . \ VI, their outposts were driven
" and then "A great mass OF the enemy
swuope1 down on the trenches, but were
driven back by the fire Of our Maxim
guns and ny the steady magazine fire
thai came from the trenches.
Mad Rush to slaughter.
"Scarccly had the attack on the ex-
irene right Of our line had time TO
develop when the main body of Bull
gsrans were seen running down a defile
leading 10 the centre OF our front. They
we're perceived " a long, interminable
stretch Of men-a mass Of shadowy fig
ures revealed half distinctly In no mist,
A they reached the END Of tho defle
they spread out as from a bottle neck,
and with wild cheers flung themselves
on our line. But before they had got
% far our Fun smashed and battered
'hN thick procession Of men leaping u
o' The narrow gorge. It was impossible
70 miss them. British artillery had
never had such a target since the FIRST
battle Of Ypres, when the guns literally
moved down the half-trained German
Troops who attacked on the User.
Nv SlhuknteT Oh ule kuHb We" Aho
mhed by tho slaughter of the rapid mas
line fire at short range. Wave after
wave OF the enemy came on, each broken
a n swept out of the dehle, but the
Rulsars wcre not to be denied. Though
hsir comrades fell thick and fast they
came on, and by sheer impetus OF mum,
oer reached our trenches. where awfu
work WAS wrought. II was hand to hand
hghtiIg then-terrible to witness. ter
nble IN think of. The short bayonet Of
he Bulgsr. however. was of little use
IN these trench combats. man fol
man the British won. but the Bulgars
hsd fine numbers and temporarily thu
nrs' line Of the Twelfth Division wal
oVerhorne, The British we're driven out
"'he British artillery had been doins
Splendid work, but by now the enemy
artillery was In full blast, and they
poured a devastating and whitening hal
of nrc on our positions. which through
FAULTY ranging put out Of action more
o1 the Bulgsrs than II did OF ~. TIL
Munatcrs and the ~Connaughts and tn
Duhlins quickly rallied. and with a won
derfnl bayonet charge drove the enem,
oWt OF their trenches again. The enemy
hlassed in close formation. swarmed II
~ more, but against the deadly mr.
poured into them they could make M
Roadway for some time. The brave Irisl
regiments were pouring lead into then
as last as they could load their rifles
They poured into the oncoming massel
a. much AZ l75 ounds at point blanl
range, This will give an idea OF tn