davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
GERMANS WITHOUT
 WATER THREE DAYS
British Artillery Kept Sup plies From Reaching Them.
 Teutons Were Outgunned

London, July 3.-A dispatch to the France describing the fighting of the last two days, says that a close, bitter and intensive struggle was engaged in over every furlong of the front, which has been fortified continuously for r months by every mechanical device known to modern warfare.
 "The highest tribute to the success of the onrush,' says this account, was the undoubted fact that the Germans were in no degree taken by surprise. Ac- cording to prisoners, the attack was ex- pected.
 The bulk of the enemy's reserves were certainly brought up and the men were everywhere ordered to hold out to the death.
 Great efforts were made by the Ger mans to forward ammunition to the fir ing line but our artillery fire made this either difficult or impossible.
 Prisoners asserted that they had re- ceived nothing to drink for three days and that they had also been short of food. Some jumped out of their trenches at the same moment that our men left theirs and stood in a row holding up their hands.
 Such incidents might give an inac- curate idea that the enemy surrendered easily. The truth Is that in villages, however battered, and in field forts they organized their defense with the highest skill and obstinacy.
 "At Thiepval and Beaumont they braved it out until the end of the day against all attacks, so too at Fricouft The defense of Mametz made a great battle out of the taking of that single village. The counter attack at Montau- ban, though it failed, was as fine an effort as the more successful German counter charge at Serre
 ''The weak point in the German de- fense was the heavy artillery. The enemy was quite outgunned and our infantry suffered much less than was expected from shellfire.
 Both tactically and by accidents of fighting the enemy at the end of the day were often left in isolated groups or promotories such as Gommecourt where we advanced on both sides of a wood, and on islands such as are found ir the valley where the village of Fri court is located. In such places pris- oners are likely to be numerous. In any case, the fighting must be muddled and uneven.
 Nowhere was the fight sufficiently uniform to make any general summing up possible and above all the campaign
 is continuous. South of the Ancre we scored our greatest successes. North of that river our progress was on the whole greater than the map shows and we have strong expectations that the number of prisoners in this quarter will be con- siderable"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
5000 PRISONERS TAKEN

Paris, July 2.-South of the Somme the French have forced their way into the second line of the German entrenchments at number of places and have captured the village of Prise and che Mereau- court wood, according to an official state ment issued by the war office tonight. The number of unwounded prisoners talk en in the two days battle now is stated to be more than 5000.
 In the fighting south of Arras yesterday the French took prisoner 5000 Germans, according to the official statement issued today by the French war department.
 In the course of the night French troops captured the village of Curlu, about seven miles southeast of Albert.
 A heavy German counter attack upon the village of Hardecourt, one and eight tenths miles north of Curlu, was repulsed, the statement adds. After repeated as-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
FIRST WOUNDED FROM GREAT OFFENSIVE RE EACH LONDON

ceased to exist They were battered to bits
 We did not literally charge the en- emy's advanced trenches. There was nothing to charge. What we did charge, however, and charge quickly, were our own shell holes behind the German trenches. They were huge holes where our shells had dropped during the week and in these holes the Germans awaited us with machine guns As we approached they turned the guns on us
 Some of our fellows carried bombs and hurled them into the holes as soon as they got within reasonable range. But we did not finish them all in that way. There did not happen to be bomber handy every time a machine gun sang out from a shell hole, so our lads, instead of waiting for some one with bomb, just charged the holes. Often with a whoop they took flying leaps into holes.
 It was a thrilling affair while it last ed. dozen or perhaps a score of men would converge on a hole and take a leap almost simultaneously. The next moment the hole was filled with a strug- ling mass of British and German hu- manity while the guns, of course, were silent"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
Bids For Furnishing g Coal to Mobile Water
 works Department

The city of Mobile will receive bids until noon, July 18th, 1916. at the office years supply of coal delivered at the Spring Hfll and Bienville Pumping Stations.
 applying to c. w. Soost. Supt or Mobile Waterworks
 The city reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals.
 Bids to be opened on above date ana must be accompanied with guaranteed analysis, as described In specifications. HARRY PILLANs. Com. Water Dept.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
ID KEEP MEX|CANS
 AWAY FROM BORDER
American Commanders Will Not Allow Them to Ap- proach Too Close
 for Spying

Columbus N. M, July 2.-Groups of Mexicans are to be kept from approach ing too closely to the American border in the New Mexico border patrol dis trict according to orders issued today by Colonel Sickles, commanding the dis trict as a result of the firing last night from the Mexican side on a detachment of United States cavalrymen.
 Investigation developed that the ma rauders probably were part of a Mexican scouting party sent from Ascension, 70 niles south, to reconnoiter the frontier, and who fired when challenged by the American sentries. Reports from the field in the last few days have indicated that a Mexican intelligence officer is keeping track of American troops and supplies from the border.
 Mexico City, July 2.-President Wilson's speech before the New York Press club has made deep impression here. The papers print in large type the statement of the press that the American people do not want war and that he is not the servant of those who desire to increase their property in Mexico.
 Another item which is given a promi- nent place is a dispatch from Fl Paso stating that the liberation of the Amer- can troopers taken prisoner at Carrizal has caused a good impression in the Uni ted States and a more sympathetic feeling toward Mexico. Stories that the Ameri- can forces are steadily retreating north- ward and that places they have aban- doned are being occupied by constitution alist troops also have caused elation among the people.
 According to travellers arriving from Guerrero the de facto forces have ob- tained control of all important places in the state which has been a hotbe ed of brigandage for years.
 The Zapatista general, De La O, has been seriously wounded during a battle with the constitutionalist forces under General Sidronio Mendez, according to a dispatch received by the secretary of state from General Mendez. This suc- cess, coupled with the recent victories over the Zapatistas reported by General Pablo Gonzales, has reinforced the hopes of the constitutionalists that a death blow has been struck to Zapatism.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
Deaths and Funerals
B. F. Carmichael

E. F. Carminchael, aged 71. died at a local infirmary yesterday. Funeral ser vices will be conducted from the Metho- dist church at Sandusky at o'clock this afternoon, with the Rev. J. T. Miller of ficiating.
 He is survived by his wife and five children: three sons, J. F. Carmichael, w. A. Carmichael and Mccoy Car michael; two daughters, Mrs. A. D. Cart and Mrs. J. T. Cart; two brothers, w. B. Carmichael and s. A. Carmichael. MT. Car michael was a member of Camp Wilcox U. c. V. and member of the Red Men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
5OSQUARE MILESOF
 FRANCE RECOVERED
Offensive Expected North of Arras Aiming at Lille
NINE VILLAGES TAKEN
All Had Been Strongly Fortified by the Germans-Teutons Thought to Have Miscalculated Inten-
 tions of the Allies

Paris July 2.-Reports today from the battle of the Somme, long expected as a critical if not the decisive stage of the war show that the entente forces are sweeping forward along a 25-mile front. The French already have taken more than 5000 prisoners, while the al- lied lines have enveloped within the last "A hours nine villages and 50 square miles of French territory held until now by the Germans.
 The great Franco-B British offensive was expected and eagerly awaited in the last 10 days, but the exact principal point where the blow was to be delivered was Carefully concealed. It was believed that it would be north of Arras with Lille for the objective, but it was finally de- cided for strategic, rather than for sen timental grounds, to execute the move south of Arras at a point where the piercing of the line would operate more seriously in the dislocation of the Ger man forces.
 The theatre of operations for the Brit ish forces runs between Gommecourt, north of the River Ancre, to point just north of the Somme, while the French attacked on both sides of the Soa1me and southward toward Rove.
 ON 25-MILE FRONT
 Thus the entente allied armies present a fronr of 20 miles, with the British on the left for 15 miles and the French on the right for 10 miles.
 The region for this supreme contest IS one favorable for military operations. 1t virtually all is In the department of the Somme, which is a level plateau of cha.lky formation.
 The fighting lines extend between a great number of small villages which are usually devoted to textile industries while 1.-the outlying agricultural sections are ' level fields chiefly devoted to beet cul- ture The intense bombardment of the last four days was the signal for an ad- vance over these level fields, beginning at 7:30 o'clock yesterday morning. The entente allied artillery then heightened the range so as to shut off all commit nication between the first German line and the German reserves in the rear. This made it impossible for the Teutons to utilize their perfect organization for the shifting of troops and for the bring ing up of endorsements. It is thought by French military observers that the Germans miscalculated the intentions of the allies and expected the attacks fur ther north
 The villages which the French cap tured in the first sweep include Dom- pierre, Becquincourt, Bussus and Fay, and these and the towns taken by the Brit ish-Montauban and Mametz-were all found to have been strongly fortified by the Germans.
 The entente Citing from past experience, quicA. up strong earthworks around es thus taken in order to protec. h against counter attacks. It was not before night, however, that the Germans were able to deliver any counter attack. This was centered against the French position on the outskirts of Hardecourt and it was fepulsed with heavy losses, ending in precipitate retreat
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
Veterans Get Pensions

Huntsville, July 2.-(Special )-Two hundred and ffty-two warrants for the Confederate pensioners of Madison county were received in the probate office here yesterday and are being distributed rapidly. The warrants amounted to $2s03.S0, being three -fifths of the usual amount paid uuarterly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
Lewis Edward Petty

Funeral services over the remains of Lewis Edward Petty, who died at a local infirmary yesterday morning, will be held from the private chapel of Johns Under taking company at II o'clock this morn ing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
William I'M. Fowlkes

William M. Fow!kes, aged 46, died at the residence of his brother, Frank Fowlkes, at o'clock yesterday morning. The remains will be sent to Marion this morning at 6:30 by Johns.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
B. A. Traylor

The remains of B. A. Traylor, who was killed in an automobile accident near Jemison yesterday morning. will be sent to Norfolk. Va. by Johns this morning for burial
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
Mrs. Lowell Naff

25. who was killed in an automobile acci- dent at Fairfield Saturday morning were sent to Prattville for burial by Warner Smith yesterday afternoon at 3:55 o'clock
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
CONTINUES IN NIGHT

Throughout last night tho French con- tiuued their Hriv, capturing the village of Cari., f which they already had oc- cupied the outskirts and progressing south of the Somme between Herbecourt and Assevillers.
 In addition to the military successes the terrain overrun by the entente all lied troops has an exceptional strategic importance. Four of the towns captured
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
H. l.. Porter

H. l.. Porter, prominent local citi- zen, died here this afternoon at 6 o'clock at the home of his daughter. Mrs. George Martin. at Greenwood MT. Porter was S1 years of age and was prominently connected in this city and throughout the district.
 He is survived by five sons, E. T. Porter. w H. Porter and H. c. Porter of Bessemer O. w. Porter of Selma and w. B. Porter of Camden. s. C., and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
Marlar Lamar Goodwin

Marian Lamar Goodwin, aged S4 died at local infirmary at o'clock yester- day morning. The remains will be sent to valdosta, Ga, this afternoon at $50 by Johns.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03

London, July 2-The first group of wounded from the British front in France arrived at Charing Cross station tonight An enormous crowd assembled and the police had considerable difficulty in ob- taining passage for the Red Cross ve- hicles through the cheering, flag waving people
 "Everything possible seemed to have been thought of beforehand" said wounded officer, land for weeks we have been having rehearsals of every move ment. We were all ready for the charge by o'clock but the artillery, which had been pounding all night, continued the argument for an hour. Then the bonn bardment slackened and our pulses quick ened as we realized our moment was at hand
 "The preliminary signal went down the line and a few moments later came the command to go forward, Our fellows hoped over the parapets and tore across the uneven ground to where the first line of German trenches used to be. As matter of fact, those trenches had
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03

three daughters. Mrs. w. c. Hollowell and Mrs. G. W. Martin of Bessemer, and Mrs. J. B. Rockett of Ensley.
 The funeral services will be con- ducted this afternoon at 3:3O o'clock from the residence of the son of the deceased, w. H. Porter, at 1922 Claren- don avenue Bessemer. The services will be in charge of the Rev. George Stoves and the Rev. M. K Thornton. and they will be assisted by MT. Wailes of Jonseboro. Interment will be in Ce- dar Hill cemetery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03

ing fresh attacks which so far have been repulsed.
 Caucasian front: East of Plantana we captured ly brilliant attack chain of mountains which had been fortified by the Turks. The enemy was repulsed beyond the river Sansoon Darassi. He left be- hind many ccrpSes on his position
 In the direction of Gumischlor an at- tempt by tne Turks to advance to the north was repulsed and the enemy driven back to thelr trenches. In the direction or Baiburt our advance guards took the Turks in the rear during the night on a height in the region of Vartanis In a bayonet attack our soldiers hurled the Turks from tho top of a mountain down precipice and returned safely to their trenches.
 Tn the direction of Bagdad in the kering region, pressure by important ene- my forces continues"
 AUSTRIANS DRIVEN BACK
 Rome, July 2.-(Via London )-Continu- ing their offensive in the Trentino, the Italians have begun an attack on the Austrian fortified positions between Zunga Totya and Foppiano, says the Italian official statement issued today. The Austrians were driven from sec tions of trenches north of Pedes-C Gala, the statement adds, and some more trenches were carried between Selz and Monfalcone In the latter battle 196 Aus ti iana were taken prisoner.
 The text of the statement follows:
 Between the Adige and the Brenta we are continuing our offensive vigorously. In the Vallarsa our infantry has begun an attack on the lines strongly held by the enemy between Zugna Toty and Fop- piano.
 "Our artillery is smelling Fort Pozzac- chic.
 ''On the Pasubio the enemy is offering stubborn resistance from his fortified positions between Monte Spil and Cos magnon.
 "Along the Posna- -Astico line we com pleted the conquest of Monte Majo and occupied the southern side of Monte Ze- luggio
 Tn the trenches north of Pedescala we attacked and drove out the enemy, who left behind his arms and ammuni- tion
 "on the Asiago plateau we had skir- mishes with attachments of the enemy on the northern side of the Assa val ley.
 There was nothing of importance on the remainder of the front as far as the Carso.
 ''In the sector between Selz and Mon- falcone we brilliantly carried some more trenches and took 196 prisoners. A coun- ter attack was repulsed with very heavy enemy losses.
 Enemy aircraft dropped bombs or Marostica and on various places in the lower Isonzo region. No one was killed Very slight damage was done"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
MAINTAINED ALL POSITIONS


 South of the Somme we have main- tained all the positions conquered by us yesterday and accomplished some progress between Herbecourt and As sevillers during the night.
 'The receipt of new information brings the total number of unwounded Germans captured by French troops statement increased the number to 6000.)
 Between the Disc and the Aisen we took prisoner German patrol which attempted to reach our lines near Bail ley.
 Tn the Champagne we effected nu- merous reconnaisances on the enemy's front. Several of the reconnoitering parties succeeded in penetrating the opposing trenches which were cleared out with hand grenades. We took 15 prisoners.
 "On the right bank of the Mouse German attack launched last evening upon our positions to the northeast Of the woods of Avocourt succeeded i'll our trenches, but was completely driven back by our counter attack
 "On the slopes of Le Mort Homme we effected an entirely successful clup de Main. In the course of the fighting which took place in the enemy's trenches, 50 Germans were killed, a score were brought back into our lines and two machine guns also were cap tured.
 "On the right bank several feeble attacks by the enemy upon the Tiau- mont work in which we are established, were easily repulsed. In this region a strong German froce which hurled itself against our first line elements was dispersed after having sustained VI IT. 1 .vfc are of whom two were officers. On the front west and south of Vaux there is great artillery activity on both sides
 STORM AUSTRIAN POSITIANS
 Petrograd, July 2.-Via London.)-Gen- eral Letchitzkys army, after intense fighting, has captured by storm the Aus trian positions in the region west of Kolomea, in Galicia, says the Russian official statement issued tonight The statement adds that up to the present 2OOO prisoners have been taken in this sector.
 The text of the statement follows:
 Tn the region west of Kolomea the army of General Letchitzky, after intense fighting, took by storm the enemy posi- tiors. Up to the present we have taken 2000 prisoners from the fresh troops brought to this region. The greater num- Der were intoxicated.
 "In Volhynia the enemy continues to make desperate attacks. The offensive of the Germans between the rivers Styr and the Stockhod, in the region Of vil- lages of Koptche and Zobary. was re- pulsed.
 "A series of fresh enemy attacks south west of Kiselin-Zublno-K Kochev were re- pulsed. The enemy's columns were put to flight with heavy losses. The fugit1ves have been destroyed in masses but, re- inforced by reserves, the enemy is mak-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03
CAPTIVE BALLOONS FIRED

"On the north Verdun front there has been no infantry action. A very vigorous bombardment has been maintained in the region of Hill 304 and in the Fleury and Damloup sectors. We have set on fire three captive balloons in the Verdun region.
 Sergeant Charnat has brought down his fifth German aeroplane, which crashed to earth near Peronne on the night of the 1st. One of our air squadrons dropped 48 shells on the railroad station at Longuyon and eight on the station at Thionville. Another squadron dropped 8 bombs on the station at Brieulles. Our aviators bombarded today the railroad stations at Anagne and Loquy in the Ardennes Sixty bombs struck buildings and railroads and a train was destroyed
 "The Germans have dropped bombs of very large size in the neighborhood of Nancy and others near Belfort. An enemy air squadron hurled several bombs on the open town of Luneville. This is noted in view of reprisals"
 The statement issued early in the day reads:
 North of the Somme the fighting was fierce during the night. The Ger mans launched violent counter attacks against our new positions at the ap- breaches. to Hardecourt. Our curtains of artillery fire and infantry fire inflicted important losses upon the enemy. who was forced to retreat in disorder, leav- ing in our hands 200 prisoners, of whom six were officers.
 Pursuing our advantage upon the right bank of the river we captured after spirited fighting the village of Curlu, which we have entirely occu- pied.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-03

saults the Germans there were obliged to reterat in disorder.
 On the right bank of the Mouse, in the region north of Verdun, Thiaumont work was retaken by the French yes terday, after changing hands five times, the announcement says. The position was heavily attacked by the Germans in the night, it is added, but without success. Tonights statement follows:
 North of the Somme the battle con- tinued all day in our advantage. In the region of Hardecourt and Curlu, and east of this latter village. we have carried a quarry which had been powerfully or ganized by the enemy.
 South of the Somme we have obtained a footing in the second line of the Ger man trenches at numerous places. Be- tween the river and Assevillers, the will lage Fries has fallen into our hands and also the Mereaucourt wood, further east.
 "The number of unwounded prisoners captured by the French soldiers during the two days fighting and who have been counted, is more than 5000, of which at least 150 were officers. Some can non and much other material also has fallen into our hands. Thanks to the com plete and extremely effcacious artillery preparation and thanks also to the elan of our infantry our losses have been very small