The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-11-01
Pershing's Men Fire Opening
Gnn In Flanders ARTILLERY
Flight in Progress.
OFFICIAL U. S. REPORT
First Statement Issued BY American
headquarters Is Made Public
Helmeted Infantry Given
Wild Greeting.

With the American Army in France,
Oct. 29.-(By the Associated Press.)-
Following is the first official state
ment issued by the American head
quarters:
In continuation of their training,
as a nucleus for instruction later, a
contingent OF some b~attalions of our
first conting ents in association with
veteran French battalions, are In the
first line trenches of q quiet sector,
on the French front. They are sup
ported by batteries of our artil-
leiy in association with veteran
French batteries.
"The sector remains normal. Our
men have adapted themselves to
actual trench conditions in the most
satisfactory manner"
First Shot Fired at Germans.
American troops are in the first line
trenches on the French front. The ar
tillery fired the first shot of the wal
at 6 a. m. of a recent day. at q Ger
man working party. There has been
intermittent artillery fighting since.
The helmeted infantry marched IN,
without the knowledge of the enemy
ON the same night, through rain and
mud. The French soldiers in the
trenches welcomed thep enthusiastic
ally.
Casualty List Coming.
The nearest enemy trench is several
hundred yards away. The sector is
n of the qaietest of the front. 1t
has not been taken over, being under
the control of troops under the dlrec-
ton of the French.
The Americans have shelled German
positions and troops, the enemy send
ing shell for she'll. The first casualty
list will be sent President Wilson.
The empty case Of the first she'll
fred will be sent to President Wilson
IL is nov in the possession of Cen
eEal Sibert. The shot was fired by
a red haired gunner as his comrades
in the ranks and the assembled CT
icers cheered. Later a luncheon in
the field was attended by the Ameri-
can and French a~rtillerists in cele-
bration Of the First American con-
tact with the enemy.
Get Benefit of Actual Warfare.
The gun used in firing the first snot
was n of the famous French 75s.
On the second day the French shelIed
a German battery position which was
located by sound and the enemy re-
piled vigorously, projectiles falling
close to the Americans who joined
Y the artillery duel. All the troops
will be relieved after a certain period
by others. Thus the American expe
dictionary forces are getting the bene-
fit of actual war conditions.
Standing in a little, almost de-
serted shell wrecked village well
within hostile gun range and a few
Silometers from the trenches, the AS
sociated Press correspondent watched
the troops marching up in a driving
rain over roads covered with sticky
mud. The artillery had been firing
all day and as a result the impress
sion was given that there was con
siderable more activity on this
front than there had been for some
time.
Missouri Mules There.
1t was soon after lulls In the firing
and after dark that the first machine
guns hauled by Missouri mules, the
drivers swathed in slickers and with
shrapnel helmets over their eyes came
up on the road beside a dark canal.
There was a long line OF these and
then came some infantry rolling kitch-
ems, giving or a savory odor of warm
food. All passed in silence. The
last gun carriage had sprawled on it
the form of a soldier who had. been
taken i'll and who was being held on
by two of his walking comrades.
Through another street paved with
cobbles and its sides lined with gaunt
skeletons of shell wrecked houses
came the sound OF the tread of many
tobnaiied boots and in the darkness
the forms Of men could be seen
marching.
March AZ II On Parade.
The cautious flash OF an electric
pocket lamp disclosed that they were
American infantry. packs on their
backs, rifles slung on their shoulders,
rain glistsning on their helmets and
coats, the wind whipping the bottom Of
their coats around their legs, which