The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-11-03
AMERICAN TROOPS
ON FIRING LINE.
HElMETED INFANTRY MARCHED
IN WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE
OF ENEMY.
SHE'LL is SENT TO WILSON
First Shot Fired BY Red-Haired Gun.
ner as His Comrades in the Rank
and the Assembled Officers
Cheered.

With the American Army In France
American troops are in the first line
trenches on the French front. The ar
tillery fred the first shot of the war al
o'clock on the morning Of a recent
day at German working party. There
has been intermittent artillery fight
ing 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 them enthusiastic
cally.
The nearest enemy trench is several
hundred yards away. The sector is
one OF the quietest on the front. II
has not been taken over, being under
the control Of troops under the direc-
ton OF the French.
The Americans have shelled German
gun positions and troops, the enemy
sending back she'll for shell. The first
shell case will be sent to President
Wilson.
The case Is now In the possession
OF Gen. Sibert. The shot was fired by
a red-haired gunner as his comrades
In the ranks and the assembled Off
GERS cheered. Later luncheon in the
Held was attended by the American
and French artillerists in celebration
OF the first American contact with
the enemy.
The gun used in firing the first shot
was one of the famous French 75s.
On the second day the French shelled
German battery position which was
located by sound and the enemy re-
piled vigorously, projectiles falling
close to the Americans, who Joined in
the artillery duel.
All the troops will be relieved after a
certain period by others. Thus the
American expeditionary forces are
getting the benefit Of actual war con.
dltions.
Standing in a little, almost deserted
shell-wrecked village, welr within hos
tile gun range and a few kilometres
from the trenches, the Associated
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 impression was
given that there was considerable
more activity on this front than there
had been for some time.
It was soon after lulls in the firing
and in the dark that the first machine
guns hauled by Missouri mules, the
drivers swathed in ponchos and with
shrapnel helmets over their eyes.
came up on the road beside a dark
canal. There was long line of these
and then came some infantry rolling
kitchens. giving off a savory odor of
warm food.
All passed in silence. The last gun
carriage had sprawled on it the form
or 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 manv
hobnailed boots and in the darkness
the dim form of men could be seen
marching.
The cautious fash of an electric
pocket lamp disclosed that they were
American infantry, packs on their
backs, rifles slung on their shoulders
rain glistening on their helmets and
coats. the wind whipping the bottom
or their coats around their legs which
were moving with machine-like preci-
sion.
The Americans swung down the
street apparently as proud as though
on dress parade, Notwithstanding
that they had marched miles from. the
billets where they had been since COM
ing by motor trucks and railway from
the instruction centers. AS the ranks
passed every now and then a soldier
could be heard whistling softly to him. Z
self. his nearby comrades listening ST. /
lently to sentimental and popular
pieces.
Finally from the rear came the whis.
tied strain of a tune which all knew.
and from many places in the ranks |
whistles and voices Joined in. The |
tune was "Tipperary." 1t lasted brier.
~, as an officer, turning, ordered.
Stop that noise!"
AS the Germans were nearby much
dependent on approaching the zone
quietly. The troops turned a corner
and disappeared down an ink-black
screened road. AS a major standing