The Carlisle independent., 1917-11-01
ANtKICAN IRUOPS
On FIRING LINE
hELMETED INFANTRY MARCHED
IN WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE
Or ENEMY
SHELL is SENT TO WILSON
First Shot Fired BY a 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
tilfery hred the frst shot OF the war at
6 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 tae same night, through rain and
mud The French soldiers in the
trenches welcomed them enthusiast
cal,y
The nearest enemy trench is several
hundred yards away. The sector is
one of the quietest on the front It
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 shell 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
q red-haired gunner a. his comrades
IN the ranks and the assembled Off
GERS cheered. Later a luncheon in the
teld 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
a 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.
Ali the troops viii be relieved after a
certain period by others. Thus the
American expeditionary forces are
getting the benefit OF actual var con
dtions.
Standing IN a little. almost deserted
sbeli-wreeked village well within hos
tAe gun range and few kilometres
from she 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 thar there was considerable
more activity on this front than there
had been for some time.
K was soon after 1uI1s in the firing
aad in the dark that the first machine
gans hauled by Missouri mules, the
drivers swathed in ponchos and with
shrapnel helmets over their eyes.
came N@ on the road beside a dark
eansa- There was a 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
OF soldier who had been taken i'll
and who was being held on by two of
his walking comrades.
Through another street paved with
eobbfes and its sides lined with gaunt
skeletons of shell-wrecked houses
came the sound of the tread Of many
hobnaifed 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 giistening on their helmets and
coats. the wind whipping the bottom
OF 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
biliets 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 10 him
self. his nearby comrades listening 81
lenay to sentimental and popular
pieces
Finally LON the rear came The wills
tied strain of tune which all knew.
and from many places in the ranks
whistles and voices joined in. The
tune was 'sTipperary." It lasted brief
ly. as an officer. turning. ordered.
Stop that noisei"
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