Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-11-01

'IoS |
from American headquarters:
In continuation of their training
as a nucleus for instruction later,
a contingent of some battalions OF
our first contfngentS, in association
with veteran French battalions, are
in the first line trenche of a quiet
sector on the French front. They
are supported by some batteries of :
our artillery, in association with
veteran French batteries.
The sector remain normal. Our
men have adapted themselves to
actual trench conditions in the
most satisfactory manner"
With the American Army in France.
Oct. 29.-American troops are in the
first line trenches on the French front.
The artillery fired the first shot of the
war al 6 o'clock in the morning of a re-
cent day at 81 German working party.
There has been ntermitte artillery
fighting since.
The helmeted infantry marched
without the knowledge of the enemy
ON the same night through ain and
mud. The French soldiers in the
trenches welcomed them enthusiastic
ally. The nearest enemy trench is sew
eral hundred yards away.
The sector is one of the q~uietest on
the front. Ii has not been taken over,
being under the control of troops UNI
der the direction of the French.
The Americans lave shelled German
positions and troops, the enemy send
ing shell for shell. The case of the first
shell fired will be sent to President
Wilson.
Red Headed Gunner Leads.
TIL: case is now in the possession of
General Sibert.
The shot was fired by 3 red haired
gunner. as his comrades i'll the ranks
and the assembled Officers cheered.
Later a luncheon in the field was at
' t,,,lN1 1y tIe 1rrt - -,S 1N~.., ~ NJ
tillerists 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 To-
Gated by sound and the enemy replied
vigorously, Droiectiles falling close to
the Americans. who Joined in the artil-
lery duels.
All the troops will be relieved at a
certain period by others. Thus tho
American evolutionary forces are get
ting the benefit of actual war condi-
lions.
New Activity Noted.
Standing in a little. almost deserted,
shell-wrecked village. well within hos
tile gun range, and a few kilometers
from the trenches. the Associated Press
correspondent watched the troops
marching up in a driving rain, over
roads covered with sticky mud. The ar
tillefy had been firing all day and as
u result the impression was given that
there was considerable more activity
on this front than there has been for
some time.
1T was soon after lulls in the firing
and in he dark that the first machine
guns hauled by Missouri mules, the
drivers swathed In ponches and with
shrapnel helmets over their eyes, came
upon the road beside a dark canal.
There was a long line of these and
then came some infantry rolling kitch-
ems, giving off a savocy odor of warm
food.
Soldier Ill on Gun.
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 great
skeletons of shell wrecked houses, came
the sound of the tread of many hob
nailed boots and in the darkness the
dim torn of men could be seen march
ing.
The cautious flash Of an electric
pocket lamp disclosed that they were
American infantry, packs on then
backs, rifles slung on their shoulders
rain glissening on their helmets anC
coats, the wind whipping the bottom o.
their coats around their legs, whicf
were moving with machine-like pre-.
cisiCn.
Whistle on Way to Front.
The Americans swung down tn,
street apparently as though on dres.
parade, Notwithstanding that they hat
marched miles from the billets wher,
they had been since coming by motto
trucks and railroad from the instruc
ton centers. AS the ranks passed ever,
now and then a soldier could be heart
whistling softly to himself, his nearb,
comrades listening silently to sentimen
tai and popular pieces.
Finally from the rear came the whis
tied strain Of q tune which all knew
and from many places in the rank
whistles and voices joined in. The tun
was "T~ipperary.' 1t lasted briefly, a
an officer. turning, ordered Stop tina
noise"
AS the Germans were nearby, muc'
depended on approaching the seen
quietly. The troops turned a corner an
disappeared down an ink-blac
screened road. AS a major standin
there listened he looked continuousl
at an illuminated watch dial. He said:
Germans Completely Deceived.
1.-THE men from the other directio
should now be entering the trenches.
have been standing here waiting t
hear if the Germans discover the move
ment."
He paused and listened, and then con
tinued::
"There is no firing yet, although l ex
pect it. for no doubt we are in for
'straf' II the Boche' knows we are goin
No "straf" developed. although tn
Germans put over a few customar
shells, hitting nothing.
The troops entered the trenches safe
.ly, unit by unit passing quickly to til
places assigned them. Quietness wa
essential, but the French welcome, nor
the less. was heard and it was enthus1
astic.
Americans Rugged and Kissed.
Every American was shaken by tt
hand some were Rugged and eve
kissed on both checks In the Frene
custom. Some OF the French trooI
were those who helped to train tt
Americans.
The trenches were found to be nude
but nevertheless in q condition of e,
Ncellent construction. Greetings beif
over. the Americans settled down ar
at daylight. under low hung drippir
clouds. they got their first view Of Il
German lines. stretching away In tt
railing te,.rain.