Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-11-01
Men Fire Opening
Gnn in Flanders ARTILLERY
Fight in Progress.
OFFICIAL u. S. REPORT
First Statement Issued BY American
Headquarters Is Made Public
ieimeted 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,
Rs a nucleus for instruction later, a
contingent OF some battalions of our
first c~ontinsents in association with
veteran French battalions, are III the
first line trenches Of a quiet sector,
on the French front. They are sup
ported by our batteries of our artil-
lely 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 lha French front. The ar
tillery fired the first shot of the war
at 6 a. M. Of a recent day, at a Ger
man working arty. There has been
intermittent 2 .illery fighting since.
The helnle,@d infantry marched in,
without tie knowledge of the enemy
on the same night, through rain ard
mud. The ! "ench soldiers in the
trenches weloa-.aed them enthusiastic
ally,
Casey List Inc.
The nearest enemy t".~@h is several
hundred y0rGs away. 1l.e sector is
one OF the u;,jetest of the front. 1t
has not been taken over being under
the c0AtHol O. troops under the direc-
ton OF the French.
The Americans have shelled German
positions and troous, the enemy send
Ing shell for shell. The first casualty
list viii BE s@nt President Wilson.
The empty case OF the first shell
fired Will be sent to President Wilson.
IL is now i'll the possession of Gen
cral Sibert. The shot was fired by
& red haired Gunner as his comrades
in the ranks and the assembled CT
Gcers cheereG. Later a luncheon in
the field was attended by the Ameri-
can and French artillerists in cele-
bration Of the First American con
tact with the enemy.
Get Bsneft of Actual Warfare.
The San used in firing the first shot
was Il 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. All the troops
will be relieved after a certain period
~ others. Thus the American expe-
dictionary forces are getting the bene-
+ Of actual war conditions.
Standing III a little, almost de-
serted shell wrecked village we'll
within hostile gun range and a few
~kllometers from the trenches, the AS
Eoclated Press correspondent watched
the troops marching up in a driving
rain over roads covered with sticky
mud. The artillery had been firing
hll day and as a result the impress
sion was given that there was con-
siderable more activity on this
front han 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 owe 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 Off 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 Ill and who was being held on
ny two Of his walking comrades.
Through another street paved with
cobbles and it's sides lined with gaunt
skeletons of shell wrecked houses
tame the sound OF tile tread of many
hobnailed boots and in the darkness
lhe forms of men could be seer
marching.
March AS If 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,
Jain glistenins on their helmets and
coats, the wind whipping the bottom of
their coats around their legs, which
Y. w. c. A. To Protect Morals.