The Monticellonian., 1917-11-02
AMERICAN TROOP5
 ON FIRING LINE
HELMETED INFANTRY MARCHED IN WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE
 OF ENEMY.
SHELL IS SENT TO WILSON
First Shot Fired By Red-Hared 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 fired the first shot of the war at o'clock on the morning of 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. It has not been taken over, being under the control of troops under the direc- tion of the French.
 The Americans have shelled German gun positions and troops, the enemy sending back shell for she'll The first shell case will be sent to President Wilson.
 hc tdSC ID HUN III lut pOSSeSSiOI of Gen. Sibert. The shot was fired by a red-haired gunner as his comrades in the ranks and the assembled off, cers cheered. Later a luncheon in the field 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.
 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 little, almost deserted shell-wrecked village, well 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 1ulls 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 a long line of these and then came some infantry rolling kitchens, giving off 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 cobbles and it's sides lined with gaunt skeletons of shell-wrecked houses. came the sound of the tread of many hobnailed boots and in the darkness the dim form of men could be seen marching.
 The cautious flash 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 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 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. self his nearby comrades listening si- lently to sentimental and popular 1 pieces.
 Finally from the rear came the whis i tied strain of tune which all knew and from many places in the ranks whistles and voices joined in. The tune was "Tipperary." It lasted brief i ly, as an officer, turning, ordered Stop that noise!"
 As the Germans were nearby much dependend on approaching the zone quietly. The troops turned a corner and disappeared down an ink-black