The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-11-01
UNITED STATES
TROOPS Fighting
With FRENCA NOW
FIRST OFFICIAL STATEMENT
SAYS AMERICAN BOYS HAVE
ENTERED TRENCHES.
GERMAN PRISONERS CAPTURED
ONE TEUTON ATTEMPTS TO ES-
CAPE-DIES LATER IN AM
ERICAN HOSPITAL.

Oct. 27-Following is the first official
statement issued by the American
headquarters:
In continuation of the training as
nucleus for instruction later some
batteries from our contingent are in
action with French veterans in the
first line trenches of a quiet sector OF
the front. These batteries are work
ing under direction of French offic-
ers. The sector remains normal and
our men are adapting themselves to
actual trench conditions in a most
satisfactory manner"
First Shot at Six A. Nj.
With the Army in France, Oct. 81
The American troops in the first line
trenches, supported by units of artill-
cry, fired the first shot for the Unit
ed States at o'clock in the morning
of a recent day at German working
party. There has been intermittent
artillery fire since.
The selected infantry units had
marched into their trench positions
without the knowledge of the enemy
and when active fighting in their sec
tor began, the American shelled the
German positions and forces. The
enemy returned shell flor shell.
Empty Case to President.
"The empty case of the first shell
fired will be sent to President Wilson.
1t is now in the possession of Gen
eral Sibert. The shot was fired by
red-haired gunner as his comrades
stood by and cheered. Later lunch
con was served in the field and at
tended by American and French ar
tillery officers. The gun from which
the shell was fired was one of the
famous French 75s. 1t was aimed at
a German artillery nest which had
been located by sound. The enemy
replied vigorously, projectiles falling
close to the American station. The
troops now on duty will be relieved
by other units at regular intervals.
"The American troops entered their
trenches in the dark, marching up to
the allied line over sticky mud roads,
The artillery was brought to it's po-
sitions quitely and in splendid order,
the heavy pieces being hauled by
Missouri mules, their drivers swathed
in clickerS and with shrapnel helmets
drawn low over their eyes. 1t was
long line, including the army kitch-
ems moving steaiily along the ruttv
roads and giving off savory odors of
warm food
Soldiers are Joyful.
After leaving the country roads,
they travelled over the cobbled streets
of a tiny village, the wheels of the
moving vehicles rendering a low
rumbling roar followed by the
rhythmical tread of many hard-nailed
boots. They turned again to the dirt
roads and the inky darkness sur
round the village the great cavalc-
ade of helmeted and mud spattered
soldiers passing silently from view,
moving with the precision of a care
fully assembled machine Toward the
last of the line, some of the soldiers
softly whistled to themselves, tneir
comrades listening and occasionally
joining. At one point in the line, a
American watchers. 1t was Tipperary
and was whistled by an increasing
number until one Of the officers turn
ing toward them spoke, ordering them
to "stop that noise" 1t was under
stood that the approach to the Ger
man lines must be made in absolute
silence.
Germans Must Know It.
Among the watchers was major
who, as the procession wended rapidly
away, consulted his illuminated watch
from time to time and said. "The
other troops should now be ENTERING
the trenches. I have been standing
here many hours to hear if the Ger
mans discover the movement. He
paused little and listened. "There
is no sign Of their being aware of
this. No doubt we are in for a
'strafe' if the 'boches knew we are
here"
No strafe developed, although the
Germans were said to have advance
look-outs scattered about, and the en-
trance to the trenches was made quiet
ly in the inky blackness. The trench
bottoms, while muddy, were found to
be in good condition, and the Amer
leans quickly settled themselves into
their new surroundings. In spite Of re-
peated orders demanding utmost
quiet, calls Of welcome greeted the
Americans as they filed into the
trenches. Every American hand was
warmly shaken, some of the soldiers
were Rugged and even kissed by the
French soldiers, in accordance with
their customs.
Officers later said the Germans
must have known that the Americans
were opposite them, but there has
been no extraordinary activity tr
mark their knowledge.
TEUTONS ARE PRISONERS. 4