The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-11-08
Three AMERICANS
KILLED in GRANGE
HUNS CUT SAMMIES OFF FROM
MAIN ARMY IN RAID ON
TRENCH.
FIVE WOUNDED; l2 MISSING
PERSHING'S GABLE GIVES
MEAGRE DETAILS-ENEMY
FORCES NOT KNOWN.

Washington, Nov. 5-Armed forces
under the American flag have had
their first clash with German soldiers
in an attack which the Germans made
on first line trenches where the
United States troops had been taken
for instruction and three Americans
were killed, five wounded and IL cap
tured or missing.
The War Department made this
known last night on receipt Of dis
patch from General Pershing showing
that the German forces soon after
learning the position of the new
enemy from overseas, had launched a
desperate effort to overcome them.s
The Teuton attack came in the
form of a heavy barrage fire which
isolated salient of the American
trench, and apparently left small
force of Americans at the mercy of
their enemies. That the American
soldiers fought gamely is shown by
Pershing's report of prisoner be-
ing taken by them.
How some of his troops escaped
bringing this German back with them
is not told in the brief dispatch of
the American commander.
No Names of Casualties.
The United States troops were tax
en- in charge of veteran French sold
iers to quiet portion of the long line
that runs from the North Sea to
Switzerland, and for a few days con-
ditions were normal. Cable dispatches
for the last "a hours have been tell
ing of artillery activity somewhat
above normal" but still not of any
thing like the furious fire on other
portions of the front. Saturday a
rather cryptic Berlin official announ-
cement told of "North American"
prisoners being brought in, and this
is taken here to refer to the soldiers
whom General Pershing's dispatch
says are captured or missing.
Allies Warned Americans.
Many French and British military
writer's have warned America that
Germany would hurl terrific blows at
the Americans as soon as news of
their location reached the German
side, and when the Americans went
into THE trenches War department. Of
fcials here predicted this might hap
pen. 1t was pointed out that this was
a favorite trick of the Germans when
the British territorials from Canada
or Australia went into the trenches
for the first time.
The announcement from General
Pershing gave no names of the casual
ties. The announcement also omitted
to mention whether the trench had
been captured. 1t is presumed, how
ever, that the attacking force inflicted
as much damage as possible in a
short space Of time and then re-
treated to the protection of Their own
earthworks before American rein
forcements could arrive.
The official statement issued by the
War department is as follows:
"The war department has received
dispatch from the commanding gen
eral of the American expeditionary
forces which stated that before day
light November 8, salient occupied
for instruction by a company of Am
erican infantry was raiied by Ger
mans. The enemy put down the heavy
barrage fire, cutting off the salient
from the rest of the men. Our losses
we're three killed, five wounded and
IL captured or missing. The enemy's
.osses are not known. One wounded
German was taken prisoner.