River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-11-01
Pershing's Men Fire Opening
Gnn in Flanders ARTILLERY
Fight in Progress.
OFFICIAL U. S. REPORT
First Statement Issued BY American
Headquarters Is Made Public
Heimeted 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:
I'm continuation of their training,
as nucleus for instruction later, a
contingent of some battalions of our
first contingent in association with
veteran French battaliOns, are III the
first line trenches of a quiet sector,
on the French front. They are sup
lely in association with veteran
French batteries.
1.-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 the French front. The ar
tillery fired the first shot of the war
at a. m. of recent day, at Ger
man working party. There has been
intermittent artillery fighting 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
ally.
Casualty List Coming.
The nearest enemy trench is several
hundred yards away. The sector is
one of the quietest of the front. 1t
has not been taken over, being under
the control of troops under the direc-
ton Of the French.
The Americans have shelled German
positions and troops, the enemy send
ing she'll for shell. The first casualty
list will be sent President Wilson.
The empty case of the first she'll
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
in the ranks and the assembled CT
ficers cheered. 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 Benefit of Actual Warfare
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 expe-
dictionary forces are getting the bene-
fit of actual war conditions.
Standing in little, almost de-
serted shell wrecked village we'll
within hostile gun range and a few
kilometers FROM the trenches, the AS
ISOLATED Press correspondent watched
the troops marching up in driving
rain over roads covered with sticky
mud The artillery had been firing
all day and as a result the impress
sion was given that there was con-
siderable more activity on this
front than 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 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 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
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 forms of men could be seen
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,
rain glistening on their helmets and
coats, the wind whipping the bottom of
their coats around their legs, which