The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-07-31
AMERICANS GAIN
CONTINUED from Page one)

On either side the French also
moved forward, while pressure was
maintained against the east and west
flank
Information early IN the day indi-
Gated the withdrawal of tile Fourth;
guard, but it developed that the re-
nowred guard and tho Bavariaas were
still on the front, and the strong op-
position they offered justified their
reputation But their sacrifice was In
vain
The Americans wtthstood two heavy
attacks during tbs night, and ct day
light began their operations, which
left them tonight well to the north OF
Se=gy, on the long slopes approaching
the heavy woods beyond. Nesies, . lit
tie town directly cast OF Scrignes-et-
Nesles, whose retention the Germans
bitterly opposed.
FAR BEYOND THE OURCQ.
The east line swings northeasterlJ
opposite this point, and then drops off
in the direction OF CierTes and
Boachere5. The OurcQ river has been
left far behind, the line being pushed
forward across the zone to the north
west.
The Germans are holding positions
in Nesles forest, from which their
guns are Smelling effectively.
It was late in the day before the
whole OF Sertgnes WIS wholly cleared.
The Germans chung to the northern
part of the town tcnaciously and used
the;r. machine guns ,nurdcrously.
Neither side used artillery In this
1o~- "a 4
hand lighting IA the streets in which
the Americas proved the masters,
driving the enemy before them
WONDERFUL CALAMITY.
The story Of the fight FOR the pos
session of Meurcy farm, lying directly
south of Seligues, will long be &c
menlhcrcd In the history Of the tuvt-
sion. The Germans, on their with
6lrawal, LETT behind q strong force OF
machine grnners aud infantry. The
Americans moved forward through the
yellow wheat fields, which were
sprayed ard torn by bullets But they
advanced as though on drill ground.
The American guns laid down r
hcavy artillery fire, but notwithstand-
ing this many Of the Germans &c
NAMED when it came to hand-to-hand
fighting. In 4 group Of farm build
ings the enemy had set up a strong
defcpsc. Here the Germans stuck to
their guns and the Americans rushed
tneeu and killed the Guuuers at their
posts.
BATTLE WITHOUT MERCY.
1t vas = battle without mercy, and
typical OF similar crgag eacnts occur
ring along tho whole line. The Prus-
sian guards aud BavaStans every
where fought in accordance with their
training, discipline and traditions, but
were outwi:ted and outfought.
To the north of the farm up tho
long slopes leading to the woods. tho
Americans encountered the lerccst
exhibition Of Germary's war science.
The Germans laid down barrlse,
which. it is said, was as heavy as had
ever been employed. The American
runs replied heavily.
The order for the advance came and
the Line moved forward across tho
grain fields directly through the bar
rage. On nearby hillside the chief
staff officers watched the operation.
They saw Shells fall In some cases,
leaving gaps in the line, bat the
troops never halted.
THROUGH THE EARRAGE.
On through the barrnge the Amer
leans went into the German positions,
attacking icrcely TIC machine sun ant.
infantry dctachIncctS. The barragc
died away, the Germans leaving the
work of resistance TO the men they
had failed TO protect With their heavy
guns.
The Germans were "mopped up"
and the Americans hold their new line
last cast Of the forest. Not many
prisoners were taken, but here and
there q few were rounded up and
brought in. Sergeant Louis Loetz Of
Sioux City. H., contributed fourteen.
He ATTACKED eighteen GERMANS who
had beco,uc separated from their
command. killing four of then, and
capturing the others.
Awful execution was done by the
Americans. Eight captured guards
said they we're 81 that remained OF
company nf e;Ghty-six. Yesterday
their number had been reduced 20
thirty and lieutenant. To-Day the
lieutenant and all buc Ihcy wcre
killed.
Germans Driven Off.
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