The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-07-17
U. S.-FRENCH
TROOPS REGAIN
FOUR TOWNS
Fossoy, Crezancy, st. Agnan, Hill
223 and La ChapeIIe-Mont-
bOdOn Taken.
many americans IN FIGHT
Positions and Force Huns Back
Across River-AIIies Engage in
Terrific Fighting at Mareuil-
Le-Port-BerlIn Claims 49,
600 Prisoners.

900 Prisoners.
Washington, July 1.-THE war de-
partment issued this statement:
At midnight the war department
was not in receipt of cable dispatches
from General Bliss or General Persh-
Ing, but it was in communication with
the military attache at Paris.
Information from this last source
does not deal specifically with the days
points Of attack or defense, but brings
information of heavy losses sustained
by the enemy's attacking forces and of
his failure to make substantial progress
against the allied resistance during the
past ~ hours.
With the american Army on the
Marne, July 17.-French and American
forces fighting together have recap
tured the village Of st. Agnan, Hill 223
to the northwest, and La Chapelle-
Montbodon.
In cooperation with the French the
Americans launched heavy counter
attack during the morning between
these two villages, driving the enemy
steadily back.
The Americans have also recaptured
Fossoy and Crezancy, which were
taken by the Germans when they first
crossed the Marne.
Many Americans in Battle.
The American troops In the bend Of
the Marne, the Fossoy region, improved
their positions during the night. At
one place they drove the enemy across
the river. The number of prisoners
taken by the Americans was Increased.
On the American right the French
made rapid progress, and all through
the section the Germans were fiercely
attacked by the allies, with the result
that they have withdrawn for a con-
siderable distance.
Many Americans in Fight.
Comparatively large forces Of Amer
leans have been engaged, especially in
the region of Descrivec, where they
were brought up to support the attack
ing French Within a short period the
Americans were hOtly engaged in the
fighting.
Brave Three-Mile Inferno.
Numerous stories are told Of indi-
vidual bravery of the Americans. One
artillery outfit maintained such a con-
slant rapid fire that it ran short Of
ammunition.
Volunteers were called for to go
three miles over a road every inch Of
which was swept by shell fire. Every
man volunteered.
The necessary number was picked.
humping caissOns at gallOp through
shell bursts. Several horses were
killed. Returning, more horses were
killed.
Men Help Haul Burden.
The number of horses was so re-
duced the men were forced to SUBJ
stitute themselves They would lean
off, cut loose the mangled bodies Of
the faithful animals grasp the traces
and run along beside the remaining
horses.
When this strange calvacade ar
rived at the battery the men serving
the guns paused long enough in their
deadly work to cheer their heroic COM
rades.
Yanks and French Win.
Paris, July 17.-French and Ameri-
can troops again hold the heights domi-
mating the Marne valley. These were
regained by dashing counter-attacks,
which carried the allied troops back
into st. Agnan and La Chapelle- Mon
thodon.
The driving power of the new Ger
man offensive having been broken on
the first day by the remarkable defense
Of the French and American troops,
the kaiser sought by violent thrusts to
increase their local successes, the war
office announced.
The German offensive has taken on
great scale, equal to that launched
On March q, says q dispatch filed from
the Marne battle front by the CORE
spondent of the Temps. Fighting con
tinued, the dispatch says, in a violent
storm Of thunder and lightning. The
weather was clearing at noon.
Allies Are Confident.
An impression Of confidence through
out the armies Is indicated by the
latest dispatches from various parts OF
the battle front.
Elite German armies are engaged
along the go miles Of fighting front, the
correspondent adds, they includtn nl
three divisions Of the imperial corps
guards, with picked regiments from