The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-27

'"" "hlle L was taking the Germans
were actually Withdrawing from that
salient across the Marne. Our Official
accounts indicate that he retrcated
from this position protected by smoke
clouds and continued his passage az
night across the stream as soon as the
line of railroad which furnishes him
with supplies, food. etc, was appar-
emily destined to fall into our hands
Along the salient here, between the
Marne and Rheims, on the east nanl,
of the salient. the enemy has been
pushed back over Il ten mile front for
an average distance of one ana one
half miles. This has been done by
Hritish. French and Italian troops.
through Il very wooded country, and
over high ground, reaching up some
thing like perhaps 500 feet above the
stream.
Along the Marne itself the Ameri-
cans and French have crossed the riv
er at number of points. and now
hold villages to the north of the
Marne.
| Ihe response of the Germans to
the counteroiiensivc of Foch was to
throw in at Soissons and south of IT,.
large number of reserve divisions
which he had not used in his advance
across the Marnc. our belief is that
he threw i'm there Ii divisions but the
advance of the allies at that point has
been practically steady for the last
two days as far as our official incor-
nation goes. Looking at the larger
scale, map, the railroad running from
Sossons to Chateau-Thicry is now
either in our hands or under our fire.
The only way in which the enemy can
set out or get supplies over railroad.
is shown by the remaining line run
Ging from Nanteuil on the Ourco TO
Eazoches on the River Vcslc. He
may have constructed I'm addition TO
that i'm and along the valleys, small
temporary field railroads, military
roads, which would be Of advantage
i'm handling supplies, but his main line
of retreat must be along that main
railroad. That is the only way he
can get out large material. 1t will
he observed that it was necessary for
In hn "a
absolutely in IL pocket to keep troops
from advancing and cutting off this
road which would put him entirely at
the mercy Of the allied forces
1T is worry interesting to note i'm
connection with this entire movement
the similarity between the Austrian
advance across the Piave. The enemy
having once gotten committed to il.
the Hoods came and rendered furthcr
bringing up of supplies difficult anu
his retreat still more difficult and in
the instance of the counterofrcnsivc
the storm. of which you have read
concealed the movement of our tank.
and made the enemy practically un-
aware OF what was going ON. 1t seems
that the Lord has gotten tired Of the
alleged partnership of Me und Gott.
Tho total area in the Marine salicnt
lost by the enemy during the past
week is about equal to the area gain
ed by him in the drive in Flander
last April.
THE small attack by the French, al
ludcd to i'm their communique, rs Il
local affair north of Montdidicr. is nos
of essential importance with reference
to the entire game. but il keeps the
Germans guessing just the same.
During this entire counter offensive
the American divisions which I have
told you about before, have been con
stantly engaged and were still en-
gagged ut our last official accounts.
with reference to the American
programme, | have directed TO be or
ganized i'm the United states six new
divisions in the month OF July. These
six divisions will be Organized al
Camps Dcvcns, Meade, Sheridan, Gus
ter Funston and Lewis, and will be
numerically designated from . to If.
In the organization of these divisions
we intend to use as a nucleus i'm each
one of them two regular regiments of
infantry which have bees taken from,
regular regiments left i'm the I,nitcd
States guarding utilities, quietly re-
placing them during the last mont,
or two by home guards These rcgi-
mcnts are now moving into the dc,,io-
mated camps as the national army
moves out, and the divisions win be-
an increase to the American forces
Tho remaining elements OF these Iii
visions will bc formed by National
Army drafted men.