The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-10-18
AMERICAN ARMY
SURPRISES FOE
WITH ARTILLERY BARAGE,
u. S. MEN WADE RIVER
AND ATTACK.

With the America Forces, North
west of Nerdun, Oct. l7.-(l0 a. m,)
by The Associated Press 1.-The
capture OF Grand Pre- by General
Pershing's forces was accomplished
under terrific hardshaps and with
a heroism not hinted at in the brief
official announcement of the taking
of this stronghold of the Germans
north of the Argonne forest.
The Americans took the town pri-
marily by outwitting the enemy by
attacking without artillery prepara-
ton, which the Germans had ex-
pected, by wading the River Aire,
at four points instead OF building
bridges, by struggling through al
most impossible mud step by step,
until suddenly they were on top OF
the amazed Germans and by driving
them into a retreat after hand-to-
hand fighting.
The Americans had moved to a
point within a short distance of
Grand Pre- and the Germans had
destroyed the bridges over the shall
low Are as they retreated. The en-
emy obviously expected an artillery
fire to preface any further attack,
for his surprise was unfeigned when
the Americans smashed into his po
sitions.
Was Early Attack.
The American attack began a 8
o'clock in the morning. The men
moved forward in the shelter of
the forest, reaching the Are at
four points agreed upon where the
stream could be forded.
Without attracting the attention
OF the Germans, the Americans then
waded into the water to their waists,
and even higher, and pushed across
the stream.
On the northern bank they found
broad mud flats into which they
sank, half way to their knees. The
Germans by this time discovered
their approach and opened a bitter
machine gun fire, but the Ameri-
cans pushed steadily on. Beyond the
mud banks which were crossed slow
ly and with the greatest difficulty,
the Americans found the Germans
and closed with them in desper-
ate bayonet hand-to-hand fight. Ri
files often were used as clubs and
each man struggled to down his in
dividual opponent.
At II o'clock the Americans had
completely overcome the enemy, had
driven him into the woods north
of Grand Pre- and were in possession
OF the important rail head.
With the American Army North
west of Verdun, Wednesday, Oct.
l6-(By The Associated Press.)-'
In its successful advance north of
the Argonne forest, today. the
Areonne forest, today, the Ameri-
can first army reached Campalg-
neulle, one mile north OF st. uvin.
A little farther east, toward the
Meuse, they gained possession OF
the Cote de Chatillon.
East OF the Meuse, the Ameri-
cans moved forward in the forest
OF Grande Montague, the summit
OF which they now hold.
After having captured Grand Pre-
the Americans today advanced their
lines to the eastward and occupied
They surged for
ward until they had taken control
OF Loges wood one and half miles
north OF Chevieres.
Washington, Oct. H.-Great ex-
citement was caused in Antwerp |
when President Wilson's reply to
the German peace note was received
according to an official dispatch to-
lay from Amsterdam. The Belgian
lag was hoisted on a housetop in
defiance of the Germans and kept
there for an hour. Belgian flags
we're kept flying all day in villages
near Antwerp, Charleroi and Ma