The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-04-27
AMERICANS DIE
AT GUNS AS FOE
FALLS in HEAPS
Refuse to Surrender and Now
Down the Germans, Retak-
ing Village.
uNDETERRED BY Big GUNS
Victory of U. S. Troops Over Huns
Wins Praise of the French-Flght-
Ing Qualities of Troops Stand
Against Real Test.

With the French Army in France,
April 25.-Unstinted praise for the
yalor and steadfastness of the Ameri-
can troops during the German attack
at Seicheprey is given by the French
troops on the same front. This adj
miration for the fighting qualities of
his transatlantic comrades is demon
strated In report sent to the general
commanding by the colonel of French
infantry regiment which took part In
the Seicheprey engagement
II visited Renneres wood after the
counter-attack in which the position
was recaptured and examined the stu
alton in detail" says the report. "Ev-
erywhere traces of hand-to-hand fight
ing show that the American soldiers
despite two hours of heavy lombard
ment by large ealiber guns, defended
themselves valiantly.
American Gunners Die Fighting.
In the vicinity between the front
trenches and the communication trench
connecting the Jury and Renneres
woods, two American machine gun
ers died fighting on their weapons af-
ter covering the ground around with
German dead. The enemy suffered
great losses, thanks to this heroic re-
sistance.
Everywhere there are signs of Ger
man wounded having been carried off,
while many German bodies remain be-
cause the retiring enemy was unable
to remove them. Numbers of dead be-
long to German storming detach-
ments."
The French soldiers who Joined in
the fight declare that the Americans
displayed splendid spirit of combat.
They relate that north Of Seieheprey
an American detachment was sepa-
rated into small groups and was cut
off from the company to which 1t be-
longed throughout the entire fight. Be-
hind the Americans and on their left
flank were German units, but they
could have retired on the right. How
ever, they decided to stick and fight,
which they did with wonderful valor,
Notwithstanding the incessant enemy
bombardment and rife fire.
Hand-to- n and Combats Many.
Numerous hand-to-hand combats
were fought In the course of this long
struggle, from which the Americans
found themselves obliged to retire TO-
ward nIghtfall. but only after destroy
ing thier machine guns.
In Seicheprey a squad of Americans
found several cases Of grenades, with
which they succeeded In putting up Il
terrific fight and holding out the entire
day on the northern extremity of the
village. They refused to surrender
when summoned to do so. At the end
of the fighting only nine of the original
% were left. A cook, surprised by the
Germans and half stunned by blow
from grenade, seized rifle and con-
tinued firing until he fell dead.
Toward evening hospital which
had been established in Seichnprey
WIS blown up along with the dortors
and ambulance men. The chief sur
geon of the American regiment en-
gagged hurried to the spot with Fcench
ard American ambulance cars as scon
az ne learned of the occurrence. The
rescue party passed through severe
tarrage fire, but eventually rea he'd
the village, where they attended, the
wounded for many hours under a
heavy fire.
An American lieutenant with only
six men patrolled 600 yards IF the
front during the entire day and main
tanned communication with the bat
talions on his right and left. Many
other incidents of bravery are record
ed by the French.