Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-11-06
YiNiS DRIVE HUNS
BACK ON BOTH SIDES
Of TIE MEUSE.
BUILD BRIDGES ACROSS The
RIVER UNDER FIRE AND TAKE
MANY sRiGEDES WITH ONLY
4LIGHT CASUALTIES.


With the American Army on the
Sedan Front Nov. The American
army has thrown a formidable force
Across the Meuse to the east bank
The enemy resistance here has been
broken to the point OF demoraliza,
ton and the Americans are pushing
northward toward Stenay.
Yesterday afternoon the enemy
MAS in fun retreat northward. He
Was offering little opposition and the
foads towards the north were seen
to be fun of the fleeing enemy.
The Americans pressed close upon
the heels OF the Germans and made
thteir retirement as difficult as pos
sible.
The American casualties were light
despite the opposition to the crossing
CT the river.
Build Bridges Under Fire
The work of throwing bridges
across the Meuse began soon after
dark last night. It was conducted I'M
der a whitening fire from artillery
and machine guns The Americans
Succeeded in constructing four pom
toon bridges at point two kilmeters
east Of Brieulles, but lost one by ar
aillery IRE when the first brigade be-
gan to cross.
= Over the other three bridges brigade
after brigade poured across until
formidable force had been assembled
Jon the east bank The enemy resist.
.ance then began to decrease, so bad
)y was it demoralized. Then the
Americans were able to begin their
horthward push toward Stenay.
All night long the troops continued
crossing on the pontoons and some
of them are stiM marching over as
late as noon today.
On the west bank Of the Meuse
other troops pressed northward and
at 2 o'clock in The afternoon had
reached a point less than a kilOmeteI
from Stenay. across the river from
the town The progress here was
still continuing this afternoon
At the last reports troops which
had taken Beaumont earlier in the
day had captured some small hil~
and woods in tho neighborhood, more
particularly In the direction Of tbs
river.
II was due to the smashing Of The
enemy line at the pivotal point OF the
main attack that his complete retire
ment was brought about. The CHIEF
efforts on both sides were centered al
day upon the river sector The fight
ing in the other sectors was less &C
tive, although the Americans left re
ported the scoring of some advances
The town OF Pouilly, in the bend
of the Meuse northwest of Stenay
was captured early in the day The
west bank Of the river now is held in
Its entirety as far north as Pouilly.
German troops who had remained
west Of the Meuse began to flee across
the river early today along the line
north and south of Stenay After de
sroying the bridge from Stenay to
Laneuyille. the enemy opened the
locks Of the canal and flooded the
river to a width Of about two-thirds
of a mile.
Late last night reports said the Ger
man forces were strengthening the
Meuse line north Of the Americah
front There are indications that this
work was resumed during the last
few days and that soldiers are labor
ine on it day and night Reports
agree that this Strengthening opera.
ton extends along the line running
from Mezieres to Montmedy. Longu.
yon and Diedenhofen.
In various places in front Of this
line. whore the Germans have expect.
ed to make a last stand in France
tank traps are already completed The
traps are 100 Yards long, ten yards
wide and ten Yards deep. They are
covered with boards hidden by earth
and sod