“A certain amount of fighting continued along the whole line throughout the night and at daybreak on the 24th the second division from the neighborhood of Harmignies made a powerful demonstration as if to retake Binche.  This was supported by the artillery of both the first and the second divisions while the first division took up a supporting position in the neighborhood of Peissant.  Under cover of this demonstration The Second Corps retired on the line of Dour, Quarouble and Frameries.  The third division on the right of the corps suffered considerable loss in this operation from the enemy, who had retaken Mons.

“The Second Corps halted on this line, where they intrenched themselves, enabling Sir Douglas Haig, with the First Corps, to withdraw to the new position.

NIGHT ATTACK ON THE LEFT

“Toward midnight the enemy appeared to be directing his principal effort against our left.  I had previously ordered General Allenby with the cavalry to act vigorously in advance of my left front and endeavor to take the pressure off.

“About 7:30 in the morning General Allenby received a message from Sir Charles Fergusson, commanding the fifth division, saying he was very hard pressed and in urgent need of support.  On receipt of this message General Allenby drew in his cavalry and endeavored to bring direct support to the fifth division.

“During the course of this operation General DeLisle of the Second Cavalry Brigade thought he saw a good opportunity to paralyze the further advance of the enemy’s infantry by making a mounted attack on his flank.  He formed up and advanced for this purpose, but was held up by wire about 500 yards from his objective.

GENERAL SMITH-DORRIEN IN RETREAT

“The Nineteenth Infantry Brigade was brought by rail to Valenciennes on the 22d and 23d.  On the morning of the 24th, they were moved out to a position south of Quarouble to support the left flank of the Second Corps.  With the assistance of cavalry Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien was enabled to effect his retreat to a new position.

“At nightfall a position was occupied by the Second Corps to the west of Bavay, the First Corps to the right.  The right was protected by the fortress of Maubeuge, the left by the Nineteenth Brigade in position between Jenlain and Bavay and cavalry on the outer flank.  The French were still retiring and I had no support except such as was afforded by the fortress of Maubeuge.

ARMY IN GEEAT PERIL

“I felt that not a moment must be lost in retiring to another position.  I had every reason to believe that the enemy’s forces were somewhat exhausted and I knew that they had suffered heavy losses.  The operation, however, was full of danger and difficulty, not only owing to the very superior forces in my front, but also to the exhaustion of the troops.  “The retirement was recommenced in the early morning of the 25th to a position in the neighborhood of Le Catean and the rear guard were ordered to be clear of Maubeuge and Bavay by 5:30 a. m.