actory arrangements were made
to prevent any issue from it by the enemy by day or night, I decided
that it was not necessary to incur the losses which an attack would
entail, as, in view of the position of the Second and Third Corps, the
enemy could make no use of Conde, and would be automatically forced out
of it by any advance which might become possible for us.

7. On this day information reached me from Gen. Joffre that he had found
it necessary to make a new plan and to attack and envelop the German
right flank.

It was now evident to me that the battle in which we had been engaged
since the 12th inst. must last some days longer, until the effect of
this new flank movement could be felt and a way opened to drive the
enemy from his positions.

It thus became essential to establish some system of regular relief in
the trenches, and I have used the infantry of the Sixth Division for
this purpose with good results. The relieved brigades were brought back
alternately south of the river and, with the artillery of the Sixth
Division, formed a general reserve on which I could rely in case of
necessity.

The cavalry has rendered most efficient and ready help in the trenches,
and have done all they possibly could to lighten the arduous and trying
task which has of necessity fallen to the lot of the infantry.

On the evening of the 19th and throughout the 20th the enemy again
commenced to show considerable activity. On the former night a severe
counter-attack on the Third Division was repulsed with considerable
loss, and from early on Sunday morning various hostile attempts were
made on the trenches of the First Division. During the day the enemy
suffered another severe repulse in front of the Second Division, losing
heavily in the attempt. In the course of the afternoon the enemy made
desperate attempts against the trenches all along the front of the First
Corps, but with similar results.

After dark the enemy again attacked the Second Division, only to be
again driven back.

Our losses on these two days were considerable, but the number, as
obtained, of the enemy's killed and wounded vastly exceeded them.

As the troops of the First Army Corps were much exhausted by this
continual fighting, I reinforced Sir Douglas Haig with a brigade from
the reserve, and called upon the First Cavalry Division to assist them.

On the night of the 21st another violent counter-attack was repulsed by
the Third Division, the enemy l