The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-10-12
The Eairmont Battle.

Fairmont had gathered there to wit.
ness the grand military display and
sham battle that had been billed foi
that time. Many arrived the previ-
Gus day and on Friday morning eve
ry road leading to town was literally
alive with people of beth sexes and
all ages, bent on seeing the battle.
Fairmont seemed to have donned a
holiday attire and many of her citi-
zens threw open their houses and
helped to entertain the multitude.
There were seven companies present,
the State Cadets from the University,
the Mathews and Golf Guards and
Lindsey Cadets from Wheeling, the
Wilson Blues from Burton, the Dele
plain Guards from Warrington and
the Davis Light Guards from Fair
mont. The companies numbered 222
men in all and when together made
quite formidable display. About 3
o'clock p NJ. the lines of battle were
formed on opposite sides of the Fair
Ground, there being two pieces of ar
tillery on each side, when the Skin
mishers began to fire and the battle
opened i'll earnest. The firing was
rapid and terribly accurate as evil
denced by the great number of dead
and dying that lay upon the field.
After the troops had become exhaust
ed and one side vanquished, an inter
mission was had while the dead and
wounded were carried to the rear BY
their brave comrades. 1t was sight
terribly grand and brought tears to
the eyes of the witnessing thousands
In short time the lines of battle were
formed again and the work of death
was recommended. Your reporter did
not learn the exact number of lives
lost, but suppose it must have been
several hundred.
The artillery was manned by the
Cadets from the University and was
well handled. The firing was steady,
regular and rapid, and elected nu-
merous compliments from parties
competent TO judge. We pronounce
them the best drilled men who were
present. The boys were gallant" as
well as brave and from appearances
we judge some Of the FairmonJ girls
were mashed on them.
The whole affair passed off pleas
antly and we judge proftably. OBJ
servant persons gained some knowl-
edge of military movements and the
method Of conducting battles in time
of war.
Some of the boys were bruised a
little and George Baker was slightly
burnt with powder, though we think
not enough to leave scars.
A couple Of outside enterprises, in
the way Of small fights, were engaged
in, but were soon quelled by the mill
tary.
About six thousand people were
present and the gross receipts of the
managers must have reached nearly
two thousand dollars. One half the
net proceeds go to the Fair Company
and the residue to the Davis Light
Guards. We would think that each
would get about five hundred dol
lars.
After the engagement Senator Da-
Wis delivered short address to the
troops in which he congratulated the
boys and justly said that the display
reflected credit upon the officers and
men who took part in it. He also
argued in favor of state military or
CARNATIONS and expressed himself
as gratified at the patriotism display
ed in our own State by the support
of its citizen soldiery.
There were five Brass Bands pres
ent. Kramer's from Wheeling, the
the Palatine, the Fairmont, the Nor
gantown, and the Shinnton Bands, all
of whom did credit to themselves.
The More antown boys were voted
next to Kramer's, and they certainly
deserved the place assigned them.
About two hundred persons from
Morgantown and vicinity were in at
tendance, the largest number we ever
knew to go to anything not held at
home.
The State Cadet Corps from the Uni
versity numbered 45 men, the largest
company on the ground.
The ladies of the Presbyterian
Church kept an eating house open
and fed several hundred persons.
The day will long be remembered
by Fairmont. There certainly were
nnvo,. cf. MANY pnor1a acsou, hlad fharo