The New York herald., 1879-10-15
LEARNING THE ART OF WAR.

THE ELEVENTH BRIGADE OF THE NATIONAL
GUARD INvADEs STATEN ISLAND UNDER
GENERAL MoLINEUx-BLoopLEss ENGAGE
MENTs-A PAINFUL ACCIDENT
An event which may prove the opening Of a new
epoch in the history of the National Guard was in
augurated yesterday by General L. L. Molineux of
the Eleventh brigade, who exercised his command
in series of practical in the open field.
Tho troops engaged were:-The Seventeenth sepa-
rate company of infantry of Flushing. Captain
Roullier. 80 men; Troop d. cavalry. Captain
Bertsch 81 men; Battery N. Captain Edwards. 81
men; Twenty-third regiment. Colonel Ward. 466
men; Thirty-second regiment. Colonel Rueger. 337
men, and the Forty-seventh regiment. Colonel
Brownen. 800 men. They embarked in two boats
at the foot Of Fulton and South Eighth
streets. Brooklyn. at half-past eight A. NJ. for
Tompknsvlle Staten Island. All the details OF the
ercses having been thoroughly prepared beforehand
delay was experienced after landing. and short
march of half mile brought the advance guard to
the grounds OF Mr.. Augustus Prentice. which had
boon rendered for the occasion to the brigade
through General satterlee. They were admirably
adapted for the occasion, as the 400 acres chosen
were diversified with hill. valley and plain. with
rocky ravines and wooded sleeps, amid which the
skiriisher found cover in attack and retreat. The
Staten Islanders, astonished to hear the sounds OF
warfare, hurried out to witness the mimic engage
ment, and from the surrounding hills witnessed
spectacle that was not only picturesque but decidedly
realistic.
THE MoHSING's sKIRMIsH.
First OF all the iwenty-thlrd Thirty-second and
Forty-sevenh regiments OF infantry, covered by an
aovance guard encountered the rear guard OF sup
posed opposing force-the battery, separate company
and troop or cavalry under Lieutenant Colonel
george Bradley, OF the Eorty-seventh regiment
posted on high ground. The position of this force
was simultaneously attacked in front aud flank.
Colonel Bradley resisted but being outhanked after
delaying the attacking party, withdrew to second
position The infantry followed in pursuit. passing
to the front by fank OF subdivisions or i'll line as
me ground or judgment OF the commanders die
tated; the advance peing covered by skirmishers
under Lieutenant Co!onei fartridge, OF the Iweny-
third regiment ''Ihe DroKen ground, said the
General, as II is passed over, aHords an excellent
opportunity Tor the instruction OF opposing lines
OF skirmlshers, while tho advantage possessed
by infantry when operating III wooded country is
illustrated py the speedy manner III which
the battery was compelled TO abandon Its second
position colonel Bradley accordingly retired to u
third and stronger position. which necessitated
dlrect attack over open Out rough ground. The In
fantry reformed for that movement in belt of
woods. Inc attack was next delayed by Bradley's
skirm,sners penina stone wall; put that being car
ried by the lwenty-third regiment the entire line
advanced' nring, ana carried the position. Ihe
cavalry during the attack operated continually on
the tanks Of the advancing party by means OF the
roads.
THE AFTERNOONS BATTLE.
halt was then taken Tor dinner, the different
commands taxing their rations on the ground oc-
cupied by them at the close OF the morning ex-
ercises while General MolineuX, his STAFF and the