The Portland daily press., 1881-08-26
The Sham Fight.

The Sham Fight.
The great event of the reunion was, Of
course, the sham fight, arranged to come off on
Bramhall Hill The parade was hardly finish
ed before people began to flock to that locality
from every quarter. At 8 p. m. the slope of
the Western Promenade, from the Hospital to
the west end, was literally black with men,
women and children, all wedged as close as
close could be. 1t is no exaggeration to say
that there were 10000 people present. Busi-
ness in the city was entirely suspended in
order to give everybody chance to witness
the novel spectacle provided fof their enter
tainment From a spot about one hundred
yards to the west of the Hospital, Gen. Cham
berlain, who directed the operations, was sta
toned, accompanied by his Adjutant General,
Col d. O'C. Donoghue, his chief of staff, Gen.
Mattocks, his aids, Coils. Andrews and King,
his buger, and his two orderlies. There was
also color-bearer, who bore the national flag
and planted it fairly, in full view of the field
below. The orderlies carried signal flags of
red and white respectively, and it was by
means of these the signs were conducted and
the surrender made possible. In the immedi-
ate vicinity were Gen. Howard, Gov. Plaisted
and staff, and other distinguished officers.
From Washington's headquarters the Britt
ish are seen to the southwest occupying small
knoll. Beyond, Fore river curves gently
around the plain something as described in the
plan of Yorktown in Harper's for July. In
the foreground the Americans are marching to
get into possession while at the left are the
Eranch hpod md Oh
ing for the contest On the right, and also in
the foreground, the artillery is stationed.
Away in the east is ancient Stroudwater, OF
revolutionary fame, and dark old trees that are
still marked with the broad arrow, showing
they were reserved for the Royal use. The
French forces ara represented by the Maine
militia under command of Gen. j. Marshall
Brown as Rochambeau; the Americans by vet
Grams under command of Gen. G. M. Atwood,
OF Boston, as Washington; the British by the
Portland Cadets, three CT mpanies of the second
regiment and the It'll Maine Battery under
Capt. Stowe, of Dover. as CORVALLIS. Gen.
I. s. Bangs, of Waterville, Division Com
mander, leads the American line. Gen. Cham
Der lain conducts the whole by signals from the
west of Bramhall
The usual delays in preparing for action oc-
cur, and at $50 the presence of several of the
leading British officers at the American head
quarters indicated that the non-combatants
need be in no haste to retire. At the French
headquarters Marquis Lafayette sits patiently
on his white horse while waiting for the skir-
mishers to move and talking very good En-
glish. At 90 the first gun is fred by the Amer
leans OnaratiOp IN ha Enulich tho
mishers advance, while the British artillery re-
plies, and the British skirmishers are driven
back. The French line then advances and the
fusilade between the skirmishers grows lively,
while the great white clouds of smoke are
driven across the field. Now the mounted ar
tillery advances and the British slowly retire,
but they rally and advance, checking the
Americans for the moment. The firing grows
rapid and brilliant skirmish takes place.
The short, corn-popping like, reports of the
musketry are strongly contrasted with the
deep bass of the twelve FOUNDERS. The Amer
lean lines advance with cheers and the
French, advancing to meet them, move slowly
but in fine order. The British are driven back
to their station on the hill after sharp but de-
cisive struggle.
Next came determined sortie of the Brit
ish, driving back both the French and Ameri-
can lines. The old soldiers looking on get ex-
cited and expressions like "Give 'em hell
boys, don't rum" as if they would
encourage their own countrymen
are heard on every side. The excitement COM
municates itself to the civilians and all press
further forward as if they could thus take in
hott v;o ~ +ba a.,
battlefield they even crowd upon the ground
and impede the movements of the French
The British drive the Americans back upon
their batteries, whic are rapidly served, and,
after fierce fusilade, the whole line advances
and the British are driven back on the run to
their redoubt. Both the French and Ameri-
can lines m AXE brilliant charge up the hill
and the redoubt is carried at AS o'clock
amidst deafening cheers, from the allies,
answered by the spectators on Bramhall, who
take up the cry with enthusiasm. The British
| flag is hauled down and the French and
American colors take its place. Now the mill
| tary bands strike up and the allies are seen
| marching down to form their lines and receive
| the surrender, which takes place in the open
| field where the brunt of the battle has been.
| The American army is drawn up in line
| fronting Bramball with the French line in
front, and Gen. Washington and staff, while
Gen. Lafayette and staff occupy places on the
left. The British line headed by Con. O'Hara
marches down the lines and OHara gracefully
tenders his sword which is received by Gen
! Lincoln on behalf of Gen. Washington, and as
| gracefully returned. The British army then
grounds arms.
At $50 the lines break ranks and the
veterans march back to camp; the militia to
their quarters in the city The American and
French commanders, all dressed in their bril-.
liant uniforms, ride slowly down Congress
| street, receiving regular ovation from the