Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-08-26
THE TENTED FIELD.
The Closing Day Of the Veterans
Reunion.
Forty Thousand People Witness
the Mock Battle.
The Reunion a Grand Success and Every
BODY Happy.

rived on the Pullman train at A. NJ, and
out of town companies Of the first regiment
al | 80. A breakfast was provided for them
at City Hall. Hon. Benjamin Dean of Bos-
ton. Grand Master of Templars for the Unit
ed States, arrived from Mt. Desert last night
in his yacht and has been invited by the ex-
ecutive council to join the procession. Then
came the second division Of veterans, under
Gen. C. W. Tilden; third division under Col.
I. s. Bangs; fourth division under Col. G. T.
Stevens The veterans were strongly rein
forced By arrivals this morning, and num-
bered 5000. Some of the regiments were
quite strong, and have their old banners,
which they hailed with cheers. The seventh,
made famous at Antietam, received especial
notice Many of the veterans returned the
-alutes Of friends on every side, and tone
of good humor aud citation was perceptible
appeared more marked than at former re-
unions, showing how time is lapsing since
the days of the war. The rear was brought
up by Browns artillery. The route is about
two miles and the veterans will then return
to camp to dine, and prepare for the mock
fight this afternoon.
The procession formed at $50 on State 1t.
First came the escort, composed of the First
and Second Regiments Maine militia, under
command Of Gen. John Marshall Brown !;
next Gen. Chamberlain and staff; then the
First Division of Veterans, commanded BY
Gen. Moses Il. Lakeman, composed of Maine
Veteran Association of Massachusetts,. Gov.
Plaisted and distinguished guests in carria-
ges followed
The mock fight was announced for p. NJ.
The field Of combat was plain lying at the
foot of Bramhall Hill at the western extrem-
ity of the city. As early one O'Clock the
streets in every direction were filled with
people streaming towards Bramhall, and At
three the whole western slope was filed with
crowd OF seated people; certainly not less
than forty thousand. The plan of the fight
was modelled after Yorktown, with some
changes. From Washington's headquarters
the British seen to the southwest, occu-
pying a small hill Beyond, the Fore river
bends around the plain, something like the
York river around Yorktown. In the fore
ground the Americans are marching to get
into position while at the left are the French
headquarters and French army arranging
itself for the fight. The artillery is stationed
over on the right, while skirmishers are being
directed away behind it. The French forces
were represented by the Maine militia, and
under command of Gen. John Marshall
Brown as Rochambeau; Americans by Vet
Grams under command Of Gen. G. NJ. Atwood
of Boston, rs Washington; British by the
Portland Cadets. four companies of the Sec
ond regiment, and eth Maine battery under
command of Captain Howe of Dover, Me-,
as Corvallis. Col. Isaac s. Bangs Of Wat
ervile, division commander. leads the Amer
lean line, and Gen. Chamberlain conducts
the whole BY signals from the crest of Bram-
hall HILL
At 4 20 the first gun opens on the English
and skirmishers advance. while the British
artillery replies. British skirmishers are
driven back. The French line advances and
the fusilade between the skirmishers goes on
lively, while quite cloud of smoke from the
artillery blows across the field. Now the
American artillery adv snces, and the British
slowly retreat; but they rally and advance,
checking the Americans for moment. The
firing grows rapid. and brilliant skirmish
takes place. again the American line ad-
vance with cheers; and the Frenh advancing
move slowly, but in fine order, and the Brit
ish are driven back to their station on the
hill Next comes a determined sortie of the
British driving both the French and Ameri-
can lines. The spectators now get excited
and crowd upon the battlefield, impeding the
movements of the French. The British drive
the Americans back upon their batteries. AZ
ter a fierce fusillade the whole line advance
and the British are driven back on the run to
their hill. Both French and American lines
rush up the hill, which is carried at AS,
amid tremendous cheering from the allies,
answered from Bramhall Hill by the assem-
bled thousands.
The British flag comes down and the
French and American colors float around the
slau. NOW uauuS SuiAe up anu
the allies are seen marching down from their
lines to receive the surrender. This takes
place in the open field where the bruat of
battle had been. The American army is
drawn up in line, fronting Bramhall Hill
with the French line in front of them and
Gen. Washington and staff with Gen. La
Fayette. On the left the British line, headed
by Gen. o'Hara, marches down the lines and
o'Hsra gracefully tenders his sword which
is received by Gen. Lincoln on behalf Of
Gen. Washington, and as gracefully returned.
The British army then ground arms.
The only causlties reported are two men
of the eth Maine battery, who were badly
burned by the explosion Of cartridges which
they carried. Their names we're Merrill and
Haskell, and they were taken into the hos
pital.
At $50 the lines broke mp aud marched
back to camp and quarters. The streets are
again filled with people passing down to their
trains, their boats, and their homes. While
the American and French stats ride SLOWLY
down Congress Street, in their brilliant
uniforms receiving an ovation from the cifi-
rens. The spectacle has been very brilliant
and successful, and has been marked by
Al -