Morning journal and courier., 1881-05-14
Stricken Down by the Sun.
Seventy-Five Soldiers Overcome i'm Pros
 pect Rark-A Disa astrous Field Dax.

SeVenty-FfVe Soldiers Overcome in Pros
 pect Esark-A Disastrous Field Day.
 [Frofn the New York Sun of May 13.I
 The First Brigade of the First Division, National Guard, had disastrous field day yesterday. Nothing like it has been expe- rienced since the Fourth of July parade, 8 few years ago, up Eighth avenue to Thirty fourth street, and down Fifth avenue, caused the death of seven men, and injured a score more for life. Then along Eighth and Fifth avenues men fell down and were dragged to the sidewalk by the score, and yesterday these scenes were repeated at the Prospect Park parade ground. Over Seventy-fiye men were prostrated by the heat, and there were fourteen genuine of sunstroke. One, if not more, will certainly die. In fact, one man was reported dead, but late in the after noon 1t was ascertained that he was still alive, but there was no hope of his recovery.
 The First Brigade is composed of the Ninth, Twelfth, Eleventh, Fifth and Twenty second regiments. They arrived at the pa rade ground, by different means of tranBpor- tation, between 1O3O and II a. m. The sun beat fercely down on them as in heavy marching order, with knapsacks and over coats they entered the ground Some men were partially prostrated on their arrival. An undress grand guard mount was the first movement with Lieut.. Col. William G. Will son, of the Twelfth, as field officer of the day, and Lieut.. William J. Maidhof as officer of the guard. The movement was poorly performed. Then Gen. William G. Ward caused brigade line to be formed, and after two or three simple movements the regiments were dismissed to drill by battalion until lunch time. The heat increased, and at the end of an hours drill several were found to tall out or fell prostrate in the ranks and were carried off. Worse. however, was to follow, for up to this time there were no very serious cases. There was an interval of hour for lunch, principally employed by the troops in finding a shady spot in which to cool off, but with little success.
 At p. m. the signal was given to form the brigade line for drill. The then beat down more fiercely than ever, the thermomo- ter marking over 95o. A dark cloud arose, threatening 8 welcome storm. but it soon drifted away, and the few tantalizing rain drops that fell quickly dried up. Many men fairly staggered as they mechanically marched to the place of formation. The Twenty sec ond paraded with eight companies of sixteen files front. The Fifth had only eight compa- nies of eight files, and the Ninth had eight companies of twelve files. The Eleventh and Twelfth each had eight companies of twelve files. The firings were taken up, and then the advance in line of battle in support of skirmishers began. It began to look like a battlefield Men dropped down as if shot, and were carried quickly to the rear by com rades leaving gaps in the ranks. Along the fence in the rear of the line are few shade
 
 improvised In the deployment into column of battalions the suns raking fire brought down more men, and suddenly, after a march by the flank of subdivisions, column formed, halt ordered, arms stacked, and the men dismissed, to the intense relief of all. Another fifteen minutes and hardly corporaTs guard would have been left.
 The scene under the scanty shade of the trees was pitiable Two men of the Twelfth were in convulsions and it required dozen men to hold them. The Twelfth had wall tent with fly, but the other regiments were without any tent, except the Eleventh, which had small tent in which it was hotter than outside. There was a lamentable lack of surgeons and medical stores The brigade surgeon was absent and Dr. Roof, of the Ninth, oficiatsd efficiently in his place. Sur geons Messemer, Jewett and others present did all in their power. The Fifth, Eleventh and Twelfth regiments suffered the most. In the Fifth, Right General Guide Shook; Hen ri Gikel, Company G; Adolph Rodman, Company A Frank Biddle Company G; William Schump, Company A, and William Elsen, Company B, were all sunstruck and in a dangerous condition The last named was carried to the Flatbush Avenue Hospital. There was no prospect of his recovery. Ten or fifte en more in the Fifth were prostrated, but were not considered in dangerous con dition.
 in the Twelfth, those sunstruck were G. B. Metz, drummer of Company G; E. Me Creel, Company E. George w. Price, Con- F; J. Grinna, Company H and substitute for 8 man in Company l. whose name could not be ascertained. A dozen others were prostrated, but were able to leave the ground at dark.
 In the Eleventh, Capt. Henry Storch of Company E was severely sunstruck and it was thought at one time that he would die. He rallied slightly toward sunset Capt. H. Loser and Col. Unbekant were also pros- trated, the latter, however, recovering suf- fciently to assume command at the review. Several of the men succumbed, but revived sufficiently so leave the ground toward even ing.
 In the Ninth and Twenty-second no men were reported seriously affected, though in each regiment twelve or fifteen were more or less prostrated for time Private H. L. Dreyer of Battery E, who bore the brigade colors, was sunstruck and fell off h1s horse as if shot. He was reported to be in dan- gerous condition.
 'sTheren be some military funerals for this, " said an old army officer to group of officers of the Third Brigade who were watch ing the movements.
 The Third Brigade has field day next Thursday. The officers did not seem to like the prospect of similar experience.
 After about two hours rest the line was formed for review, Gen. Shsler being the re viewing officer. There was no attempt at a review in line, and the troops merely wheel ed into columns of kdivisions. rendered a marching salute, and were Ut once dismissed. Notwithstanding the heat, they marched with precision, and were loudly cheered for their IL ~H~~.- ~n. A A.