The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-06-26

DIsCIPLIMED MILtTIAs
Awarding Prizes at the Dubuque Aucamp-
| ment-An Inspiring and Realistic
Sham Battle.
Dubuque Iowa was the scene last week of in.
tereeting military work by companies of y, 8.
regulars and volunteer organizations FROM Va
rious parts of the country Saturday was the
closing and great day, and the doings are thus
described:
The first feature of the day was a grand
dress parade, in which twelve companies
participated They were commanded by Col
Butler, Lieut. Col Meyer and Capt Choatand,
all of the Third Missouri regiment, and the
best drilled officers in Camp Henderson. This
was followed by a brigade drill, In which ttiany
companies took part They ranked as follows:
Third Missouri regiment, Col. Never conf
manding; Mobile rifles: Iowa National guards
of Muscatine, Iowa; Company d of St Paul,
Capt Bean commanding This, although it
did pPt take first prize, Is an excellently
drilled company, and did some very fine drill
ing, much better than when it drilled for the
prize. Two companies of Washington, Dis
trict OF Columbia, and the Washington Artillery
OF New Orleans, formed as infantry. They
presented magnificent appearance and re
ceived tremendous applause at the finish
Next on the programme was the artillery drill,
IN which the Washington Artillery of New Or
leans was the only contestant The drill was
faultless in every particular, and the battery
was commanded by Capt May. At the order
to dismount piece No. |. Crane was struck on
the knee by 1t and badly hurt, but he being d
soldier in the truest sense of the word, he
proved himself to be a man of nerve, and in de-
serving of the highest praise for the manner in
which he assisted in completing the drill The
time of mounting and dsmounting the piece,
and also the time Of removing and replacing
one cartridge, was two minutes and twenty
three seconds. They received twenty
nine -hundredths ont of posi-
bic thirty. The Judges were Maj. +.
G. Smith, of the Fourth United States; Lieut..
Lomia. of the Fifth United States; and Lieut.
Phillips of the Fourth artillery. They all pro
nounced the drill the best they ever had wit
messed. In the afternoon there were several
exhibition drills and concerts, which were par
ticipated in by several companies, including
the Third Missouri regimental drum corps and
the Dubuque drum corps. At the close of this
exhibition, and amid great cheering and an i'm
mense crowd, which could not find standing
room on the great amphitheater, and took up
their quarters ON the campus ground, Gen.
Bentley rode up ON his steed and announced that
the prizes for the infantry would be awarded.
This caused great excitement and terrible
learn the winner of the prize. The Mobile
Rifles, in response to command by their cap
tam, came up and were greeted with tremen-
tous applause. Gen. Bentley then awarded the
first prize to the above company. 1t is need
less to say they were complimented by thunders
of applause, hats were thrown into the air and
handkerchiefs waved by many of their lady
admirers.
Next in order was the Treadwav Rifles of St.
Louis, who were awarded the second prize.
The Brach Guards of st. Louis received the
third prize. Their applause was complete
repetition of the former.
COMPANY D OF ST PAUL
was next called, and, amid the widest enthusi-
asm, marched up to the front, where they were
presented with the fourth prize. Next in order
was the National Rifles of Washington D. c..
who received the fifth prize; and last came the
Iowa National Guards, of Muscatine, Iowa. The
Milwaukee Light Horse Squadron was presented
with magnificent prize.
THE SHAM BATTLE.
The troops, after they had marched about the
campus ground, were brought up in line. The
army was sighted in the valley, or
within the enclosure while the opposing arm
was sighted upon the bluffs overlooking the
grounds, behind line of earthworks. The
breastworks were three in number, each TWEEN
ty -four feet long and four feet high behind
which and upon the bluff was situated Fort Du-
buque, 100 feet square anCt6 feet high with
ramparts, three in number This
was the objective point of attack. The plan of
the battle was arranged by Gen. Gibbon, COM
mander of the department of the Platte,
United States army. 1t consisted of an
attack from the troops in the valley upon the
on the hill, circllitous march to
the of the Notifications by the troops in the
valley and final capture and explosion of Fort
Dubuque. The Notifications were commanded
by Maj. Powell The earthworks on the ex-
IRENE right were held by battery of four
guns, manned by the Washington Artillery of
New Orleans, under Mai. Hero The Emmett
of St Paul and also the Lawler batteries with
five guns, occupied the center line. The re-
doubt was guarded by the Benton battery with
two guns. Fort Dubuque was occupied by the
Danville, McGregor and Muscatine batteries,
of five guns The National
kis Busch Gavs z0uavss and deDote hs
as line of skirmishers for the defense, and
we're stationed at the crest of the bnffs, behind
the vast rock and trees nee1 the Milwaukee
and St Louis cavalry companies and Batteries
D and of the Fifth and Fourth United States
artillery companies respectively. The infantry
troops were drawn up on the right and left Of
the artillery, with the cavalry company sta
toned in the rear; while detachment of the
Artillery battery under command
Of Capt May, assisted the troops in the valley,
and fired blank bombshelIs from six-pound
howitzer situated on the extreme left The
monster consolidated band Just before the bat
lie played Orally Round the Flag" when the :
attack upon the Notifications was commenced
BY skirmish line. The regulars climbed the
steep, rocky bluffs firing as they mounted
Then the battle openedin earnest
The roar of the heavy cannon upon the bluffs
md the sharp report of musketry reverberated
through the hills, and was followed by the
cheers of the appreciative multitude. The guns
Of the United States batteries in the valley did
excellent work, the horses moved at a gallop
5he bugles sang shrill and loud and the limbers
we're detached, while the guns were in motion }
They were wheeled into line, the cannoneers
we're at their posts, the word was given,
ind the guns Numbered repeatedly First
he booming salute flashed to the north. |
ind then to the south. Either side of the field |!
vas shrouded in the dun canopy of war. Col /
Meier, of the Third Missouri, with brigade, !
marched in circuitous route, and attacked !
Fort Dubuque in the rear. The Milwaukee ;
Light Horse Squadron were also detailed for I
similar purpose. Another force brigade un- |
Ter Capt Bean, of Company D. of st Paul, |
we're ordered to the left, to reconnoter and
orce their way up the side of the bluff Dur /
ng this time the regulars had lively skirmish !
With Maj. Powell's skirmishers and drove them
nto the fort, where they were in turn repulsed, /
md cleared the way down the hill. By this time |!
)ol. Meier's force had marched to the rear !
md engaged the army on the bluff The fir !
ng was rapid, and fully depicted the scenes
# an actual engagement 1t finally culmi- |:
lated with the capture and explosion of Fort !
Dubuque. 1t was a grand sight to witness
he several charges made, and the roars of |
wenty- four heavy field pieces, the firing Of :
200 musketry, and the roar and shouts of the !
oldiers as they gained point One of the !
most thrilling scenes was the grand cavalry !
harge made by both companies on the retreat
ng infantry. The infantry were fast retreating, |
When the squadron of cavalry shut them off,
md then commenced grand revolver charge,
~ the cavalry, to which the infantry returned !
,.atoon fire. twas exciting in the extreme, and
lepicted many realistic scenes of wal Two SOL
hers were shot during the battle, but not seri-
'usly.
An Omcer Kills Desperate
Officer Ernest NJ PARCEL of Flint Mich I