The Dickinson press., 1884-06-28
D1sor1x1D .r111r,A.

DIDURL1nD MILITIA.
Awarding Prizes at h Dubuque znoamp-
ment-An Inspiring and Realistic
Sham Battle.
Dubuque lows was the scene H. week ofin.
t~eresting military work by companies of q. S.
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 q brigade drill, in which many
companies took part: They ranked as follows:
manding; Mobile rifles; Iowa National guards
Of Muscatine, Iowa; Company D of St. Paul,
Capt. Bean commanding. This, although it
did not 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 a magnificent appearance and re-
celyed tremendous applause at the finish.
A>SAoO "a ShO PAoSldAAlAAC Nu6 tllO dIIlllcly OIll,
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 o
soldier in the trucst sense Of the word, he
proved himself to be o man of nerve, andin de-
serving of the highest praise for the manner in
which he assisted in completing the drill The
time OF mounting and dismounting the piece,
onI oJSn tho $s,,,n ~c 1rN,,s ..1 --1-.:-
one cartridge, was two minutes and twenty
three seconds. They received twenty
nine one-hundredths out of o posi-
bic thirty. The judges were Maj: +.
g. Smith, of the Fourth United States; 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
tlcipated 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 Oh the campus ground, Gen.
Bentley rode up on his steed and announcedthat
the prizes for the infantry would be awarded.
This caused great excitement and a terrible
jam swayed to and fro mid wild cheering to
learn the winner of the prize. The Mobile
Rifles, in response to q command by their cap
tain, came up and were greeted with tremen-
dous applause. Gen. Bentley then a~wardedthe
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.
Louis, who were awarded the second prize.
The Brach Guards of st. Louis received the
third prize. Their applause was o 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
Milwaukee Light orse Squadron was presented
with q magnificent prize.
THE SHAM BATTLE.
The troops, after they had marched aboutth
campus ground, were brought up in line. The
attacking army was sighted in the valley, or
within the enclosure, while the opposing arm
was sighted upon the bluffs overlooking the
breastworks were three in number, each twen-
ty-four feet long and four feet high, behind
which and upon the bluff was situated Fort Du-
buque, 100 feet square and & feet high, with
surrounding ramparts, three in number. This
was the objective point OF attack. The plan Of
mander of the department Of the Platte,
United States army. 1t consisted of an
attack from the troops i'll the valley upon the
Notifications on the hill, u circuitous march to
the rear Of the Notifications by the troops in the
valley and final capture and explosion of Fort
Dubuque. Thu Notifications were commanded
by Maj. Powell The eart1iworks on the OK
IRENE right were held by a battery of four
guns, manned by the Washington Artillery of
New Orleans, under Mai. Hero. The Emmett
Of ST pnJ1 and 1sp tho To u,lnr 1o tfn,inu ,,;fL
five guns, occupied the centor line. The re-
| doubt was guarded by the Benton battery with
two guns. Fort Dubuque was occupied by the
D%anyille, McGregor and Muscatine batteries,
consisting of five guns. Tho National
Rockford Grays wore dcployed
as a line of skirmifshers for the defense, and
were stationed at the crest of the bluff, behind
the vast rock and trees near the Milwaukee
and St. Louis cavalry companies and Batteries
artillery companies respectively. The infantry
troops were drawn up on the right and left Of
the artillery, with the cavalry company sta
toned i'll the rear; while = detachment Of the
Washington Artillery battery, under command
of Capt. May, assisted the troops i'll the valley,
and fired blank bombshells from a six-pound
howitzer situated on the extreme left. The
monster consolidated band just before the bat
tie played Orally Round the Flag" when the
attack upon the Notifications was commenced
ny " sAiIullSl lluC. lu6 ltStlliiS climbed The
steep, rocky bluffs, firing as they mounted.
Then the battle openedin earnest.
The roar OF the heavy cannon upon the bluffs
and 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.
the bugles sang shrill and loud, and the limbers
were detached, while the guns were in motion.
They were wheeled into line, the cannoneers
and the guns Numbered repeatedly. First
the booming salute flashed to the north,
and then to the south. Either side of the field
was shrouded in the dun canopy of war. Col.
Meier, of the Third Missouri, with u brigade,
marched in a circuitous route, and attacked
Light Horse Squadron were also detailed for q
similar purpose. Another force brigade un-
der Capt. Bean, of Company d. of St. Paul,
were ordered to the left, to r%econnoiter and
force their wayup the side of the bluff. Dur
ing this time the regulars had a lively skirmish
with Maj. Powell's skirmishers and drove them
into the fort, where they were in turn repulsed,
and cleared the way down the hill. By this time
Col. Meier's force had marched to the rear
and engaged the army on the bluff. The fir
of an actual engagement 1t finally culmi-
mated with the capture and explosion of Fort
Dubuque. 1t was. a grand sight to witness
the several charges made, and the roars Of
twcnty-four heavy field pieces, the firing Of
200 musketry, and the roar and shouts of the
soldiers as they gained a point One of the
most thrilling scenes was the grand cavalry
charge made BY both companies on the retreat
ing infantry. The infantry were fast retreating,
when the squadron of cavalry shut them of,
and then commenced a grand revolver charge,
by the cavalry, to which tue infantry returned d
platoon fire. twas exciting in the extreme, and
depicted many realistic scenes of wal. Two SOL
diers were shot during the battle, but not seri-
ously.