The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-06-23
FIGHTING FOR FUN.
The Sham Battle at the Dubuque En-
canpment.
A Realistic Illustration OF the ssusi-
ness Rnd OF SoIdierfng-scenes ON
the Cory IL Fieid-PrIzes
Awarded.


awarding of prizes for Thursdays competi.
tive drills was concluded, preparations were
at once instituted for the great sham battle
The business of forming infantry, cav
airy and artillery, bands, ETC., occupied two
hours. 1t was a grand sight to witness their
lightning movements ON the campus ground.
1t had favor of the genuine, realistic,
thrilling scenes of war, which brought
forth great applause from the entire
audience OF about 10000 people. The
sham battle was then formed. The troops,
after they had marched about tho campus
ground, were brought up in line The at
lacking party was sighted i'll the valley, or
within the Enclosure, while the oppsing party
was sighted upon the bluffs overlooking the
grounds behind a line of earthworks. The
breastworks were three in number each 240
feet long, and four feet high, behind which
and upon the bluff was situated Fort Du-
buque, 100 feet square, and six feet high,
with surrounding ramparts, three in number
This was the objective point of attack The
plan OF the battle was arranged by Gen
Gibbons, commander of the department of
the Platte, United States army. 1t con-
sisted OF an attack from the troops in the
valley upon the Notifications on the hill, q
cireultous march to the rear of the fortifica-
lion by the troops i'll the valley, and the final
capture and explosion of Fort Dubuque. The
Notifications were commanded by Mai.
Powell, and the earthworks on the extreme
right right were held by battery of four,
manned by the Washington artillery of New
Orleans, under Maj Hero. The Cresco En-
met, of St Paul, and also the Lawler bat
teries, with five guns, occupied the center
| line
The redoubt was guarded by the Benton
battery, with two guns. Fort Dubuque was
occupied by the Danville, McGregor and
Muscatine batteries, consisting of five guns;
the National rifles, Busch zouaves and Rock
ford grays were deployed as a line of Skin
mishers for the defense, and were stationed
at the crest of the bluff, behind the rocks
aud trees, the Milwaukee and st. Louis
cavalry companies and Batteries d
and + of the Fifth and Fourth
United States artillery companies respec-
lively. The infantry troops were drawn
up upon the right and left of the artillery,
while the cavalry company was stationed in
the rear detachment of the Washington
| Artillery battery, under command of Capt
May, assisted the troops in the valley, and
fired blank bombshels from a six-pound
howitzer situated on the extreme left. The
monster consolidated baud just before the
battle, played "Rally Round the Flag, "
when the attack upon the Notifications was
commenced by skirm;sh line. The reg
ulars climbed the steep, rocky bluffs,
firing as they mounted. The battle
then opened in earnest The roar OF
heavy cannon upon the bluffs and the sharp
| report OF lnusketry 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 gallop,
the bugles sang shrill and loud, the limbers
| were detached while the guns were in motion,
and they were wheeled into line. The
cannoneers were at their post, the word was
given, and the guns thundered re-
peatedly. First the booming salute flashed
to the north and then to the south
and either side of the field was shrouded in
the dim canopy of war. Col Meier, of the
Third Missouri, with brigade marched il
} circuituous route and attacked Fort
Dubuque in the rear The Milwaukee Light
house squadron were also detailed on a SINH
lar purpose. Another force, under Capt
Bean, Company D, of st. Paul, were ordered
to the left to reconnoiter, and force their way
up the side of the bluff. During this time tn,
regulars had lively skirmish with Maj Pow
ellis skirmishers, and drove them into tn
: fort, where in turn they were repulsed an6
cleared the way down the hill. By this time
Col Meier's force had marched to the rea
and engaged the army upon the bluff. Tb
firing was rapid and fully depicted the scene
of an actual engagement. 1t finally cul
minated with the capture and explosion O
Fort Dubuque. 1t was grand sight to wit
ness the several charges made an
the roars of twenty four heavy fel
pieces, the firing of 1900 musketry
and the clamor and shouts Of the soldier
as they gained a point. One of the finest
most thrilling scenes was the grand cavalr
!. charge made by both companies on the re
treating infantry. The infantry were fas
/. retreating, when the squadron of cavalr
shut them off, and then commenced gran
revolver charge by the cavalry to which III
10 infrntry returned a platoon fire. 1t was e1
d citing in the extreme, and depicted man
= realistic scenes of war Two soldiers &
. shot during the battle, but not seriously.
s The prizes were awarded as follows: Nc
bile rifles, company F, LIST Alabama, fir
n Al prize, for general excellency, especially
A. the manual Treadway rifles of st. Loui
company D, 81 Missouri, second prize ft
sc general excellency, and especially for the
At skirrnish drill Branch guards of ST. Loui
third prize. Company D of St Paul, fourt
I'd prize Muscatine company, fifth prize. M
tional rifles of Washington, sixth prize. III
cavalry prize was given TO the Milwauk'
ny light cavalry, who had no competitors.