The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-08-15

capt, Cation, inspector OF rlhe Practice, ooo
yards: first firing party, 2ll, second firing
party, 279, out of a possible 500. Col. Sha-
fer, the state inspector, expressed himself as
being greatly pleased with the results OF the
days practice, which was continued at inter-
walls during the encampment, the hring par
ties consisting of ten men under command
Of an officer. Tuesday, under escort OF the
citizens committee, the officers of the Brig
ade and the war correspondents of the CHI
cago papers were taken on visit to Starved
Rock, Deer Park and the Canyons. Ehlert,
of the Herald, Knox, of the Necs, Corwin, of
the Times, and Wilkie, of the Tribune, were
the pencil artists who composed the repor-
torial force Of the gang. 1t was a merry
party, full of amusing wit and burlesque
anecdote. Corwin, who is just back from
Fort Reno, stated that he had been on nu-
merous occasions one of a party in which the
first car was stocked with champagne, and
the rear car filled with the most jovial set of
fellows that could be brought together, but
this trip far out-rivalled anything in which
he had ever before taken part. Ofcourse, the
center of attraction was Johnnie Ehert who
is Il great big-souled Tcuton, with an i'm
mense girth and an inexhaustible fund Of
droll wit and natural flow of spirits. lie
is the best advertisement the Herd|d could
send out, and made hosts of friends for him.
self and his paper while in the city. His
compatriot, Corwin, is born comedian, and
together they are great team, the tusilade
of wit from their batteries being very de.
structive to vest buttons.
THE SHAN BATTLE.
Wednesday afternoon was big time in
camp, being the occasion Of the sham battle,
and the event will be long remembered by
those participating in it. The grounds were
visited by thousands of people in the after.
noon who came by r4il, water and in carria.
ges. The day grew very warm and hostili-
ties were not opened until 4:30 clock. The
location of the camp was so made that some
fine military maneuvres were possible. The
wood-covered hills north of the Rock had
been selected as the location for the enemy.
One gun of Major Tobeys battery had been
planted on the rocky bluff opposite, covered
by brushwood. Along the eminence and
sheltered by the trees had been stationed the
First Regiment, under Col. Knox, while the
remainder of the force, consisting Of the
Third and Fourth regiments, together with
the guns Of Battery D., composed the at
lacking party. The battle opened with a
terrific cannonade from the guns of Major
Tobey's battery in the fortress, which was
quickly responded to by the battery on the
bluff opposite under the command of Lieut..
Athay. The roar of the guns reverberated
far down tho beautiful valley and soon the
smoke almost hid the enemy from view. The
Third and Fourth, with the First cavalry,
then marched down the hill from the en-
campment, intending to cross the bridge at
the canal near Buffalo Rock Station. Then
the skirmishers in advance of the Third were
subjected to a CALLING fire from detachment
of the First which had been posted along the
railroad in ambush, The sudden fire threw
them back in confusion on the Fourth. just
then the cannon on the fortress belched forth
Its thunder directed towards the first, which
had repulsed the Third and crossed the
bridge. The enemy then hastily withdrew
up the hill The conflict at the bridge par
took more of the nature of real than sham
engagement. Orders had been issued to ad-
vance so as not to come nearer than within
80 PAGES of each other This order was dis
regarded by the troops and they closed in on
each others ranks until not even a few feet
interviewed. A number participating In the
engagement had their faces shot full of pow
der. Lieut.. Williams, of the cavalry, received
a bayonet thrust through the hand, private
Purdie, of Co, |, had hole shot in his cheek,
another militiaman had portion cS his ear
shot off a member of Co. l. First Regt., was
severely injured by "a sabre stroke which cut
the back of his blouse, and a number of 9TH
ers, mostly members of the First, were badly
detachment of the First engaged in the fight
at the bridge, the Third and Fourth Regi-
ments reformed and scaling the bluff, pre-
coded by the cavalry, captured the enemy's
battery. Presently the Fourth debouched on
the open field where the First had been
drawn up in line of battle, and the long roll
of musketry announced to the thousands of
spectators, who lined the opposite bluff on the
camp grounds, that the battle was renewed,
The forces of the enemy were divided, one
portion confronting the Fourth on the field,
another being detached to intercept the adj
vance of the Third, with the result of the
surrender of the First and full surrender
to the Union forces. During the engagement
the cavalry got mixed up and at one time did
not know friend from foe, and attacked a de-
tachment of their own forces. At another
and pnptiND of