The sun., 1888-09-23
ARIZONA FIELD sERpICE.
Gen. MIIes's Plans t,r Iscrenstna tns En-
cheney of the Troops In uis Depnrtrent.


WASHINGTON, Sept. pa year ago Gen.
Nelson A. Miles began and carried out series
OF ten field mRnnuvres in Arizona and New
Mexico. designed to acauaint the garrison
troops with the region they are protecting
and to instruct them in the pursuit OF an
enemy. Mounted raiding parties, under en-
terprising officers were organized. and, after
suitable start had been given to them were
followed 10y detachments from tho neighbor-
ing garrisons, while other detachments from
forts and stations within reasonable distances
OF their projected routes sought to intercept
them. Without fully rehearsing the elaborate
plans and conditions OF this problem, the re-
suit may DO summed UP In saying that five
OF tho raiding parties were overtaken by the
pursuers. although they had adopted all de-
vices TO battle tho search. such as dispensing
and reuniting, and driving herds oil cnttle
over their trails. The other five parties misled
and eluded their pursucrs, but wcrc discovered
and intercepted by troops lying In wait lor
them. ~ =,
TO be undertaken. Al order issued from de-
partment eadquarters directs that during tho
months oi september and October tho ordinary
routine nj garrison duties shall. aS Tar us prac-
ticable, be suspended. and tho time devoted to
field service, as prescribed In last years orders
ior the autumn manduNres. The cavalry Is
especially enjoined TO give as much time as
possible TO this practice. The region embraced
IN at r wss aae Fo
ton and Fort Wingatc and Fort Apache, OK;
tending about 800 miles in longitude ana
large iield for what might DO called q sort OF
military game of hare and hounds. inns year
sbS sSow 80 s lIr tesr ss res IN snee Gem
Miles, at the end Of last years manpuvres,
directed officers to make requisition tor what
ply. in order 10 be ready to begin field training
again By Sept 1883. and also to PRACTISE
Nsp speeiai M feature Of the current work Is the
establishment Of the heliograph system Of
communication In tho several districts OF OBJ
experiments are going on 70 test the capacity
Of the helographs in signalling long distances.
The general physical condition of the troops Is
also TO be cared !or during these exercises, as
indicated in this passage from the orders
In makng inspection Of some of the troops in thii
condition no: up TO the .:aGcasd that should Se
roWed sse.,s sssS SompisSiom. dry lips. dalne.s OF
the eye soIt and weak muscles an heavy dull appear
lion arSinx from nsunicen; food Or aes Of
RhsfefoIe of mSroypP se physea eondan of tic
troops and e. feiay o the ntaatFy d ~ ms @ aspaT R M
yote 70 Ne Sori S ed an 6s may VII, In :, me
9ocrs are fav"raSy located Great care shond eS.
ercsed for the physical improvement 81 cemmands
ports viii be made BY both these headQaartsrsrs re-
GERS viii also mention in ther reports any injurious
%fnee e eSnS Sh Ss con
A circular has teen distributed suggesting n
system OF exercise for the improvement OF the
health and strength OF the troops OF the depart
ment
1t is evident that the senior BrGadier Gen
eral is determin ed to bring his command 10
the troops acquire the skill which serves the
Indians so well, that OF moving rapidly over
region. noting every feature. and observing
their enemy without allowing themselves to be
seen. Such a school of field practice. carefully
carried on for two months OF every year, cannot
fail to show good results.