Morning journal and courier., 1890-05-14
THE SHAM BATTLE.

Eager Desire to be on the Stan of the
 Colonel-Letters Pouring in. to she
 Colonel - Thousands of Spectators
 Expected = Special Trains sharp |
 FiEhsing-A BIg Dinner in meriden.
 From all parts of the state Colonel Doherty ] is receiving letters from military gentlemen asking tho favor to be assigned positions on l his staff on the occasion of the coming big sham battle, May 28. The position on the staff would afford splendid chance to view the battle and all the proceedings and this fact is borne in mind by the applicants. Colonel Doherty can. if he desires it, have . magnificent staff for battle day, one which in size and as far as manly beauty Is con- esrned, will rival the finest seen in the war pictures. He will. however, be obliged to decline to grant these requests, as 1t Is field day, ordered by the state and the duty is of the strictsst kind. There will no doubt be busy times on the railroads In handling the troops and the hundreds of spectators from the cities and towns where the Second is represented. The opportunities for seeing the sham battle will be of the best. The center passes along the main highway from Wallingford to Aeriden. Parallel to, and not 8 quarter of Q milo from this road is another road, from which a full view of the action can be obtained. The Consolidated railroad is also nearly parallel and not far away. There will doubtless be an excursion train from here and ono from Waterbury on the Meriden road as we'll as from tho other cities.
 The troops will not have over six miles to travel and they will be in light marching leading highway, traffic being diverted to the other, the lines will be spread out over ad- jacent lots. The ground Is free from brush and at the same time well shaded, presenting no drawbacks for the citizen soldier not inured to campaigns. As for rations, the city of Wallingford will furnish the Il o'clock lunch on the field three miles from Meriden, or half way between the two towns. The citizens of Neriden are also very enthu- siastic over the matter and are preparing to provide the Second with e big and tempting dinner, one of the kind that Meriden always gets ap when occasion requires. The dinner will bs served at the rink. This reduces the expense for each man to not over fifty cents. All men will leave fer home by 8 o'clock. Governor Bulkeley and Brigadier General Watson with their staffs will be present as spectators.
 The plan for the day as perfected is this; i; The New Haven companies under Lieutenant Colonel Lee, threatening Middletewn, Asri- den and Waterbury, disembark at Walling. ford about am. Company K of that town makes a stand in the center of the town, Captain La Barnes sending word to Major l.. F. Burpee of Waterbury; Company K falls the bridge near the town (by planting flag upon it.) Colonel Lee throws bridge over the supposedly unfordable river and comes upon Company K, fercely opposing a crossing where second bridge has been de- stroysd. This company has now been joined by Company of Asriden, which Major Burpee has hurried forward. Colonel Lac has to make Q spirited dash to carry this point, sharp shooters doing much to hinder him. Then bridge No. 8 is burned, the de- lenders falling back to the third position, 1 where they find the Middletown and Water bury companies. When Colonel Lee gets across he sees the enemy firmly lodged and
 we'll reinforced. He pauses to make further
 plans. This is the time when, under
 shady trees, the lunch furnished bJ
 Wallingford people will be served Colonel Lee comes on. much refreshed, and
 there is 6 general battle lasting for some time | before the superior numbers of the New Ha'
 ven men and their Gatling gun can dislodg'
 Major Burpse. As the latter falls back tt
 fourth position.he leaves one company as real
 guard, which finally destroys another brids'
 No. 4, after which Major Burpee takes up hi
 fifth position. The rear guard makes e stub
 born stand at about 2 p. m., but is unable
 to maintain it and retires, destroying bridg
 No. 5. Major Burpee BOW occupies hi
 sixth position at about 3:30 p. m., within
 mile of Meriden. Here, assisted by .h'
 nature of the ground. the invaders make
 fierce onslaught and with their Gstling guni
 are able to turn Major Burpee's left ans b!
 flank movement gain his rear, compellinl him finally to surrender, after having con
 tested every inch of ground, as sesa by thi plan.
 The regiment then unitss under Colone Doherty, who has had general supervision marches into Meriden, gives the street rio drill and dress parade about 5:30, afte ) which will be the dinner at the rink. Tn : whole surpasses anything of the kind eve