New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-25
SHAM BATTLE IN CAMP.
VETERANS WATCH A SPECTACLE OF MIMIC
WARFARE.
SUNSHINE FOLLOWS NIGHT OF RAIN-BREEcH

SUNSHINE FOLLOWS A NIGHT OF RAIN-BREECH-
LOADING GUNS FOR sALUTEs HEREAFTER.
State Camp. Peekskill, ~ Y. July "a (specIaD-The
members Of the two regiments in camp have done a
hard days work since they rose In response to the
morning gun at o'clock. When they first got out OF
their tents there every indication that they would
80 out Of camp In the condition Of the weather
which they had experienced when they came in. The
rain began 10 down shortly after midnight, and
The clements stuck closely 10 business from that time
until near O'Clock. Not sound broke the stiffness
oil the early morning. except the patterng Of the rain
drops on the tents 1t seemed impossible for the sun
10 break through the lead-colOred sky. The clouds
hung low that they entirely obscured the tops OF the
surrounding mountains. The morning drills were
abandoned and the kept close to their tents Just
as the breakfast call sounded the sun managed to shine
through the clouds and shot lis hot rays down on the
white tents. Both regiments we're called out for
battalion drill and in consequence Of the orders about
men who were unable to perform duty there were no
sulkers this morning. Both organizations had good
sized regiment The men were kept hard at work some
time after the recall had sounded.
After dinner they all called out again, and the
9Th Regiment had pretty skrmish drill and sham
battle as has been seen here in many day. The
whole regiment went for mile up the valley. leading
to the northward from the camp. Then preparations
were made for moving in the direction Of the camp as
though an enemy expected to bar their progress
TANKS TO discover any hidden foe or
ambuscade. Behind the sdrmish line came
the reserves and stin further In the rear
marched the whole regiment When within hall
mile Of camp the whole column In plain view
of the latter place. The blue coats worn by the
men and flashing bayoncts on the guns they carried.
topped with The waving flags and the whole picture
on the background Of dark green hills made view
well worth going a long distance 20 see The
veterans of the Washington Grays, which the
former name Of the sth Regiment, came TO camp
~ the number Of eighteen twenty to-day and
they watched the from an elevated position In
the camp. The gray haired veterans had all been
with the regiment in the Civil War; and they en-
joyed the spectacle immensely.
at looks natural enough,' said one, "only there
ought to be men dropping occasionally in that
skirmlsh lineH
The skirmish line would forward few
rods, then the men would drop their stomachs
and fire a few rounds. The "enemy' was an exceed
lngy accommodating and retreated Just at the
proper time IN make a fine spectacle The men were
simply fighting their maginaons, which they seemed
to have well under control. They pressed forward,
and occasionally, when the enemy became particularly
stubborn. the relief called up ard then moro
rapid progress made. They finally reached the
camp ground and charged right down the veterans
The latter had no guns they ANONYMOUSLY turned
tail and ran away. The skrmish line took
position behind hin completely around two sides
Of the north parade grounds. There seemed
to be some probability that they
would be driven out of the position so the re
serves were called up. Then the whole re1-
ment was ordered TO the front and the formd
solid line on the north and west sides Of the parade
ground. Only their heads could be seen above the
hill and when they began to shoot there streak
of fire and smoke completely around the hills when
they occupied This hot fire evidently too much
for the enemy and pretty soon Colonel scotts men
came up from their hiding places and advanced along
the parade ground to position where they might have
captured the whole camp had they felt 50 disposed
Among the veterans who came up was Major Jerome
Buck. who enlisted in the regiment away back In the
forties. He was Colonel ScOttS captain when the
latter enlisted thirty -four years ago.
Two Of the breech-Oading guns belonging 70 the 70
Battery were brought to camp to-day TO be used should
there he any salutes TO Be fired II Is Thought
that they may be needed next week and the authorizes
do not wish have the occurrences Of last Monday
ranaafed