Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-11
A BATTLE IN BOSTON.
Uncle Sans Warships Capture One
of the Islands in the Harbor
AFTER A STUBBORN RESISTANCE.
The Bay States Naval Battalion Gets a
Taste of Fighting in
A MOST REALISTIC BIT OF WARFARE

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TIE DIsPATCH.1
BOSTON, July 1G-Deer Island was cap
tured at noon to-day by an armed force,
which landed under the guns of Forts War
rem, Independence and Winthrop, corralled
a few hundred pigs and cattle, drove off the
troops stationed there, and had Boston's
principal reformatory institution at its
mercy. All this was accomplished in half
an hour. The troops were captured and
carried back to the ships of the invaders as
prisoners of war. The ships belonged to
Uncle Sam, and the invading force was the
flower of Uncle Sans future navy.
The Marine Battalion had a taste of real
warfare, and all the boys acquitted them
selves with honor. They feel like battle
Scared veterans now, and two or more of
them think seriously of applying for PEN
sions. They have been wounded in Uncle
Sans service and feel that they are entitled
to some consideration for the scars which
they must carry the remainder of their lives.
Preparing for the Battle.
The ships got under way at $50 o'clock
and steamed down to Presidents Road,
opposite Deer Island. Anchors were dropped
and preparations were also made for the
engagement. Lieutenant Mason was in
command of the marines and the Atlanta's
artillery men, who were selected as the
defenders of the island. A little after II
o'clock they put off the blue-uniformed
marines and white-clad naval troops, and
with them two field pieces. After landing,
they took possession of Money Bluff, as the
high hill on the island is called, and planted
both field pieces in commanding position
on its brow. Meantime, the attacking party
formed a line of battle in front of the war
ships. There were % boats filled with
combatants.
AT 1890 all was in readiness, and the sig
nal for the attack was hoisted from the
mainmast of the Newark. Immediately
clouds of white smoke belched from the sec
ondary battery guns of all the warships, and
under cover of this bombardment the line of
battle closed in on the island. The men
were so eager to land that they didn't care
scrap about wet clothes. Those in the
bows of the boats landed dry shod, but those
seated elsewhere jumped overheard in the
water, waist deep, taking care to hold their
muskets and ammunition over their heads.
Shot and Shell Flew Thick.
Each company quietly formed on the
beach. The attacking force was divided,
but the brunt ofthe battle fell on the center
and left wings. As soon as the invaders
their presence known by the puffs of smoke
that came from several points on the hilltop.
The attacking force made slow progress with
the guns in tow, and if the sharp shooters
had been good shots every man of them
would have bitten the dust before getting
half way up the hill.
The invaders were evidently harassed by
the sharp shooters, and men were deployed
to pick them off. A charge of grape was
fred at troublesome board fence, and most
of the sharp shooters sbedaddled. In a
twinkling there was no enemy in sight, so
the left wing fastened to the assistance of
the center, where hot fight was in prog
ress. The enemy was strongly entren"hed
behind series of low hills, and were backed
by the main body of troops on Money
Bluff The two field pieces kept up a con-
tinuous fire at the attacking party, and
there was a roar of musketry. The invad-
ers carried one after another of the breast
works, and the garrison slowly retreated to
the hill, where there were reinforcements.
The Island Finally Captured.
The tired soldiers were relieved by fresh
troops, and the battle was renewed. The
attacking force was overmatched, and was
forced back. Orderlies were sent out for
and soon the main body was
joined by the troops of the left wing. The
line of battle was reformed on the side of
the hill. The left wing drew the attention
of the Deer Island troops by continuous
discharge of musketry, and then the final
charge was made by the center. With
fixed bayonets the line swept up the hill,
cheering as they went.
The troops behind the breastworks made
a bold stand. The invaders swept over the
breastworks, however, cheering like the
true Yankee salts they are, and the battle
was over. The defenders made an uncondi-
tional surrender, and were escorted back
to the boats prisoners of war. The battle
was most realistic. The naval reserve
showed commendable knowledge of mill
tary maneuvers, and gave evidence of stead
mess in action that would do credit to
veterans. In the evening there was ball
on board the Wabash, and tomorrow the