Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-08-21
THE BATTLE OF GLADSTONE.
Concluding Events of the State En-
campment at Camp Compson.

Saturday was gala day at Glad
stone Park eucampment Of the Oregon |
National Guard. 1t was the conclus-
ion of q weeks fetes, drills, maneuvers
and discipline In tactics. In 15O army
texts bivouaecd some 500 men and OFF,
GERS of Oregon's 400 enlisted militia
men. All the details of an army in
camp were here to be witnessed every |
day from the earliest morning bugle
call to the evening salute when the
stars and stripes drop from on high to
the discharge of the sunset gun. No
one could witness the exercises of
day, concluding with review, manual,
exercises and inspection by brigade
officers without having created in him
q feeling of pride over the state militia. |
THE SHAM BATTLE,
Saturday, at p. m. was witnessed by
thousands of people. General Compson
planned the entire action. 1t was IN
the nature of an attack on the camp,
led by Major Sherman in command of
the Second Regiment companies from
Salem, an arduous position, for many
of his men were raw recruits, but all
conducted themselves well. The OBJ
jective point of the enemy was to raid
the railroad that furnished the camp
with supplies. There was an open field
between the track and the wooded
height beyond where the battery open
Camp Compson half mile away In an
open field on the Clackamas river.
The infantry held the railroad, where
they were firmly intrenched. Major
Sherman had Capt. Greenleaf in COM
mand of battery A, and also had the
engineer corps of the brigade. We
have not space to give the details Of
the hours fighting, the disposition of
the several small armies, the stragetic
moves. attacks and repulses of an
hours fighting.
Nearly an hour elapsed from the first
sounding of the long roll until the
bugle call for retreat and victory was
sounded. 1t was as realistic q repro
| ductiOn Of q battle scene as we have
ever witnessed. Several hundred acres
were covered with men fighting, srtil-
Iery and musketry filling the air with
smoke, staff officers with orders dash
ing across the plain, hospital corps bear
Ing off the wounded, unfortunately
one actually and fatally hurt.) The at
tack upon the camp was ably resisted
throughout by the First Regiment un-
der Major Everett who displayed great
efficiency.
THE INSPECTION
Of the brigade was conducted by Gener-
al Compson and staff all well mounted:
Major Jackson, U. 8, A., Lieut.. L. F.
Terry, aide de camp; Capt. L. G. Jones;
inspector of rifle practice; Capt H. E.
Mitchell, acting Quartermaster; Major
Sherman, first battalion second regi-
ment. After hard duty all day over
dusty parade grounds the companies
all came on for inspection with clean
bright faces and uniforms as free from
dust as on Sunday morning parade.
The inspection was very thorough. con-
Quoted by Brigadier General Compson
and Major jackson in person. The lat
ter who is an old timer Ia the regular
army said: "The gun drill, manual
and marching was all very good. l
shall In my report to the war depart
ment give them all the credit they de-
serve and they deserve a good deal.
All the Oregon National Guard want is
opportunity and encouragement and
they will In few years rank with the
best In the nation"
II would be proper to give extended
notice Of the service of the lst Regt.
band Of 20 men-the best ever organ
lied on the coast-the mess tents, prl-
Yates tents and officers headquarters,
the absence Of everything Objectionable
the perfect order, these and other
things would he well worth columns
could we give the space but 1t is not
available. The courtesies shown the
press will not be forgotten.