The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-11-16
MANEuvERs OF THE GERMAN ARMY
Sham Warfare Which, However, is Very
Realistic.

Every fall the soldiers of Germany turn
out and carry on a regular warfare for
month, the only difference being that
blank cartridges are used and no loss
OF life ensues. In every other respect
there is absolutely no difference between
this practice and genuine war; The
practice takes place in several districts
throughout the empire. The two oppos-
ing forces each have their own officers
camp in different places, send scouts out
to watch each other retreat and q
advance, etc. The whole game (for such
it really is) is commanded by two or
three generals, who stay between the
two armies and decide beforehand which
is to win and which to lose, every sepa-
rate day. In order to distinguish the
two forces, as the uniforms are practi-
wear cloth-covered helmes and the enemy
have the helmets bare. The non-partisan
generals who arrange what is to be done
and then mingle in the fight to criticise,
have broad white band on the arm.
The soldiers are in full marching trim,
WIN OldAhCUS3 hudpooCAo, CuS. otO GeeCh
train follows in the rear. There are am
balances and hospital corps-cavalry
and infantry-a bicycle corps, provision
wagons, servants, artillery, ammunition
wagons, sappers and miners, camp fol-
lowers; in fact the complete picture of
an army.
For three weeks the retreat has been
toward Blankenburg and Tuesday night
the advance guard of cavalry rode into
yxrifI 10 III farc
for the whole army. OF course the
enemy were at distance. Here and in
the neighborhood villages the regiments
were CHARTERED, every house being COM
PEELED to take so many privates, and
the officers being sent to the hotels.
Wednesday morning the he army began e1
ing it was; it required no effort of the
imagination to believe it was really war;
In point of act the difficulty was to keep
renem bering that it wasn't all earnest.
All day long the troops marched in dusty
and tired as the previous night had
been spent in bivouac in the open air.
The cavalry came first-the hussars and
Uhlans-weariDg most gaudy uniforms
and carrying heavy iron lances. Then
followed the infantry and pack trains,
the drivers urging on their tired mules,
closing up with the heavy and light ar
tillery. The messenger corps on bicycles
was a novel sight, as they sped along
from the rear to the. front of the column.
Thursday was day of rest, but is was
an exciting day here. The streets were
thronged with gayly dressed officers, on
foot. on horseback. or in carriages. Fri
day there was to be great battle. The
whole town took holiday; even the
schools were closed. In company with
four other gentlemen, was on the field
of meeting at z o'clock in the morning. 1t
was great, big, plowed field where "our
side' assem- bled. Of course the enemy
were miles away.
The officers all rode up, all carrying
army maps on their saddles: and first
came the consultation with the general.
1t was an exquisite scene in the early
morning light. Near the center stood 80
or 40 officers, all on horseback, riding
to and fro. Beyond us, with their lances
glistening in the sun, were troop after
troop of cavalry; on our right were filing
in the infantry, and behind came thun-
dering up the field artillery with it's
mounted guard. Adjutants were DART
ing hither and thither, on their beauti-
full horses, carrying orders. The scouts
were being sent to spy out the foe. 1t
was scene OF activity, but no confusion.
Finally the march began. The plan was
to go through thickly wooded valley,
so as to escape observation, with the ar
tiilery and infantry, and to try flank
movement to the left with all the cav
airy. Through slight acquaintance
with one of the commanders, we learned
this plan of operation and we, set out at
once to hurry by roundabout way into
the middle between the two armies. We
tramped for hours up and down hill,
over plowed fields and through woods
Finally we came to an elevation, and
beneath us lay spread out a remarkably
fine scene. Amidst clouds of dust we
could see our Blackenburg troops hasten
ing along the hig road. In front was the
into position before the infantry came
up. Over all thesneigh boring fields were
scurrying the cavalry and bicycle mes
sengerS.
IN the far distance came the enemy,
who had already gotten possession of a
favorite height and were planting their
cannon. Pretty soon the cannon on both
long volleys of sharp musketry. AS we
came up we decided to go over to the
enemy, who were already in retreat, and
retreat with them. The air was thick
with cannon smoke, the ground, origi-
nally cultivated field, was all trodden
down. The Blankenburg troops were adj
vancing up and down hill with shout,
running to cover shooting, and the
running.to another cover to shoot again.
We, that is the enemy we were following
had to retreat, till we came to railroad
cut, where the troops took shelter, some
at the top of the cut, some in the, ditch.
Here they kept up such sharp shooting
that the B1ankenburghers were COM
PEELED to halt, and got no further. 1t
was now past noon. In the rear of the
army I found soldiers provision wagon
where was glad to be able to purchase
a big piece of black bread and some cold
sausage. Hunger makes good cook.
I have seldom enjoyed a. meal more in
my life The Blankenburghers had now
retreated and set off for their nights
quarters, about eight miles away. We
set out for home, but it took three
hours hard tramping to reach there. -
Jesse Benedict Carter in w. Indepen-
dent.