The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-22
DESPERATE FIGHTING DONE.
WAS ENJOYED BY THOUSANDS.


morning increased if possible, the atten-
ton of Colonel Sullvan's soldiers to their
military duties. The lieutenant was up
and doing before the reveile drumb beat
and made tour of inspection through the
company streets.
At the company drills and guard-mount-
ing he was conspicuously in evidence, and
the impression is quite general that the
War Department representative has come
TO Camp Dimond for a purpose and pro-
poses to attain it if a careful observance OF
things about the camp can conduce to that
end.
Before the arrival of Lieutenant McIver
the companies of the First Infantry had
been directed to drill in extended order
every morning. These drills have been
productive of much good. and in every
organization a marked Improvement has
been noted.
NOW That the companies are consider
ably proficient in the extended order move.
ments by company the field of operations
has been enlarged and battalion maneu-
vers will form the feature of the daily
drill from to-day until the breaking of
camp.
Immediately after guard-mounting this
morning Lieutenant McIver addressed the
officers of the regiment in the head
quarters tent. He outlined the method
which has been generally accepted for the
operations of the battalion in the extended
order formations and illustrated the
system by frequent reference to diagrams.
The officers manifested great interest in
the lieutenanrs observations and they
were allowed an opportunity to show il in
greater degree when the address was
concluded.
The assembly was sounded Immediately,
battalion commanders repaired to their
commands and in a few moments the regi-
ment wss in the field. The companies
were variously consolidated for the drill
and Major George Burdick was named as
the commanding officer of the battalion.
General Granam, Colonel Sullivan and
Lieutenant-COloDel Bush were on the
parade ground mounted, and witnessed
the drill with interest Lieutenant Nc
liver. also mounted, busted himself with a
careful observance of the movements of
the battalion.
The affair was of the battle exercise
variety. At one end of the parade ground
the battalion was formed for battle in
three echelons, a fighting line, line of
supports and reserve. On account of
the limited area of the field it was not
possible to form these elements immedi-
ateiy, but By sacrifice of some details of
the formation in the drill regulations the
battalion was ultimately brought into the
necessary form. The line of skirmshers
was advanced in the direction of Triple
Hill and the rifle ranges at a trot. When
the fence was reached the line halted and
fell back to its first position in order to
gain ground. The intervals between the
squads of skirmishers were then closed
preparatory to the arrival of reinforcing
squads on the fighting front. Again the
firing line started forward. this time about
thirty yards. Then the skirmishers took
the prone position and began firing by
volley at the imaginary enemy. The vol
ley firing was ordered so that the fire dis
cipline might DE controlled by the COM
manding officers. At the signal for the
firing to cease the firing line again fell
back, not in retreat, but for the purpose
of gaining ground In order that the re-en-
forcing by squads might continue at
proper intervals and distances across the
limited area.
Squads from the line of supports now
rushed forward in the direction of the
TANKS of the firing line. which lay prone
upon the grass. Immediately, as the
squads reached the line, the entire stretch
of skirmishers rose and pushed forward
in the face of a supposed fire from the
enemy's position at the base of the bluff
near the ranges. Only a short distance
was passed when the long line again
dropped to the ground and fred by volley.
All of the realism of actual battle was
here to the imaginative spectator. The
fighting line of Burdick's battalion could
be easily imagined 10 be continually losing
In strength from the fire Of the enemy. |.
was simple to suppose that scores OF Skin
mishers were being shot down, and that
the squads from the line OF supports and
the reserve in the rear were being sent
forward 10 supply the numerical deficiency
at the front. Time and again the fighting
line lay prone and rose as man
when the trotting Requirements reached
the skirmish alignment. There was
method in the exciting advance of
Burdicks battalion. The front was
presumably being diminished in numbers
at every move made in the direction of the
enemy, the re-enforcemenis were pushed
forward as rapidly as required, and all the
while the fighting front of the battalion
approached the position occupied by the
Imaginary loe' w hen the supporting line
had been exhausted squads were advanced
from the reserve and the fighting line drew
nearer the fence below the enemy's posi-
ton.
The reserves were now all up. the colors
with them, and Burdick's entire battalion
occupied prone position some sixty OF
seventy yards from the fence. Bayonets
were now fixed and the whole line started
fusillade of rand firing. Springfeds
cracked with surprising frequency and the
imaginary enemy must have been having q
hot time of it. when Burdlck thought il
time to precpitate matters, and the entire
line started up and bore down upon the
foe with cheers and bayonets charged. The
enemy had been done to the satisfaction oil
every one
The men at the camp are becom-
ing surprisingly interested in the com.
petition for the Dimond cup. They have
evidently made careful study of the reg
ulations which govern the appearance OF
tents and streets in a military encamp.
ment. In fact, so careful are they of the
things likely to attract the attention of the
inspectors that Captain Cunningham and
Lieutenant Holly are having no easy task
in marking credits. The contest has be-
,fofi heo -