Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1895-06-27
BATTLE DRILL.

The Campus Martius was the scene
of lively engagement in the late after
noon of Monday. Shortly before six
O'Clock visitors, who had gotten wind
Of the intended battle, began to arrive
and, by the time the troops had made
their appearance, the eastern slope of
the hill which rises beyond the field
was thickly dotted with groups, in
which white gowns and gay hats were;
the prevailing features Hardly had
the latest conner found a comfortable
nook, when company of soldiers
under command of Capt. Field emerged
from behind the buildings and marched
at rout step to position behind the
house of Principal Williams. In the
meanwhile detachment had hauled
the great gun to it's vantage ground in
the road just north of the campus and
had unlimbered it ready for action.
The engagement is not long delayed.
Presently flash, a puff Of smoke and
the 'siX poundern cannon roars out its
challenge to the forces in waiting over
the brow of the hill. At the same
moment the rattle of musketry tells
the enemy that the sharp-shooters are
posted ready to defend the gunners.
But the waiting company has at last
come out from behind its defenses and
has found voice with which to answer
the baying of the dogs of war.
Another sharp rattle of small arms
and they too are enveloped in cloud
of slowly drifting smoke from whose
friendly shelter every now and then
sharp flashes aud the crack of musket
shots garrulously reply to the deep
voiced booming of the cannon. The
attacking party, consisting of g consol-
idatiOn of the companies, is divided
into three sections, the firing line under
command of officer Utley, the sup
ports commanded by Lieut. Stone and
the reserves in charge of Capt. Hindes.
| The rifles in the road guarding the
approaches to the cannon and the gun
| itself are respectively under command
of officers Gilbert and Olds.
The firing line opens the battle for
the attacking party, then this is
enforced by the coming up of the sup
port, still keeping up a CALLING fire
directed upon the gunners. Lastly,
the reserves join with the advance skir-
mishers and all engage in rapid firing
| without regard to volleys, preparatory
to the final charge.
The preparatory stand is made just
on the upper edge of the road bound
ing the north side of the Campus Mar
tius. All this time during the advance
of the skirmishers the gun has been
roaring out its defiance at minute inter-
walls and now the air is dense with
heavy smoke and thick with the smell
of powder. Old veterans of the war
look at one another through the veil
and smile. The yellowish white pail
Obscures the gunners and their faithful
support.
| But the time for the final rush has
come. Glancing along the line of his
perspiring men, the commanding Off
Ger sounds shrill call upon his signal
/ whistle, and with fixed bayonets the
whole force rises like one man, lear 5
the intervening ditch and storms nobly
up the hill in the face of final volley
from gun and sharp-shooters alike.
All is over in moment, the gunners
with their support are driven back, the
cannon is effectively sienced aud the
day is won. Reforming in column the
victors march down in triumph from
the battle field with the song of con-
quest upon their lips. The battle is
done, visitors depart well pleased with
out enquiring for the list of killed and
wounded, the sun sinks to rest behind
the wooded slope leaving the still lin
gering pail of smoke as The sole guard
ian of the field of Mars.
ADDRESS BEFORE THE CHRISTIAN AS
soCIATIoNS.
Monday evening the Christian Asso
Citations of the academy assembled i'll