The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-08-21

messed a good imitation OF a small-siZed
battle, barring, of course, the fatalities.
All that was needed to have sent the on
lockers skurrying to cover was the occa-
sional fall of an opponents wounded man
and the hurrying of the hospital corps
with their inanirnate burdens. As it was,
the timid members of the audience ducked
nervously whenever volley was fred
close by, and not a few hurriedly de-
camped as the line advanced in their
direction.
1t was real battle in all but the bullets.
The cartridges were all blank. Hereto
fore, in skirmish drill, the soldiers have
contented themselves with pulling the
triggers OF their empty rifles and listening
to the disappointing click of the descend
ing hammer. The result was in meas
ure disappointing. To-day, however, when
every pressure OF the index finger was fol-
lowed by fash, a report and the blithe
"kick'' of the rebounding weapon, the SOL
diers entered into the spirit of the thing
Eyes flashed, lips were compressed, and
the boys in blue charged as wildly as
though the honor of the Nation depended
upon the success of their endeavors.
Many man in that line of blue felt for
the first time the fierce light of battle
course through his veins, and was the bet
ter soldier for it. 1t was an excellent
drill, and probably worked more good to
the company than any other one had at
Camp City Guard.
The company was divided up into sec
tions, Captain Filmer retaining command
OF all, but leading in person the main
body OF troops. Sergeant Lindquist was in
charge of section OF five men which
stood at the far end of the parade ground
They peppered the main body from a sort
of ambush, and the main body tried to
dislodge them.
The charges down the field were made
in fine style. As one section would dis
charge t heir pieces, another section would
rush past them, kneel and fire volley at
the enemy. This movement was repeated
till they were within about 100 feet of the
enemy. who stood in clump of trees near
a church, which is in the parade grounds
The enemy fired from behind this church
at times, just as many a time in real war
the house of God has been made an aid to
the passion of man.
Captain Filmer dashed around the field
of battle with all the bravery of gallant
leader. A wire fence Kept the guardsmen
separated or there is no telling VIII at might
have happened. At the command, rapid
fire." the boys dropped to their knees or
lay face downward on the ground d, fixed
their bayonets and discharged their rifles
individually as rapidly as they could load
and shoot The soldiers got excit ed.
though they obeyed orders promptly.
If there had been flag in the field this
morning there would have been struggle
for it as certain as fate, and somebody
might have got hurt. Foreseeing this
Captain Filmer ordered that no colors
should be carried. After about twenty five
minutes of active skirmishing, from which
the smoke arose in clouds, the troops
traiIed arms and in single file marched
away to camp and breakfast. Though
breakfast has charms after hard exercise
the bows were 10th to leave the field.
The sham battle will take place to-mor-
row afternoon in larger field, where there
is a hillside and more trees.
The following quotation from ''Othello"
is inscribed on a large white banner in
camp: 81 have done the state some serv-
ice. and they know it." Company B is
the oldest in the National Guard Of Cali