The San Francisco call., 1897-09-06
The First Re riment.

Colonel James F. Smith, commanding the
First Regiment OF Infantry, Second Brigade,
speaking of Camp Macdonald at Uktah. ex-
pressed himself as exceedingly well pleased
with the weeks outing at the camp. He
stated that the men had new experience III
the way of field practice, and that he was
gratlfed to note how well the men acquitted
themselves in the performance of duties that
were entirely new to them. One day there
was patrol duty for miles from the camp for
the purpose of securing information and max
ing maps of the country, 'aud," said he. you
would be surprised to see the intelligent work
they did" Then there was day to the duties
of soldiers sent out as an advance guard and a
third day there was attack and defense. All
of these showed that the men quickly COM
pretended what was demanded OF Them.
ION the morning of Friday before tents
were struck the regiment which during the
time it was in camp had an average OF 600
men, was divided into two forces. the Blues
and the Browns" said another military man
who visited the camp Tor the purpose OF watch
ing the regiment, land they were started at
half-past O'Clock, moving in different diree-
tiouS for the purpose OF making the attack and
defense. The Browns under command of
Major Charles Boxton, represente ted six COM
pauies of infantry, platoon of artillery, a
troop of cavalry and q de tail from the sanitary
corps under command OF Captain Farrell.
The Blues, representing equal forces was
under command of Major H. T. Sine
The Browns marched considerable dis lance
along the Lake road, through a farm yard and
field and line was formed facing south.
There the company on the right, Captain
O'Niel was designated as the advance guard
and the com pany on the left Captain Richter,
the rear guard. The artillery was stationed on
the extreme left of the rear field and the sanl-
tary corps on the extreme right The advance
guard moved in a southerly direction, form
ing point, fan kers, support and reserve, the
cavalry following a a distance of hundred
yards.
THE advance moved cautiously toward
wooded ground. and in a short time reached
the underbrush and disappeared. At that
the main body, about 200 yards distant,
moved forward, the artillery, cavalry, nitary
corps and rear guard following. After enter
ing the underground ana when the command
10 move was given 1t by the bugle CALL
which was indiscreet, as it gave the Blues,
wto were momentarily expected an oppor-
tunity 10 locate the Browns. But IN this the
Browns were equaled by the Blues, who as
soon as the Browns advance appeared on a
small knoll overlooking the coast road ana
the hills Oh the south OF a valley, made known
their presence b. bugle call. The advance
and the main body then moved across q dry
and mounted officers moving in c:rcCitous
route into the upper field. the advance was
passing over the top OF hill and the artillery
was in position commanding sweep of the
valley called Slllouhete, and the main body
was sheltered by large rocks on the brow oi
the hill when the first gun was heard. Shortly
thereafter the Blues placed themselves In evl-
dence on the opposite side OF the valley coming
down hill.
"The fire was returned by the Browns artil-
lerv and the Browns advance made rush
down the valley, butt was for moment re.
pulsed by the fire from the Blues left flank
ers. who IL coming down the hill gained 8
strong position on small rocky knoll. This.
however. did not hold, for they left it and
went to their support on the right, and the
Browns artillery took and held the position
that had been vacated. In the meantime the
BROWNS cavalry executed a movement in
going down the valley that left it unprotected
and exposed TO the fire OF the enemy aud q
fine target for compete ann1hilation. Then
there was rapid firing, the advance of the
Rlues moving and closing the gap between
1hem selves and the Browns. and when within
q hundred yards OF each other the rear guard
~ ihe Browns came up and the men OF each
Command moved toward each other until
rev were separated by only fence. At that
ina the advance of the Blues, under Com
and of Lieutenant Davis and supported by q
namnanv of Blues, commanded by Captain
F1in1er moved forward to the lluc OF fence,
fina rapidly all the time, ard the men were
nhnn} TO engage in hand-to-haad conf CT
f.Sa, the order TO cease firing was given. Al
WI. momenl Major Boxton came up with his
mn, f1rce Two or three times the Blues ap-
Hra,,tly MAJ had the best of the fight. but il
pe,ad as IL the Browns would have cap urcd
seemaHI see aInes' rdyance guard For time the ex-
tt,,eDant tne was intense and the men did some
cl.c1ii .r sctiye work. After it was all over the