The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-22
THE SHAM BATTLE.

The sham battle. which was the feature
OF the afternoon, was the last to occur.
After some preliminary delays. unavoidable
by reason OF the uufayorablo conditions,
the attending military was divided and
placed in their respective positions at
either end of the field to give an exhibition
OF a battle under the more recently i'm
proved methods of warfare and which
proved to be unusually realistic in point of
energy of attacks and retreats.
AdJutant General Mabry, Lieutenant
Drew of the United States infantry and
General Smythe commanding the First
brigade, who was present as sightseer,
viewed the nanouevers from the grand
stand.
The Light Guard, Emmett Rifles and
Houston Cavalry OF Houston, the Tom
Hamilton Guard OF Huntsville. under Cap
tain Allen 4. Smither. and one piece of
artillery, commanded by First Lieutenant
Cannon, made up the attacking party and
We're stationed to the right of the parade
grounds The Cowboy Rangers, the Bryan
Cadets and one piece of artillery, COM
marded by Captain Rolf and Lieutenant
Schultz. took their position to the OK
treme left, while General Cooke and stan
took positions in the center and out OF
the line Of fire TO view the proceedings and
hpifAdi promptly 10 receive Inc terms of
the mimic surrender.
The battle was begun by n skirmish line
from the Houston cavalry, which made a
timld advance. firing and retreating hur.
riedly. when Captain Rolf opened UP his
piece OF artillery from the left, and which
brought reinforcement from the cavalry
line 40 the center OF the field, when they
dismounted and advanced in deploy, fir
ing at Will The artillery and the cadets
On the left. in true soldiorly manner,
crouchod behind slight embankment.
poured forth a fire which made the late
war veterans present think. Lieutenant
Cannon with his piece on the right re-
turned the bombardmcnt. which brought
the Cowboy Rangers from their seciusion in
the timber. making Il vicious charge past
the advance firing line Of cadets, with pis-
tolls cracking al every leap OF their mounts.
They We're met to the right OF The dividing
line by line of infantry, the Light Guards
on the left. the Emmett Rifles on the right
and the Tom Hamilton Guards In the CEN
ter. a continuous fire was kept up. fore
ing the ranger riders to retreat for am
munitiou, and give way TO the cadets, who
advanced with precaution to the center and
made n hurried fire.
BY this time the Houston cavalry. re-
mounted rode swiftly forward with sabers
swinging, while the boys In gray fell back
to the eiubankment and allowed the cow
bows TO make another charge. The oppos-
ing side sprung situation which the reck-
less fellows vere evidently not expecting.
The infantry line parted In an instant,
forming triangular trap, INTO which the
riders went. using their pistols freely,
hut realizing the position they were In. they
quickly retroated. much to the delight of
the audience.
This was continued until the cadets ex-
bsusted their ammunition. and. led by
General Cooke. made the much read about
bayonet charge. facing the vigorous hre
~ tho onnosition. They were reinforced by
Tho cowbovs and the cannon. which put the
Infantry and cavalry To flight. and. OF
course. they were the victors