The San Francisco call., 1897-04-02


the orders as issued must have been
changed at the last minute as to the de-
fense. He understood that the defense
the blues, as they were called-were to
move out to the heights and there remain
until the signal was given, and that he
the attacking party-would only move
forward at that time, each thus on an
equal footing to endeavor 10 circumvent
the other.
Whether or not some one blundered in
the Interpretation of the order or
whether the orders so intended. the effect
was to put the attacking party at a great
disadvantage and quickly terminate the
contest. For when the gun was fired or
dering he fight to begin it found Captain
Lockett's men already occupying every
position of vantage along the ridge ex-
tending from the fort clear across from
Central avenue gate to Harbor View, COM
manding the whole field of view and
every means of approach, the several
com panies posted in secure positions, pro-
tected from view for the most part by
trees and other natural earth works, while
Captain Brant's men, the Browns, were
massed in single column in an eighteen
foot road leading toward the Mcdowell
gate.
They supposed the enemy was a mile
away waiting, as they were, for the signal
TO move and take position, while, instead,
a battery occupying and concealed behind
a knoll a thousand yards away had full
view of them.
When the signal-eun was FREQ the echo
was taken up by this battery. directed full
into the ranks. The surprise was COM
plete. Brant's purpose of de ployng west
ward, protected from view by making an
effort thus to get to the rear OF the enemy's
position, was promptly abandoned. The
battery had to be turned about in the mar
row road and a rapid run made for a knoll
commanding the position of the enemy.
This was secured and the fire of the en-
emy returned.
In the meantime the cavalry of the
Browns pressed forward through the
brush, dismounted, in an attemp pt to take
the battery. Their approach was met and
repulsed. however.
While the artillery was thus engaged the
infantry (two com panies and a foot battery
was dispatched eastward over the foot
path through the woods toward the garri-
son with a view of making flank move
mert by the cemetery. But here again
they encountered the infantry OF the
Blues, and after sharp exchange of fire
they were counted TO have been van
quished and the recall was sounded-the
day had been won and lost
Away over on the hill to the extreme
left, near the position of the recently
planted guns above the fort, Lieutenant
Birkheimer, in command of the artillery,
had taken a position with battery COM
manding a. 5000 yards ali the roads of
approach. When the Browns, having
fallen back and secured their position on
the knoll above .he Mcdowell gale,
made their presence known by opening
fire on the Blues battery that had first
attacked them, Birkheimer began rapid
fire that would no doubt have caused
great damage had the guns carried any
thing more terrible than powder and
paper.
The fight is characterized by the officers
as merely bit of active drill, intended
to familarize officers and men with the
real movement of war; with the rapid
disposition of troops under fire or the
shifting or maintaining of position in
issuing, carrying and interpreting Of
orders in action. For" as one of the
officers said yesterday, "a general may
plan ever SO effectively, if his orders are
not understood or executed they are likely
to fail. Many a battle has been lost
through this cause"
The fight was conducted yesterday by
means of umpires who decided from the
position and respective advantage OF The
men as it progressed, when victory or de-
feat came. This delicate duty devolyed
upon Captains Rogers, Potts and Starr.
The men were not allowed to approach
nearer to each other than fifty yards to
avoid injury from the fire.
When the cavalry of Captain Brant, for
instance, found themselves confronted
with the battery ut Mcdowell gate, il was
clear that, IN real warfare, they were at
the mercy of the guns, ana they were
therefore counted out.
When the batteries of the Browns hur-
riedly gained position on the knoll to re-
turn the Blues fire they had already been
under fire for some time and Immediately
came under the fire of Blrkhelmer, safely
posted far above them at the point, and
were clearly at disadvantage. So, too,
when Brant's infantry sailed into the
garrison, only TO discover Inc Blues al
ready there protected by the brick build
ings, which if need be they could have oc-
cupied, firing from the windows. they
also were promptly counted out, and the
recall was sounded, taken up and re-
peated all down the line, giving notice
that the battle was over-notice to all ex-
cept Birkheimer, who in his distant posi-
tion, with the wind blowing inland, could
not even hear the reports of the guns
Because of this he, seeing the move
ment of the enemy toward the garrison
after they had capitulated, mistook it for
an attack and continued firing until an
orderly rode up with orders and the an.
nouncement that the fight was over.
Great interest was manifested in the ex-
ercise, and the hills were dotted with men
and women, who, many OF them, watched
through glasses.
The exercises of yesterday were the first
of number that are arranged to take
place during the next few months not
only a. the Presidio but at all posts
Throughout the army. Orders from the
War Department require that during sil
weeks of each year all troops are to be ex.
ercised in practical maneuvers employing
the functions of the three armies of the
service-infantry, cavalry and artillery
This order has materially quickened the
life at the several barracks hereabouts.
GRIETAACES AGAINST PEEU.