The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-08
THEY HAD A HOT FIGHT
Montana Regiment in a Sham
Battle at Oakland.
CONTEST RACED flERCELY
Lieutenant Colonel Wallace Led the At
lacking Force Against Major Miller,
Whose Battalion Was Finally
Driven From the Field.

The San Francisco Chronicle has the
following description of the sham battle
at Oakland between battalions of the
Montana regiment:
The LIST regiment, Montana volunteers.
1000 strong. arrived from Camp Mer-
rift on the ferry steamer Garden City
at $40 O'Clock. They took their po-
sition in the line of march under Colonel
II. C. Kessler. From Camp Barrett
came a battalion of the Sth California
volunteers, picked men from the new
regiment that this state has contribut-
ed TO the nations defense. The civic
organizations were already in place.
Promptly at 1905 o'clock Grand Mar
sha w. N. Pearce gave the word for
the parade to move. Chief of Police
Fletcher, in command OF a squad OF
mounted policemen, cleared the way
and swept the eager crowds back from
the street. Behind them came a platoon
of stalwart men of the force, with I'M
posing front. Ahead of the grand mar
shall and his aids, brave in broad black
hats, white rousers and black boots,
walked the classic figure of Uncle Sam,
IAN echo of 10" i'm the traditional tail
coat and beaver. In him were typified
the venerable traditions of homely
humor, in which the republic ever de-
lights.
Oakland's veteran company A, 9Th
infantry, National Guard of California,
served as the escort of honor to the
1000 hghting men recruited from the
mines and ranges of Montana. Inc
ownspeople gave their favorites a
rousing welcome that. for a moment, at
least. took the edge off the disappoint-
ment the men felt at being lelI at
home.
The Montana regimental band OF "a
pieces blew itself red in the race as IL
played auick-stepping marches for the
brawny Northern men. They were a
fine lot of fellows. and they showed the
drilling and hard seasoning they had
received on the sandy stretches maj
surround their camping ground. Iheir
coming was the signal for an outburst
of cheers. -
Under the grateful shade of the
spreading oaks at Adams point refresh
ments awaited the coming of the dusty
troops. For an hour and a halt tht
guns were stacked. and company aftei
company charged the long table laoer
with provisions. The refreshment com
mittee and the Red Cross ladies kne"
better than to send the men INTO !
battle on empty stomachs. 1t TOOK So
gallons of coffee and 10000 sandWichei
| ana I1ulL Ip III ~
of that hungry horde, but when the!
heat retreat they had no words ou
those of praise for the generosity o
their hostesses.
Long before the heights about Lax
Merritt were black with the CROWDS Una
had gathered to witness the sham pat
lie . Montana's battalions. %
III eastern hills they clustered fror
waters edge to hilltop and on the thre
sides of the battle-ground the deep I'M
of snectators was strung out Tor a NH
and a half. Fully 25,0 0 people all allei
noon watched the struggl OF srne
men as IL their fate depended on IN
outcome.
zornn comnanies in all. of the Montan
repiment under the command OF LLeu
tenant Colonel r. b.. Wallace, WEI
named off as the attacking force. Inc
were off through the hills TO. the mort
/! Eive companies, the Sd battalion an
A one mpa of the End, under May
Miller, defended the eastern slopes
Lake Merritt. They were extenueu
line of battle on the proW ny ~,
thest ridge, and a skirmish line va
thrown out ahead. For fully 20 mlnut
the skirmish line advanced step by sl'
in the direction from which the eneh
was supposed to be advancing. VINE
thew reached the crest of the third rid'
they caught sight of a mpa OF we
lace's troops deploying at the eose
the heavy timber half a mile ava
Then another company n another d
naarod from under cover, and the who
line disappeared again in an interNe
ing hollow. :,
BEFORE ii seemed possible to cover Z
distance. Wallace's men appeared
the fences lining the top OF the four
ridge 10 the north. At the nrst {
change of shots Wallace's men came
in force. Their heavy volleys drove
MilIer's outposts, and the attachI
troons charged down the slope on I
nm and .warmed up the opposite n
NTuler's men were sent orwa TO su
mort the skirmishers, but Just as Tn
heads appeared over the ridge Waiiac
men. 500 yards away, met them WIN
whitening fire.
VoIIev after volley was poured acre
the narrow valley, and as the Wounu
fell they were borne to the rear on !
filters of the hospital corps. Then
suparIor strength of Wallaces 1ol
seemed TO prevail and Miller's men W.
forced 10 give way on the extreme rig
Tbeir repulse was only temporary a
the attacking forces were driven III
the higher ground In disorder ~
reformed under shelter ano "nen :,
came forward on the charge IL 1901
as IL Miller was In danger Oh pe"e 80
on the flank. .,
the two lines were lighting at CT
range and under the CALLING hre OF
attacking force Miller's men W
dropping out. Then came a great en-
from the attacking forces their !.
line moved forward on the run ~
drove the defending army from ls
sition and sent it in full retreat.
Then the fight ended. The vert
was that MiIler's men made a gall
fight. but were outnumbered n orr
from the field. The wounded recover
the dead were vivihed and at a call
the bugle the hostile armies marc
away with the regimental oand play
Marching Through Georgia.
Week end excursions, via III
Northern railway, commencing
once: d.
u- Afhapahrs and return .......t