The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-26
Clash i'm Historic McFarland's Gap Be-
tween "Unions" and "COnfeder-
ates," and n Resort to Fisticuffs.
SEVERAL INDIANIANS HURT
DURING THE CONFUSION AND SCRIM-
MAGES ON CHICKAMAUGA FIELD.
Courage of the hOosiers Shown at Va
Barnett's Men at Camp AIger.
STAR correspondence OF the Journal.

Staff Correspondence of the Journal.
LYTLB, Ga, May 25.--In the sham battle
to-day three brigades, consisting of about
5000 men, took part in the maneuvers, and
before the battle was over free-for-all
fight took place in the historic McFarland's
gap. Colonel Studebaker was notified the
night before to have his regiment at a cer-
tain location early in the morning. The
plan of maneuver, it was stated, was to
initiate General Thomas's retreat through
the gap, and a brigade under General Burt
was to move from Snodgrass hill and cover
the retreat Two brigades under Colonel
Hulings was to seize and cut off the retreat
or separate the protecting brigade from the
main army. From his headquarters the
Union general could see nearly all the terri
tory with his field glasses. The strategy in
volved was to get the Confederate brigades
to the rear of the gap before Burt could get
his men there. Colonel Studebaker and the
Sixteenth Pennsylvania, Confederates, by
marching over rough country and up the
steep sides of ridge, escaped the eye of
General Burt, and when the retreating
forces came down the gap the Keystones
and Hoosiers were upon them from the
sides of the pass. The Union men refused
to halt, and one of their soldiers fired
gun so close to the face of Lieutenant
Beatty, of the Pennsylvania regiment, that
his face was made raw from the powder
burn. This SO enraged the Pennsylvanians
that half hundred threw down their guns
and started to lick the Unions with their
fists. The Indianians joined and there was
a strong clash of men, if not of arms
Two rounds of blank ammunition allowed
some Of the regiments made the affair very
realistic as viewed from a distant eminence.
Company l., of the Indiana regiment, cap
tured the opposing colors of regiment on
hill near the gap and other companies
fought hard in securing skirmishers belong
ing to the enemy, but the Unions covered
the retreat all right, for the Third Illinois
got lost in the shuttle and enabled General
Burt to outf1ank one of the brigades against
him. 1t was a scene Of wild confusion. Col.
John j. Astor persisted in riding between
the fire of the Hoosiers and the enemy and
was shot at 5000 times, but he still lives.
Several Indianians were hurt in the scrim-
images, but not seriously.
A hundred war correspondents followed
the line of battle on mules. and each is
telling different story of how it all took
place, which is even more than the COM
manding officers know. Some of the regi-
ments marched fifteen miles, much of it at
Corporal Charles Glenn, Of Company B,
showed the stuff of the Hoosier soldier to-
day. He had been sent with detail to
Crawfish Springs, six miles away, to bring
back water in wagons, and when he got
there fiery Southern man rode up and re-
fused the detail water for less than 10 cents
a barrel. A dispute arose. and, the South
erner, backing up against the spring wall,
W n he claimed was private property,
TIN tened to shoot the first man that
moved to the spring.
Begin your shooting right now" said the
corporal, 'for the Indiana soldiers are going
to get what they are sent for"
The fire eater contented himself with
swearing at the men. and then drove off.
report of the affair went up to headquar-
ters.
A headquarters order has reduced the drill
of the regiments materially, and by slicing
half hour here and there only two hours
and a half a day are given over to drills.
Evening mess will hereafter come before
parade.
An incident of the day was the destruc-
ton by fire Of cabin landmark near the
indianapolis regiment.
Captain David Powell of Indianapolis,
visited his sen, brigade assistant adjutant
general.
The father of young Steinhauer came to-
day. His son is slightly better.
Battery A received forty head of fine
horses from Indianapolis and had its first
battery drill
Wilson H. Morrow, wagner, has been
transferred 20 the Naval Hospital Service,
and goes to Washington.
The old Third regiment will begin vac
cinating tomorrow. G. L. p.