The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-11-10
AT THE ARMY POSTS.
MIMIC WARFARE AT CAMP RILEY lSA
GOOD SCHOOL FOR SOL DlERS.

The Fines and Browns Fight Lively Bat
ties with Blank Cartridges. No More
Formally Could BE Observed In
actual Warfare.
The army posts are filing up again
and from one after another come re-
ports that the old routine of soldier
life has again begun. But there
will lie one omission this year
WI q" many volunteers will re-
gret. for the manoeuvres at
Camp Riley from October to Decem-
her OF each year had become almost
an institution. and were annually WIS.,
tied by thousands.
This mimic warfare 1t was that
made possible the brilliant record Of
the regulars at El Caney and San
Juan. for it was real hard fighting
and proved the best kind of n school
for the soldier.
The surface of the reservation Is
particularly fitted for the work, hav-
ing many ravines, timber patches.
bluffs and gulches. These make ad-
mirahle hiding and camping places.
while ont on the praries and meadow
lands are the hand-to-hand engage
ments with plenty of room to deploy,
march and wheel without conflicting
with any natural barriers.
The theory of the school Is two-fold,
embracing defense and attack. bri-
gade of .roops is designated by the
colonel commanding, with cavalry
nj ~; ir,1 t1,N -
wearing blue uniforms and forage
caps, to remain at the fort and defend
it. Another brigade, whose members
wear brown canvas, with campaign
hats, is known as the Browns" and,
being in camp far down the Kaw val
ley toward Manhattan. may appear at
any time. seeking to reconnoitre the
Blues position and to give them bat
tie.
All troops march fully armed and
equipped and carry ten blank car
bine cartridges. Typographical and
road sketches are made by the engin-
eers with as much care as II entering
an enemy's country, and are on q scale
of four inches to the mile. A topo-
graphical officer Is detailed to accom-
pany each command and submit has
ty sketch and report to the comman-
der of the forces to which he Is at
tached.
To guard against accidents all car
tridges are inspected before the SOL
diers go out, and again before action.
and by officers. Strict orders are is-
sued that every man must act as
much as possible as though actual
conditions existed In such shape ms 1t
is pretended they do, and umpires,
spectators and inspectors see that this
rule Is carried out. When a part OF
a force Is exposed necessarily. double
quick time Is made, and exhaustive
reports, criticisms and comments are
submitted to the commander of the
post after each engagement. 1t will
thus be seen that the work Is meant
to accomplish something, and 1t does.
If actual war were In progress more
formality could scarcely be observed.
Regular orders are issued to the troops
with the utmost precision, not exceed
ed even in the prosecution of cam
paign. For instance here Is typical
order issued to the Blues:
"Order No. 121. November 1O.-The
enemy has appeared In force north of
the camp. The brigade Will be held
in readiness to march tomorrow morn
ing.
1.-TWO troops of the First and two of
the Second cavalry. aD1 one battery
of artillery. under command of Major
w. A. Rafferty,, Second cavalry, are
hereby detailed as advance guard, and
WILL at $40 n. m. tomorrow, proceed
along the Milk Ranch road.
I'm case any of the enemy are met
the advance guard will push them back
as far as possible. A medical officer
and detachments of the hospital and
signal corps Will accompany the COM
mand. By order of Colonel Arnold.
''W. S. SCOTT,
Acting AdJutant General"
The advance was begun on Fort
Riley with due formality. The bri.
gade went into camp as regularly as
though thousand miles away from
headquarters. Tents, accoutermen{s
all the paraphernalia of camp life
were used, and videttes. outposts and
scouts did their work carefully and
well. Then. on November H. coma
an order dated "ln camp. near Riley
Center. November A." .nd saving:
"The Blue brigade will. ut break NJ
day tomorrow morning. continue th.
march on Fort Riley. Two troops OF
cavalry are detailed as rear guards
The rear guards slowly retiring ON
Fort Riley, will. by stubborn resist.
ance, delay the advance of the enemy
as much as possible. Commander of
rear guard will. however. take care
that troops are withdrawn before
they become engaged in any serious
conflict Signal men will be furnished
with mounts. and men will be detailed
to act as wounded. A medical officer
with hospital corps detachment will
be detailed II follow the command"
The issulLg of such orders means
much to the boys on duty. They see
In the art of war something more than