The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-31
Especial War Correspondence
Camp Cuba Libre,

Near Jacksonville, Fla, July so.
The First North Carolina regiment yes
terday had it's first turn at target prac-
tice in the rifle range. Though the 200
men sent out were almost entirely new
men, who had never before shot
Springfield rifle, they made excellent
scores. The New Jersey men have made
the best score yet and the North Caro-
linians come second.
The first sham battle since the camp
here has been established took place
Thursday morning from 100 to $50
O'clock. about three miles southwest OF
Camp Cuba Libre.
The troops engaged in it were those OF
the First brigade, Second division, sew
enth Army corps, consisting OF the flfst
north Carolina, Second New Jersey ANA
Second Illinois regiments. The ILLINOIS
regiment was divided. The Jersey men
with one Illinois battalion went out early
in the morning. chose a teld or battle
and entrenched themselves as strongly
as possible. Two hours later the Tar
Heels with two Illinois battalions start
ed out to find and attack their oppon-
ents. Colonel Hine. of the Second New
Jersey. was in command as brlgadler
general. of the cntrenched army, while
Colonel Armfeld. of the First North
Carolina. commanded the attacking
force. Major Smith commanded the
First North Carolina regiment
As the Tar Heels and their allies pro-
ceeded an advance guard was formed.
outposts were thrown out and scouts
deployed in regular order for passing
through an enemy's country. The adj
vance guard consisted of the First bat
talon, First North Carolina regiment,
under command of Captain Robertson.
Near swamp on the Jacksonville-Pa
anna road the first skirmish took place.
The enemy's pickets on the extreme right
(easD were fired upon, and soon there
was a rattle of musketry all along the
line. A courier sent in by Colonel Arm
field brought back word from Captain
Robertson that he had driven in the en-
emys outposts, but had not yet located
their lines.
Hardly had the message been delivered
though before heavy firing opened up on
the left (wesD and a courier jgalloped
up. saving large force of the enemy.
strongly entrenched had been discovered
occupying ground well adapted for de-
Tense. in rear of n swampy ravine i'm
nassa BILE except at a few points. Major
Rutzler with the Second North Carolina
battalion was ordered to reinforce tho
advance guard at this point. while Major
Butler was sent with the Third battalion
to the left. In the meantime the enemy
on the right had fallen back and a heavy
engagement was opening IN on the left.
Fearing flank movement in that quar-
ter Colonel Armfeld directed Colonel
MouIton. of the Second Illinois. TO send
one of his battalions to Major Buffers
aid and in case he found him strong
enough to withstand the attack to flank
the enemy's extreme right. The latter
movement was successfully made.
The other Illinois battalion was held
as a reserve for the centre. and. well 1t
was. for the Jersey men soon discovered
that our centre was our weakest point
and they began massing to break
through. But they We're too late. The
Illinois reserve was brought M at don
BILE quick and a whole company of the
attacking party was captured.
Now the engagement became general
and / began to realize the meaning of
war. To be sure there We're no bullets
whizzing through the air or shells burst
ing There were no cries of the wounded,
no gush of blood. But there was the
crash of battle. the charge of armed
men. the roar of musketry. The shouts
of the combatants, the wild ride of cour-
iers. the capture of prisoners, the hur-
red council of war-all these were there.
The scene charmed and fascinated
me- There was an Understandable will in
the air. The roar of musketry was in
your ears, the smell of powder filled your
nostrils. Rapid heart-beats congested
the veins until your temples ached and
a wild desire for carnage and victory
seized you. 1T is this feeling that makes
men fight like wild beasts and prefer
death to surrender.
As the rifles cracked and the smoke
lifted above the long lines of blue |
thought ! could understand something
of the conditions under which heroes and
towards We're born. Far as one could see
there were uniformed men-soIdiers OF
the South-fighting with the desperation
and earnestness of real battle Through
the veil of smoke | could see the drawn,
sweating, powdcr-blackencd faces of the
men crouching behind friendly trench
The noise grew louder, the men crouch
cd still lower. Their heads almost touch
cd their knees The enemy. half running,
half crawling, were coming; like part
ridges they ran from cover to cover.
This would never do. They must be
stopped ~ all hazards. A wild charge,
few captured. Il sulen falling back
il was all very real.
Two hours after the battle began the
signal TO cease firing was sounded. ana
soon the line of march back to camp was
taken M. friend and foe mingling III ger
erous rivalry and happy good humor.
Since no bullets could be used the wage
of battle must be decided somehow, so
three umpres were chosen: Lieutenant
Colonel Cowles. of the First North Car
DINA. chief; Major Stewart. of the Sec
ond Illinois and Major En&le. Of the Sec
ond New Jersey. Concluding his report
on the battle. Colonel Cowles says: II he
firing discipline on both sides appeared
to b" excellent. Both sides deserve equal
credit"
General Burt and mis- staff were pres.
emf during the battle. but they took no
part. being there simply in the capacity
of spectators.
When the killed and wounded and CAT
tured came to he counted ND II yas found
that ore North Carolinian had his arm
skinned mp. crossing swamp: one Ter