Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-08-23
Sham Battle Between Soldiers
Monday Afternoon.
COMPANIES c AND B DEFENSIVE.
Details of the Engagement Between
Col. Haynes Command and Ten
Companies in Command of Col. H.
II. caughIan.
From Tuesdays Daily.


The three thousand visitors to camp
Joe Hays of the Fiftieth Regiment,
Iowa National Guard, yesterday after
noon, were given most realistic eX-
ample OF fiercely contested engage
ment between two armed bodies of
men. The sham battle announced for
this date created greater interest, per-
haps, than any one feature of the en-
campment, and the manner in which
it was conducted rendered it anything
but a disappointment to those who
went out to see it.
Companies G, of Ottumwa, and B,
of Davenport, in command of Lieu
tenant Colonel Haynes, of Centerville.
very cleverly executed a defense of
the post and single cannon which
were the objects of the attack made
by the other ten companies OF the reg
iment in command of Col. Caughlan. of
this city. While it was only sup
posed battle and lacked the
actual fatalities and horror
of such engagement, neverthe-
less it was conducted with a reality
and spirit that enthused not only the
soldiers engaged in the contest but
all the spectators as well. Five thous-
and blank cartridges were discharges,
and fifteen times during the battle the
cannon roared forth it's defiance to
those who were gradually creeping
upon the coveted stronghold. The
two companies in defense were is
sued thirty rounds of ammunition
while the members of the attacking
squad were limited to only ten rounds
each. The final result was not what
could be termed victory in the full
est sense of the word for the attack
ing army. When it finally reached
the fort it was found that the enemy
had dismounted the gun, and tie
prize, altho in their possession was
unfit to be turned on the fleeing foe.
Col. Caughlan and his staff, consist
ing of Capt. D. A. Emery, Capt. Hobby
prised by scouts from the enemy's
lines long before the engagement be-
gan and in reality should have died"
The scouts were concealed under a
bridge over which the Colonel and his
men were compelled to pass, and as
they came up were surprised, and as
the Colonel said, would have been shot
had it been a regular engagement.
The surprise, however, was not due
to lack of precaution on the part of
the Colonel, but rather to neglect to
a part of his command who failed to
| cover the road as ordered.
J. j. Garner, of Fit. Madison, was
ordnance sergeant and three men each
from companies 1, of Iowa City, and
F, of Burlington, were detailed for
battery duty. One of the men, Ander-
son, of Company I, is an s. U. |. man,
and will be first sergeant of the State
University next year. Private Swain,
of Company F, formerly of the Sixth
battery, U. s. ". was the gunner.
Private Bruhl, Of Company F, also
formerly of the Sixth battery, U. S.
w. was No. 1; Peterson, Company F.,
an ex-member of the same battery, No.
4; Chairman, Company l, No. 2, and
Kingman Company /, No. 3. The
| post attacked was situated in the eN-
IRENE northwest portion Of the pa
rade grounds, while the attacking
| body was formed almost mile south
east, across fields of corn and meadow
| land.
Major Bishop was first sent out on
| the right flank with two companies
| to make flank attack on the east for
tilted position. Major Dunlap COM
manded the center and was support
ed on the left flank by Maj. Lambert's
battalion.
The pickets of the fortified position
were first developed by the center
along a hedge about quarter of a
mile south of the position. About the
same time Major Bishop encountered
an outpost on his left and front. The
attack was then continued over an
open space about one-fourth of mile,
Major Lambert's battalion coming in
from the left in time to complete the
| line of attack. When the line had
| crossed about one-half the open space,
by rushes, bayonets were fixed the
| charge sounded" and the attack car
ried to the fortified position.