Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-08-24
A PRACTICAL MUSTER,
Principal Event of Friday Was the
Sham Battle.

E,tey.
When the bugle sound'i general at
Camp Governor smith, near Fort ethan
Allen. Saturday, the most successful mus
ter i'm the history OF the Vermont Ma
tional Guard came to an end. The lessons
which Col. j. Gray Estey and his ascot
ates learned at Chickamauga resulted in
work of a practical character during the
entire week. Food was served in regula-
ton army style, and everything connected
with the muster was characterized by sim
plicitv and freedom from "full dress cere-
monies.
Thursday the one exception, was Gov
ernor's day. and then nothing but drills
and exercises of a practical nature were en-
gagged in. The regiment was reviewed by
Gov. E, C. Smith of st. Adams and his
staff at . o'clock in the afternoon. me
remainder of the week was devoted TO neld
work, including guard duty, outpost work,
skirmishing, forming advance and rear
guards for an army expedition anu Tesl-
mental manWuvres. Strict dlsclpllne uur-
ing the entire week kept the guard tent
vacant most of the time. The sanitary
side of the encampment was not neglected.
in the least, and each morning the regl-
mental surgeon and assistants made com
quarters. Each company street and equip
ments were rated by percentages. This
had the effect of creating a rivalry among
the different companies for honors in this
line. and from the time of the first inspec-
ton no censuIe on the part OF the surgeon
was necessary. The hospital was almost
entirely free from occupants, two or three
reporting to have slight bruises attended
to.
The event of Friday was the sham battle,
in which the first and third battalions were
pitted against the second battalion, when
left camp Thursday afternoon for parts
unknown, under command of MAJOR Dyer
The second battalion started in heavy
marching order. with shelter tents, over
coats. rubber and cloth blankets. The
shovels and axes for building trenches,
and the CommissaTy stores were taken by
team. A site was selected in the rear OF
Fort Ethan Allen and upon arrival there
the troops laid aside the rolls and began to
prepare for the coming attack. Defences
three or four lines deep were laid around
the camp, and wire and other distractions
were placed at the weakest points. Inc
position was practically impregnaole, Delhg
surrounded on three sides by natural bar
riers, and well protected on the other side
by trenches. A detail of the hospital corps
accompanied the second battalion. Inc
supper was cooked over small bon-hres,
and the soldiers crawled under the shelter
tents for sleep, although part OF the
night was spent in building the trenches.
The first and third battalons sent out
scouts, who discovered the location OF the
camp. The engagement opened with a
fent attack on the strong side, followed
by determined attack on what was nat
urally the weakest side.
Before the attack the advance guard of
the enemy passed along the road through
the line of pickets of the second battalion
but were not fired upon, in hopes that the
entire column could be drawn into the
trap and be destroyed. They discovered
the camp, however, and made vigorous
attack. AS they pushed in they were,
however, surprised by cross fire from
Company C on the hill, Company A on the
left and Company NJ on the right, where
they would soon have been destroyed.
They refused to stop, according to rule,
and pushed on, and the order to retreat
was given to the second battalion in order
TO prevent injuries from the nearness OF
the rifles. Cease firing was blown and in
a short time the second battalion was quiet.
After the call was blown an attack was
made by portion of the troops and Pri.
vate John Stevenson of Company + of
Barre was badly injured in the face from
wads and powder by the discharge of a
rifle He was taken to the hospital tent
and later to the Mary Fletcher hospital.
One eye is badly injured but it is hoped
that the sight may not be destroyed.
The defending battalions wore khaki
trousers and the attacking party blue.
tod ind nd 10 Wnlfp
brigade inspector of rifle practice, as UNI
pire. At the close of the battle Col Estey,
his adjutant, Lieut.. Woodbury., and Major
Wolf, inspected the trenches and fortified
tons and decided that it would take di-
vision of men to capture the entrench-
ments. They were highly pleased with
the laying out of the camp and congrat-
uated the officers upon the manner in
which the details were carried out.
Companies E, F, II and and the
band left camp Saturday at 1915, board
ing special train at Ii o'clock. Company
| changed from the special at White River
junction, and reached Brattleboro at "a
on the regular Montreal express. All Of
the men were in good condition, and they
enjoyed the eight days in camp, in spite Of
the hard work.
Lieut.. Waterman was commander OF the
guard Wednesday, and Lieut.. Dunklee was
supernumerary officer of the guard Fri
day.
A social event came Friday evening
when the ladies at Fort Ethan Allen gav'
a reception to the officers of the Nationa
Guard. A concert was given by the band
and some time spent in dancing. Ligh
refreshments were served.
The Burlington Free Press said Satur
day in its report of the muster: Col. j
G. Estey has made a profound impression
on the men and officers of the regiment, a
discplinarian and commander. In tn,
short space of time during which he haC
personal command, he has won the respec
and admiration of every man in the regi
ment His brother, Adjutant j. Harr,
Estey, is also intensely popular with tn
rank and file. He handled the trying pc
sitiOn which he occupies in manner tina
won for him many friends.
The 1st Vermont is now on war foot
ing, except in point of numbers, there be
ing about 700 of the required 1000 men
The men are supplied with the summe
khaki uniform and the regulation blu
one. Shelter tents, overcoats, mess kits
blankets and ponchos have been issued il
addition to arms and ammunition. Mos
of the men are veterans of the Spanish
American war, and the LIST Vermont ma
be called a veteran regiment.
The Withholding of the prize cup fo