The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-26
PLANS FOR BATTLE
HOW THE TROOPS ARE To FIGHT
ON THANKSGIVING DAY.
FROM BEHIND BREASTW0RKS.
RAPID FIRE GUNS AND RIFLES
WILL BELCH DEFIANCE.

battle Exercises VIII Take Place at
HarmOn's Range, East of the
MeadOws-How the Troops Will
BE Ordered for the BattIe-GntIing
Gun and HotchI<iss Gun VIII De
Supported by Infantry to Defend
the observation-disclosures Companies
of the First Infa ntry VIII Charge
the Position, Re RepuIsed and
Charge Again, Taking the Breast
works and Driving the Enemy.
The sham battle at Harmon's Range,
east of The Meadows, Thanksgiving
Day, IL the many expressions of inter
est that have been heard count, will be
witnessed by many spectators. The
field of battle is such as to be visible
in it's entirety from almost any stand
upon the street railway line where it
skirts the tract. The higher ground of
The Meadows, too, will afford d good
view, and it is expected that knots of
spectators will be seen here and there,
watching the unusual sight.
For the first time in the history OF
the State Troops in Savannah, oppor-
tunity will be afforded the several
commands to participate in a sham
battle, and, as naturally follows, the
people interested in military will have
their first chance to see the soldiers
gain practice in the battle exercises
under the fire of blank cartridges.
Much of interest is promised by the
programme as it has been mapped out
by Lieut.. Col. G. A. Gordon and the
other officers who have shown the
leading concern for the success of the
undertaking. Not the infantry alone
will take part. for both the Chatham
Artillery and the Naval Militia will be
represented.
Posted behind the old earthworks will
be detachment from the Chatham
Artillery commanded by Lieut. A. D.
KrenSon, and a detachment from the
Naval Militia, commanded by Lieut..
Carter The artillerymen will seek to
repel the attacking force with a Cat
ling gun while the Naval Militia win
carry their Hotchkiss gun into action.
Two companies of the First Infantry,
yet to be detailed. and a detachment
of the Savannah Volunteer Guards will
lie entrenched for the support of the
guns.
Four companies of the First Infantry
will attack the position. The pro-
gramme is for the four commands to
charge the breastw orks. be repulsed,
retreat, reform and charge again-this
time successfully. The position will be
taken. and the battle will be over.
Upon the closing of the sanguinary
contest, the First Regiment Band will
be heard. The band has volunteered
its services, and will be on the battle
field. The march of the commands
back to the city will be to- the inspiring
strains of the excellent organization.
Last night the companies of the First
Infantry practiced in the battle exer-
cises on the Military Parade Ground
The brilliant moonlight served well to
facilitate the drill, and the instruction
was valuable to the men. 1t is be-
lieved that they will make a creditabe
showing on Thursday.
After the drill the troops were as
sembled in the yard at the Regiment
al Armory, where they were address,
ed by Col. Gordon. who informed them
why Thanksgiving day had been Sc
lected as the time for the sham battle
and reminded them that it is the duty
of soldiers to obey orders. Orders
have been issued the commands to
participate in the sham battle, and it
is believed there will be a creditable
representation from each company TO
respond. Some of the members had
made engagements long in advance,
but they are now inclined, in a num-
Der of cases, to regret this, as the i'm
preston prevails generally that good
time is in store for all who appear
with their companies. In addition to
the sport of the battle, there will be
refreshments served by the companies
upon the return to the armory.
The assembly of the commands will
be late enough to admit of all members
enjoying their Thanksgiving dinners
before appearing for duty. 1t was
feared that this would not be the case.
In fact, the hour named in the orders
for the assembly was afterwards con-
Guided to be too early. and it has been
changed. The calls for formation for
the First Infantry will be as follows:
First CALL 2:45 p. m; assem- IDLY. 2:55 p.
m, and adjutants call, 3:15 p. III.
AS each battalion of the First In
fantry is formed. it will take up the
march for Harmon's Range. Blank am.
munition will be supplied by the regi-
mental quartermas ter, and every pre-
caution will be taken to guard against
accident The field uniform will be
worn. Field and staff officers will be
mounted