Evening star., 1901-07-26
BATTLE OF LEESBURG
A Conflict That Displayed Tactical
Skill of the Leaders.
GEN. SANGER ONE OF THE JUDGES
Tomorrow the Camp viii Be a
Thing Of the Past.
THE WHITE LOT DISPLAY

Special From Staff Correspondent.
CAMP ORDWAY, LEESBURG, Va, July
26-The battle of Leesburg has been fought
and won and the attacking force, COM
manded by Col. NJ. E. Urell, came out
victorious by defeating the defending force,
under Col. Henry May. The gallant de-
tenders do not understand just how 1t hap
pened, nor do they realize why the enemy
won. The chief umpire and those with
him announce, however, that the conflict
was settled entirely on tactical points and
that the attacking force clearly had the
advantage At an assembly of the officers
of the brigade later this afternoon the con-
fiict was reviewed, the errors pointed out
and the maneuvering discussed at length.
The exercises We're the most extensive and
covered more grounds than any ever be-
fore held by the d. c. N. G..
Camp Ordway was practically deserted
last night save for the invalid guard,
which looked after the property. The ex-
peditionary force, commanded by Col. May,
broke camp at $50 o'clock and proceeded
through Leesburg and to the south or the
town. Half an hour later the force COM
manded by Col. Urell set off in a direction
to the east Of the camp.
The men We're in heavy marching order,
carried travel rations and looked decidedly
busness-iike. When some distance away
each commanding officer was handed his
instructions. The problem was an attack
upon and defense of Fort Evans. the pos
session of that work being essential to the
occupation of Leesburg by Army of the
Potomac"
The COntendins forces.
The army was supposed to be en- route
from Harper's Ferry to Richmond, and to
have found it necessary to seize and hold
T
and to maintain communication with
Washington by railroad and highway.
The defensive force, which was designated
THE Army of Virginia. was supposed to
have established itself near Leesburg and
entrenched at Fort Evans, a strong force
for the purpose of retarding the known
movement of the Army Of the Potomac.
The Army of the Potomac, commanded
by Col. Urell, consisted of the I'd Regi-
ment, 1st Separate battalion, 4th Battery,
United States field artillery; Gatling gun
platoon and detachments of the Engineer
Corps signal corps and ambulance corps.
The ambulance corps took along one am
bulance, sufficient wagon transportation
furnished by the quartermaster general.
The Army of Virginia, commanded by Col.
May, consisted of the 1st Regiment. the
battalion of High School Cadets, the
Hotchkiss battery and detachments of the
Engineer Corps, signal corps and ambu-
lance corps. Sufficient wagon transporta-
The Instructions.
1.-THE Army of the Potomac" was ordered
not to move to any general attack before 3
o'clock am. 1t was stipulated that if Fort
Evans should not be taken before O'Clock
pm. THE Army of the Potomac be de-
feated. Officers, enlisted men and camp
followers of the Army of Virginia" wore
broad white band on the left arm above
the elbow. Umpires wore sashes upon the
left shoulder and across the body to the
right The decision of umpires, according
to instructions, were accepted instantly.
Appeals were allowable to the chief umpire,
General Harries, whose decision was final.
The conditions Of actual warfare were OBJ
served by the troops.
Soon after dark Colonel May had march
ed his force to Fort Evans and securely en-
tIenched his troops there. Colonel Urell
distributed the organizations of his COM
mand into what he considered favorable
positions and threw out outpoStS and pick
cts An outpost captured Lieutenant c. G.
Mortimer and Sergeant Bliss Of the quar-
termaster's department. They were ac-
cused of transporting supplies for the en-
emy. The prisoners were detained until
after the battle, were deprived Of their
horses and were compelled to march to
camp under guard.
The Beginning of the Battle.
Silence was maintained until about 2
o'clock this morning when the troops began
to get into position. Shortly after o'clock
the first shots were fired. The rattle of mus
kerry continued at intervals for some little
time. Soon after o'clock the fight was
on in earnest, and an hour later the UNI
pires had declared the contest settled.
The troops returned to camp, where the
men who fought under Col. Urell cheered
time and again. Assistant Secretary OF
War William Cary Sanger reached Lees
burg last evening after the troops had
marched out. He served as one of the UNI
pires of the field maneuvers and was in the
saddle the greater part of the night. The
assistant secretary reviewed the brigade
at II o'clock this morning. Although tired
from the exertion of the fight tie guards
men presented thoroughly Creditable ap-
pearance. The distinguished visitor re-
turned to Washington on the train which
left Leesburg at l o'clock. He expressed
himself as having enjoyed his visit, and
added that the work of the guardsmcn was
more than satisfactory.
The First Rain.
With the exception of the review this
morning the men were not called upon to
perform any duty, the desire being to
permit them to rest. Brigade parade will
be held this evening at the usual hour
unless rain should interfere. The first In
clemency of the weather of the camp oc-
Cured last evening just before the troops
marched out of camp. light rainfall was
also IN evidence this morning
Orders were issued today to cover the
details Of breaking camp tomorrow. The
payment of the troops for the six months
ending the 3Oth of last month will be made
during the morning. Tents will be lowered
at o'clock, and a little later the brigade
march into Leesburg. The first section Of
the special train to transport the qua Ids
men will pull out at 2:45 o'clock in the aft
ernoon and the brigade win be In Wash
| ington prior to half-past 4 o'clock.
Unless change of plans is announced
later the column will move by way of
7th street and Pennsylvania avenue to the
| eIIpse Of the White Lot, where brigade
! parade and the ceremony of trooping OF
| the colors will be given for the edifcation