The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-09-28
MIMIC
BATTLE
At Fort Riley Not Very Fierce
the First Day.
JACK AND JILL AFFAIR
Armies Walked to North Line
and Back.
AND THEN MARCHED HOME
Imagination Required to Real.
lie War Times.

Fort Riley, Kan. Sept. 27.-Today's
arfare between the armies OF the Blues
and the Browns consisted Of preparing TO
night without fighting. In military par
lance the maneuyres are described as
follows:
The entire force on the march with
suitable advance guard for a division Of
var strength. advance guard entire. main
body in part imaginary"
What was done was as follows:
Early in the morning the army Of the
Browns. Few IN number, marched out 10
the north line OF the reservation and
then wheeling about went back OYER thei-
tracks until they came in sight OF the ad-
vancing army of the Blues. The Browns,
supposed 70 be only an advance guard
supported by an imaginary body Of re
serve troops, prepared for action as soon
as they sighted the Blues and the latter
prepared for action as rapidly as possible
after the Browns came over the horizon
lines. When everything was ready for
the killing TO commence, everybody
tramped back 10 camp and the maneuvres
or the day were over.
There is nothing OF the sham battle
order about the maneuvres, which have
no wfairly opened. There is nothing OF
the pomp and glitter of war II is al
business. There are no spectacular
charges with much noisy consumption Of
gunpowder. Everything is done with the
object OF conveying a lesson and when
the problem has been explained, the man
euvre is over. There viii be 10 question
OF who wins in army maneuvres.
Everything is done with the idea OF teach
ing the younger officers Of the regular
army and the visitors OF the National
Guard how such things should be done
in the presence of an actual enemy.
The advance guard Of the main body
under the command OF General Bates.
comprised company B. OF the First bat
talon of engineers, the First squadron Of
the Fourth cavalry, les some platoon.
which remained with the main body; the
Seventh battery Of field artillery and two
guns OF the Sixth battery Of field artil-
lery; the Eighteenth infantry. two bat
tallons OF the Twenty-second infantry
and squad Of ten men OF the hospital
corps. II was accompanied by a number
OF wagons carrying ammunition and en-
trenching tools, and six ambulances.
There were in the advance guard about
900 men. The main body comprised all
the remaining troops in camp. about 45o0
ir number. This formed the army Of the
Blues. The Browns. who by power Of
the Imagination were equal to the Blues
H. numbers. were commanded by Colonel
C. c. Carr. and consisted only OF the
Second squadron Of the Fourth cavalry.
First squadron Of the Eigth cavalry and
the Sixth battery OF field artillery. less
the two guns which were with the Blues.
TIE Browns moved out early in the
morning and at o'clock were in position
rear the north line OF the reservation,
where Colonel Carr formed bis men for
battle extending his line as much as pos
ssble. 20 give the impression that his force
vas larger than it was. The Twenty
second infantry was on the left center,
the Eighteenth the right and right CEN
ter.
.Old Governor Harvey road. General
Bates was advancing with his army. Way
out on either flank his scouts we're
thrown. and the light cavalry riding in
advance Of the column. eagerly watched
for Colonel Carr and his Browns When
they were finally sighted. word was given
70 push forward as rapidly as possible
fer some high ground IN front Of the
column. The troops depioyed rapidly,
forming lines Of battle as they FASTENED
U the hills the batteries dashed into
position and with an almost incredible
speed. were ready 70 open upon the
enemy The Infantry reserves behind rhA
main line OF attleb fen into position and
ambulances and ammunition wagons
went humping over the rough prairie
ground 70 the places where they could
extend the greatest assistance When the
preparation for hattie were completed.
the umpire declared that the end OF The
days work ard the march hack 10 camp
VS. taken -.
There VII be 10 exercises tomorrow.
ard on Monday the object lesson win BE-
the contact Of opposing forces Of al
arms"