The Topeka state journal., 1902-10-08
Close of the Maneuyers at Fort
Riley Easy to Perform.
Uninviting to Look at for Those
Desiring Ponp Of War.
PREPARE FOR BATTLE.
Readiness for an Attack on the
Enemy Closing Exercise.
Pontoon Bridge WithstOOd All
High Water Tests.

Fort Riley, Kas Oct iS-Tuesday's
maneuvers were fine things to perform
but poor things to look at for those
wishing to see any of the pomp and cir
cumstance of war. The exercise in brief
was the deDloyment Of a line of battle
preparatory to making an attack upon
an enemy in position. The situation
was assumed to be that a Blue division
moving from the south upon Stockdale
mad crossed the Republican and Kansas
rivers at Fort Riley The Blue COM
mander learning that Brown division
of two brfgadeS, with artillery and cav
airy, had taken up a defensive position
near the north reservation line, moved
forward to attack with the intention of
defeating it before it could be REIN
forced.
The Brown force consisted of two
squadrons of cavalry and four COM
panies OF infantry. The cavalry, with
the exception of one company acting as
scouts, served as infantry and in esti-
mating the strength of the defense each
company of cavalry was supposed to
be a regiment of infantry.
The attacking force of the Blues was
commanded by General Kobbe and in
cluded all the remaining regulars. The
Blues advanced to the attack in three
columns with great energy. The Browns
fired upon them just enough to enable
the Blues to determine the position Of
their enemy and to form their line for
the attack. Operations then ceased. and
the formations of the attack and defense
| were inspected the un1D1r6S.
The pontoon bridge constructed across
| the Kansas river by the engineers was
tested during the afternoon by a success
4 sion OF troops, infantry, cavalry and ar
tillery- The bridge has been kept in
place with much difficulty because of
the high water and great quantities oa
drift in the river. It withstood every
test to which it was subjected, and was
enough for anybody in time of war.
With the close of the maneuvers there
seems to be but one opinion among the
regulars and national guard officers con-
cerning them. All believe that excellent
results have been obtained during the
present series and that much greater good
could be accomplished by maneuvers
conducted upon scale more extensive.
! A meeting of national guard officers,
at which General Bates, his staff and
many other regulars were present, was
held last night, at which the following
resolutions were adopted:
| whereas, We, the undersigned, officers
OF the national guard of the various states
of the union, detailed by the governors of
and two territories being here represented,
in compliance with the request of the Hon
oraDle secretary of War, to witness the
maneuvers of the regular army and ma
tionai guard forces, assembled in camp of
instruction at Camp Root Ft. Riley. Kan,
problems; therefore be it r.
Resolved, first. That we desire to thank
the, honorable Secretary OF War for per
which we have derived so much benefit.
'>'cond. That we desire to express our
thanks to Major General John c. Bates,
| Y. S. A, commander of the maneuvers
division, and his staff, for their unfailing
courtesies TO US at all times, thus enabling
us to perform our tours of duty most
satisfactorily.
| Third, that we beside to thank Colonel
Arthur L. Wagner, assistant adjutant gen
eral, u S: A., chief umpire, FOR the in
struction he has given us. and for mis-
able discussion of the various problems
and for his most practical and brilliant
lecture on military strategy
Fourth, we desire further to commend
the policy of the national guard forces,
ard we trust that these joint maneuvers
may be continued annually.
Fifth, that these resolutions be en-
| crossed, one copy to be forwarded to the
General John C. Bates, U. S, A, and one
to Colonel Arthur. L. Wagner, assistant
adjutsnt general U s. A"
This was signed by forty-five officers.
all that have been able to remain until
the conclusion of the maneuvers. Briga-
dier General Wilder of the Pennsylvania
| National Guard, who has reen here
| throughout the maneuvers, left for his
home in the afternoon on receipt of the or
der calling out his brigade in connection
with the labor troubles in his state