Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1902-09-05
NAVY'S FIRST ATTACK
Attempt to Capture New London
RepuIsed By the Army.
"ENEMY" SEXES TWO STATIONS

Admiral higginson Did Not Delay At.
ter HostlIitIes Started. and Seized
Army's Signal Station at Martha's
Vineyard and Block Island.
Newport. R. l., Sept. 2. - Admiral
Higginson did not long delay after the
declaration Of hostilities yesterday to
cut out work for the jaclies and ma
rines Of his fleet, accomplishing in day
light, but under cover of fog. two
things that General MacArthur's army
had anticipated. These were the
seizure Of Martha's Vineyard and
Block Island and the capture of the
army's signal station at each place.
Last night he followed up his good
work by a demonstration In force
against the extreme western end Of
the line of defending Notifications, but
it cannot be determined until later If
he actually attempted to force his way
into Long Island Sound or simply aim
ed to give his crews a little big gun
practice and his captains the oppor-
NAAANy " AAAaAAOGuNAC MANAln blIlhluk
distance to determine the location and
calibre Of the ordnance in the forts.
The navy's night attack was not ex-
pected at the western end of the line
quite so early in the game. The theory
was held all day, after 1t was known
that Higginson had secured a base on
the outlying islands, that he would
send his cruisers for a reconnaissance
against both ends of the JApe, and then
swing his fleet into gne center or
around Newport for a sharp yet heavy
attack there, manoeuvring quickly,
and then. when things became most
interesting, sail to the westward and
make his grand effort to force his way
into Long Island Sound. This would
have been his night attack, for 1t
seems almost certain that the day at
tack will be against Fort Rodman, the
eastern point.
Once last night Newport got a scare
when a message came from Port Jul
dith that marines were being landed
there in the fog. All communication
with that point was cut Off Then at
1870 came an official bulletin an
nouncing the commandments of Forts
Michi and Wright, but when Point Ju-
dith signal station was again in touch
with the central intelligence bureau, It
was explained that the signal men
there were given a drill in saving
equipment, on suppositiOn that the
enemy was making a landing. They
cut out the telegraph and telephone
wires, picked up their equipment and
made a record-brealSing retreat, then,
returning, re-established the station,
doing a creditable piece of work.
First Attack In War Game.
New London Conn, Sept AT just
1920 last night the big guns of Forts
Wright, Terry and Niche belched forth
| almost simultaneously and there was
no longer doubt that the first attack
in the war game was in effect. For
an hour the cannonading continued
and the result from the army stand
point is best stated in this official bull.
letin posted at headquarters early this
morning:
Movement to pass through the Race
began at 1920 p. m. Forts Niche
Wright and Terry engaged fifty min
utes. Apparently the ships entering
have been put out of action by points
scored by the army guns"
All was quiet at army headquarters
when suddenly the reports of the bic
guns was heard and General Macarthur
listened attentively. The attack was
on, but It came sooner than was ex-
pected by the major general command.
ing.