The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-08
MANEUVERS
HAVE ENDED
Pontoon Bridge Built That
Was Good for War.
RESOLUTIONS ARE PASSED
Thanking Root, Bates and
Colonel Wagner.

Fort Riley. Kan. Oct 7.-Today's man
euvres were fine things TO perform. but
poor things to look at for those wishing
to see any Of the pomp and circumstance
Of war. The exercise. in brief. was the
deployment Of a line OF battle prepara-
tory % making an attack upon an enemy
in position.
The situation was assumed TO be that 4
Blue division moving from the south upon
stockdale. had crossed the Republican
and Kansas rivers al Fort Riley. The
Blue commander learning that a Brown
division OF two brigades. with artillery
and cavalry. had taken Up a defensive
position near the north reservation line.
moved forward 20 attack with the inten-
ton of defeating it before il could be re-
inforced.
The Brown force consisted OF two
squadrons of cavalry and four companies
of infantry. The cavalry. with the ex-
ception of one company acting as scouts.
served as infantry and in estimating 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 hobbe and includ-
ed all the remaining regulars. The
Blues advanced 10 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 10 form their line for the
attack. Operations then ceased and the
formation of the attack and defense were
inspected by the umpires. During the
afternoon Menohers mule battery went
out into the hills for target practice. This
battery was purchased abroad for use in
the Philippines and its practicability in
the field has not yet been demonstrated.
The practice this afternoon was with
Sharpnel and the results were pronounced
satisfactory. There was target practice
also by a number of the field batteries.
The pontoon bridge constructed across
the Kansas river by the engineers was
tested during the afternoon by a success
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 OF drift in the
river. It withstood every test 10 which
it was subjected. and was declared by the
unpires to be good enough for anybody
in times Of war.
With the close of maneuvres there
seems TO be but one opinion among the
regulars and national guard officers CON
corning them. All believe that excellent
results have been obtained during the
present series and that much greater
good could be accomplished by maneu-
vres conducted upon a scale more extern
sive. a meeting Of National Guard on
GERS. at which General Bates. his staT
and many other regulars were present.
was held tonight 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 gov
errors Of the respective states. twenty
two states and two territories being rep
resented. in compliance with the request
OF the honorable secretary OF war 10 wit
ress the maneuvres OF the regular army
and National Guard forces. assembled
in camp of instruction at Camp Root
Fort Riley. Kan, having observed the
different military problems daily. there
fore. be It
Resolved. First-Tha; we desire to
thank the honorable secretary OF war for
permitting IL 10 witness the maneuvres
from which we have derived 50 much
benefit
Second That we desire TO express our
thanks 20 Major General John c. Bates.
T. s. A. commander OF the maneuvre
division. ard his stan FOR their unfal-
Ing courtesies 10 Us al all times. thus
enabling as 20 perform our tours of duty
most satisfactorily
"Third-That We desire 70 thank Colonel
arthur J.. Wagner. assistant adjutaut
general, L. s. A. chief umpire. Tor the
instruction he has given Us. and Tor his
able discussion Of the various problems.
and for his most practical and brilliant
lectures on military strategy.
Fourth-We desire further 70 com
mend the policy ~ the National Guard
forces. and we trust that these Joint
n-aneuFres may be continued annually
"Ffth--That these resolutions be en-
crossed. one copy 10 be forwarded 90 TIE
honorable secretary Of war. one % MAJOR
General John c. Bates r. :. a.. ard enc
~ Colonsi Arthur J.. Wagner. assistant
ad5utant general e S. array
This was signed b. forty-dye oHcers.
an that have been able % remain untu
the conclusion II ths raneurres-
Brigadier General wiley ~ Penusyl-
vania National Guard. Tho iras been here
throughout the Tnareutres isff Tor home
This afternoon rron rsceirt ~ Tho order
calling ost his brigade IL connection wlsh
-ra rafr~ r-r,.hfae in HE ~.z.r