The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-01
Rear Admiral HiggiinsOn Makes
First Move in War Game
FLEET CONTAINS Is SHIPS
eattIeshIp Alabama Plays Prominent
Part in Mimic War-5ooo Artillery
men Sleep Beside Their Arms
In the Fortifications.

Newport, R. l.. August 31.-Under cover
of fog the blaekness of night the North
Atlantic fleet, commanded by Rear Ad-
Menemsha Blight, Vineyard Sound, short
ly before 10 o'clock tonight and put to
sea making the first move in the war
game between the army and navy in the
imaginary war along the New England
coast. On land from Fort Rodman at
New Bedford to Fort Wright at Fishers
Island every fortiication is manned by
the artillerymen and every headland is
patrolled by signal men just as carefully
as If a really hostile fleet were about to
descend upon this part of the seaboard.
The actual was period began at the ex-
piration of this 4S hours of preparation
and while the fleet appeared TO take
things easily during that interval, the
land forces under supreme command of
Major General Macarthur were drilled
at the guns and at signal station with
all the vigor that forecasts real conflict
Never in the history Of this country
has such a grim aspect been given to the
defenses which guard New Bedford. the
cities on Narragansett Bay, the Con-
necticut shore and, more important even,
the city of New York from attack under
cover of Marthas Vineyard and adjacent
islands and through the great waterway
Long Island Sound.
Tonight when taps sounded at all the
forts nearly 5000 artillerymen went to
sleep beside their guns ready to spring
up for action when the alarm should be
sounded. On the walls of fortifcatons
paced guards and along the beaches
sharp eyed signalmen swept the sea with
their night glasses feverishy anxious
lest the light of a hostile war vessel be
fol hot Of fri d1xr ho1af
craft
In sea the fleet had been swallowed up
In darkness and it will be heard from
next when 1t makes a descent on the
coast within the zone of hostilities
There are nearly 5000 men afioat and 1t
may be that Admiral Higginson will en-
deavor to land his marines at some ex-
posed point of the shore defenses and at
tempt to capture it by making his at
tack in an effort to force an enterance
to Buzzards Bay, Narragansett Bay or
Long Island Sound, or even to silence
some one of the big forts. The army
says it is ready for anything which may
develop but anticipating an early land
ing party from the fleet at Gayhear, the
signal station there was moved to high
grounds to avoid being rushed by ma
rines. To cripple the army's line of COM
munication may be Admiral Higginsons
first thought in order to use his marines.
The first point of attack is looked for at
Fort Rodman, manned by volunteer ar
tillerymen. but there may occur only
reconnaissance by the gunboats while ehe
great battleships swing in to action at
the westward and be skillful maneuver-
Ing Theoretical hammer the fortifca-
tions to mass of ruins with their pom
derous turret rifles.
Like chess masters 1t Is Admiral Hig-
ginsons turn.
Men Sleep on Arms.
Fort Rodman, New Bedford Mass, Au-
gust 31.-So far as appearances went at
Fort Rodman today no one would imag-
inc that war, even a mock war was
impending possibly within half a day.
Nor would an observer imagine that
hostile fleet was anchored In battle ar
ray within ten miles of the post. 1t was
a day of great activity and practical
work, but so far as appearances of hos
tilty were evident in camp, peace
reigned
Any one whose ideas of state militia
camp had been gained by the days of
skylarking and general ''racketing''
which once prevailed would never have
recognized Fort Rodman either during
Saturday night or Sunday. 1t was quiet
as Sunday school and the only sounds
which broke the stiffness were cherups
of the crickets and dull distant tread of
the sentries. The camp itself was liter
ally wrapped in sumber. officers and
men alike apparently recognizing the
need for piling up sleep in view of nights
of future waking and momentary call.
Sunday was not in the least a day of
worship nor of idleness. The customary
throng of visitors was absent the war
orders compelling a rigid curtailment of
passes and limiting the outsiders in camp
to a few chosen war correspondents and
one or two choice officials in favor at
headquarters. Outside the guard line
there was a crowd all day long. especial
ly during the parade and the band con-
cert of the afternoon.
Ornamental Features Absent.
For the most part the usual ornamental
features of camp were absent the tent
ed portions Of the field being too far
removed from the street to make 1t vis-
ible to the civilians and nothing which
the unframed would appreciate being in
order but the few ceremonies of the day,
such as gaurd mounts and evening pa
rade. For the miitiamen. however, there
was not a single minute of idleness Col
onel Frye was rushing preparations.
knowing that in two days he must pull
comparatively green militia artillerymen
into condition to man effectively a
most whose ordnance ranged from the
big eight-inch disappearing mounted
rifles to the popping Gattlings. 1t was a
task of no small moment and officers
and men bent themselves to II with a
zeal. I'D" battery put in a hard morn
ing at the big guns in the western en-
placement while "B'' battery was sim
iIarly occupied in the east emplacement.
In each emplacement the state officers
were assisted and supplemented by the
din of some of the regular artillery men
of the permanent post at the fort. *"
battery and "a battery worked at the
Afteen pound rapid fire guns in the west
ern and eastern emplacements respec-
lively &c" battery manned the six
FOUNDERS on seige carriages and 'I'' bat
fery ran about the shore with the gat-
tling guns and the one-pounders. plac-
ing them effectively to repel landing par
ties. throwing up temporary works for
screens and locating range finders.
Yesterday the signal corps was divided.
Lieutenant Spencely with nine state sig
nal corpsmen and Private Baker of the
regulars taking up their post on Mishaum
Point. The balance of the regimental sig-