The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-06
Latter's Flank Finally Turned and
the Attacking Troopevs Forced
BACK with Heavy Loss.
RAIN POURED ALL THE DAY
AND THE BATTLEFIELD WAS INCHES
DEEP IN YELLOW CLAY.
Ten Thousand Men Engaged-An az
fiIlery DueI-GOvernor Durbfn
Pleased with His Men.


Gtan Correspondence OF the Journal.
CAMP YOUNG. WEST POINT, KY, Oct.
SIN a driving rain a battlefield inches
deep In yellow clay 10000 men fought to-
day the most spectacular engagement which
ever occurred in this country outside of
actual warfare. The opinion of Major Gen.
eral Bates, General Bliss and General
Kobbe, the last named commanding respec-
lively the Brown and Blue armies, COIN
cides In the belief that no maneuver ever
executed by United States troops equaled
to-day's action In brilliancy of attack and
defense. in effectiveness of troops. in the
Intelligence in which orders were executed
and in valuable comprehensive instruction
to the 1000 or more militiamen which fought
on either side
To-day's problem was the attack of an ad-
vance guard-the Blue army, the van of
supposittious main column of a pursuing
army upon a guard the Brown army
protecting the retreat of supposititious
fleeing main column. The problem of the
Blue army was to attack and overwhelm
the Brown army as expeditiously and as
completely possible in order to allow
the following column to hurl itself upon
the Brown advance. The Brown rear guard
found itself in the position of guarding
the retreat OF its advance so completely
and with so much damage to the Blue ad-
vance guard as to cripple the latter, pound
II back and give the Brown advance ample
time to make a retreat iA perfect order
and with no loss to ITSELF
When It Is understood that this immense
body OF men operated under the most un-
favorable weather conditions, terribly hard
on horses, fooC and guns, ever an expanse
of difficult territory. about eight miles long
by seven miles wide, along roads ankle deep
I'm mud. scaling precipitous hills. fording
streams. penetrating heavy timber and con-
fronted by The most overwhelming natural
obstacles. the scope and value Of to-day's
action will be readily understood.
More perfect training for green militia
men could not be had. They learned more
than merely to march, handle a gun and
obey orders. They were taught, in face Of
conditions so miserable as to daunt most
of the regulars, some of the qualities
soldier must exhibit in real war. Patience,
coolness under fire and forethought were
pounded into them through the long, hard
hours of the day
INDIANIANS DID WELL.
Indiana's part In the magnificent fighting
of the day was notable. Not only in the
establishment of positions in response to
General Bliss orders to General Mckee
early In the morning, but IN the heavy ac-
tion of the afternoon the brigade added to
its already enviable standing in the esti-
nation of those competent and slow to
chatter critics-the regular army umpires
Upon General McKees right wing fell a
terrific blow, dealt by a command of the
Seventh Cavalry and Third Infantry upon
Lieutenant Colonel Bowman's Third Regi-
ment In this fierce attack Major Harri-
sons battalion suffered heavily, but the vic
tory lay with .he guardsfnen. the cavalry
flank being turned and the attacking force
hurled back with heavy loss.
The First and Second Regiments had no
such good luck. Eagerly standing for
hours, the men were ready to meet the
whole Blue army. but General Kobbe's at
tack fell farther TO the right of General
Bliss's lines, where the Michigan troops.
composing the Third Brigade, had their
position The provisional Indiana Battery,
commanded by Major Stevenson, divided
into two forces. held elevated posts COM
manding a large section OF country over
which the Blue army was advancing Two
guns were all that did actual defense work,
operating with two guns of the Twenty
first Battery at Fishers farmhouse The
battery. like the regulars guns. was handi-
capped by the fearful weather. To-day was
the same sort OF day that lost Napoleon
Waterloo. Once in position. no genius
would avail in moving guns over roads
almost impossible by infantry and cav
airy.
Summing up the conduct of General Nc
KEGS forces may be done in single SEN
tence CT their commander-in-chef. Gov
srnor Winfield T. Durbin II am proud to
be known as the commander of these fell
lows as 1 OF being Governor of In
diana
The operations of the day may best be
understood by the plans Of Major General
Bates The general situation was: The
Brown army at Vine grove is preparing To
withdraw In view of the advance of the
Blue army in superior numbers The Brown
commander decides TO place a force in a
position 10 check the advance of the Blue
until he can complete the arrangements
for withdrawal from Vine grove.
THE BLUE ARMY
The special situation CT the Blue army
was: The enemy is reported i'm position al
Vine grove. The command will march al
n. M. to attack the enemy. The advance
gaard will proceed TO the entrance of the
Wiggingtou defile. sending cavalry forward
TO reconnolter IL rapidly. n the defle be
held by the enemy the advance guard will
proceed via the Muldraugh road to turn the
position. IL the defie be clear the advance
guard will push through without delay
sending cavalry forward rapidly to hold
the outlet OF the defiie. AS soon as the
enemy is encountered he viii be properly