The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-31
|iIent Night March by the Blue Army
which Was Retarded by % Sc
we're RainxtoFm.
FIGHT LASTED TILL z A. NJ.
WHEN THE ENGAGEMENT WAS TER
MINATED BY THE UMPIRE.
Attack Not Wholly Successful because
&c Was Deluycd-SOIdierS Benefited
by the Maneuyers

FORT RILEY, Kan, Oct 30-The series
problem unique in character and which con-
sttuted surprise in more sense than one
The problem as originally given out seemed
10 be mere prosaic exercise in the forma-
ton OF an outpost A Blue force. under
Colonel Arthur. Tenth Cavalry. consisting
Of two regiments Of infantry, one regiment
of cavalry and two batteries Of artillery.
was ordered at / O'Clock yesterday after
noon to take a position on the Republican
nat, as though it had just crossed the river.
Its outpcsts being Immediately established
facing north. An equal force of Browns
under Lieutenant Colonel Wheeler, Second
Infantry, was similarly posted at the Mild
branch. at the north end Of the reservation,
having. according TO military fiction used
IN the maneuvers. just reached that point
marching from the north.
The uTnpires were sent out to observe end
report upon the establishment OF the out
post. and the changes I'm its position al
dusk and dawn. This apparently consti-
tuted the whole problem. and many Of the
military observers. thinking that the last
exercise was TO be mere drill, departed
from Fort Riley during the day.
Al 10 o'clock at night. however. a mes
senger was dispatched By The chief UNI
pire 20 Colonel Augur with information
supposed to have been received from a spy
relative TO the situation OF the Brown force
and with orders for him TO make a night
march and be in position To attack tho
Browns at the first break of day The Blue
commander at once summoned his subOr-
his plans.
AT o'clock In the morning General Bates
and STAFF left headquarters and rode out
10 the Blue camp. AT a. m. the Blue forces
started out In two columns, one moving
oy way OF Governor Harvey road and the
other in the direction OF Morris HILL The
march was conducted i'm the greatest
silence. all smoking was prohibited and the
command marched forward steadily to take
up position for attack. storm sudden
~ arose and the clouds obscuring the stars
the deployment of the line was effected
much more slowly than expected and day
had fully dawned before the Blue forces
were deployed for action.
A heavy attack was made against the
Brown right by the Eighth Cavalry the
Iwenty-frst Infantry. supported by the
nre or the Sixth Battery field artillery and
the Blue line was extended further to the
right by the battalion OF engineers and the
Tenth Cavalry. Shortly after O'Clock the
forces having approached within close Drox-
unity Of each other. the enga cement was
terminated by the chief umpire.
Owing TO the delay in the deployment of
the Blue line. the plan OF the Blue COM
mander to assault at the first gray of
morning had failed. The command
marched back to camp. where they arrived
in thoroughly drenched and saturated
condition. The maneuver proba bly, was at
tended with more physical discomfort than
any other one of the entire series The
general opinion among all the officers how
ever, was that 1t was one of the most in
structive and valuable military exercises
given during the entire encampment
The general opinion is that the maner-
vers at West Point. Ky, and Fort Riley
this year have been of unusual interest
and benefit, and that they mark step in
the direction of advanced military instruc-
lions in the United States