The Savannah morning news., 1903-01-05
IN SHAM BATTLE
FIRST REGIMENT WILL FIGHT ON
wAsHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY.
EX-G0V. GAMBLER COMING.
PROMINENT MILITARY MEN WILL
ATTEND EXERCISES IN SAVANNAH.

Inspector General Obenr Has Ac-
cepted-AmonE Others Invited are
Adjutant General Robertson, As
sistant Adjutnnt General Byrd and
Col. Usher TbOmassOn-Detnils OF
Exercises Have Not Yet Been De-
termined-wiII he Similar 10 Those
Held in I9OI-GeOrgia Hussars and
Chatham Artillery VIII Probably
Participate - Companies from
brunswick, WRynesbOrO and
swayncsbOro Have Been Invited.
Gov. Gambler has accepted an invi-
First Regiment of Infantry, to be pres
ent at the battle exercises which will
be held in Savannah on Washington's
birthday. Besides the Governor, Adju-
tant General Robertson, Inspector
General w. G. Obear Assistant Adju-
tant General Phil G. Byrd and Col.
Usher Thomasson. have been invited
to be present, and will probably ac-
cept-
In fact, the Inspector General has al
issued by Col. G. A. Gordon a few days
ago. The Governors and the Inspec-
tor Generals acceptances were received
yesterday, and the others are expected
within the next day or two. Circulars
relative to the proposed exercises,
have been sent to the various COM
manding officers of the regiment.
Program Made Up Tonight.
The exact nature of the exercises in
which the commands will engage has
not yet been determined. At a meet
ing of the officers tonight the matter
viii be discussed and plans formulat-
ed. 1t is probable that the Georgia
Hussars and the Chatham Artillery
will be asked to participate.
The three companies of the regi-
ment at Brunswick. Waynesboro and
Swaynesboro have been invited to par
ticipate, but no word has yet been re-
ceived from them It is probable that
the matter will be discussed by these
commands at their respective meeting
tonight, and that their reply will be
received in a few days.
The exercises will be similar to those
by the military on Thanksgiving Day,
1901. At that time the six local COM
panies of the First Infantry, a detach-
ment from the Volunteer Guards, n de-
tachment from the Chatham Artillery
and the division of Naval Militia par
ticipated in the exercises, which were
held at Harmon's range.
The success of that effort led to the
decision of the officers to devote the
occasion of Washingtons birthday.
which has heretofore been signalized
by a street parade, to the exercises in
the field, which. If not more spectacu-
lar. afford an opportunity for practice
in those duties to which a soldier must
look forward as one of the possibilities
that always confronts him.
Plan of the sham Battle.
The commands will be divided into
attacking and resisting forces. The
attacking forces will be marched to the
scene of the sham battle where they
Will encounter the enemy disposed be-
hind breastworks. The cavalry will. of
course, compose the advance guard.
and will do scout duty, in order that
the attacking commands will be ad-
Nised as to the location, strength and
fortifications of the enemy.
The various commands of the First
Infantry will begin active preparation
for the big event, at once Tonight
they will be given instructions in ex-
tended order. On next Monday there
will be a meeting of the field and staff
officers, at which the details of the
exercises will be arranged. The field
and staff officers have been invited to
attend the meeting of the company
officers, and all officers will be well
come at the on-commissioned officers