The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-06
BEATEN BY THE RAIN
HEAVY DowNPoUR STOPS THE
 SHAM BATTLEA
About 5000 State Troops and Reg ulars Participated in Exercises at West Point, Ky-viGtory
 With the Browns.

Camp Young, West Point, Ky, Oct. 5. In heavy rain storm and over ground that was in places almost a quagmire, the most important of any of the engage ments thus far in the war game was fought today. Taken as a whole, the condition more nearly approached actual warfare than anything yet seen in this country in time of peace.
 The program of the chief umpire Col onel Wagner, called for an attack by the advance guard of the Blue army on a rear outpost of the Brown Army. Near ly 5000 State guards and regulars par ticipated, the forces being almost evenly matched as regards numerical strength, but with slight preponderance in favor of the Blues, due to their strong cavalry force.
 The Brown forces marched out from camp Sunday evening and spent dismal night under the tents. Early this morn- ing they took a position along roads, the contour of which was somewhat like an inverted capital letter A, the point being their rear line of communication with their main body Qmaginary) eight miles away.
 Their reserve force consisting of the Fourth Brigade (2nd and Sd Kentucky In- fantry and two field pieces of the 21st Ar tillefy), lay at the point of the letter A. The right prong of the letter was occu- pied by the Third Brigade. Qst. 2nd and d3 Michigan), and the left prong was held by the Second Brigade dst, Ind and Sd Indiana Infantry. and the 1st Battery. Indiana Field Artillery.) The broad open space between the prongs was covered by first line of cavalry videttes and a second line of infantry pickets.
 The Blue advance guard was composed of thirteen troops of cavalry from the 4th, 7th and Sth Cavalry, the 1st Brigade Qst Wisconsin and seven battalions rep- resenting the 1st. 3rd and 20th Regiment Infantry). the Sth Ohio, detached Michi- gan battalion, and battalion of Ken lucky light artillery The Blues advanced slowly and beyond few exchanges be- tween pickets did not get in touch with the Browns until o'clock. After having marched along nearly the entire front of the Brown position which was a very strong one. Brigadier General Kobbe, commanding the Blues, directed his at tack at the Brown right center The blow fell on the center of the Michigan brig ade. The Michigan men were so well posted that their artillery surprised the Blue advance party and put two compa- nies of infantry out of action with a few well directed volleys. General Kobbe however. persisted in hammering this point and bringing up his support poured a hot infantry fire into the Michigan brig ade.
 The Brown line gave way but little under the attack and only two companies were adjudged to have suffered severely. General Bliss, however, brought up the 3rd Kentucky from his reserve, and put it into action with the Michigan brigade. He also brought his two pieces of artil- lery into place to prevent the Blues from swinging still further to the right.
 Superior weight of the Blue artillery fire compelled the Brown field pieces to retreat after having partially accomplish ed their purpose. The Brown right held fairly well under the heavy attack and after two hours of fighting accompanied by only moderate losses on each side, the encounter ended in a pouring rain.
 As the object of the Brown rear guard was to hold four roads and play for more time in which to allow their main body dmagginary) to retire, they were evil dently the winners.