The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-27

harbor a short distance. possibly looking
TOT cables attached TO mines. She fired
several rounds and was answered by Fort
isl4nd
Passengers on the Harpswell steamer
that arrived here about O'Clock stated that
several OF the fleet were observed about
noon of Whaleboat island I'm upper
Harpswen bay, evidently trying to land
parties.
AS the last of the modern ships OF war
were passing the forts this morning. the
historic Hartford came into the harbor.
and cleared for action. Col. Mills ordered
his batteries to withhold their fire in honor
of the record OF the grand old ship and she
continued on her course unmolested
Just before noon fleet of seven torpedo
boats was made out on the horizon NOV
ing slowly IN easterly direction. IL is
believed they were joining the battleships
which participated I'm the morning attack.
Whether 1t is this apparent concentration of
the feet or other Information which led
the officers here to believe some sort of
hostilities would occur tonight, is not
known. but active preparations in anticipa-
ton Of something were in full progress.
Ii was expected that Fort Mckinley would
bear the brCnt of attack tonight and IL
is supposed the enemy desired to force that
entrance of the harbor If possible. Forts
Levett and Preble will support the defense,
though il is considered likely there will
be a diversion off the shores of Cushings
island to draw the fire of Fort Levett away
from the main attacking squadron.
LANDING PARTIES FIRED ON.
Two gunboats off Town Landing at Fall
mouth firesde three miles from the harbor.
were fired on from Fort Mckinley while
sending ashore landing parties. Three tor
pedo boat destroyers are reported TO have
passed forts Williams and Levett shortly
after 1915 and attempted to coEntermine
the harbor They were fired on by Fort
Preble.
General Chaffee and Brigadier General
Barry were on the formers yacht Kama
wha. anchored off Fort Mckinley at 10
O'Clock and had retired for the night, or
until another demonstration.
There has arisen tonight a difference OF
opinion and claims between the army and
navy o1flcialS as to the attack made by Adj
mirai Bankers fleet this morning on the
forts commanding the entrance to Portland
harbor, and in view of this there has been
uncertainty az to whether another attack
would be made tonight or not According
to the rules laid down for the conduct OF the
war game, the feet is allowed to make one
day and one night attack The question is
the attack made before or after day
break The army officers say that although
the vessels directly after midnight attempt
ed to land men, yet they did no firing from
repused no regular attack was made by the
ships themselves until after daybreak. 1t
was understood tonight the navy officials
claimed they made a night attack in addi-
ton TO the landing parties and that there
was no response to their attack. With this
difference of opinion between the two
branches the time of the next attack is
uncertain. However. the army officials
relying their belief that day attack
had been made after daybreak are i'm read
mess for night attack at any moment.
Orders were ISIS Jed for the men to turn out
at 1:30 in anticipation for such an attack.