The Savannah morning news., 1903-01-06
PLANS OF BATTLE
ONLY COMMANDING OFFICERS WILL
KNOW LOCATION OF BATTLEFIELD.
FOR SHAM BATTLE FEB. %.
CAVALRY WILL ACT AS SCOUTS FOR
OPPOSING FORCES.

Instruction in Extended Order and
Advance Guard Drills VIII Be Had
for Next Few Weeks-COI. Gordon
Addressed officers and Men of
First Regiment at Meeting Last
Night-Rain Prevented Drill in the
ExtensiOn-Brunsw Rifles May
Attend the Notwithstanding Gun
and Ambulance Corps Will Play
Part in the Sham Battle.
At a meeting of the First Regiment
last night plans for the battle exercises
to be held by the regiment and other
commands in the city, were discussed
by the officers, and the companies were
addressed by Col. G. A. Gordon, who
outlined the work to be done in prepa-
ration for the event, and instructed the
men in extended order drill.
1t was the intention of Col. Gordon
to instruct the companies in this, and
the advance guard drill,in the Park Ex-
tension, but the inclement weather pre-
vented. The companies were massed
in the drill yard, where, instead, the
address was delivered. From the ad-
dress the men received an excellent
idea of the work expected of them.
Despite the rain there was large at
tendance, and those present evinced
much interest in the proposed exer-
cises.
A communication was received from
Capt. Robinson, commanding officer of
Co G., Brunswick Rifles" in answer
to the invitation extended them to par
ticipate in the exercises. Capt. Rob
inson wrote that he was much in favor
of the exercises, and assured the ad-
jutant that if it were possible he would
bring his command to Savannah on Feb.
%, to participate. The matter, he
said, would be brought before the COM
pany at it's next drill, when it is prob
able that something definite will be
done.
The Visitors.
Besides the acceptance of Gov. Ter
rell and Inspector General Obear, no
other replies have as yet been received
from the invitations sent out by Col.
Gordon. Gov. Gambler has not been in
vited, but Gov. Terrell, as command
ing officer of the military of the state
has. He has expressed desire to
visit Savannah, and accepted the in
At the meeting of the commissioned
and non-commissioned officers of the
various commands, and of the field and
staff officers, held directly after the
drill, the exercises were discussed at
some length The regiment will be
divided into two columns, each of
which will start from the armory at
different hours. Only the officers in
command will know to what point the
commands will be led. The commands
will be led to some spot on the out
skirts of the city, which affords good
field for operations.
.. Cavalry Scouts.
Each side will have detail of cav
airy which will do scout and patrol
duty. What disposition will be made
of the artillery is not yet known. 1t
will either be divided between the
forces, or will be used entirely by the
attacking or resisting forces. A gait
Ting gun will in all probability be
used by the resisting forces This
powerful weapon of war WILL of
course, NOV down the attacking forces
in great numbers.
For the accommodation of those who
are disabled, and in order to make the
battle as realistic as possible, an am
bulance corps will be put in service.
AS the fighters fall by the way, the
members of the corps will hurry to
their assistance. Just where the am
bulance will be secured is not yet
known, though it might be that the
police ambulance will be pressed into
service.
At a. meeting of the Hussars it was
decided to accept the invitation of the
First Regiment to participate in the
exercises. The troop will be divided
into two platoons, one doing duty with
the attacking, and the other with the
resisting forces. The drill of the
troop. between now and the time of
the exercises will be shaped for scout
ing and patrol work The regular
weekly drills for the drill season were
outlined. those for the next two weeks
being divided between a practice for
the exercises, and the parade of the
troop in the Extension, on the 10th
inst