The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-12
THE COMING ARMY MANEUvERs.

The Indiana troops who are to take part
in the military ~encampment at West Point,
Ky, will witness some maneuvers on a
larger scale than any they have seen be-
fore and under the command of more ex-
perienced officers. The regular troops that
will participate in the maneuvers are nine
companies of the First Infantry, eleven
companies of the Third. four companies of
the Twentieth, two troops of the Second
Cavalry, six troops of the Eighth Cavalry,
nine troops of the Seventh. and the Four
teenth and Twenty-irst battalions of the
light artillery. OF the National Guard there
will be two regiments of infantry and a
battery of artillery from Kentucky, one
regiment from Wisconsin,, three regiments
from Michigan and three regiments of in
fantry and a battery Of artillery from In
diana. There will be three brigadier gen.
erals Of the regular army on duty at the
m~aneuvers under Major Gen. ]. c. Bates,
and twenty officers of the regular army,
none of lower rank than captain, have been
detailed to umpire the maneuvers. The oc-
casion will not be a picnic, but q school
of hard work, consisting mainly of field
m%aneuvers on a large scale. Such man.
euvers are new in this country. having had
their beginning at Fort Riley last year,
but they are common in European countries
and are considered an essential part of
military training. Col. Wagner. of the
| regular army. explains them as follows:
In these maneuvers the conditions under
which the troops are acting are made as
nearly as possible the same as those ex-
listing in actual war. The opposing forces
approach each other, each preceded by Its
scouts and advance guard, and the COM
mander must ascertain from his own scout
ing all the m that he can get In
regard to the Numbers and position of the
enemy and of his opponents plans. So
far as scouting, reconnoitering, occupying
positions and preparing for attack are con-
cerned. these maneuvers do not differ ma
terially from the duties of actual corpaign.
The troops are never allowed to approach
so closely TO each other as to bring about
a collision of the opposing forces. They
are carefully watched by umpires, who as
sign from time to time certain percentages
of losses or rule certain organizations out
of action. There is a time in the course
Of the maneHvers when the armies reach
such a position that nothing but the actual
use of bullets could give an indisputable
decision. When a maneuver reaches this
stage. the chief umpire Immediately calls
a halt, and the relative positions of the OPP
attack and the defense were conducted are
duly noted. The report of the chief UNI
pire Is afterward read to the assembled
officers. and al opportunity is given for full
discussion on the part of all concerned.
The decision Of an umpire on the field must
be accepted Immediately and without aues-
ton, but any officer believing the decision
to be unfair has the right to appeal in
writing, and the matter is duly considered
by the commanding general. TIL COM
handing general is the final arbiter of
the matter, and he can either accept or
reject any or all of the decisions Of the
chief umpire
The encampment will last three weeks,
and in addition to the full maneuvers there
will be practical lessons In many details
of camp life in which the State militia
can learn much from the regulars, many
of whom are old campaigners. The In
formation and experience thus acquired by
the Indiana troops should help to place
the National Guard of this State In the
front rank of State troops.