Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-21

Since the first suggestion was made
of the possibility of the Maine troops
taking part in the maneuvers at Ma
nassas in September, there has been q
considerable amount of talk about a lot
of old soldiers and others journeying to
Virginia for the purpose of seeing the
soldiers play at war. 1t has been
pointed out that to the veterans it
would be like Il return of the stirring
days of the Civil War, excepting that
instead of lcaden balls the cartridges
would carry wax paper bullets. I'M
doubleday. there is more or less truth
in this and they might get some enjoy
mcnt out of the maneuvers as they
would have a knowledge of military
tactics.
In talking on this subject man who
served through the Civil War, who was
at the State House, yesterday, made
some interesting observations. Said
he: I'D like to go down there myself,
but am not sure that / shall-truth to
say, am inclined to doubt If | will.
When you stop to think about it there
isn't going to be very extensive accom-
modations for those who want to visit
the game. 1t is Il farming section and
those who so will have to take chances
at getting lodgings among the farm
houses. Besides, how is one going to
be able to see n great deal of what
takes place? You stop and think Of it.
There will be about $4,000 men engaged
in the game and they. under the pres
CIT open formation which is used by
the army, will spread out over a large
section of the country so that it will be
impossible to see much of what is talk
ing place"
AS he knew that country he could
only think, when he heard the talk of
people going to see the maneuvers. of
what well-knoWn Maine lawyer once
said of fellow member of the bar
This lawyer was discussing how his
|friend viewed a case. why" said he,
he looks at it the same as you view &;
panorama through a crack
TO his way of thinking the view one
would get of the play war would be
like looking at Il panorama through Il
crack, with the difference that you
would see only small sections of the
show.
The Manassas territory is more or
less wooded and this will have :; ten
g ncy to make ii hard to observe the
nancuvcrs and further there is every
reason to believe that the officials in
charge of the play will permit no civil
ianS within the lines. so that there will
j." an additional handicap to make the
seeing of what takes place difficult.
All in all, there is going to be some diff
ference between this game at Manassas
ia september and Il baseball contest SO
far as the seeing of the plays are con-
ccrnod. In every way you look at it.
s." those who know the game and the
territory where it is to he played, all
""r"c, the on" who journeys to ManaS-
$;S to be entertained is doomed in adj
vance TO disappointment.
1t is suggested that the best way to
view the mancuvcrS would be to 90 to
'"ntrcVlllc, secure some good high
Point from which tn make observations
AMI watch the proceedings from there
ny those who know the topoGra ply OF
The country it is thought that the best
''!ca uf what takes place can be OBJ
tanned in this way. Even then nothing
like Il complete view Of the field would
bc obtainablc. The man who trys this
will want good field Gl(s in order
that he may secure the best results.