The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-09-06
THE ARMY MANOEI,VRES
Regulars and Militia Gathering at
Gainesville, Va.
RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Board to Assess Damages to Farmers

Board 70 Assess Damages to Farmers
Formed, But Few pepredstions
Are Reported-New York Militia
Arrives,
CORDS Headquarters, Gainesville, Va,
Sept. 3.-Five thousand regular army
troops have been roaming over the ter
ritory comprising $1,000 acres OF var
gina farms for nearly two weeks, ana
the only deprcdntions reported mus
far has been the loss OF Two chickens.
This record is a gratifying surprise
even 10 the regular army officers, and
Is an example 10 the militlamen VINO
are 10 pour into the two manoeuyre
CAMPS. when the farmers of the ma
nueuyre zone were approached by
army officers with IA proposition 10
lease their lands for the manOeuyTes
they were given pledges that there
would be- no depredatiOns. These prom
iscs have been fulfilled 10 the letter
The damage board. consisting Of VIII
liam II. Brown, an cNofiicer OF the
Confederate army and banker and
farmer. of Gainesville. Colonel John
A. HUH. of the Judge advocate depart
ment Of the army. and Captain I. q.
Grimsley. of the 10Th regiment OF Nir-
ginia National Guard, has been form
cd. ANY damage caused to the farmers
by the troops is 20 come before this
hoard. Officers will be in the field dur
ing the manoeuyres, charged with the
duty of interviewing farmers at once
and agreeing if possible with them on
the amount OF damage done, This
agreement will be made in writing
and placed before the board.
Colonel Wagner, chief umpire OF the
manoeuvres. gave final instructions to
the 30 umpires under him. This force
is divided evenly between the two
camps. Each camp has division um-
pire. each brigade has an umpire who
is in command Of the umpire for each
regiment In the brigade. The chief
umpire for each division is placed in
possession of the plans Of the comman-
der Of the division. and Colonel Wag-
ner Is placed In possession OF the plans
OF both division commanders, The UNI
pire has equal command OF the troops
over which he Is presiding with their
commanding officer He can rule them
out Of action at any time no sees fit,
and also can rule ont any number Of
men. The chief umpire speaks with
the authority OF the corps commander
on the field The umpire has in a great
degree to take the place Of bullets, and
il is his duty 10 make an action be
tween troops simulate as near as pos
sihle actual warfare. In all OF the
problems the umpires are never to al
low troops 10 come to hand to hand
engagements.
The reports of the umpires are made
Immediately at the conclusion Of IN
action.
The dptFaining Of the militia. which
IS one of the lessons OF the man0eu-
yres, began early this morning.
The 18th regiment. New York Ma
tlonal Guard. arrived this morning.
and was distributed between the two
camps The command was 1872 strong
with Col John r. Dyer at its head
The regiment was uniformed in the
new olive drab and armed with Krag-
Jorgensen rifles. Lieutenant Cornelius
Vanderbilt commanded the detail which
did police duty until the battlefield
was reached. The Twelfth is to be in
the division commanded by General
Bell in the manOeuyres.
A squadron Of New York cavalry,
consisting of two troops Of SO men
each. also arrived today They will be
attached to General Grants division.
together with the 18th L. 5. cavalry.