The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-15

diers, and are given under these cOndi-
tons because they are the only conditions
under which such exercises are practl-
cable. This is not to be sham battle or a
fight. The question of which side wins
does not enter into the usefulness OF the
maneuyers i'm any sense of the word, al
though the rivalry between the two ap-
posing forces is calculated to spur the in
diyidua4 soldier on to greater endeavor.
The situa tons that are presented in the
program are entirely different from those
of any battle in history, and are made up
for the purpose of instruction only. A
decision is not made as to which side
wins. but as to which positions, which
movements and which solutions of the
tactical problems presented by the condi-
tons which will arise and which could
not be foreordained in any manner are tile
best according to the recognized rules of
warfare and the natural results of such
movements, positions and the execution of
such problems. Col. Wagner specifically
disclaims the intention to simulate any
thing. War, he declares, cannot be sim
ulated. By system of tables a fair esti-
mate OF the losses by bullets can be Sc
cured, but the great questions Of the mo-
rale of the troops, which are affected by
the actual conditions of war, cannot be
reproduced. SO he declares, and these are
most important elements in battle.
IL
does not always depend so much on the
number of men killed or disabled as it does
on the number of troops 1t affects morally
or mentally, it is said. 1t Ia pointed out
| that in the first battle of Bull Run the
moral effect Of some of the movements Of
the Confederate troops had more to do
with the stampedng of the section of the
Union army on the actual field of battle
than the bullets from the rifles of the
Southern men. A panic cannot possibly
be caused in a battle where blank ammu-
milton is used. The effect of men falling
dead, or mangled comrades dropping from
the ranks and of the actual conflict be-
tween bodies of men whose sole purpose
seems to be to kill and MAIN are things
that are absolutely foreign to times of
peace and cannot be produced by artificial
means.
THE MIMIC CAMPAIGN
The contending forces are known as the
"Bfues" and the Browns" The Blues
are commanded by
Maj.-Gen. Frederick Dent Grant, Divi-
sion Commander.
Brig. Gen. Theodore J. Went, y. s. A.,
Brig. Gen. Tasker n. Bliss, q. s. A.,
Second Brigade.
Col. Butler d. Price, Sixteenth U. s. L.,
Third Brigade.
Brig. Gen. Russell Frost, U. s. A.,
L Ouffn Brigade.
Col. William NJ. wallace, Fifteenth
U. S. c.. Cavalry.
The Browns are commanded by
Maj.-Gen. J. Franklin Bell, Division
Commander.
Brig Gen. ]. NJ. Lee, q. s. A., First
Brigade.
Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Barry, U. s. A.,
Second Brigade.
Col. James Regain, Ninth U. s. l., Third
Brigade.
Col. T. A. Smith. Eighth U. s. L.,
Fourth Brigade.
The third battle of Bull Run began at
midnight Monday, Sept. 5, with the plac-
ing Of outposts by Gen. Bells army of
Browns, at Thoroughfare, and the throw
ing ont of an advance guard by Gen.
Grants army of Blues, stationed at Ma
nassas.
The hours between midnight and dawn
were occupied by Gen. Grant in placing
his artillery in advantageous positions for
the attack upon the Browns. Firing from
after daylight, followed by infantry Skin,
mishing. then general fighting all along
| the line.
According to the rules of the mimic
war game. the Blue army was supposed
| to be based ON the Potomac at Washing
ton, marching westward against Brown
army operating in the Shenandoah Valley
against Washington.
The leading corps of the Blues consists
of two divisions. one real, at Manassas,
commanded by Gen. Grant, and another,
! imaginary, at Fairfax Court House. The
rest Of the Blue army was supposed to be
| preparing to meye forward from AIexan-
| dria.
The leading corps Of the Brown army
consisted of two divisions, one real, com
manded by Gen. Bell, at Thoroughfare
and another, imaginary, at Front Royal
The rest of the Brown army was supposed
to be at Strasburg, preparing to move for
ward. The first engagement lasted nearly
Gen. Grant and his Blues.
| THE FUN OF THE THING.
There were many ludicrous happenings,
during the progress Of the maneuyers.
Companies got lost. officers got lost, Aids
| de-Camp Of the Commanding Generals