New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-10
TROOPS PITIFUL SIGHT
TIRED, HUNGRY, THIRSTY.
MGny Unable to Return to Camp at
End of Maneuures.
IpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TEiBuNE-l

o.
in this country in many years such an army of
tired men and boys as this afternoon. and even 7
tonight. line the dust laden roads between the /
Thoroughfare camp and the of the last I
two days maneuvres. The spectacle at the /
close OF the second problem was pitiable one,
and early led to the suggestion that it would
be wise. not TO say humane. to cancel the ar
rangements for the grand review tomorrow
Late in the day General Corbin issued orders
that the railroad should run special trains
along its lines between the camps and carry at
government expense the men who too tired
and sick to walk the many miles before they
could reach their camps. These trains present
ed interesting pictures. They were packed in
side. the roofs were covered, and the platforms
We're crowded. while the front OF the loco
motive bore as many begrimed. khaki dressed
soldiers could find foot space there. But
some Of the exhausted soldiers failed to reach
the railroad, and sank down beside the country
roads and remained there all day. Many of
them had been without food. and were parched
with thirst No regiment, or even company. pre-
tended TO keep together. 1t was a mob of strag-
glers, many barefooted. going toward Thor
oughfare.
Most observers believe that somewhere en-
bedded in the whole affair were military ad-
vantages. but they have been purchased by
those who needed them at great personal suf-
fering. The principal defect OF the entire en-
campment has been, officers realize, that
too much was attempted or permitted in too
short time. The soldiers who have attended
to their duties have had opportunity for little
else than hiking" The experience has doubt
less had its benefits. especially to those regt-
ments, including one New-Yorlx command which
failed in their cOmmissary or quartermaster
departments. and left the soldiers without food.
I N some cases for hours
There was open rebellion against proceeding to
the camps foot, and the officers themselves in
many instances. deserted their commands so
worn out were they with the marches and
operations of the four days II is certain that
the next manauvres viii be more moderate in
the demands the men and officers and will
provide lectures which may be attended by the
mlitiamen IN place OF some OF the work in the
| field
BELL MOVES TO ATTACK.
| The final day of the manHuvres began last
/ midnight. At that hour the forces under Gen
/ eraI Bell. the aggressor in the movement
against Washington were pushed forward tow
ard the lines OF defence. Hostilities began
early. A crack at the Blue uniforms the
first desire OF the Browns. and the fight was
taken up practically where it had ended the
night before on the Wellington pike. near Page
/ land Lane
General Corbin brought the mannuvres to a
! close az 8 o'clock AT that time General Bell
| had advanced across Stone Bridge. pushing
/ General Grant back. and also had swung large
\ part OF his force from the left wing TO the
/ entire right flank OF General Grant and put
/ II across Bull Run at sudley Springs The
/ maneuvring both sides was pronounced Of
1 the highest order. General Grants plans were
not fully developed on account OF the desire on
81. Iona
/ a strain the militia
/ The spectacular feature OF the mornings work
was the battle OF Stone Bridge General Grant
/ had a strong line OF defence the east side
/ Of the stream consisting of Prices brigade in
/ Guiding two battalions OF the Alabama. and an
other IN the and a detachment of engt-
1 neers The Brown force which had approached
/ the bridge consisted OF Barry's and Regnn's
/ brigades. The attack was made by the sth
/ Massachusetts and 18th New-Yorx They we're
/ driven back twice with great loss, after ad-
! vnncing under heavy fire
| Just as they came UP for the third time the
/ 9th Regulars succeeded in fording the stream
below the bridge and came up in the rear OF
| the blue force This movement executed
/ so cleveriy that the blue force was not. aware
/ OF their danger until the infantry within
/ twenty yards Of them. The umpires ruled out
all of the blue force at this place either killed
/ or captured.
BLUES ALMOST SURROUNDED.
| In the mean time the brown force which had
| crossed Bull Run at SudIey. had made its way
i down on the blue side blue line was formed
/ back OF the bridge and being pushed hard
| by the brown force which also had formed in
/ skirInish line for advance. Just as these two
lines were becoming actively engaged the brown
! force from sudley poured an enfilading fire into
/ the blue line from its right and had not Colonel
/ Wagner chief umpire sounded cessation the
/ blue line probably would have been completely
! surrounded BY the brown force.
/ When the problem closed General Grant had
| withdrawn Wints brigade the bridge
/ with the loss Of one battalion. Thls brigade
had done nearly all OF the work or the blue
! line Yesterday and was short OF ammunition
! Il was General Grants plan 10 sacrifice the
/ whole brigade II necessary, and his success IN
! withdrawing il is regarded an excellent piece
| Of work Ills plan OF campaign was To fall
| back In successive stages with MS main force
/ in the direction of the achievements which
were 70 arrive. according 10 the terms OF the
problem.
! on the other hand. the work OF General Bell
/ in withdrawing his large force from the extreme
left OF Grants position the extreme right was
/ a remarkable movement, and was executed with
the utmost skill and dispatch. Its success was
! practically assured when the problem closed.