Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-09-05
The ManeuVerg.

GAINESVILLE, va, sept. Ollie cain
which proceeds the storm reigns over the
maneuver territory today. Every prep
aration has been made by the two
division commanders for the beginning
of the fight and tonight at twelve O'Clock
Gen. Grant, commanding the blue army
at Manassas, will move out of his camp
with the major portion of his force and
march in the direction of Thoro1ghfare,
Is miles away, for the attack on the
enemy under the command of General
J. Franklin Bell. No one at corps
headquarters knows the plans of either
division commander, but it is believed
that General Bell will not await the
arrival of the blue army but will advance
along the Warrenton pike and engage
his rival in the vincinity of GAINESVILLE.
Although officers of the army have
done all in their power to convince the
Virginia farmers that in no sense is the
fight to be a reproduction of the Bull
Run engagement Of the civil war, much
feeling exists among the natives. Gen
eral Bell, who represents the command.
ing general of the attacking force, and
whose men are clad in brown khaki, can
get any information he desires from the
farmers relative to the movement of the
troops, the roads through the country
and the sharp cuts from place to place.
No Virginian will give the blue force
under the command of General Grant
any information. In truth, they go out
of their way to give misleading data con-
corning the roads and localities. They
greatly resent the invasion of their coun-
try by the yankees" under the COM
mand of General Grant. They look on
the boys in brown under General Bell
with General Lee in command of one
of his brigades as "Confederates" and
their sympathies are with them. AS a
consequence General Grant is much ham
dicapped in his operations.
Today will be spent by both armies in
regimental and brigade drills prepare
tory to the general movements. The
troops are now all in their respective
camps and perfect discipline prevails.
Early this morning outposts were sent
into the field by both divisions COM
manders and General Bell and General
Grant are each officially aware of the
presence of the other, his strength and
general location.
Final instructions to the regiments
commanders Of the militia forces have
been sent out by Col. Arthur L. Wag-
ner, the chief umpire of the maneuvers.
Among other things Col. Wagner says;
THE actual collision OF opposing forces
must be prevented at all hazards, other
wise impossible situations are brought
about and there will be great danger Of
serious and regretable accidents. 1t is the
duty of the umpire to stop opposing
forces before they can get into actual
collision. The responsibilities for pre-
venting collision rests primarily with
the regimental commanders. If you
find yourself within 100 yards of your
opponent cease firing. if you find your
self within rs yards of your opponent,
halt your men and cause them to elevate
their pieces. Do not get excited your
self restrain excitement on the part
OF your men. Any regiment needlessly
bringing about collision with an op-
posing force will be ordered from the
field and debarred from further partici-
patton in the maneuvres."
Major General Corbin, with his staff
of regular and military officers, rode
from corps headquarters at ThorOughfare