The Washington times., 1904-09-08
BLUES CONTEST BROWNS
ADVANCE TO WASHINGTON
CONTINUED from First Page

lie is to attack. and. if possible, capture
or destroy General Grants division OF
Blues before re-enfOrcements can
reach the latter. General Grant will
imaginary supports can reach him from
Anandale.
Browns 20 Rush Attack
The Brown commander is to en-
gage the Blue as quickly as possible,
knowing that his own re-enforcements
will arrive before the enemy can be re-
enforced. He is at liberty to take more
latitude IN regard to offensive move
ments than his opponent, who is, TO a
certain extent. restricted in regard to
conducting counter-offen operations
by the flank.
officers of both the regular and mi
litia establishments are highly enthu-
siastic over the results Of the maneu-
vers thus far. Although General Grants
forces managed to penetrate the defen-
sive lines Of the Brown army just
before the end of the first problem. the
strategy of General Bell, commanding
the Browns. has been highly com
mended on all sides.
The penetration Of the Brown lines
was due to the cOnsummate skill oc
General Grant who, his fellow-officars
are saying. has proved himself worthy
son Of his renowned father. For Gays
General Grant has been planning the
coup. which finally was worked out to
his satisfaction. and which won for him
the decision Of the chief umpire that
his forces had routed the Brown
army at one point and placed open to
his advance the road leading through
Thoroughfare Gap.
General Bell Deceived.
BY feint General Grant led General
Bell to believe that the main attack
would be at the Bell farm house, three
miles north of ThorOughfare When
the Blue" commander had satisfied
himself that the Brown" army was
massed I'm force at this point he hurried
four brigades OF infantry. supported by
sixteen field guns, against the center of
the Browns" left wing. where only a
brigade and half was on the defensive.
General Grants guns were so placed
that they commanded the entire
the Browns left wing, where only "A
trenched where a terrible enhlading fire
could be poured into the Brown" regi-
ments There could only be one result,
and that was the defeat OF the Browns
at this point.
In explaining the strategy of General
Grant which won for him the telling
point at the end Of the fighting. "A promi-
nent officer Of the army said today that
he recalled in this connection a famous
remark once made by General Forrest
the famous cavalry leader Of the civil
war General Forrest, he said was once
asked TO explain the manner in which
he defeated his foes. Replying. he said:
Wal ! jest git thar fustest with the
mOstest men
A Vulnerable Spot.
In such a manner General Grant
struck the most vulnerable spot in the
Brown" defense. and before his op-
pOnent could bring up re-enforcements
he had penetrated his line. Had the
maneuvers continued, however, it would
be hard 10 say which side would even
tually have won. for up 20 that time the
Browns, certainly had the advantage
of the lighting.
The Brown" camp at Thoroughfare
seems t. be more healthful than the
blue" camp near Manassas. Reports
received this morning from the chief
surgeons OF the TWO divisions show that
at Thoroughfare there are thirty-five
men sick IN hospital and forty-seven
sick in quarters At Manassas there are
hfty-eight men sick in hospital and six
ty-three sick in quarters.
After the termination OF hOstilities
Yesterday, some destruction was done
10 property by the troops on the return
march 20 their camps. The officers.
however, could not greatly blame their
men. they had been on the hike"
TOT nedk&E iOrlN-elgnt hours. and many
of them had had nothing TO eat since din
ner the day before. Apple orchards were
robbed and wherever any food could be
found it was taken by the hungry men.
Actual Conditions of War.
During this march some OF the militia
men shot away the remainder OF their
blank ammunition. At Gainesville IL be-
came necessary 10 send a troop OF reg
ular cavalry from corps headquar ters to
guard the road and prevent serious dep
relations by the returning soldiers. This
trouble. however. was only another In
dication that actual conditions OF war
were being simulated.
At Wellington. a little station about
a mile east Of Gainesville. members Of
the first South Carolina Infantry of the
Blue army, last night robbed a store
and destroyed considerable property
When this was reported 10 General Cor
bin IL was ordered that the proprietor
that the money be deducted from the
pay OF the regiment which committed
the depreciation.
Had a Pain Inside.
The first man actually disabled in the
war was a member Of a Brown" regi-
ment. The soldier suddenly began pitch
ing and tumbling IN the field, as though
he was terribly wounded and about TO
die. From all quarters officers rushed
10 his assistance, and asked with much
concern where he was hurt. and what
his trouble was. His reply was.
Il amt shot. I've only got the belly
ache. Please let me go TO the rear"
HIS request was granted and the bat
tie continued.