Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-07
Details of Today's Maneuvers.

DeCa11S OF I0day'S maHeuVerS.
HEADQUARTERS BROWN ARMY.
Thoroughfare. Va, noon. September THE
brown army is slowly falling back to its
main defense at Thoroughfare and unless
there is a decided change in the situation
between now and o'clock it is very likely
that Gen. Bells forces will finish the prob
lem with the advantage on their side.
The fighting has been sharp all morning,
and he was to come from all directions at
once. The original plan outlined by Gen.
Bell for the defense of the gap, it is under
stood. was to rush as far forward he
could the first day and then fall back grad
| ually, holding the enemy off until tonight
g o'clock this afternoon), when his rein
forcements Imaginary would arrive from
Front Royal,
He selected the four ridges between Hay
| market and Thoroughfare for this last
| last stand, and he now occupies the third
of these, having retired from the second
! but short time ago. If he can hold the
other ridge until the umpire signals the
conclusion of the days work and the end
of the two days fighting he will have
solved the problem successfully.
Gen. Grant is now making fierce on
slaught on the right and center of the
brown lire, so the issue is yet In doubt.
Started in at Midnight
The two armies started on the second
| and last days work in the first problem at
the same as at the end of the maneuver
yesterday. The lines were somewhat
changed. both commanders drawing in the
most advanced of their troop to the main
line. As stated yesterday. the line of the
Brown brigades extended on a line almost
| parallel to the Carolina road through Hay
| market and almost through the entire ma
neuver zone.
General Grants infantry line was not so
| long, but with the cavalry outpost added III
prOlOngatiOn thereof 1t appeared to cover
| the same position. The first fighting oc-
CURED today. yesterday, on the eX-
| IRENE left. and was sharper and more rapid
| than yesterday From midnight the fight
| ing could hardly be called more than skir-
mish. although from about O'Clock until
| dawn there was some sharp work In the
moonlight.
During the night the Strengthening out OF
all the lines gave each of the commanders
| a better idea of the others position and
some indication of his intentions.
Grants Stage for Fighting.
Cen Grants force was in the best stage
| for fighting theoretically, as he had his
entire division in the field, the division
| being supposed to represent the reinforce
ments which arrived from Fairfax after
| thei, fighting yesterday. Gen. Bells army
| fought lust as it was when the work was
ended yesterday. His casualties weakened
| him somewhat He managed to Withstand
, the onslaught on his left, however, which
was followed by attacks on the center ana
later on the left.
| There was lull in the firing about I
| o'clock, while the umpires decided to
a point of the defense, but in ten fif-
| teen minutes the fighting was resumed
| Just before the lull two guns of the Sd
Regular Battery were put out of action
| by the Blues because the infantry sup
port of the battery permitted the enemy
to approach within $50 yards of the guns
Few Casualties.
| There were a few other casualties in
1 the Browns this morning also. After the
| first attack on his left and center Gen
| Bell retired to his second line of defense
| nearer thoroughfare, and later, after
| heavy firing. deserted this line for the
| third of the ridges they had selected. This
| is the position of the forces now.
From this place it is not possible to OBJ
! tain an estimate of the Blues losses. but
! they must have been heavy. At 10 O'Clock
| or Whereabouts it is known that a portion
of the 10th Virginia was put out and march.
! ed back to Manassas, but just what portion
| is not definitely known here
All of the troops. militia and regulars are
worn out with their service in the field
I They have been out for thirty-six hours
| now and the fatigue of marching and fight
| ing is beginning to tell on them.