The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-18
IS GREAT
MIMIC SOUTH AFRICAN BATTLES
 AT OAK PARK.
Three Thousand People of Montgomery Cheered Heroes of Boer and British Armies - Big
 Parade Today.

With fanfare of trumpets, boom of guns. rattle of rifles and charge of bat talions. the Boer War spectacle opened In Montgomery last night at S:3O o'clock at the Oak Park baseball grounds.
 The spectacle is a good show.
 People of Montgomery have time and again seen Buffalo Bill and his band of cowboys and rough riders gallop around a ten-acre lot and pop pistols with eclat and gusto. but without any attempt at realism. Last night Mon,- gomerians saw men who had partici- pated in one of the bloodiest and most stubbornly contested struggles since the war between the States go through a repetition as nearly accurate as pos sble of the stirring scenes Of three years ago.
 The men who participate in the spec tacle work-work like finished actor does when he has his heart and soul bent on the success of his pro- ducuon. Every man, woman, and child who has a part in the Roer spectacle tries to see just how accurately they can picture to the audience before them the scene of the struggle in South Africa.
 On account of belated trains the show did not arrive in Montgomery from Mobile until oclck yesterday afternoon and accordingly the after noon performance had to be abandoned.
 About 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, however the soldiers gave street pa rade In which d strong voiced man yelled through a megaphone that things would be doing at Oak Park last night. And things were doing.
 Probably 5000 Montgomerians saw the performance last night. The big grand stand at Oak Park was packed. The bleachers were a mass of humanity and those who were unable to get seats reposed themselves on the sward of the territory within the foul lines and lodged the imaginary bullets of the rifles of the contestants.
 The spectacle began with parade Of the component parts of the two armies, which were to oppose each other in the mimic battle. First came com mando of Boer cavalry, which whirled in review. its commander giving court ly salute to the grand stand This out fit was followed by d contingent or British lancers. splendidly mounted and making brave appearance In their khaki uniforms, pith helmets and fly ing pennants.
 They were followed by naval re- serves, who gave an exhibition of linn bering and unlimbering the pieces of artillery, which they themselves hauled. With screech of bagpipe the Gordon Highlanders came on the held, and the company of this famous regl- ment was loudly applauded.
 In quick succession followed detach- ments of Red Cross men, trekking wagon drawn by steers, battalion Of artillery, carrying machine guns, Cat lings and howitzers and finally the pro- verbal vehicle of South Africa.
 The various commanders were then introduced. all of them saluting the grand stand.
 When Gen. Piet Cronje appeared he was met with storm of applause. The veteran soldier rode rapidly around the field. He was clad in civilian clothes and wore a stiff hat, which he doffed repeatedly.
 British cavalrymen then gave an ex- hibition of capturing the rosette, popular game in the English army, and some marvellous horsemanship was displayed
 A series of races were run in spir- ited style and the entire program elic- ited applause.
 Col. Frank Ellis gave an exhibition of the powers of his wonderful high school horse, Povero, and was repeat edly applauded.
 The two armies then re-enacted the scenes of the battles of Colenso, Paar- the escape of General DeWet, and the final declaration of peace.
  worked with a will Every effort was made to convince the audience of the horrors of warfare, and several of the deeds of heroism of participants were repeated. The struggle for the Boer colors, the wounded bagpiper who tn- sisted on sounding his march and the surrender of General Cronje were all pictured.
 With the surrender the spectacle closed.
 There will be two performances to- day The matinee will take place at 2 2:30 o'clock this afternoon and the night performance at S:30 o'clock. At the afternoon performance Colonel Hill balloon is used and will illustrate the dropping of lyddite shells, observations, etc.
 The Boer War contingent will parade this morning. starting from Oak Park promptly at 10 o'clock and traversing the following route: From Oak Park down Carter Hill road through Bogue- cRurcS RrS dc down o0f% Lee I to n Bibb; A on Bibb Street north to Commerce. thence to Court Square direct to the Capitol up Dexter Avenue. to Bainbridge to High land Avenue, to Forest and thence to Oak Park.
 The formation of the parade will be as follows:
 Capt. A. w. Lewis, the originator and general manager of the Boer War spec tacle.
 Col. Frank F. Fillis. mounted on tho high school horse. Povero.
 The Free State Artillery Band under the directorship of Restorff.
 The Boer cavalry, led by Command ant Boshoff.
 Boer artillery, commanded by Lieu tenant WolmaranS.
 Red Cross brigade. under Captain' Blekesley
 The British Lancers
 The Gordon Highlanders
 Naval brigade.
 The kaffir representatives of the Bu- sutos. Swazis. the Mashaonous tribes in native dress, upon their native po- nies
 Lost in Mobile Fog.
 The Boer War Was lost in the Mobile fog early yesterday morning.
 At least one of their equipment wag- Ons went adrift and delayed the de- parture of the special train that was to carry the contingent to Montgomery. All the wagons and equipment of the company had reached the train, when 1t was discovered that the wagon con taining the lighting equipment was