The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-28
M|[|TIAMEN IN
MIMIC WARFARE
WAKEO RUMF0

For an hour yesterday the vicinity of
the rife range at Rumford presented an
animated scene OF mimic warfare; and
a bloodless battle was fought by the pro-
visional company OF the state militia to
the satisfaction Of the participants and
Of the officers and few outsiders VINO
observed Il.
At o'clock the company without arms
was taken over the ground 10 be covered
by the maHeeHrFes- F4a-iHetFueted- 4f4 their
positions. An hour later the command
was again drawn up. fully armed and
equipped for the field and 10 rounds OF
blank ammunition issued per man.
The problem prepared by Maj. Charles
w. Abbott, U. s. A.. inspecting officer on
duty In this state. was one involving the
attack in open order OF a small body of
men. protected by excellent cover. while
the attacking party, superior In numbers,
was obliged 10 move over an open ooun-
try.
The working out OF the problem proved
that a small number of men with suf
fcient cover was able to stand off an at
tacking force greatly outnumbering II for
considerable period OF time.
. Maj. Abbot was much pleased with the
work and said that considering the fact
that 25 per cent OF the men were raw
recruits the work was excellent.
Capt. Archibald c. MatteSon. company
b, In command OF the general manoeuv-
res. had command OF the attack. and
with Lieuts. George w Danielson. Com
pany b, and r. s. D. Martin. Company
c, and 30 men. moved south a thousand
yards and took position near Jenkins
avenue. near the long range firing point.
The command was accompanied by Maj.
Abbot. who acted as umpire.
~. In - n
H. r. Congdon and consisted OF four
men. each man representing a squad. The
command moved north and took position
in the scrub pine wood to the west OF
the haystack.
A fanking party TO work in conjunc-
tion with the attack was sent along the
Ten Mile river 10 the east and took po-
sition in the depression near the pond.
with the object in view OF outfianking
the defence
Lieut.. Congdon's orders were 10 keep
cover and not TO fire except as the ad-
vance line of sklrmishers exposed itself
In making rushes.
At IL o'clock Capt Matteson deployed
his command as skirmishers and the at
tack advanced. the men taking advantage
Of every possible bit or natural cover. the
line moving deliberately and continuous
~ down the ffetd toward camp.
When within 800 yards OF the woods
the attack was exposed considerably and
the defence opened fire from the woods
An outpost in tree discovered the flank
ing party and opened fire on It. and so
effective was this that theoretically the
attack on the flank was driven back
Capt. Matteson ordered charge at
this point and the command IN the woods
fell back in good order and took up a
strong position IN the timber at the
head OF ravine.
The order cease firing was sounded and
the umpire announced that the problem
was solved and decided that the defence
was justified in retreating when charge
was ordered by the attack. owing TO small
number Of men.
The hanking party broke cover a little
too soon and was discovered by a soldier
posted In tree and was retired with
out doing any damage
At $3.50 colors were hauled down. tents
struck and the provisional company re-
turned TO this city.
. Col. Frank w. Matteson commanding
First infantry. accompanied by Capt.
Charles t. Glines brigade stan Lieut..
Martin s. Tanning. First infantry. and
Capt Maurice Cook. brigade STAFF
watched the manoeuvres. Later in tho
afternoon Brig. Gen. Herbert S. Tanner
visited the range.