The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-12
Brigade Headquarters. Camp OF r. /. NJ.
Quonset Point, July l2 1906

With almost perfect weather conditions
confronting them. the soldiers OF the
Rhode Island militia, turned out Wednes-
day morning for hard days work
Yesterdays routine was decidedly diff
ferent from the previous days and the
infantry companies probably received the
largest share OF the labor. The principal
manoeuvres of the day were practiced
In preparation for the great sham battle
today The signal and hospital corps
worked especially we'll and In fact the
whole brigade put In a hard and difficult
days work.
The muggy atmosphere OF Tuesday
night had entirely disappeared by morn
ing and the great flag before headquarters
was tapping in n strong northwest breeze.
Toward afternoon the wind let up slightly
and shifted so that by evening a comfort
able sea breeze was blowing over the
camp. Last year at this time the weather
was almost intolerable on account OF
the heat. but the conditions prevailing al
the present time are the best the camp
has enjoyed In many years
FIRST REGIMENT BATTLE.
The actions OF the First regiment were
the chief events OF the morning although
each division drilled as usual Col Mat
tesons First regiment was divided up
into battalions and sham battle was
soon in order. Companies B, ID. L. +
composed the Blue army OF the defence.
In command OF Maj. Ledward. The re-
naming companies, A, G.. G., A, under
Maj. Johnson. constituted the Brown bat
talon OF attack. The position secured by
Maj. Ledward was some distance beyond
the cavalry quarters. The Blue army
was almost entirely concealed and there
Is no doubt that the situation was a very
strong one. Scouts were sent out by
Mai johnson. who followed cautiously
with the rest OF his men. Skirmishers
along the coast mistook some militamen
returning from a dip In the sea for some
OF the opposing men and a slight delay
was caused 1t was not long however.
before one Of the scouts came running
IN and reported the position Of some OF
the enemy
Maj. Johnson drew his men out In
ling line and advanced slowly in, keep
ing concealed as much as possible. Short
ly afterwards the enemy were suddenly
sighted and the Brown men opened fire.
Here the first break occurred when
company OF Blues rushed yelling across
| an entirely open space. Mai. Abbot. the
| presiding Judge, Immediately cut these
men out, but unfortunately for the
| Browns their whole left flank followed
in pursuit and were thus exposed TO
an unexpected fire Of division OF the
Blues.
A few minutes later a separate com
pany and Company were also cut from
the attacking forces. with only two or
three companies remaining. Maj John
son was hopelessiy crippled and could
not expect 10 overcome the strong de-
fence. The encounter ended here.
The two battalons were mustered and
Mai Abbot went over the events and
gave the men some good advice.
AN EXCEPTIONAL DRILL.
Just before noon battalions OF the Sec
ond regiment had practice in pitching
shelter tents This Is one OF the drills
seldom practiced In camp.
SECOND REGIMENT MANoEUvREs
AS in the morning the infantry work
was also the feature OF the afternoon
On this occasion the Blue and Brown
armies were represented by battalons o
the Second regiment. Maj Sweeney com
manded the defensive operations. while
Maj McGill controlled the attacking
party. This was the prettier contest o.
the two.
The party of defence left camp frs
and assumed a position a little left anc
farther toward the coast than the morn
ing party. The position was not quit'
as strong as Maj. Ledward's. In due tim,
the attacking squadron sent out three
scouts from the extreme south end OF tn,
parade ground.
The brilliant work OF these scouts mus
be commented on. They did beautiful!
and crept almost the whole length OF tn,
field, distance of about 1000 yards OF
their stomachs. At this time the cavalr,
and artillery were drilling also and upoi
occasion offered the skirmishers woulC
plunge ahead concealed I'm the rear OF th'
horsemen The main force of the part!
went around and travelled slowly and al
most entirely concealed along not IA
from the east coast OF the camp. Th'
steadlness and deliberation no doub
gained for the Second regiment the fin
results accomplished The companie
emerged cautiously at the north end o
the parade ground and the enemy wa
soon discovered. On advancing shor
distance the officers came TO the conclu
sion that n front attack would necessi
tate crossing open ground, so MAJ. Nc
Gill moved over and with the three com
panies sufficiently screened opened ir
on the defenders.
The firing was soon going on In earnest
but every indication OF attack showe'
that the forces were OF about equa
strength and that the defence would hol'
its ground.
which side would have won II hand &
hand encounter had followed cannot b
surmised and Maj. Abbott stated that n
would not give either side the advantag
in nis final decision. The Second resi
ment. however, certainly deserves credl
for the splendid showing made.
SIGNAL CORPS WORKS.
The practice OF the signal corps wa
mostly done out OF camp. The point
used as signalling stations were at tn
wharf and on Canteen hill. The hello
graph was used nearly all OF the time
but once the sun was screened by benl
Of clouds and 1ags were resorted TO. Eacl
station used two OF the six-foot flag
apiece and the movements OF the shan
battles were sgnaled from one point &
another The signal corps do up-to
work and this year the showing has bee
especially satisfactory.
WITH THE HOSPITAL CORPS.
The drilling Of the hospital corps wa
also done outside the camp along TN
beach. SO far the health condition o
the camp has been almost perfect an
the only. man In the hospital tent now J
Frank Heck. one OF the ambulance driy
ers who was suddenly taken I'll with tn