The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-08-21
MAGNIFICENT
MANEUVERS

s-Everythlng at camp looked unlhVlI-
ing early Friday morning as heavy
rain was falling from about 3 o'clock
and 1t was generally believed that the
manuevres would be declared off.
But by the time mess was called at
80 the rain had ceased and orders
were given to prepare for the march.
At s o'clock the entire Second dl-
vision. known as the brown army.
left camp in command Of General
Speaks and moved. north through the
center Of the town, headed for a
point midway between Strasbufg and
Bolivar
AS the maneuvres, OF Thursday.
were Exceedingly hard Il was Thought
that the practice would be light, and
with the exception of the commanding
officers the plans were not known un-
til halt was called a mile out of
camp, Just across the Tuslcarawas
river Z Here an officersl consultation
was called and lthe days plans gone
over and explained by Colonel Vol
rath.
With the division was detachment
each of artillery, hospital and signal
corps. They also had the wagon
train.
Here the details were given and
the line marched up a steep grade
to the summit, part of which was
done on double quick time. At this
point the regiments separated the
Eighth regiment taking The road to
the right. Company c, of Canton.
had been ordered to support the First
o. N. G.. field artillery with Captain
Blasts. This Is considered response
BILE position and the boys were justly
proud of their distinction.
The battery proceeded from the first
to almost the second ridge, distance
of half mile on the run, but Com
pany were right In the rear. At this
point a halt was made and detach-
ment of Company 6 preceded the
battery to the ridge and threw out
flankers under cover Of hedge to
protect them, while the remainder of
the company under Lieutenant ScSlott
line a short turn had to be made off
the road and one of the teams getting
excited refused to go up the bank
This was a serious affair, as the
piece was needed at once to check
the advance of the blues, but the
boys of Company c put their shoul-
ders to the wheel and literally pushed
the gun and horses up the hill, for
which they were highly praised by the
battery commander,
The entire first division who are
stationed at Boliver left camp under
the command of General McMachen
about the same time the second di-
vision did, and moved south to where
the two divisions were to meet.
A better manueyre ground could not
possibly have been selected, and in
fact the entire country in the vicinity
of the camps is rolling, some of the
ridges offering views for several
miles, while the many valleys offer
excellent opportunity for every known
strategy of war.
DISTINGUISHED PARTY.
With the second division was as
distinguished a party as ever attended
a military encampment and this was
great incentive for the men to do
their best. In the party was Gov
ernor Harris, General Dick, General
Critchfleld and Major Sharp, who is
acting as chief umpire throughout the
encampment The party followed in
automobiles and stopped for nothing,
taking high banks and plowed fields
alike, and remained till the finish.
General Dick, General Critchfield and
Major Sharp remained with the
Eighth regiment and battery, as the
point they had selected was the best
Obtainable, and the artillery had the
= sweep of the entire blue line, for
which the officers received the per-
sonal praise of the umpire and the
generals
A detachment of the blue infantry
was discovered on an eminence a half
mile to the north and Colonel Voll
rath. who commanded the Eighth,
Immediately ordered the artillery to
fire. They succeeded in badly dam
aging the detachment and forced
them, to seek cover
The Fourth regiment was stationed
to the left, and scouts and skirmish
lines were sent to the. north and east
to prevent a surprise. as by. skilful
maneuvering 1t was possible for the
; enemy to steal almost to the browns
without being discovered This was
skilful move, and was made Just in
time, as the blues were already TAX
ing advantage of the opportunity.
Skirmishes were taking place on
all sides and with the main forces
pounding each other with the field
pieces made a grand sight, as the
entire encounter was in plain view
from the elevation. Many old veter-