Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-13
TO FIGHT TODAY
AT ATASCADERO
ARMIES NOW IN FIELD FOR BIG
BATTLE
REDS AND BLUES TO HAVE REAL
lsTIc CONFLICT
National Guard of California and Arl-
zona Will Get Last of Regular
Army Discipline This
Morning

CAMP 'ATASCADERO, Cal. Oct. IL.
Scores of camp fires were tonight
blazing among the Atascadero oaks on
hill and in valley, dispelling the gloom
of the thick shadows under the trees
and marking the bivouac of the oOOU
regulars and militia, who divided into
the red and blue" armies, moved
into the field this afternoon prepara-
tory to a battle tomorrow morning
under conditions of actual hostillties
and which will terminate the instruc-
tions of the national guard of Califor-
MIA and Arizona in the art of warfare
in the joint military maneuvers al
Camp Atascadero.
Tonight, around each fire. whose
warm glow took the chill from the
frosty night air, were the forms OF a
dozen soldiers wrapped in blankets anu
sleeping under arms,
Some distance ahead were the out
posts, and beyond them in the deep
shadow of tree, or sharply silhouetted
against the rocks in the beautiful clear
moonlight. could be seen the pickets
and sentries, while on the wooded hill
side cavalry patrols silently fitted In
and out among the trees like Weird
| shadows.
six miles divide the lines of the op-
posing forces tonight, but neither side
knows what surprise the other may at
tempt, so the outposts are kept keenly
alert.
"sues" at Monterey
"blue" force has landed at Mon
terey and controls the sea. The enemy
| of which a brigade composed of the
| Eighth infantry, Fifth and Seventh
| California and a battalion of Arizona
militia. one squadron of the Fifth
cavalry, eight three-inch field guns
from the First artillery engineers and
hospital corps, all under the command
| of Col. Frederick A. Smith of the
Eighth, is advancing south and mas
camped for the night two miles nortn
of Camp Atascadero on line from the
railroad and Salinas river to Rouno
mountain. =,
At the same time a "red" army Is
supposedly concentrating at san LUIS
! Obispo and has sent out as an ao-
vance guard force composed OF .le
| Twentieth infantry, Captain j. H. Par
ker's company of eight machine guns,
Second California infantry. three troops
of California and one troop of regular
| cavalry, four field guns and engineers
| and hospital corps, all commanded Dy
Lieutenant Colonel H. B. Moon or the
Twentieth. Colonel Moon has received
orders to drive back the blue" bri-
gade and hold a position until imag-
mary reinforcements arrive.
Col. Moons Men Stationed
Colonel Moons brigade has taken a
position for the night four miles south
| of Camp Atascadero on line extend
| ing from Meyers ranch to Dove post
office.
He will advance early tomorrow
morning and the cavalry patrols OF
! the two forces will come into contact
near Atascadero creek, about O'CLOCK
! and the outcome of the battle tnat
will ensue will depend upon the STRAIT
egy shown by the two commanders
and the tactful disposition of their re-
spective commanders.
| The signal corps under Lieutenant
Paul w, Beck will be concentrated with
the umpires and will enable Colonel
w. r. Schuyler, chief umpire, TO keep
in touch with every move or the OPP
posing troops and decide who has the
advantage according to the general
principles of strategy and tactics IN
modern warfare
The National Guard of California ana
| Arizona will be given much OF the
most important work in the BATTLE
maneuver it being primarily Tor their
| instruction and benefit.
| Colonel Marion P. Maus this evening
gave the brigade staffs of Generals
| Roster and Wankowski a hard ride
over the field and tomorrow will take
| them to both lines to observe the
movements of the troops and explain
reasons therefor, as the BATTLE pro-
| crosses
The California guard will break camp
| Wednesday and the Arizona militia
| Tht1rS6aV