The San Francisco call., 1908-10-13
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL BY FIELD
TELEGRAPH

SPECIAL DISPATCH To THE CALL BY FIELD
TELEGRAPH
IN THE FIELD NEAR CAMP ATAS-
CADERO, Oct. 12-Beneath the rays of
a perfect California moon two hostile
armies lie bivouacked tonight, ready to
advance upon each other at daylight.
The Blues" under Colonel F. A Smith
OF the Eighth United States infantry,
occupy a strong line between Temple
ton and Camp Atascadero; the Reds"
sleep on their arms FIVE miles away.
near Myers ranch. under the command
OF Lieutenant Colonel II. B. Moon OF
the Twentieth United States Infantry.
Scores Of camp nres blaze and fit
among the oaks and hills. dispelling
, the gloom Of the thick shadows. light
ing up the valley. Around the warm
glow of~each camp fire are the pros
trate forms Of dozen soldiers. sleep
ing under arms, seeking the warmth
in protection from the frosty night air.
Beyond the tired, sleeping lines move
the outposts. marching up and down,
steadily, patiently, from rock TO thicket,
from bush TO tree. Still further ahead
4DEL IN the deep SHADOWS OF the OAKS
or sharply silhouetted against rock
and hillside. the moOnlit night strik-
ing a CLEAN from rife and scabbard
walk vigilant pickets and sentries.
Further still, like weird shadow shapes,
cavalry patrols silently dip in and out
through the wooded hillside
There is great lack of military pomp
about this bivouac. No trumpet calls
re-echo along the lines. no shouting or
- rim -T.-
ing troops In the main camps the long
lines OF sleeping men. wrapped in
blankets. seek their rest With the
coming Of the dawn the bugles will
give tongue and the two long lines will
jump TO the fore. advancing upon each
other. Neither army has been able TO
discover the others exact location
Both sides have advanced cautiously
keen and alert, taking advantage OF
every opportunity, leaving unguarded
no weak point
~BLUESs LAND FROM TRANSPORTS
The invading sBlues" marched from
the direction OF Monterey today. the
supposition being that they had there
been landed by their transports. The
defending army. the Reds took W
e position in the vicinity Of San Luis
Obispo. For the purpose Of attack
Colonel Smith has at his disposal the
Eighth United States infantry, the
Fifth California militia, Seventh Cali
fornia militia and the First battalion OF
the Arizona. infantry. The infantry is
strengthened by Batteries d and F OF
the First field artillery. a squadron OF
the Fifth regular cavalry, under Major
Forters; one platoon, Company A
First battalion Of engineers. and a hall
OF Company B hospital corps.
The Red" army. which has sup
San Luis Obispo, sent out an advance
guard composed Of the Twentieth in
fantry. Captain Parker's jackass bat
terry Of eight machine guns, the Second
California infantry, three troops OF
California cavalry with Captain Adams
troops OF the Fourteenth cavalry at
tached. Battery Z Of the First field ar
tillery. one platoon. Company A First
battalion Of the engineers and half oi
Company 3 Of the hospital corps.
The two armies lie about six miles
from each other and the expectations
are that the respective cavalry out
posts viii come In contact with each
other about s o'clock tomorrow morn
= ing The outcome of the battle that will
ensue viii depend upon the strategy
shown by the two commanders and the
tactical disposition of their respective
commands.
n lNAE<N cAo-N1A OOlFS
The signal corps under the command
OF Lieutenant Paul W. Beck today es-
tablished a complete wireless and field
teiegraphic and telephone service, en-
abiing Colonel ". r. Schuyler, chief
umpire. TO keep IN touch with every
move OF the troops in order to decide
which side has the advantage accord
ing 10 the general principles OF STRAIT
egy and tactics IN modern warfare Be-
sides this service a wireless service has
been established between the fighting
ground and the main camp BY this
Colonel Maus will. from his headquar-
ters, be in touch with the armies dur
ing the entire fighting.
Much OF the important work of the
maneuver will be given TO the militia
men from California and Arizona. it be-
ing primarily for their benefit and in
struction- The brigade staffs of Gen.
eraI Roster and General Wankowsk,
were given q hard ride over the field
today. the various positions being ex-
planned TO them by Colonel Marion p
Maus. During the battle they will ride
along both lines TO observe the move
ments Of the troops. The California na-
tfonai guard viii break camp Wednes-
: daE Rnd tbs AEizQnas Thursday