New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-17
RED ARMY TAKES TOWN
CAUGHT MAPPING
At MIDDLEBORO.
Inuaders also Seize Bridge, but
Defenders Blozc Up Al Those
Across the Taunton.

marching legions of the invaders and the army
Of the Blue driven back from its outposts
by the Red troops. Tonight Middleboro is un-
der martial law and the alien soldiers of the
Red army camp upon her peaceful farms in VIC
tory. Ten men the invader lost he flung his
host upon the smaller force OF the Blue army.
and six he killed in his assault that brought him
to the threshold OF this town.
For the first time since the beginning OF the
game the two forces were tonight in very
close touch with each other. only few miles
separating the main bodies, while the outposts
along the two lines were almost IN contact.
general engagement seems not improbable to-
morrow.
The situation follows day which proved
eventfuI as deciding on which side OF the group
OF lakes north of New Bedford General Tasker
III. Bliss. commanding the Red Army. would
make his advance. While he sent the 10th Cav
airy and the 14th New York Infantry toward
Myricks Station the extreme west. this
movement was only a feint and the real ad-
vance was along the eastern end OF the line.
Tonight the headquarters Of the commander in
chief are not far from Rock Station. which Is
about four miles southeast of Niddleboro. and
is a most strategic position. glance at road
maps will show.
STRONG STRATEGIC POSITION.
In this position General Bliss is so situated
that he still may have a chance 70 move his
army quickly around Assawontsett Lake. past
Watch HILL and then swing his full strength
against General William A Pew's Blue Army
on the latter's right wing he might even at
tempt 10 turn the right IN upon itself. OBJ
servers here. however. were inclined to think
tonight that such move would be less politio
than quick swing around TO the left OF the
Blue Army TO force path for the in
vaders between MiddIeboro and PIympton That
would mean an attempt TO turn the left wing
and would afford the advantage OF more terri
tory Tor manoeuvering. plenty OF fairly good
main and cross roads. and what Is theoretically
an exceedingly strong consideration. would give
the Red Army opportunity TO work around
to the west If If found itself IN a dangerous
position.
The advance of the Red army during the day
was over distance Of about seven miles for
the main body, although some of the troops
had a much longer hike" than that notably
the 18th New York Regiment. which went with
the 10Th Cavalry 70 the west side Of the lakes.
Some Of the men Of the 14th covered about hf-
teen miles during the day. which, added TO a
ten-mie march yesterday. made them tired
| lot of infantrymen tonight.
AS result OF the forward movement most Of
| the force OF General Bliss is concentrated
/ around Rock Station and Middleboro. which
was occupied this afternoon. Just before the
| close Of the period at l O'Clock General Bliss
drew back the 14tl: New York and the 10th
Cavalry through East Freetown the scene OF
the Sunday night encampment Of The main body.
and hurrtedly- marched them around Lakeside
Park. where they are encamped tonight
The 18th New York. which in the morning
constituted the advance guard of the left wing.
now is the rear guard of the Red army and is
separated by some distance from the main body
About noon a cavalry troop was halted at a
roadside eating luncheon when Blue automo-
bile scouting party came into view The Red
force tried 10 stop it. but the machine whizzed
by while an officer on the rumble behind opened
fire. pumping shot after shot at the cavalry
men. who did not attempt 20 reply The Incl
dent was related as amusing feature to-
night. Under real war conditions the automo-
bile and the men in it would doubtless have been
put out OF action by the guns of the cavaIry-
men.
THE FIGHT AT MIDDLEBORO.
Sharp and decisive was the fight and equally
staggering TO the Blue army was the attack
that gave Middleboro into the hands of the
enemy. The piping notes of the bugle aroused
the sleepy Red soldiers this morning and in a
few minutes the camp was alive with hurry and
hustle. As the soldier kneaded the sleep out
of his eyes he sensed great doings as the air
was surcharged with the very atmosphere OF
warfare. The word TO advance was given. and
the enemy marched straight as the crow flies
into this peaceful village.
on the outskirts of the town the sth Massa
chusetts Regiment-Or several companies Of IL
rather-was encampsd entirely unaware OF at
tack. In a moment the carnage began Down
into the ranks of the unsuspecting soldiers tha
enemy poured his shot and she'll II was a ouiclx
retreat that the outpost made. but not before
they had killed ten of the Army of the Ped
Six Of the gallant defenders OF the state the
oretically became heroes. AS the outposts ra-
treated the Blues fell back upon the main body
of the regiment encamped several miles from
the first skirmish of the War OF Theories,
Once the news OF the attack reached head
quarters Lieutenant Pierce sent a platoon OF
thirty men 10 recOnnottre and TO estimate th,
strength of the enemy's numbers and his posi-
ton. as the strategical base of AIddIeboro was
too valuable TO lose.
This new detachment ran right into actual
trouble from the start. \ detachment OF the
army of .he Red composed OF the 1st Cavalry
of New Jersey; part of Squadron A. Of New
York, and part of the First Troop OF Cavalry.
was moving forward to draw the fire OF the Blue
army in order that the main body might move
cautiously and take UP position where a morn
ing attack would find the defence unprepared
The defending army's detachment espied the
enemy and AT once engaged them. II was a
bloodIess and bootless battle for the defence.
for the men We're driven back and through
Mddleboro. and the detachment held the town
while word was sent to General Bliss Of tha
capture.
The latter joyOusly received the news and or
dered that a brigade of the main army march ar
once for MddIeboro and establish base here
1t was day of action for both armies. Tho
Red army relied upon its cavalry to carry by