The Washington times., 1909-08-18
VICTORIOUS REDS
DRIVE BLUES BACK
Heavy Fighting, Forerunner
of General Engagement,
Begins War Game.
CONTINUED from First Page)

into the zone of fire. For more than
three hours the battle ragged. and at
this hour the defeated left wing Of the
Blue army is in fun retreat toward
Plympton station ana Halifax. with the
right wing of the Reds in pursuit
Today's battle compared 10 which
yesterdays was NOT more than a stin
skirmish was one Of the decisive en-
Eagements of the war against the de-
tenders OF Boston. On the War De-
psrtment records il will 20 down Of
Green, and an extensive chapter or 1t
will be devoted TO the splendid work
OF the District gliardsmen-
Division in Action.
Besides the District brigade. General
Bliss today called into action his en-
tire division. including the crack Essex
troop OF New Jersey. Squadron a, Of
New York, and four troops of tile
Tenth Cavalry, with gatllng guns. and
Two regiments Of Connecticut guards
men as the reserve.
The engs gement began shortly after s
O o'clock, when a troop Of the Tenth
Cavalry, out on reconnaissance, was
surprised ~ Plympton Green and driven
back IN disorder At this critical june
fure, Major Taits battalion was rushed
forward TO Tepel the advancing Blues
and for an hour the green hills of Mass
achusetts reverberated with the volleys
splitting from the District guardsmen'
guns.
The Blue forces. consisting Of the
Fifth Massachusetts Infantry, stubborn
j. defended their position, but as fresh
troops were rushed to the firing line
they gradually gave way. Many Of their
men and officers were captured and
sent 70 the rear Of the victorious army.
Orders Flank Movement.
General Bliss. seeing his advantage.
ordered a fax movement against the
enemys left This movement was led
by Colonel Symms. OF the Second Regi-
ment. with Major Hodgson and Major
Stephans rushing the companies Of
Captains McCathran. Bean. Br0ckway
Beard. into action. the eager guardsmen
were deployed across half a mile Of
battle line and from behind stone fences
hedges. trees, and In fact anything that
offered cover, sent into the opposing
Blues volley after volley Of soaring rifle
SIRE.
Meantime. the battery under Captain
Fox was unlsmbered and from COM
msddlng position on a nigh hin can
nonaded the enemy's left flank. From
fhe mouths Of the neld pieces Tor more
than an hour shells were sent 10 shat
ter the columns of the enemy, and this
proved the deciding factor Of the fight.
Captain Fox was ordered 10 cease firing
al 10 O'Clock. after the regular army
Umpires had decided that victory perch
ed on the banners Of the invading AMY.
Spectacular Battle.
The battle. while it ragged, was per
hsps unequaled In mimic warfare in its
spectacular features. and the prompt
ness with which the men came into ac-
ton
while the firing continued a gallery
OF sutomobilists. farmers. summer va
cRtionists. and camp followers thronsed
the hillsides. and rent the air with their
cheering for the oneOmIng Reds
That the District Guardsmen went
into today's battle water-soal1ed and far
from fresh. as the result OF yesterday S
terrific and long continued rain. Is a
fact that reflects wonderfully their de-
termination and endurance under con-
diuons that were perhaps as trying as
those faced in cuba ten years ago.
There are q host Of veterans of that war
today marching IN the District brigade.
and their word tn comparing yester-
DAYS ten-mile hike 70 a roadside camp
twelve miles west OF Plymouth. through
a driving rain and ankle deep In Mud.
with marchs on Cuban soil Is entirely
convincing
Not man Ia the brigade from ple