Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-20
MILITIAMEN
TAKE LONG
HIKE
TWELVE MILE CROSS COUNTRY
MARCH DOESN'T FEAzE
THEM
OFFICERS PRAISE men
BRIcADIER GENERAL FORD SAYS
THEY COULDN'T HAVE DONE
BETTER
SPEND TODAY In CAMP
TOMORROW BIG SHAM BATTLE |
WILL TAKE PLACE at
CAMP CURRY
OFFICERS PRAISE men
BRIGADIER GENERAL FORD SAYS
THEY COULDN'T HAVE DONE
BETTER
SPEND TODAY In CAMP
TOMORROW BIG SHAM BATTLE
WILL TAKE PLACE at
CAMP CURRY


Yesterday the members of the New
Mexico national guard. now in en-
campment northwest Of the city,
were put through the most strenuous
maneuvers of the encampment thus
far. when they were called upon to
take 12-mile hike in heavv marching
order, across rough stretch Of coun-
try.
The battalion moved out from camp
1t a. m. and proceeded to a point
directly vest of the camp in the foot
hills back of the rifle range, thence
northeast to point that brought
them out at the Hot springs. The
command then proc=eded southeast
70 the fair grounds. arriving there at
noon. Here a rest was taken, tempo
Iary camo being pitched on the
banks Of the GalIinas river. The
soldiers we're instructed in pitching
their tents and each prepared his own
dinner out of the rations distributed
before leaving the main camp
A Mimic Fight
After dinner the march was contin- |
ued, the men heading towards camp. |
Company H was detached from the
battalion and sent ahead rhirty min
utes to represent a force attacking
and retarding the advance of an ar
my. The guardsmen took particular
interest in this feature of the march,
which had the effect of arousing their
lighting blood, so realistic was the
movement carried out. During the
entire hike, rear and advance guards
were thrown out and everything pro-
ceeded with as if the battalion was 9
making forced march in time of /,
war. The soldiers reached camp at
6:15; with not one man SEX or too
exhausted to keep up with his COM L
pany. Il
General Ford told an Optic repre-
sentative today that he was highly q
pleased with the manner in which the
men made the hike, surprised at the
rapid time made and gratified at the
interest and enthusiasm shown. It 8
was test of nerve and human en-
durance, hut the citizen soldiers +"
were there with beth these require
ments, the chief requisites of sue s.
cessful soldier. a.
Today's Program .
Today the soldiers spent in camp. .
From 8 m. to a. m. they were .
iven instruction by Captain G A. :
chief surgeon, in first aid to
The injured and other duties having u
% do with the hospital corps. o.
From II a. m. to 1880 a. m. Gener- =
Il Ford gave a brief explanation of "a
he principal arts of war affecting the "
men, and also read the laws
If New Mexico governing the national n
guard. For this purpose the men
we're assembled at convenient point
IN the p1rade grounds. asa
From to p. NJ, theoretical in nc
'truction in guard duty was given the 10
men by Captain A. s. Brooks. U. S. RI
'rmy. For this purpose also the en- 70
ire command with the exception of bu
hose excused and on guard duty in
rere assembled at a convenient point. "a
s. Sham Battle Tomorrow 1pia en-
The much talked OF shqn battle Of w
he guards will take place tomorrow sp
norning. The battalion viii be divi- sb
ed into two armies, designated as the otl