The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-16
FIRST SKIRMISH
IS AN EVEN BREAK

BOSTON, Aug 16.-Witb the invading
or Red army cut OF from advance on
Boston from the direction Of FAN River
by the theoretical blowing up Of all the
bridges across the Taunton river .the
first skirmish Of the campaign came
early today at Wareham. 1t was only
Ekirmish OF scouts and hOnors were
even.
II Is expected that before night a
more general engagement will be
fought. as it is believed General Bliss
IS attempting a flank movement on the
right of his line and General Pew. OF
the Blue army Of defense. has detached
troops TO oppose his advances.
In connection with the threatened
hanking movement on the right OF the
invading army, it Is probable that cav
airy which left New Bedford on the
transports Sumner and Meade last
evening win attempt to land at Ply
mouth today to erect a junction with
their main body and attempt to march
on Boston along the line Of coast.
BY this Haneuver. it is expected that
the Red army will attempt 10 gain the
Blue Hills and thence cut the line of
the Blue Communications 10 Boston.
This would mean victory.
Psw's Position.
Or the other hand, General Pew, COM
manding the Blue, appears to be in a
good position TO cut the Red commune
cations with a flying wedge down the
Taunton river If such an attempt is
made and large bodies OF troops sue
cessfully interpOsed between the Red
.
ing army viii have gone FAR toward a
win
All over the triangle OF country be-
tween Taunton. the Taunton river and
the coast, the scouts ana lOOk-Outs OF
the Reds this morning are busy. Actual
reports of the positions of the armies
today are varying. but there is every
probability that a strong effort is be-
ing made to combine with the feet from
New Bedford TO get a commanding po-
sition from which 10 capture the Bay
State capital
II was understood that General Pew
would push his men forward as rap
idly as possible, and do his utmost 10
reach MiddlebOrO before he is forced
into q battle. If he succeeds IN reach
inR MiddiebOro, II Is considered minor
problem 10 press on TO Camp Joseph
Hooker, lust north of I.akeville, where
the situation, il is believed, could be
commanded perfectly and the Red army
cord be dectsively repuiSed.
Objective Point.
General PeW's movements today viii
be made with the idea always in mind
Of pressing on to Lakeville, and making
the final stand at the upper end Of
the chain of lakes, which are located
about I'VE miles below MiddlebOro. At
that point, with a comparatively small
fore holding the ~old New Bedford
turnpike. GeReral Pew viii be able TO
swing his main body Of troops 10 the
east of the lakes, and meet the foe
in location where his smaller number
or men would be- made up for By the
strength Of their position.
il was declared az division headquar-
Hers today that the regular program OF
commencing operations at O'Clock Ia
The morning and continuing until ! IN
The afternoon would be carried out dur
ing the remainder OF the week The
change of the program after the confer
ence Saturday between General Wood,
General Pew and General Bliss, making
81 possible for either 10 open hostilties
al midnight Saturday, which was
changed to 8 o'clock Sunday morning.
caused some confusion. but the decision
10 stick 10 the regular program FOR the
remainder of the tour Of duty is con
SzSred final.