The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-09-28
FARGO SCENE OF
A MIMIC BATTLE
CO. . GETS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
DO SOME ACTUAL FIELD WORK
AT NioHT-soys LEARN SOME
VALUABLE LESSONS in THE
ART or DEFENSE.

Fargo was the scene Of 4 mimic
battle last night. Real soldiers clad
In active service uniform, armed with
the latest kind OF rifle known to
modern warfare, but loaded with
blank cartridges, played q game which
may some day be OF incalcuabie
value to them and to the nation.
The battle took place in Island park
and the rattle Of the muslcetry could
be heard all over the city. 1t was be-
tween two sections OF co. B, N. d.
N. G.
When the boys assembled at the
arnrory for regular drill work last
night they were informed by Captain
Grafton that an actual war game
would be worked out.
This is an important piece of
work, said Captain Grafton in ex-
PLANTATION. with the rapid FIRE,
magazine rifle a considerable part of
the maneuvering and fighting Of
armies will be done during the night
and you men may as well learn the
conditions under which such actions
will be fought"
The result was that Sergeant Still
with a number of men was sent out
to Island park to take ND a position
and represent the outpost OF a large
army which had been marching north
and gone into camp for the night
The practice was to attack this out
post by the remainder of the COM
pany thus giving both sides chance
to work under night conditions.
Even with the bright moon Of last
night, IL was most difficult matter
to distinguish the men, clad as they
were in the service uniform OF olive
draib. Snea1xing behind trees and
crawling on hands and knees across
the open spaces, the attacking force
in extended order. worked its way
through the length of the park before
coming in contact with the enemy.
Then things were lively for while,
blank cartridges exploding on ali
sides
To the ordinary person who does not
understand the game these problems
might appear as child's play. Nothing
could be greater misunderstanding
To follow up the attacking skirmish
line and see the interest the men take
in it, it would be plain to see that
they were learning lessons--lessons
which have the possibility OF being of
great value to the country some day
and Of consequence of value to every
citizen of the land.
The men learn to scout, their eyes
become trained in detecting that neu-
trial colored uniform in the field Of
vision they learn to take advantage
of cover and dozen other things that
are Of great benefit. For the coming
week they will talk the matter over
and discover where they could have
done better. In that lies the lesson.
AS this is naneuver year, year in
which the North Dakota regiment
will go TO some large camp to learn
the war game-these practices are of
especial benefit It is the intention OF
the officers and men to recruit their
company up with good material. It is
/ important that these men should be
secured as early as possible so that
the men may learn the duties Of the
soldier and to take part in little
skirmishes like that OF last night. so
as TO get the most opt of the large
problems in which several thousand
men are engaged
1t is a serious proiblem-this prob
lem OF national defense and one in
which the national guard plays q
leading role. Truly the DAYS OF the
so-called tin soldier is passed, for
these troops are now national as well
as state and must comprise the first
line-the clinched fist OF Uncle Sam
should he be called on to defend him
self-a condition which he is always
likely to face.