The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-17
Guardsmen Given Baptism
of Fire in Clash With
Enemy.
ADVANCE is MADE
IN WIND AND RAIN
Object of General Harries' Attack
Believed to Be Against
Plymouth.
By GUY W. FINNEY.


MIDDLEBORO, Mass, Aug.
1.-THE District brigade has had
its baptism of fire in the war being
waged against the defenses of Bos-
ton.
Marching in a driving raih, and
in the face of blasts of wind that
chilled the men and horses to the
marrow, General Harries command,
still accupying the extreme right Of
the Red Army, this morning, shortly
before 10 O'Clock, encountered a
force of the Blue Arny's outposts
and sharp skirnlishing ensued.
At this hour two batialions of the
first District of Columbia, under
Majors McCathran and Stephen, arc
engaging the enemy, driving them
back in the face of brisk rifle fire.
From present indication, however,
the fighting will not assume the
proportions Of a general engage
ment.
MORNINGS SKIRMISH.
This mornings slzirmish occur
red two hours after the District
Brigade had broken camp at Rock
s3tation. on the New York, New
Haven and Hudson River railroad
about FIVE miles east Of Middle
boro, to which point the troops
marched yesterday afternoon from
East Freetown, distance of
twelve miles.
The District command was astir
at daylight, an order having been
received from division headauar-
ters to be ready to march at
O'Clock. A fine rain which became
q heavy downpour, wet the men
to the skin. and as they gathered
about in groups. eating their break
fast ration of beans, hardtaek, and
coffee. the outlook for the march
was the most dismal yet encoun-
tered IN the campaign.
Again Cheerful.
Their cheerfulness returned in part.
however. Notwithstanding the rain had
converted the roads into miniature lakes,
when they were once in motion. Intui-
lively the men felt that the time had
come to show the defenders their true
mettle. Their blood had been stirred oy
the reports brought in to camp during
the night by bicycle patrols Of the near
ness Of the enemys outposts.
The road to the scene OF the opening
sl1irmish Iay along the road west from
Rock station to Bnddleboro at a cross
road two miles from Middleboro. The
District brigade took a detour north
ward. marching toward east Middleboro.
Near the outskirts Of this village a re-
port was brought In by the flying BIZ
cycle squad" OF the advance guard that
a considerable force OF the enemy was
ahead.
Ordered to Action
The main body of District brigade was
halted while two battalions Of the First
Regiment were ordered into action. de-
pIoyed across the fields. moving smartly
into action and driving before them. the
resisting outposts of the Blues.
The object OF General Harries attack
is understood 10 be against Plymouth.
fourteen miles east of AIiddleboro on
the coast. snd the base Of the Blue
army's suppIiNs Plymouth is conceded
10 be the most important strategicaI
point on the east
II il should faII into the hands of the
Red army there is nothing 10 prevent
General Bliss from executing hanK
movement that would put General Pews
army at his mercy.
Meantime the second cOumn of the
Red army Is moving toward Lakeville.
the present center of the Blue line 0f
defense. The First and Second Connec-
ticut Regiments. together with a hylng
squadron, composed Of several troops Uf
the lighting Tenth Cavalry and squad
ron A. OF New York
Outposts II Retreat.
AS the Times correspondent rode into
Middleboro, he met several oUtpcsts of
the Blue army in full retreat toward
Lakeviue. About dfty of the luckless
ones were captured by the oncomius
Reds. who after stripping the prisoners
of their accoutreInents. released Them
on parole as the conditions OF war pre-
scribe
Z ais town today Is swarming with the
Reds. while early this morning it was
one Of the chief outposts of the Blues
Being in the heart OF the hostile
country, the District command IS con
sidt Eably hampeFed today IN its for
warf movement, because many of tha
infantrymen are suffering from sore
feet due TO the forced marches OF
SUNDAY and Monday The labored prog