New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-18

egv Of Colonel Patterson. Of Fort Heath. Ma
hant that the Reds were driven back. Had tins
sortie been successful, Boston Common to-night
would tent the army Of invasion
But the Reds subilant over the success
that has attended their arms Despite the TACT
that the Blues were outnumbered their scouts
had reconnoitred the country and the sectloh
hereabouts was known 10 them lar petter IMAM
20 the man in rcd. Daybreak to-morro" may
bring the army of invasion nearer 10 the CITY
as the Blue army up 10 date has seemed utterly
unable through strength of arms to cope WIN
the rallies OF the invaders
Matters Were seesawing back and forth Wheh
The battle first started to-day. Stretched Tor
miles from the other side of the Namasket River
10 Waterville were the legions of the Loyal
Sons OF the Soil. They had been forced 10 camp
there last night after the troops from New
Jersey had swept them from the bridge ana
prevented the Blues from blowing up the struet-
ure Major Cutters bsttalion was near the
village green Major Garfield was holding the
railroad station at waterville, and in reserve at
South Halifax was the third battalion under
Major Perry.
AS the day grew and the troops of the invader
fared forth for fight the Blue army was in
readiness Ahead of the Reds went the scouts
of the 10th Cavalry TO reconnoitTe and prevent
a surprise. These scouts stumbled across Major
Canheld's command at the railroad bridge and
drew his fi:e, while under the cover of the fire
the Connecticut troops came up the lower road
With the latter troops in action the retreat OF
the Blues was inevitable. although they stuck at
their task of defence until the umpires ruled
that they had been theoretically "annihilated."
This brought the bridge and the first victory
Of the that amounted 10 anything into the
hands of the Reds. Colonel Sweetzer received
the despair!ng dispatch and he took personal
command Of the movements He had two field
pieces brought into action and swept the fire on
the Reds who continued steadily TO pierce into
the position of the Blues After the legions had
nung themselves on the Blues and literally wiped
the ground with them the latter retreated IN
good order ard tried 10 reform several times
hut the enemy was so closely pressing the home
troops that the retirement developed into he'll
ser-skelter The Blues were demoralized by the
strength Of the attack, and finally the main
army retreated 10 South Halifax. where tempo
sary camps were pitched. Later the army moved
seward Middleboro with the evident intention OF
lstriking battle tomorrow.
DANDY SEVENTH IN ACTION.
The dandy 9TH to-day in an action covered
stself with mud and glory. Sharpshooters had
cra~led into q swamp of second growth oak
and blueberry bushes on their right. The 9TH
quickly covered the space they had been fight
every point az vantage poured shot into the
fleeing sth. At this time a heavy field piece
Of the Reds was drawn into the middle of the
road, and il sent shell after shell into the rem
nant Of Colonel sweetzers forces, but received
such deadly volleys I'm return that regular army
officers present declared they would have soon
been put out IF business.
The two forces were engaged in this harrow
Eng action for more than three hours continu-
T. Adj. E,ssz
heavy rubber capes wet them 10 the skin. Com
psny after company of the Dandy Seventh
crawleo through the toughest part Of the thicket
and swamp on hands and knees in recommending
the Blues position. all along the line. while for
the most part the Blue forces fell back in good
order and under the shelter of the stone walls
and trees that lined them. The invaders were a
tired looking lot when firing ceased. but they
regarded their victory most overwhelming in
SITS importance in giving them base Of
supplies far the Blue line.
Learning OF the predicament of the sth. two
troops of Blue cavalry FASTENED TO its assist
ance and made hard fifteen mile ride in the
driving rain fording river on the way. but ar
rived too late 10 reinforce the retreating troops
of the defence
The right wing of the Blue army now rests
at sturtevant's Corner five miles north of Mid
oleboro, toward Bridgewater.
SUPPLY TRAIN NEAR MIDDLEBoRO.
General Bliss has his supply train stationed a
few miles east of Middleboro. and he is strongly
intrenched for his endeavor tomorrow TO force
hts way further toward Boston.
Military observers declare that General Pew
must find an unusual position and hustle strong
endorsements To the tonight or his
flank will be neatly turned Tomorrow
To-oay's fighting took place under conditions
resembling those IF the peninsular campaign
about Richmond in the Civil War The country
roads, for days inches deep in the dust of a long
summer dronth, We're changed into rivers of
mud before the most severe northeast rain
storm OF the summer The constant movements
OF the cavalry, artillery and infantry had cut
MP the roads badly and the soldiers most Of
them unused to such conditions waded through
mud foot deep
The suspension OF hostilities brought no relief.
AT day the rain poured in torrents The shell
ter tents Of both armies were quickly soaked
through. The bitches dug around them filed
with water and overhowed into the tents
Waterproof clothing became water soaked. and
there was general stampede for the nearest
barn or other shelter.
Wireless telegraphy figured in to-days move
snents. The signal corps Of the national guard
Of Washington brought the wireless telegraph
outfit 10 the front OF General BIiss's Red line
and kept headquarters well posted on the pro-
ceedings AZ the front