The San Francisco call., 1910-10-04
SCOUTS CAPTURED;
BATTALION LOST
Regulars and Militia in Exciting
Skirmishes at Camp
AtasCaderO
Especial Dispatch to The Call

L
CAMP ATASCADERO, Oct. 3.-The
blue" army was badly routed in two
lively skirmishes today, when it at
tempted to penetrate different sections
of the red" forces lines. There was
brisk firing and a large number of
men were ruled out of action in each
fight.
A mounted messenger dashed UP to
the red" army's headquarters soon
after breakfast with information that
numerous mounted scouts of the blue"
cavalry were storming the reds" out
post at Devils gate. The Thirtieth
infantry and gun platoon. under COM
mand of Captain Miller, was dispatched
in double time to the scene. An ad-
vance guard was thrown out under
command of Captain Reams, and the
enemy was encountered at McCoppins
pass. A short fight followed.
EIGHT SCOUTS CAPTURED
The blue forces had 80 men ruled
out of action by the umpires, but sue
ceeded in driving the enemy from his
position and capturing eight scouts.
A call to arms sounded through the
red camp soon after l o'clock and
brought regulars and militiamen sour
rying to their guns. The blue forces
were again attacking the reds lines
force of blue infantry was at
tempting to cut the railroad and tele-
graph lines at Asunction station.
Major w. II. Wetheran of the Fifth
California militia was dispatched with
a force Of militiamen. An exciting
fight ensued and the reds were COM
PEELED to retire.
The militiamen displayed their
worth in the skirmish by demonstrat-
to- lafrs - Er-h% -,
Jenkins, the umpire, gave them
praise.
LOST IN CHAPPARAL
The infantry regiments drilled in
battalions in close order in the morn
ming and were given simple problems
in concentration and outpost duties in
the afternoon. At least one battalion
became lost in marching through the
chapparal to concentrate at a point
near Meyers, and their brethren were
merry tonight. That more were not
lost is an evidence that the officers
knew how to read maps and march
by them. as the country in this vicin-
ity is very thickly wooded and rugged.
Companies A and B, signal corps,
militia, received Instructions today in
the methods of establishing communi-
cation between two advancing infantry
columns. Tonight they practiced sig
mailing with acetylene lights and rock
cts. Lieutenant Paul Beck and Walter
Prosser regulars, were instructors.
SOUND REAL FIRE CALL
Fire call rang out at the Fifth in
fantry quarters this afternoon, when
brush near the officers camp caught
fire. Detachments from all the regi-
ments were sent to the scene and
quickly extinguished the blaze with
wet sacks.
Saturday night there will be a swim
ming contest between the militia and
regulars at Paso Robles.
The sanitation of the camp is per-
feet. Rigid rules are enforced by the
sanitary inspector, protecting the 5000
regulars and militia from sickness
The staff officers were enthusiastic
over the successful result of their 80
mile annual test ride, which they COM
pleted today. All are free from stiff
ness and physical defects.
General Bliss and his aid, Lieutenant
Arthur Poillon. left for a two days
trip to San Francisco In his absence
the command of the camp falls to
Colonel Mason of the Eighth infantry.
Lieutenant Colonel j. W. Benet was
today relieved as ordnance officer and
ordered to Benicia for duty First
Lieutenant Bowman, Fourth infantry.
was detailed in Misplace.