New-York tribune., 1910-08-14
TROOPERS LOST IN BRUSH
Squadron c Sidetracked in
Thicket-Rescued by Native.
WARRIORS FAILED TO MEET
Conflict Between 47th, New
York, Armies-General Grant
Talks of Canteen.

Pine Camp, n. Z, Aug. 13.-General
Frederick D. Grant does not agree with
Chaplain George ]. Waring Of the 18th
Infantry, who thinks that the abolition OF
the army canteen is mistake. Chaplain
Waring in a recent magazine article
stated that the abolition Of the canteen had
resulted very grievously for the average
enlisted man. and that 1t had increased the
number OF infractions OF discipline ana
boisterousness outside the camp. General
Grant does not think this view of the mat
ter is correct
IF IT were within my power, said ne,
L would most carefully consider the mat
ter before would order the restoration or
the army canteen, and in some cases l
would not favor 1t. The men have so ad-
Justed themselves to the new condition OF
ana1rs that the worst features attending
the change from the old order have been
gradually eliminated"
Ihe militia were kept busy to-day on
minor problems. The 47th New York, IN
two divisions, constituting the Red ana
Blue armies, and commanded respectively
by colonel Barthman and Major Baldwin
engaged In fierce conflict in which the
Reds suffered defeat Major Baldwin. with
the Blue army. was defending supply OIL
stores stationed at Deland's Crossing, ana
the canadian" force attempted their capt
ure Ihey were repulsed three successive
times and retired to camp.
IhlS morning Squadron c. of Brookiyn'
divided into two sections-two troops, un-
der the command of Captain Edwin Nc
Leer, constituting a so-called Red army,
while the other two troops under the COM
mand of Captain James c. McLeer, made
up Blue army. Shortly after mess the
two detachments went from the camp. 60
ing In opposite directions. The instructors.
headed by Major Carl Reichman, the chief
umpire, rode out to a position on the Ster-
ingville Road. where it was thought the
forces would come together. Grievous,
however, was the disappointment; hours
slowly passed, and still there was no sign
OF either army. The umpires chewed Wig
orously on their cigars. berating the militia
In general. with nothing more interesting
to watch than the running train. Finally,
at II o'clock. the instructors gave up in
disgust and rode back to camp.
In the mean time the two detachments
had made earnest efforts to find each other
They wandered about for hours in the hot
sun without sign Of the approaching enemy
In his attempt to locate the opposing force
Captain Edwin McLeer led his brave troops
off the beaten road into the underbrush.
After short halt he decided to give up
the attempt to meet the approaching
army and return to the camp, but was
unable to find the way out of the thicket.
Maps were produced and a council of war
was held, officers vainly trying to locate
their position. All efforts were fruitless
and the men were just about to give up in
despair when a friendly nhabitant. Alex
ander Mackenzie, appeared in view with
the welcome tidings that they were nearly
on the outskirts of Sterlingvflle. With
Mackenzie a guide, the troops succeeded
In finding their way uack to the road, and
from there the way to camp was an easy
matter.
The Blue army. under Captain James c.
McLeer, wandered around hopelessly in
the sandy stretches of the reservation.
seeming to see nothing more Warlike in
their long journey than a passing south
bound milk train. They returned to camp,
also, arriving there about an hour before
the mere unfortunate Reds.
Several of the men were sitting gngerly
in their saddles on their return. as a re-
suit of the unaccustomed exercise. One
was heard TO soliloquize earnestly: Il love
my country, nave always loved her, and
am willing to die for her right now, but"
as he grimaced and WINGED with pain as
stumble of his horse abraded his injuries,
when this camp Is over, I'll be blowed If
I ever love another
General Grants staff gave u dinner to
the railroad officials tonight Among those
present were ". H. Northrop, New York
Central; P. B. Maxwell, f. G. Wilson and
n rirta oe ca
renee Division New York Central Railroad