Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-15
TROOPS ASSEMBLE
FOR MIMIC BATTLE
Regiments Gather at Camp AtaS-
CadeTo to Engage in An
nuai ManeuVerS
TENTS PITCHED IN STORM
Regulars Await Arrival of Nation
al Guardsmen from Arizona
and New Mexico
TENTS PITCHED IN STORM

CAMP ATASCADERO, Sept. A.
With the arrival late this afternoon of
Brig. Gen. Tasker II. Bliss, command
ing the department of California, and
who will command both the regular
and state troops participating in the
war game that will extend throughout
next week, the infantry and cavalry
of the regular army in California, Ari-
zona and New Mexico are now under
canvas at Camp Atascadero, with the
exception of several companies at the
Preside.
The troops pitched their tents in a
drizzling rain which continued all day.
The Eighth infantry from Monterey,
the Thirtieth from san Francisco, two
troops OF the First cavalry and sew
eral companies of the Eighteenth in
fantry all reached camp about the
same time this morning.
Under the direction of Lieut. Baker
the headquarters tent has been erected
and made ready for the commanders
in-chief, while Col. F. Won Schrader,
chief quartermaster, and Lieut.. S. b.
Widdifield, his assistant, directed the
transportation of equipment and sup
plies from the STATEN to the camp by
wagon trains in fast time. By noon
scores of tents had sprung up and to-
night 2500 troops are comfortably
housed under canvas.
CAMP IN CRESCENT FORM
The encampment is laid out in the
form of a crescent, facing the west,
The artillery camp and two troops of
cavalry form the north horn; next is
the Eighth infantry, and on the south
are the Thirtieth infantry and First
cavalry, with the field hospital and
eiu al wit a Ystn n
the center.
Gen. Bliss was accompanied by his
aid, Lieut.. Arthur Poillon of the Four
teenth cavalry, several others of his
staff and a dozen officers from various
posts who have been detailed to Atlas
cadero to umpire the game of war.
Major S. w. Dunning, adjutant gen.
eral Major w. w. Wright, chief of
staff, and several of the umpires are
busily engaged in planning the prob
lens and field movements in which
the regulars and national guard will
be engaged. During the maneuvers the
troops will move over about $4,000
acres of little valleys, hills and noun
tains, comprising the land leased by
the war department for the purpose,
and the purchase of which was recent
ly recommended by Major General
Barry in his annual report. General
Barry recommended that Atascadero
be made the principal training camp
in the west for the training and drill
ing of both regulars and guardsmen,
and because of it's topography, having
hills, mountains, plainss- dales and val :
leys, it was we'll adapted for tactical
problems and field movements for
troops in all branches of the service.
AWAIT SOUTHWESTERN TROOPS
The regulars are now awaiting the
coming of the national guard of Ari-
zona and New Mexico, the latter be-
ing due on the 18th. AS the war de-
partment has allowed but fourteen
days pay for the New Mexico forces
including the time in transit, the mill
itia of that territory will be in camp
with the regulars but six days. Some
of the army officers freely express
doubt whether the territorial forces
can get enough practical knowledge of
tactics and operations in field move
ments in only six days to justify the
expense of the long trip.
With the coming on october l OF
the California guard, probably accom-
panied by Governor Gillett and his
staff, the camp will become more lively.
The California guardsmen Will nave
two full weeks of field maneuVers.
With their coming there also will be
social functions to relieve the monot-
ony of camp life.
A military ball has been planned at
Paso Robles Hot Springs, competitive
band concerts will be held by the sew
eral regimental bands for a silver cup,
and arrangements are making for ten
mis- tournament in which the Misses
Sutton are expected to participate.