The Washington times., 1910-07-26
SMOKE OF BATTLE
OVER GETTYSBURG
Cracking Rifles and Boom
ing Cannon Reverberate
About Historic Grounds.

GETTYSBURG, Pa, July 25.-Th
smoke OF battle today hangs over tn
battlefield OF Gettysburg.
All day the sibilant crack Of high
power rifles, the sharp report Of Colt re
voIvers, and the thunderous boom o.
light and heavy artillery have echoe,
and Teverberated throughout the scent
Of that memorable struggle betweel
North and South.
Forty-seven years ago II was NOrtf
against South Today sons and grand
sons OF some OF those veterans who
fought against each other fought sid,
by side This was especially noticeable
in the ranks OF the District militiamen
among whose members are representa-
tives from States both North and South
and East and West
TOday's battle however. was blood
less. II was fought for The purpose OF
demonstrating how fee could be driven
back
Ammunition Issued
The last thing before taps last night
every mil5tiarnau and regular soldier IN
camp was given twenty rounds Of am
munition- Orders from General WOther-
spoons headquarters were issued imme-
diately after the sounding Of reveiIIe in
forming brigade and TeEimen-aI com
manders details OF the disposition
which would be made Of their respective
commands
The troops composing the army OF the
Reds are commanded by Brig Gen.
George H. Harries. OF the District Ma
tionaI Guard. and are as follows One
half troop Of New Jersey cavalry one
battery. Third United States field ar
tilIery. one battery, District field artiI-
Iery- Twenty-ninth United States IN
fantry; First Infantry. District Ma
1ionaI Guard, Second Infantry. District
National Guard; First Separate Bat
talon, District National Guard; one
company Of engineers, one detachment
ambulance company, and one detach-
ment OF District Signal Corps
The troops composing the army Of
the Blues are commanded by Col F.
". Mansfield, second UE5ted States In
fantry. and are as follows One-half
trooD New jersey Cavalry; one battery.
Third Field Artillery; Second United
States Infantry First West Virginia
Infantry, Second West Virginia Infan-
Try, one company engineers. one de-
tachment ambulance company and de-
tachment District Signal Corps
2
as instruction officers during the pre-
Ifninarv maneuvers. VIII render q de-
cision as 10 the victor N the struggle
at a meeting TO be held at division
headquarters Immediately after the
close Of hosuIities-
on the District Of Columbia Signal
Corps fell the entire brunt of estab-
fishing field communications and act
ing as wig-waE siguaIers for both di-
visions. Part Of Ire District Medical
Corps was assigned to one side, together
with ike portion OF the regular army
medical corps The otter sections were
assigned to care for the wounded Of
the other side
Breakfast was served the men about
$50 o'clock a half hour earlier than
usual 90 that the organizations could
take their respective places IN battle
array and march 20 that rendezvous
from which they were supposed TO start
operations against their opponents
The Start
The start was made shortly before S
O'Clock, 1t having been arranged in the
general scheme Of the battle planned
by Major Swift. L : A, that the two
columns should approach each other
on the old Dutch road south Of Granite
Hill, between the York pike and the
Hanover pike
Scouts thrown out by the District Of
Columbia militia and the regulars with
than, who led the marching columns.
were the first tc discover The advance
Of the enemy
Immediately an orderly was sent back
70 report 20 the main line and an imme-
diate sEirmish fire began between the
two forces Accommodating parties were
hurried e the right and left wings of
the enemy" for the purposes of dis
covering IN just what formation the ap-
prOach was being made.
A few moments later the main col
umns of both forces met at different
points on the famous field. and the
mimic warfare was on in earnest.
Back To Life.
By the arrangements Of General vvotf-
erspoon. there was no chance for the
complete annihuation OF either side,
and what battaIf0ns, regiments, OF. com
panies that were slain remained only
temporarily dead" At the expiration
Of The usual truce period. these erst-
while slain boys in khaki arose from the
field TO deeds OF daring and vaIor that
exceeded thsir work before they had
been through the CALLING experience Of
theoretical death
The fighting RACED over the best part
Of the great field until late into the after
noon Latest reports FROM the front
where the hlLrie WAS raging the hot
test were lEa- If the ammunition only
lasted the boys from the District Of
Columbia would have another chance 10
We fighting, and resume their telling
assaults on the enemy before the buZIeS
sounded retire and the return TO camp.
where tales IF bl0JdSned and carnage
could be told the more unfortunate who
hzd 10 remain at the latter place to
guard the tents and stores