Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-07-24
WOndrous Innovations Every
where Facing Old timers.
Scout Duty on Motor Cycles
And Supplies In Auto Trucks.
Great Fleet at PrineeioWn, Mass.
For Fortnight OF Mansuvrss.
N N. IE

Blttef1ca, Mass, july Z3.-Ine 'Red
army of invaders which a few days
ago theoretically captured Boston and
the Atlantic seaboard today had
thrown itself in the path of the Blue
ARM, representing the American
troops trying TO re-capture Boston in
the elaborate war game that will open
tomorrow and involves the entire state
National Guards with the exception
of the Coast Artillery and Naval Bri-
gade. Brigadier General Embury P,
Clerk. commanding the Blues" es-
tabished his headquarters today at
North Billerica with 5000 men of the
First Corps of Cadets, the 9Th Infan-
try, the 2d Infantry, the I'd Corps of
Cadets and batteries A and c. of the
of the Cavalry.
BY trolley and train the troops as
sembled at camp today and before
night the last company had pitched its
tents To the first Corps of Cadets fell
the task of guarding the roads towards
Burlington and Wilmington In the d.
rection of the Enemy" General Clark
expressed delight at the promptness
with which the troops arrived and the
business like way in which they es-
tablished camp. lie held a conference
with his officers tonight, but no for
ward movement is expected before
Monday. although late in the after
noon the First Corps of Cadets receiv-
ed orders to break camp and move
forward distance of about three miles
in the direction of Burlington and VIII
mington
The advance was made as though in
the enemies country and scouting
parties being thrown out ahead. Ad-
vance outposts were placed, the main
body holding the junction of the two
roads. Cavalry patrols We're also de-
tailed from Troops B and G, small
parties of the young troopers clatter
ing along the roads by the peaceful
Middlesex farms towards the Shaw
sheen river while occasionally a scout
would flash by in a cloud of dust on
a motor bicycle. The war depart
ment has shown great interest in the
maneuvres and has assigned regular
officers to different headquarters in
the capacity of umpires and observers.
Nothing can be tried in the way of
seeing what troops can do In the face
of the fire of modern firearms, but The
modern methods of conducting a cam
paign were even today given signifl-
cant test The old numbering army,
wagon with its vexatious and often
critical delays was nowhere to be-
seen. The picturesque vocabulary Of
the old army mule driver was lacking.
Instead, powerful automobile trucks.
impressed into service from several
Boston business firms rolled over the
roads laden with supplies and to this !,
modern method of transportation waa
due the fact that the amateur soldiers
we're able to establish their camp so
quickly and with go little confusion.
The old-time staff officer urging mis-
weary horse from point to point in
wide stretched lines Is also missing.
All the staff officers are mounted but
most of them perform their duty from.
the comfortable seat of a big touring
car doing their work far more effec-
lively and with less wear and tear and
less danger of being late than the old
timers. Too. the cavalry is better able
10 concentrate. Almost all of its for
fner scouting duty is now performed
on motor cycles These were flying
ABOUT the country today at top speed
Mlilie the cavalry was held massed,
Wl.h horses and men in condition TO
| hght at moments notice
from the point of view of the soldier.
one OF the most important innovations
| y IN the culinary department One of
the companies is trying out cooklass
ovens It's work today was successfuI
Judging by the broad smiles on the faces
OF the soldiers after dinner. The food.
they claimed was cooked properly-it was
not burned, or smoky. or underdone The
| cooks claimed also that it did not mess
up the camp so much as the old style of
| cooking. s-,..
One up-to-date adjunct to the game.
however probably viii be missing. 1ne
country is i'll adapted to scouting by
aeroplane owing to the manner in which
1t is cut up with thick woods. rivers and
large ponds. AS
/ While the country throughout Middle
| sex and Essex counties. in which the ma
rneuvres will be held. is largely having
/ country. guards were detailed TO watch
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