The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-21
BLUES INVADING
ENEMY's COUNTRY
orr ON PRACTICE MARCH UNDER
REAL RED WAR con-
FROLIC FRIDAY NIGHT
sLErT UNDER SHELTER TENTS
FIVE MILES FROM
BASIC LAST
NIGHT.
FROLIC FRIDAY NIGH

heavy marchin gorders SETAOIN RID 1
t"tlons for twenty-four hours. the
Richmond Light Infantry Blues left
camp this afternoon at 4 o'clock.
moving In the direction of Viewers
Cave. Va. on a practice march, se-
cordlng to the problem worked out
for the maron by Major Bowies and
the company officers.
The battalion Is likely to have a
brush with the enemy the first en-.
gaRement In which they have taken
part since leaving home. The problem
for the march is az follows:
First A red force Is concentrat-
ing near WeSers Cave. Va. and
hostile calvary patrols have been
seen in the vicinity OF Doom Cross
ing, Crimora Station. our support
ing troops are at Basic City.
Second. This battalion win move
northward along river road to OBJ
serve the enemy and prevent recon
noitering by the enemys patrols.
Third The advance guard will pro-
coed the main body at 400 yards,
Fourth The main body will clear
the western exit of the camp at
p. NJ. The field train viii follow
the main body.
with the main body, Details OF the
march were kept from the men until
nearly noon, Major Bowles desirin.
10 zee how soon the battalion could
prepare TO leave camp.
They left promptly on time, the ad-
vance guard. Company A. under
command OF Captain Mcdowell.
marching down the hill to river road
al $50 O'Clock. and the main body.
composed of Companies b. c ard
ID. following ten minutes later, I'M
der command OF Major Bowles.
The first call was sounded at 3;1o
and assembly at $40. Every man.
fully equipped for the march. was
in line promptly. Individual rations
were issued To the men and no COM
pany messing Will be allowed with
the exception of permission to pre-
pare coffee. Utensils for coffee for
the band and companies were car
ried in one of the battalion escort
wagons Officers baggage and uten-
sils for cooking coffee were taken
along by the quartermaster.
Company and band quartermasters
accompanied the wagon train under
command Of Lieutenant y. w. Bowles,
| Jr., battalion auartermaster.
| Twenty-four men were detailed to
remain In camp for guard duty during
the absence of the battalion Owing
to a desire to carry as many men as
! possible on the hike. sixteen of the
men on guard are forced TO extra
| duty.
Fifteen on Sick Leave.
/ Fifteen men were left behind on
sick leave. all being excused from
duty by Captain Fuimer Bright, sur
| geon. None OF the men are seriously
| i'll. their disability being due to In
| juries and minor disorders of tenn
porary nature.
The progress OF the battalion will
he slow as many halts Will be made
| for observing movements of the
enemy and it is likely that they will
take up a position for a skirrnish
until the advance guard encounter
f, that Of the enemy.
| The enemy's scouts will drop back
| following the skirmish and the bat
| talon will continue to Dooms Cross
1 Ing. where they WIN pitch their shell
ter tents for the night. The site Of
the camp was selected by Lieutenants
Fuller and MeGraw. who blazed the
trail Yesterday and made maps OF
the route and of good positions to
take in the event a large body OF the
enemy is encountered.
The sits selected Is on q bluff over
looking the river and Is we'll chosen
for the comfort OF men and animals
and supplies of water and wood.
Camp Five Niles From Basic.
The site of the camp is about five
miles from Basic and an effort will
be made to reach there before dark
and get the shelter set up though the
working out of the problem may re-
Quire considerable time.
Reveile will sound at s 80 o clock
Tomorrow morning The hattalior
Will eat hasty breakfast and start
back for camp on q forced march,
reaching here al an early hour, Cap
tain r. 8 Knox. T.. s. A.. instructor
inspector Of the camp. took the non
commissioned officers Of the four com
panjes out to-day for a tactical walk
proceeding northward two miles from
the camp. Captain Knox explained
the details of forming an advance
guard and the usual tactics for the
guard while IN the enemy's country
7 II rrcptunde4 problems and quzzed
the nlen on what they would do under
| certain prescribed conditions
Compliment the Blues.
Major Bowles and the compan,
officers were much pleased to- day by
the following communication from
officials Of the town OF Basic CITY:
Basic City, Va. July 90 1911
To the Officers and Men of the Rich
moud Light Infantry Blues
Gentlemen. For ourselves and fol
the citizens of the town generally
we desire TO compliment your magni-
fic~nt battalion their ePrntfefnanfs
department and unfailing courtesy tt
all with whom they come in contact
We feel honored by the presence oi
such Virginian gentlemen and wher
the tramp. tramp tramp OF the Rich
mond Light Infantry Blues may b,
heard. the gate of our little city vii
always swing open and. embiazonet
y above VIII stand forth the word wei
i come looping your stay may prnvt
both profitable and pleasant and wish
ing you a safe return To your beau
tiful city. and with a heartily invita-
ton to return whenever you may de
sire, we remain. Yours most re
spectfully. George McCralg, J. p: A
p, Calfee. p. M; j. frank FRY. eoun
Gilman: G. w. + Moore. acting mayor
V I. Guyer councilman. The letter
was pleasing to both officers ant
men,
Large numbers OF the Blues go t,
Basic City and Waynesboro daily ant
citizens and business men of TIL,
towns ahve been heard to express
themselves 70 compliment Of tn
Blues During the enoanpment her.
several years ago the people of Basic
had some trouble with the enlisted
tbara eau1a Cbirctint