The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-09-24
SOLDIER BOYS
BUSY WITH
SHAM FIGHTS
SECOND REGIMENT ENGAGES IN
SHAM BATTLE AND THE Gov
ERNoR MAKES INSPECTION
FIRST INFANTRY HOLDS DRESS
PARADE.
Special to The Journal

Black Point, Sept. 23.-The soldiers
at Camp Fleming today busted them
selves with tactical problems. During
the morning hours, beginning at 1880
o'clock and ending at IL, the country
to the southwest of the reservation
resounded with the crack of musketry,
as the various units moved to the at
tack.
OF the maneuvers today. the Second
Infantry, divided about equally. as to
companies, probably had the most in
teresting exercises. That is, from d
spectacular point of view. Col. A. HI.
Blanding commanded q portion of the
troops, while Major S. J. Wolf di-
rected the destinies Of the other half
1t was a problem of attack and de-
Tense, involving. Of course, advance
guard, outposts and patrolling work
The men were furnished with blank
ammunition and the interesting little
battle had all the realism and excite
ment Of real affair. No decision was
given as to the result, or probable re-
suit. as 1t seems to be an unwritten
law in army war maneuvers that the
result OF sham fights should not be
given.
Discuss Problems Presented.
After these exercises In the morning.
the officers gather In school imme-
diately after dinner and discuss what
.
on duty here as instructors direct the
work Of the men In the field. that Is,
they lay out the problems and observe
how the national guard officers carry
them to conclusion, at he same time
Offering suggestions, giving advice,
etc. At officers school. the work is
gone over again, the mistakes pointed
out and differences drawn as to what
would have happened had ball car
tridges been used and conditions real
The work OF the First infantry con-
sisted of outposts and patrolling. in
volving an attack. Tonight, 1t Is not
known Just what viii be taken up to-
morrow, but II is expected that there
will be, some regimental work for the
First, in tactical problems.
The field work of the day ended late
this afternoon with a splendid dress
parade by the First infantry. Quite a
number OF visitors came out In the
watched this interesting ceremony
which never grows old. no matter how
many times 1t is witnessed. It Is i'm
pressive, and there Is something in
tn ceremony that appeals to most
every one. The regiment this after
noon was in command OF Lieut.. Col
Joseph p. Hickey, this being the first
time Col. Hickey has ofiiciated in this
capacity, as he was recently commits
stoned lieutenant colonel. The parade
was q splendid martial picture. From
''to the colors'' to the last notes OF
Star Spangled Banner everything
worked smoothly, and although the
ceremony today was the second of the
camp. the troops behaved like vet
Grams.
Regulars Much Pleased.
The medical officers Of the United
States army on duty with the troops
as well as the other regular army men
have expressed themselves as being
much pleased with the work of the
guard. OF course, the first few days
matters are somewhat up in the air. =
90 to suealx but now things are begin
ming to settle down to rock bottom
basis, and in day or two results OF
an appreciable nature win begin to
show. Concerning sanitary conditions
here. the regular army men and Of
ficers OF the guard are still incensed
over the unfounded report that the
camp was In an unsanitary condition
There Is absolutely no truth in the
story, and 1t has been condemned by
those. familiar with conditions, in the
strongest possible language. Visitors