Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-08-31
Companies and Battalions
Maneuver on Battlefield
Today; Are Taught Meth
Cd Of Gaining Vantage.
FIRST DRESS PARADE
HELD LAST NIGHT



soldier boys must solve In actual war
fare when skill and ability will be
matched for the point of vantage both
in companies and battalions, was the
training received by the Fifty-fourth
regiment Of the Iowa National Guard
at Camp Bishop today. The guards
men were instructed upon the points
In advance against the enemy, to gain
q position where their strength would
be doubly strong. to keep under cover
and await the favorable opportunity
for the charge, and In fact every point
which has to do with company and
battalion action on the field of battle.
The twelve companies entered into
the work with q will and with .
spirit OF earnestness that expressed
their realization Of the purpose OF
government Of country and state in
placing them In camp training for ten
days at great expense. The men
followed directions implicitly and put
forth every effort to 60 through the
maneuvers as their commanders de-
sired. Although such field work,
crawling through the brush, charging
up q hill on the enemy and 0thor ~.
lions may seem play to many visitors
yet they will realize after q Inomomts1
reflection that such maneuvers are dk
grave and serious matter as It 10 what
is required OF them on the field Of bat
tie. They are training for disciplined
and experienced methods OF warfare
that their country might have an army
ready to step into the field should
the time come. They are rehearsina,
war.
Drill All Day.
company problems were taken up
during the morning hours and battaL
ion problems this afternoon. Prob.
lens" should not confuse visitors % ~
means simply maneuvering on the
field or q sham battle without firing.
The several companies acted inde-
pendent Of each other this morning In
sOfar as their maneuvers were con-
cerned but Jointly when watching for
| the enemy. Three battalions solved
their problems this afternoon, the.
four com mpanies In each battalion, act.
| ing as one body. Both were nicely
done and were an exhibition OF tho
thorough training the militiamen OF to.
day are receiving.
TomorroW's Program.
Tomorrow morning will be taken up
with battalion drill In close and ex-
tended order. Yesterday close order
was followed in the morning and ex-
tended order in the afternoon but to.
morrow morning the two methods will
be doubled and the soldiers put
through two hours drill. Tomorrow
afternoon regimental drill will take
place, which will be performed by the
twelve companies together. This
promises to be pretty sight, even
greater than regimental parade. The
latter drill will also take place tomor.
row evening. A large crowd Ii expect.
ed to attend the dress parade this ev-
ening which takes place at g.
clock. Those who desire to attend
may take Chester avenue car az late
as 5:45 o'clock and arrive at the pa
rade ground in plenty Of time for the
spectacle. The companies fall In at
1 camp at 8 o'clock but 1t is fifteen min
utes before they arrive on the parade
| ground.
Maneuvers This Morning.
Company problems were solved this
/ morning. A 8 O'Clock the twelve COM
4 panies fell in and marched to the top
! Of their respective streets. From
there, under direction OF their captains
and higher ofiicers they left the camp
in all directions, no company know.
/ ing the destination Of the other ct the
/ time. To the west OF the camp 10 q
| vast field devoid Of trees and brush.
It was on g slope and gave the soldier
boys an opportunity to reach the crest
OF the hill without detection by those
on the other side. Beyond this field
was q heavy woods with thick under
| growth. Several companies left camp
to the south and the rear entering tho
woods there and marching to the slope
OF the field. Then they started their
advance from the trees, crawling up
the slope where there was danger Of
being seen. When depression in the
ground was reached they would adj
i vance at double quick. Upon reach,
Ing the top OF the hill, the several
companies took their positions alona
the firing line, prone on the ground
with guns in readiness. The woods
upon the three sides, north, west
i and south found company or two,
as the case may be, watching for the
i approach OF the enemy, or the other
II