Norwich bulletin., 1912-08-17
Thanking Tactics
 Push Blues Back
DEFENDING ARMY MUST FIGHT
 TO PROTECT ITS DEPOT
BIG BATTLE COMING
Reds Must oisIodse The Blue Artillery From the Taunton HirIs-BIues Hopeful of Saving New York.

1he Ddtlle between the Reds and tho Blues today to be fougrt on will probably be the greatest mil itary event of it's nature held in peace times in this country About i4.OOO lnfantrymen, 5000 cavalrymen and 1000 artillerymen with 40 field pieces will take part.
 Reds Must Attack.
 Before the battle ends all will be engaged. The Blues are intrenched on the hills and the Reds will attack. The outcome will depend both on the handling of the units by General Smith, the Red commander. and Gen eral Mills, the Blue general and the ability of subordinate officers to carry out orders. The enthusiasm of the enlisted men is unquestioned.
 Battle Over Before Dark.
 The battle will end before dark when the First Vermont will be en- tained. Orders issued Friday niRne provide for entraining most of the vol unteers on Sunday
 The Blues are in position tonight. the Reds will be in theirs by morning Motor trucks breaking down several small bridges delayed moving field trains of Red units and accounts for me delay saAsssssR ,4
 S300,000 To Pay of.
 It will take nearly $500, 900 to pay off the enlisted volunteers before they go home.
 Face to Face Again. Manoeuvre Headquarters. Newtown, Conn, Aug. 16-The Blue army is face to face with the Red army of invasion tonight, and the pitched battle which will decide the fate of New York can | he nplqNH0 b1If thousand soldiers will surely begin | burning gunpowder tomorrow early and may keep it up most of the day. Blues Cannot Retreat.
 The two armies must fight because | the Blues cannot retreat. 1t must de- fend it's depot at Danbury. The Reds cannot get New York unless they can | take the ridges on which General Mills | has placed his infantry covered by l two regiments of artillery Moreover, the men in both armies are eager for | the clash. The Blues have not liked the idea of getting ready for battle and then having to withdraw, and tho Reds are enthusiastic over their pre- | Vious victory at Great Ring Hill and | Huntington.
 Flanking Tactics Spoiled Exhibition. | The fianking tactics of the Red army proved heartbreaking experience for | thousands of automobilists summer | guests in the hotels nd the residents hereabouts. They sat or stood around | in the burning sun for hours waiting | for big battle. The non -combatants did not know and could hardly be ex- | pected to appreciate the finer points of military strategy which enables ons army to outfank an opposing force if it has men enough. This is just what ! h1nnnrand fp ha A-Ia
 Clash of outposts.
 The automobilists and townspeopls were sure of excitement when a lot 1 of troopers of the Red, who had been screening the Red armys main column advance, ran into a Bule outpost in the | valley just east of NeWtoWn and open ed fire. The popping of rifles sent the crowds of spectators to the private lawns overlooking this valley but Colonel Parker and his staff took to their saddles and in ten minutes were scurrying west towards Taunton Hill on the way to Hawleyville. Colonel Parker and his staff had been in New town Inn receiving congratulations on their splendid work of the cavalry from the guests, and officers were giv- ing words of assurance that the Reds were to be beaten back and then came the changes.
 Dueked Into the Trenches.
 When the people who were watching the outpost slirmish over towards Sandy Hook turned their faces to- wards the main street every man with & Blue banti on his hat had dis appeared. Up the hill behind the inn were long lines of entrenchments.T The automobilists were a disappointed lot, as they had figured it out that both armies would fight hereabouts. The military explanation is that the Reds unexpected march up the bank of the Housatonic to Newtown as far as Sandy Hook had made Newtown Center worthless as a defensive po- sition. The whole Blue army in the afternoon had been withdrawn to the hills northwest of Taunton Mountain and were in defensive positions. The Blue army is in good shape. The men think they should have had a chance to win one victory at least. but they are still hopeful of saving New York city and it's water shed.
 Many Prisoners Taken.
 The actual fighting all day was by cavalry screens with here and there clash by the Red advance guard when it ran against the Blue fianlting column and the rear guard. Prison CTS were freely taken on both sides The report by Brigadier General Bliss, the chief umpire, throwing light on to- days movements, is as follows:
 Chief Umpire's Report.
 "The operations today involved flank march to the north by both d- visions which has been executed with out noteworthy incident and to all re- ports has been well executed by both divisions. The Blue cavalry which was made independent by the com mander of the Blue division seized Newtown early today. Both forces now fairly well concentrated are fac- ing each other in the vicinity of New town. Outposts have been established and all active operations terminated for the day.
 "The manoeuvres commander has directed that no officers or men of the opposing forces cross the outpost line except the regularly constituted pa- tr0ls The energies of both divisions are now directed toward getting up their respective field trains which ac- tually constituted the most difficult part of the problem today The health and spirits of both commands are ex- cellent. No definite reports have been received by the chief umpire from the aeroplane squadron
 The day was one of hard work for the soldiers and plenty of excitement (and dusD for the thousands who rode over the roads of Fairfield county.