New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-13

himself almost got completely disar-
ranged, all because the New York citi-
zen troops displayed far greater de-
gree Of efficiency in getting into action
than was expected Of them.
They will be handicapped if the cam
paign Is to be fought out as planned.
The manifestation Of this handicap
came tonight, when orders were re-
ceived keeping the dashing First Bri-
Eade In 2 state Of idleness for to-mor-
row,
Regular Praises Militia.
.. this sort Of thing keeps up said
n nigh regular army officer lit won't
be many years long before the regular
troops Will be taking lessons from the
militia instead of being detailed as at
present to instruct them. General Dyer
won hts SPURS to-day as commander Of
his splendldly efficient brigade. He is
an officer Of initiative, quick to see an
opportunity and unhesiteting in taking
advantage Of IT,"
The trouble all began al : o'clock IN
the morning The first brigade was or
dered by General Smith, commanding
the Red army. to get into motion at
that hour toward Milford crossing the
Housatonic at Naugatuck Junction
driving the Blues before them. This
important enterprise was intrusted TO
General Dyer who promptly got his
column into motion, led by the Ith
Regiment.
General Mills. commander Of the de-
Tending Blues. he'd meanwhile ordered
his troops TO resist any advance of the
enemy along the highway. Both these
movements were really set afoot by the
single mind of General Bliss who
counted on the opposing troops in his
calculations az being Of. about equal
efficiency. and their encounter. there
fore. was 70 produce certain results In
the theory Of the campaign.
The LIST Brigade upset the calcula-
tons of the experts. who had figured
things out 10 a nicely. according TO the
rules of war. by getting under way
about twice az fast as militia troops
ought TO do. The troops of the Blues,
on the other hand. moved with about
the speed militia troops are supposed to
he able 10 make.
The result was that the clash came
much nearer Milford, and therefore
much nearer the main line of defence
than was expected. Moving along the
Milford-N Haven state road the eth
came upon the enemy and waded into
them with the rattle of musketry and
an impetuous onset that sent the de-
Tending advance guard flying down the
road. They fell back upon the main
body. under command Of General Eddy.
commanding the I'd New York Brigade
Of the Blue side.
Blue Army outflanked.
Hearing the firing. General Dyer had
rushed to the front. or at least as far
!, front as a general should The advance
guard CT the 9TH Regiment occupied the
attention OF the enemy in front, while
General Dyer turned the main body Of
his troops to the right end TO the left
outfianking the Blues.
In another minute he would have had
them completely surrounded.
Wait walt" cried the umpires.
But General Dyer was not to be denied
by mere umpire unless he knew the
reason why. He had the enemy lust
where he wanted them. and, according to
his view OF the situation, there was moth
ing TO prevent his capturing them, break
ing through the line Of defence and keep
ing right on until he reached the white
lights Of Broadway itself. where he could
distribute 10 his irresistible troops the
ample fruits Of their victory.
But you must stop the umpires in
sisted.
Why demanded the general. and adj
ded some further military remark. This
was a query that nonplussed the umpires
for moment They looked at one an
other.
Onion Patch Saves the Day.
Well" said one OF them there Is an
oii4Ol pdA'i tle way, anu IT you sent
your troops through there you would
damage private property. which isn't al
lowed in this campaign under any con-
ditions.'
This was an answer that could not be
met. even by General Dyer, and in ac-
cordance with the rules of the game and
the prearrsnged plan OF the campaign he
knuckled down. He received orders from
his commanding general TO withdraw to
Orange and camp there for the night
The Blue army also retreated and took
up its position for the night at Nauga-
tuck Junction. Although in the annals
OF the campaign this action on the Mil
ford New Haven stae road goes down
as drawn battle. If you were to judge
bv tho broad smiles of satisfaction
around the headquarters Of the LIST Bri-
gade you would know that the truth w"r
simply that an onion patch and ala at
pire were all that had saved the right
wing OF the Blue army from rout and
New York from capture.
A slight advantage in the campaign.
however. was gained BY the Red army,