Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-15

..;aneuvers Headquarters. STRAIT
ford. Ct, Aug 1.-THE position OF the
Red ana the Blue armies, tonight. sug
gests the imminenee OF general en-
gagcment on parallel lines running
due north and south, and separated by
n few miles of broken country, the two
forces rest on their arms, their picl<ets
in torch. but not aggressive. The lines
run through the towns OF Monroe and
Huntington. the Red front being
about four miles from the HeHsatonif
river at shelton.
To get within striking distance of
New York City. the Reds must sweep
away the formidable barrier, which
now lies in their pathway. Heretofore
their progress has been easy, and in
the last few days. they have had sim
ply to oHtllank detached units Of the
defenders and then move on with triv-
ial losses. Now, after three days Of
desperate fighting by the several
brigades. which have been seeking to
concentrate the Blues can hardly be
expected to give up the advantages of
defensive plan made feasible by the
contour of the country.
the long steep ridges in Bethlehem
by storm Field" the summer home
Of the late Mark Twain, suggest that
Gen. Albert L. Mills will continue on
the defensive. hoping to draw the Reds
into some Of the many valleys and then
anniiilate- them with his field guns.
TIE country is finely adapted to de-
fense. Col Parlier's cavalry force OF
more than 1000 is a mobile power to
protect the Blue flank on the south.
while the guns, placed ON many of the
elevations will support magnificently
Gen. Mills three brigades of infantry
The easy progress. by which the in
vading Reds have crossed Southern
New England and the Housatonic.
which latter many thought would
provide an excellent natural barrier.
VIII now give way to hard fighting and
slow progress.
If it is delay that the Blues want,
they can get it by entrenching on the
hills. Gen. Hines of the New Jersey
brigade did this, today, but the Red
artillery, which had been brought M
at the right time after hard march,
was posted by Gen. Pew, the opposing
brigade commander on another hill
and so dominated the trenches that
the enemY's infantry was able to se-
cnre positions that would have led TO
enfilading on both TANKS.
che result secured by the engage
ment vas, that Gen. Mills extrieated
the 2a New York from a somewhat dis
agreeable position at the south. while
Gen Smith has brought his provisional
brigade under Col. coHles into 4 po-
sition. where it will help drive home
an attack on any part of the Blue line.
Each army as it lines up has he
come q single large unit The instruc-
tianal period is drawing to a close. II
has provided not only instruction for
the Individual soldier, but has given
subordinate officers the chance to ex-
ercise higher commands.
The last day of the period is at hand
when two veteran soldiers, Brig. Gen.
Frederick a. Smith, Z. s. A., and Brig.
Gen. Albert L. Mills. II. s A., will be
in command nominally of the two di-
visions. Brig. Gen. Bliss. L. S. A.. the
maneuvers commander. will. in fact.
make their moves and then the first
period is ended.
Tomorrow's general engagement IS
expected to be some miles west of
Stepney. Then viii come two DAYS