Norwich bulletin., 1912-08-13


 lending Blue army and deferred them sufficiently to concentrate its own forces at a point from which New York can be taken by sweeping down the Hudson valley. was the great ad- vantage secured by the hostile "Red' army in todRy's maneuvers. By mak- ing a spectacular move towards NH ford with It's lett wing, as though to take the bridges over the lower Hous atomic river at Naugatuck Junction, Brigadier General Frederick A. Smith with his Red army succeeded in draw ing the Blues to that point, while his cavalry forced 8 passage to the west bank, for the first time, by way of the bridge at Shelton. fifteen miles above. Opening Direct Avenue to Reservoir,
 This passage of the river. was part of a general advance by General Smith along his entire front of thirty miles. In massing the brigades of his left wing at Orange, General Smith has indicated a plan to throw quickly thousands of soldiers over the river at Shelton before Brigadier General. AL bert L. Mills can reconcentrate to op- pose him. A direct avenue to the Croton reservoir and the back door of New York city along which the Red army probably anticipates less resist AlBEG lhdu Ry AOAHOO lh7 LhO A2OdAA0 shore, may be secured
 Picture New York with its water supply cut ofF' was the way the war problem was put in an official state ment from the headquarters of the Connecticut maneuverS last night. Within twenty -four hours the enemy has become a greater menace than at any time since it's invasion of New England began.
 Cavalry EntaneIed.
 The Red army in force is marching Cd Derby while it has drawn General AE1n8 big cavalry brigade around into . neck of land from which withdrawal must be made over two bridges. The enemy stubbcrnty holds it's position on the west bank of the Eousatonie while General Mills is sending his brigade of New Jersey infantry down from the hIDs west of Shelton in order to dis DUbe a further advance.
 Center and Left of Unknown Strength
 Further north at Zoar bridge in Sey- u1our and at Bennett's bridge above, the Red patrols have appeared and Col s. c. CDwles' brigade, made up 0f the First and Second Connecticut and the Second Maine. have been nov ing toward these goals. Already the Blue army Is moving along it's front in order to meet the enemy. It's strength at the center and left wings , against which General Smith is throw ing the greatest weight, is not yet known
 Fight on the Milford Turnpike.
 Today's interesting fight on the Mil , ford turnpike was part of General Smiths plan Do keep the Blue army busy while he perfected his plans for a quick dash through the hills of northern Connecticut, which would place him behind the metropolis, and from which point he could straddle it's watershed and present terms for sub mission
 An official account of today's ma neuvers was made by Brigadier Gen. Tasl1er H. BfiSs. the chief umpire. as follows:
 Plan to Seize the Bridges.
 The plan decided upon by the Red commander, General Smith, for the day had in view an attempt to repair the bridges at Derby and Shelton. and send his cavalry across at that point. while, at the same time, sending his left brigade, near Tyler's station, southwest, to drive the Blue forces out of Milford, seizing the bridges across the HousatOnic river at Nauga- tuck Junction.
 Advance Guard with Mounted Scouts
 The Blne commander, General Mills, , directed his right brigade just north east of Milford to resist any advance of the enemy until relieved by the pro vtsional cavalry brigade which was ordered to move east from it's bivouac just north of Bridgeport. The First brigade, N. G., N. T.. Red. moved out from Tyler's station about a. m, and started southwest along the Milford ; New Haven state read. The Seventh regiment, N. G., N. T.. formed the advance guard with Ets mounted scouts ta advance of the point. At the cross foads about three miles northeast of 9filkord, the Blue outposts were en- countered but those outposts with drew and the Red brigade continued its advance towards Milford. Mean while the Second brigade. N. G., N. r., Blue, was retiring toward Milford without opposing the Red advance.
 Blue Rearguard Checked Reds. When the rear forces Gone battai- ion) of the Blue troops had arrived within about a mile and a half of Milford, General Eddy directed 1t to take tip a position across the Milford New Haven state road and resist any advance of the enemy. He turned one regiment of to join the other two to the north of the Miiford-Mew Haven state road about a mile and a half northeast of Milford.
 'SFhs advance body of the Seventh regiment, N, G. N, r., Red, soon en- eountsred the Blue rear guard and a lively fight snsued, The Blues main- tained their position by reason of the fact that the leading troops of the Seventh regiment could advance only through g narrow dsfile,
 Cutting Of Blues Retreat.
 '-rhe main bedy of the first brigade N, q, N, r., Esd, was turned to the right and moved north from the Atil- ford=N Neg 1IsFen st4ts read in order te reach q position ffetH Whieh it esald advance from the Bllle left flank and cut thstn off fEefa theiP line ef retreat through HaHgatliek JnHetieH, Mean while the BFovisi9Hsl eaEalFy brigade, Blue, passed through Milford about SIS q. fa, and naeved north of the Mill fsfd- New Haven state read
 The long eeiHHaH of cavalry soon eHesaHtasad the leading elements of the Red command. General Dyer had halted his FaaiA body at 8 cross road about miles seHth ef Grange, The