The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-05-25
COLLEGE OF ST. THOMAS
Annual Military Enspection-Sham Bat
tie with University Cadets-Captain
Tebbets of the War Department
Well Pleased with the Proficiency
in Military Science Shown by the
ST. Thomas Cadets.

The annual military inspection of
the College of st. Thomas began on
the afternoon of the goth, when a
sham battle was fought between St.
Thomas and the University of Mime
sota This battle is an annual en-
counter between the rival corps of
cadets, and is a severe test of the
military work done in both institu-
tions. The University students, six
hundred strong, made the attack;
twelve companies of st. Thomas cad
cts, numbering five hundred and fifty,
were on the defensive. The aim of the
University was to seize position be-
tween the Bloomington road and the
Minnesota river from which artillery
fire would render Fort Smelling un-
tenab1e St. Thomas bent all it's ef-
forts on the task of preventing the
enemy from gaining such point of
vantage.
Ideal weather and the prospect of
battle brought out thousands of spec
tators, who followed the varying for
tunes of the fight with intense interest.
Owing to the nature of the ground
every move of the attacking force
could be followed, as also the decisions
of the umpires who from time to time
ruled a company out of the engage
ment. At three o'clock the long lines
of University skirmishes could be seen
sweeping over the prairie, taking ad-
vantage of every knoll and clump of
bushes, keeping up heavy fire as
they advanced. Along the edge of
the copse south of Smelling the ST..
Thomas companies stood their ground,
repelling the attack at several points.
The fighting was most severe close
to the Minnesota River when the
enemy attempted to execute a flank
movement. This attack was repulsed.
For nearly two hours the combatants
met movement with movement and
strategy with strategy, until at length
a struggling fire told that the day was
lost and won. The last shots were
fired at a point where, as the event
proved, the enemy was delivering the
blow that was to decide the day. Then
the umpires drew together from the
various parts of the field, notes were
compared, and the decision was rend-
cred. While expressing the highest
admiration at the strategy with which
st. Thomas guarded it's long line OF de-
fence Major Linsey gave the victory to
the University. The other officers who
acted as judges were Captains Lynch
and Gasser, and Lieutenants McClel'
Ian. Hayes, Moreno and Lowe all OF
Fort Smelling. Colonel Plummer, com
manding officer at Fort Smelling, had
detailed a troop of cavalry to keep
the scene of operations clear, and to
prevent the spectators from approach
ing too closely to the combatants.
President Vincent of the University
Major Butts, commandant of the Uni
versity cadets, and Captain Tebbets
the Inspector, we're interested specta
tors of the battle. A large number o1
the Fort Smelling officers also fol
lowed the manoeuvers.
On the following day the annual in
spectfon of the st. Thomas corps OF
cadets was made by Captain Tebbets
of the General Staff. The morning
was devoted to an inspection of quart
ers, to Signal Corps and Hospita
Corps work, and to map drawing. The
afternoon programme comprised Els
cort to the Color, Regimental Parade
Review, Inspection of Arms, Company
and Battalion Drill, Masses Manual
Calisthenics, and Tent Pitching Th'
friends of the College turned out il
large numbers and showed much ap
probation of the manner in which th'
various exercises were executed. Th'
cadets showed the effect of the splen
did training which they had received
not only by their soldierly bearin,
and their steadiness in ranks but ais
by the ease and sureness with whicl
they went through the evolutions tina
were called for. The new Atheleti
Field affords a splendid arena TO
military exercises, and for three hour
presented scene of unique interes
while the cadets were being put t
the test.
The exercises were concluded wit
an attack which brough the vast aud
ance on the instant to their feet. Sue
denly some companies were seen sea
ing the wall of the Campus and ope1
ing fire on the tents which had bee
pitched at the other end of the Stad
um. The company that was attacke
was quickly reinforced and the battl
was waged on more equal terms. Th
methods of attack and defence we1
admirably illustrated in the mimic ba
tie, and the final charge which ser
the enemy flying was picturesqu
closing of an interesting day.