Norwich bulletin., 1912-08-15

Maneuver Headquarters, Strauord -,onn. Aug. 1i-The position of the Red and Blue armies tonight suggests the imminence of general engage mont On parallel lines running due north and south, and Separated by a few miles of broken country, the two forces rest on their arms, their pick cts iu touch but not aggressive. These lines run through the towns of Mon roe and Huntington. the Red front be- snE about four miles from the Housa- tonic river at Shelton.
 Barrier Ahead of Red Army.
 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 outfiank detached units of the defenders and then move on with triv- aal losses. Now, after three days of desperate fighting by the several brig ades which have been seeking to con- centrate. the Blues can hardly be ex- pected to give up the advantages of a defensive plan made. feasible by the contour of the country.
 
 The long steep ridges in Bethlehem and NewtOwn, one of them crowned by Stormfeld the summer home of the late Mark Twain. suggests that Gen. Albert L. Mills will continue on the defensive, hoping to draw the Reds into some of the many valleys and then annihilate him with his field guns. The. country is finely adapted 10 defense Colonel Parker's cavalry force of more than 1000 is a mobile power by which to protect the Blue flank on the south, while the guns placed on many of tte elevations will support magniicentll' General Mills three brigades of infantry
 Artillery Brought Up.
 The easy progress by which the in vEding Reds have crossed southern NeV England and the Housatonic, which latter many thought would pro- vide an excellent natural barriers, will now give way to hard fighting and slow progress. If 1t is delay that the Blues want they can get it by en- trenching on the hills General Hines of the New Jersey brigade did this today, but the Red artillery, which had been brought up at the right time after a hard march, was posted by General Pew, the opposing brigade commander. on another hill and so dominated the trenches that the ene- rny's infantry was able to secure posi- sious that would have led to enhlading on both Hanks.
 Marched in Doeday Discomfort.
 The result secured by the engage ruent was that General Mills extricated the Second New York from some what disagreeable position at the south. while General Smith has brought his provisional brigade under Colonel Cowles into a position where it will help drive home an attack on any part of the Blue line. Gen. Fred erick A. Smith, commanding the Reds has almost completely cOncen- trated his forces. much of the march ing today being in almost overpower ing heat and dogday discomfort. His lines which yesterday were extended from Great Ring Hill in the corner of Newtown and upon lands adjacent to the summer home of President Hadley of Yale university, to Orange across the Housatonic river in a southerly directio. and an air line distance of some twenty-five miles. have been contracted and made adaptable to uuick evolutions. Its front is perhaps eight miles.
 
 The last day of the period is at hand when two veteran soldiers. Brig. Gen. Frederick A. Smith, U. $. A., and Brig. Gen. Albert l.. Mills. U. S. A., will be in command nominally of the two divisions. Brigadier General Bliss, U s. A., the maneuver commander will, in fact. make their moves, and then the first period is ended. To- morrOw's general engagement is ex- pected to be come miles west of Step uey. Then will come two days of bat tle in which Generals Smith and Mills will display their own skill and strat- agy unhampered and General Bliss will @ in the actual role of chief umpire.
 Air Scout Out of Business.
 The war game today included an enlargement in Huntington, and the marches of outlying units towards concentration. There was no aerial scouting by the aviation corps as Lieu tenant Foulois, who had started out met with a slight mishap over Bots ford, damaging somewhat his machine by a quick drop. The repairs were later made at the camp here.
 Artillery Wiped Out the Blues.
 In the enga cement, around Walnut Tree hill the artillery played a part and a most important part, too, for the first time in these maneuvers. Rum bling Into position on top of high hill within good range of the Blue soldiers who had entrenched the hill, immune from the rifle fire of the Red infantry. the New Jersey artillery, by an arrival almost as timely as that of the Second Maine at Berkshire yes terday. worried the Blues and theo- retically wiped out large part of them.
 Blues on the Defensive.
 The engagement was slowly brought m IL was lively at times. General Hines. the New Jersey commander of the Blue force. elected to take a de- fensive position, as he was outnum- bered. He had no artillery to help out This was far in the rear. General Pew. with the Red force. ascertained the probable strength of his opponent and finding out where 1t was. drove fn his attack after cautiously locat- ing the trenches. Colonel Parkers cavalry prevented a wide fanking ,oaveulent and su the artillery was or dered up a hill.
 Into P.sition on the Gallop.
 Th- lons green slope of the rise vss snou streaked with lines Of dust ss fine batteries. with horses on the rsllop. took position. The interest to rbs spectators on the highways in the rre7arations of the Red infantry at fhe trenches gave way 10 admiration as they saw the guns belch forth curls