Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1912-08-07
10000 Soldiers
In Mimic War
SATURDAY IN SOUTHWEST COR
NER OF NEW ENGLAND
REGULARS AND MILITIA
Blue Army Will Protect New York.
Battle Perhaps Near New Haven
Connecticut Troops Engaged.

Stratford, Conn, Aug. 6.-The mimic
warfare which will open in the south
west corner of New England on Aug.
10Th between the armies of Reds" and
Blues" with some 10000 men on
each side, presupposes military events
on a large scale. 1t will be officially
known as the Connecticut maneuver
campaign and is planned for maneu-
vers and field instruction of various
arms of both the regular army and
the volunteer militia. A number of
organizations of regulars have already
been ordered to take the field and
militia of four of the New England
states, together with portions of the
national guard Of New York and New
Jersey, will be placed in active ser
vice for a ten-day period.
More Than 100 Officers.
Bfigadier General Tasker H. Bliss,
commanding the Department Of the
East, United States army, with head
quarters at Governors Island, New
York, will be commander of the man
euver campaign. He will have under
him not only his own staff, but large
detail of army officers, estimated at
over IOO, or all ranks.
Invading Army of "Reds."
The maneuver problem is describ-
ed in this way: A war has been pre-
cipitated in the United States by q
great European power, which has de-
feated and blockaded the pFtncipal
United States fleet at Hampton roads.
An invading army of the European
Reds" has landed at New Bedford,
Mass, advanced on Boston, defeated
a Blue army and is pursuing it on
it's retreat towards Albany, n. Y, via
Worcester and Springfield, Mass.
Meanwhile, a division Of the RED
army has occupied Providence, R. L,
moved westward unopposed, placing
small garrisons in New London, Viii
limantic, Hartford and Middletown, but
the main divisional body pressing on
to New Haven, driving back a BLUE"
regiment from the latter city and Ia
ter occupying with a detached force
the city of Waterbury.
In the meantime a second support
ing RED" army Of 100000 men has
been landed at New Bedford. The
main objective of the whole Red
army of 100000 men and its campaign
is New York City. But the immedi-
ate scene of the maneuvers is the
minor strategy of the division of the
Reds" advanced to New Haven and
Waterbury, two cities about 80 miles
apart and occupying the region ada
cent to and between each point, which
is cut by the Housatonic and Nauga-
tuck rivers. The Reds" however
have been unable in their quick ad
vance to seize the region lying fur
ther northwest, the apex of which
(under theoretical limitations Of the
Operations), is at Danbury. which be-
comes a potential fanking point AM
which is held by the defending
Blues"
Strategy of the "Blues."
The immediate strategy of the
Blue army comprehends the with
drawal to New York City and Albany
Of the rolling stock of the New Eng
| land railroads; and the organization
near New York Of a provisional Blue
division rushed towards Danbury ano
Bridgeport The official outlines OF
the maneuvers shows a kind of divi-
sional campaign intended to protect
New York from the quick and direct
attack on that city by the advanced
| division of the Reds" at New Haven
Waterbury and the region between as
the base line of their future advance
The Red" army of invasion will be
commanded by General Frederick A
Smith of the Central army division
while. the defenders, or Blues" viii
be under the direction of General Ed
ward ]. McClernand, of the Pacific
! division.
Where Engagement May Be.
There lies a southern zone about l.
miles broad between Paradise Greer
and New Haven directly between the
Blue" headquarters at the former
place and the main body of the ad-
vancing Reds at New Haven, which
| seems to forecast an early engage.
ment thereabouts, although for obvi.
GUS reasons the actual movement.
Tand strategy Of the contendlng force!
/ is concealed.
! There will take part in the theatel
Of war about 005,Sr eguatplrroo mhef
| of war about $500 regular troops.
The national guard will be made
! up as follows: From New York, sever
| regiments Of infantry, with cavalry
| field artillery, engineers, hospital anC
! ambulance companies.
| From New Jersey will come threi
regiments of infantry, two troops o
cavalry, two batteries of field artillery
! Win SlSnal ana hospital corps.
From Massachusetts there will b.
four regiments of infantry with sig
nal and hospital corps and first ambu
/ lance corps.
Connecticut Forces.
The Connecticut forces will be tn
1st and Id infantry, 1st Separat
company (colored), 1st company Sig
nal corps, Field hospital and ambu
lance company.
Maine will send its I'd Infantry
Vermont its last infantry.
Sanitary troops will accompany or
ganizations to which they are attach
ed. The volunteer forces will numbe
about 5000, about 5000 of the lat
ter coming from New York state.
Upon arrival at their detrainin
stations all organizations will be me
by an umpire instructor who wi
give information as to their exact des
tination for the mobilization and Wi
designate as each day's operations ar
completed the overnight camp.