Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-23
REVIEWS I'd INF.
Continued From Page I J

sition and gather other information re-
gardiDg the Blue forces. Soon a trooper
was seen dunning up the field and arriv-
ing almost GREATNESS with the intorIna-
ton that a small body of the Blues was
trying a hanking movement on the right,
coming UP by the way of the railroad.
Immediately everybody was interested
and anxiously awaited for something 10
start. Crack. went one of the rifles Of
the soldiers in the trenches, which denot-
ed that the Blues were discovered IN
their positions, and Intermittent firing
was in progress with the intention of
ORA wing the fire and trying to force the
rear guard to disclose its position. but
this scheme failed. This was not the
only way the Red army had of obtain
ing information, as a venturesorne patrol
was already out and close to the lines
of the Blue army. SO close that a lieu
tenant and 10 of the patrol were obliged
to surrender when they fell into a trap
veil set by Capt. Gould of G Co. How
ever, enough Of the patrol got away and
back to the lines to report the position
of the Blues. This information was COM
muAicated to Maj. Southland (Geronino),
who with his command. made a flank
some Low brush in the rear of the Wal
lace Weeks farm and was working an
excellent detour to strike Major Mayos
right flank. but out of consideration for
the crops on the farms in the area that
would, If a state Of war existed. have to
be Travelled Major Southland took the
open Geld in close order for a short dis
lance and then deployed in skirnish for
nation. opening an incessant fire on the
position OF the deta chment that held the
elevation known as the Cross grove,
south of the Weeks farm. Little did Ma
jor Southard dream that while making
his steady charge by rushes he was fac
ing a sweeping and murderous crosstre
from four of the machine guns cleverly
concealed in two big pine trees over 400
yards apart. This part of infantry at
tack was something novel, though clev-
eriy executed. and bespeaks the unlirit-
ed possibilities of this new arm of the
service. The steady fire of both parties
acted with a precision and rapidity that
lent a realism to the picture and would
make one wonder how much ammunition
must have been used in some of the re-
cent big battles in the war in Europe.
One Side cheered
AS soon as Major Southard made his
advance part way up the position OF
the Blues, Major Hadley. who was
covering a detachment on the knoll
opposite to that of the position held
by Mayo. moved from his intrenched
position and advanced to the left
short distance and opened fire on an
exposed body that had advanced to
meet Southland. Every detachment
moved with precaution and under Won
derful mobility. all seeming to sense
the necessity Of organization and not
to make the slightest error that would
rule them out or lose the victory. 1t
was interesting to watch the work Of
the inspector instructors, Lieutenants
Tarnham and Niles. who were acting
as unpires; thus being neutral they
were in no position to offer any sug-
gestions or make corrections, but were
covering the ground pretty thoroughly
and observing the principal points OF
offenee and attack as executed by the
two factions, the result Of which will
probably come to light in the near fu-
ture. These gentlemen are as silent as
the sphinx when questioned as to the
results or who were the winners, even
Serzt. Bolding was equally reticent.
But one thing was noticeable, however,
when the battle ended one side did a
lot Of cheering while the other was
less demonstrative.
1t was q thrilling spectacle and show
ed a remarkable advance in the train
nx Of militia, both in officers and me1e