The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1915-07-09

brought thunders OF applause from
the thousands of spectators that lined
the streets. Each one seemed to feel
\ that the reputation OF his organiza-
tion depended upon his individual ef-
1 fort and determined to do his part to
hold thu standard at the top notch. If
ever there was team work we had 1t
at Hagerstown and that is the thing
that wins every time. The reward
\ f. i'm the fact that every officer pres
ent, the Adjutant General G. z. Mack
/ lin, Brigadier General Chas. D. Gath
Her, Colonel C. A- Little, Commanding
First Regiment, Major John ID. Mark
ey, Commanding Third Battalion, 1st
Infantry, and the Company Officers,
alt personally congratulated Capt.
John N. Weigle on the fine showing
made by his Company and expressed
qualification and surprise that 10
much could have been accomplished
in such short time in whipping
practically new company into shape.
\ Company I'LL IL proud OF it, Command
ing Officer and every man knows that
Captain Weigle is one of the most
efficient officers and soldiers i'm the
entire National Guard. His appear
ance Sunday at the parade and review
was an example and inspiration to his
men and gave them that confidence in
his leadership and ability that IL the
sine qua non of discipline and effici-
ency-
" As the Band and Company III passed
along the streets on every side you
could hear people saying Here come
the Regulars" and the boys certainly
did have the swing OF the professional
soldier. Right here let us say that
this article is a report of the doings
OF Carroll county men at Hagerstown,
and while the other organizations
present are old seasoned, well drill
ed and efficient, handsome appearing
and full Of enthusiasm, our mission
is to let the home folks and the rest
Of the State know how well we did.
Let the scribes OH Hagerstown, Cum
berland and Frederick write the his
tory Of their home Companies and
hose teams.
i The Battle OF Hagerstown.
The street parade was over by noon
and after dinner and a good rest
Company II was formed at 2.30 d. m,
blank ammunition issued and march
cd to the field in the center of the
vi race track and took up position at
the far end to the left of the grand
stand. The scheme was for the West
minister boys to defend this position
against the attack OF the Cumberland,
Frederick and Hagerstown companies.
After selecting position to suit him,
for the defense, Captain Weigle threw
out, as a patrol, his right, platoon
under command of First Lieutenant
Harry BerWager, and aS surprise
or ambuscade directed Berwager to
station two menins ide the old smoke
pipe which projects about four feet
above ground i'm the center OF the
field. Second Lieutenant Dewey was
sent out to the left with the third
platoon a. flanking party to onfilade
the advance OF the enemy and directed
to screen his men in the hollows of
the field until he could deliver a point
blank volley.
The defending troops wore blue
bunting on their left arms and were
known a. the Blue Army while the
attacking force wore Red on their
hats being designated as the Red
Army.
! Within few minutes after Capt
! Weigle had placed his men the Red
patrol was sent forward by Capt
!. Beckenbaugh who was in command
OF the Red Army. First Lieutenant
Lane of Company B, commanded the
Red patroll, sending two men In ad-
I vance OF hi squad through the tun-
mel which runs under the track into
: the field. Berwager's men opened fire
Immediately on The advancing point
OF Lanes patrol, which fell back on
: =
vanced only to be met by a hot fire
!; from Berwager which drove them i'm
on their reserve. Berwager's men be
, ing so we'll concealed as not to be
reached by their fire Captain Beck
|, enbaugh then sent In Company B as a
reconnaissance in force in order to
develope the defensive position if pos
| sible. This superior force caused
Berwager to fall back, firing, toward
| Weigle's right and then came the big
\ surprise and the trick that brought
down the grand stand. The two men,
Lawyer and Lockard, who had been
posted in the pipe leaped out and
opened fire right in the center of the
attacking Reds, who at first thought
they were their own men but soon
! seeing the Blue on their arms went
for and captured them, not, however,
before Lieut. Lane and Capt. Becken-
baugh had been killed several times,
\ to say nothing OF The slaughter or
their men who fell I'LL around them.
Just at this critical juncture and
!, while the grand stand was yelling it,
! self hoarse, DeWey's platoon went into
!, action on Beckenbaugh's right with
| ripping volley followed by a rapid
. md sustained fire that drove tn ad-
vance back until the companies O and
A came up. Dewey then attempted to
retire and take position on Weigle's
left, and Corporal Smith succeeded in
|, retiring his squad, but Capt. Monshow-
er's men were too close and Sergeant
Myers was captured after eHhausting
his ammunition in Va gallant stand
Private Miller was surrounded and
i was prepared to die fighting but was
rescued at the point of TIN revolver
by his platoon commander. Dewey's
flank was finally rallied and fell back
ON the main defense taking position
on Weigle's left just ag the entire
\ Red Army swept down the field IN a
!. -.lliart tayonet charge led by Capt