The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-18
TRENCHES DUG BY
NIGHT TO SAVE CITY
ssd Engineers Scurry to Van
Ccrtlandt Park as Myth
cal Foe Appears.
CLASH WITH RED SCOUTS

A hostile army-the Reds-pressed
last night In overwhelming numbers upon
a theoretical force OF Massachusetts. New
York and Pennsylvania National Guards
men-the Rlues-who were supposed to
he defending New York along the Yon-
sers line.
The bulk OF the work for the night
fell upon the Twenty-sccond Engineers.
commanded by Lieut.. Col. L. w. Van
c, Lucas. who had charge Of n line of
trenches 1000 yards In length ex-
tending partly from Woodlawn Gene
,sry 20 the Putnam division OF the New
York Central. while the Massachusetts
r%uardsmen were theoretically to the east
OF woodlawn and the Pennsylvania
g%uardsmen TO the west. on a line ex-
tending 90 Riverdale. A division Of the
Reds wa reported to have landed from
the Sound and to be marching on New
York.
II was a new problem for Lieut.. Col.
Lucas and his men. Word had reached
New York late yesterday that the force
defending New York had been defeated
near Scarsdale n M~amaroneck, and to
add 70 the difficulties an extra division
Of the enemy was approaching. Accord
,nely, Col. Lucas and his men were
ordered from their armory at 16sth
street shortly after 4 o'clock.
The men marched to Van Cortlandt
Park and while the men stopped at the
Division House on the hill to pitch their
tents and prepare their supper. Col
Lucas. accompanied by Capt. Thomas Of
the United States army and his star.
consisting Of Major Fred N. whitley and
Major W. s. Conrow. commanding the
First and Second battalions. hurried to
the woods about n mile to the north
ward. where they selected a line OF In
Venchments.
Trenches Hidden From Aeros.
They marked the places Is h best
strategic points on the slope Of a hill
going TO Mclean avenue. Trenches
would be hidden by the trees and thus
not observable by aeroplane. The stan
had the Captains OF the eight companies
Of the two battalions with them and
assigned them to the positions to in
trench.
II was dark by the time the CON
panies were ready to proceed to the
digging OF trenches. There had beer
no special hurry. because the enemy was
supposed to have halted at Dunwoodie
but It was expected they would move
forward under the cover Of darkness
Accordingly the companies. with theil
Captains in command. moved to thu
points selected.
1t was no easy task TO fnd the place.
In the woods in the dark. but thu
Captains were on their mettle and aftel
they plunged into the woods of JEROME
avenue they picked their way CAREFUL,
by means Of trees which they had blaseS
In the late afternoon.
1t was a new job to the privates Of thu
companies to dig trenches in the wet and
IN the lark. But behind them hurried
up the agons carrying shovels, pick
and all the other instruments needed
for trench warfare. n by 10 o'clocl
the men were in holes up to their arm
pits, waiting silently for a sign OF tn
enemy.
Red scouts Near the Lines.
Meantime the Reds were %approachin,
on a scouting expedition to develop tn,
lines OF trenches. For that purpose Capt
+. II. HUMPHREYS. an old West Pointer
who fought In the Philippines n IL al
expert in making his way through under
brush. was in charge of a company o
scouts. He approached from Dunwoodis
and sneaking up through the woods h
got near enough to the lines at variou
points to get an understanding OF tn
line Of defence.
But he was moi able to do that with
out being spotted at lime by scout
which Col. Lucas detailed TO points /
front of the trenches who espied III
enemy and reported to the division head
quarters. The defenders were well SUI
piled with ammunition. and about 10 3
when Capt. HUMPHREYS made an attac
m one Of the companies there was som
quick firing and then the invader retire
after having tested the strength OF tn
defence.
The trench digging and the scoutin
work ended toward midnight. The CT
envy had given up any idea of a nigh
attack, Then the war correspondent,
emerged from the woods at a point SOM
where near Yonkers and announced ths
there would be no further conflict unit
to-day.
The programme Of mimic warfare wi
continue to-day. MaJor-Gen. Organ wi
go to Van Cortlandt ark to review tn
Twenty-eecond. and will witness expert
'nents IN bridge building. trench diggin
and various other lines Of work In whic
the Twenty-second Is supposed to b
sdept.