New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-28
RAIN FOE DOGS
ROCKIES In FIELD
MarChers Drive Back Cav
airy, Then Downpour
Raids Camp.
From . STAT Correspondent Of n. Tnbun.

From . STAT Correspondent Of Tbs Tribune ]
Plattsburg, n. Y, June 27.-Soldier-
ing became the grimmest kind Of real
ism to-day and tonight for the
rockies. Out in the hills, far from
the cheer Of towns, they were caught
in a drenching rain on the march. had
to pitch their tents on soaking wet
ground, and tonight they are sleep
ing with nothing but a poncho and a
blanket between them and the damp
earth. with the rain still driving down
on their frail shelter.
They have dug bitches about their
tents to carry off the flooding waters,
but il the downpour continues all
night. az the cloud banks In the skies
seemed to presage it would, some
rockies will probably dream they are
ducks, only to wake up and find out
it we're better If they really were.
Their bivouac is on the level top OF
a hill about a mile and a half from
Sciota, which is a hamlet OF nifty
people, and there is no other town
within many miles.
The rockies came into their first con-
tact with the enemy to-day, meeting his
patrol about two miles from here this
morning. The I'd Battalion, which has
in it such a distinguished corporal as
Charles Evans Hughes, jr., engaged 8
detachment OF the I'd United States
Cavalry, who were intrenched on q
knoll, and drove them back.
Archie Roosevelt a Scout.
Their presence was first reported
back to the rockies commander, Major
Peter Murray, U. s. A, by Lieutenant
Archie Roosevelt, who was detailed 70
duty with the motorcycle scouts. Major
MURRAY threw out the LIST and Sd Bat
talions TO prevent a fanking move
ment, while the Sd Battalion fought the
enemy back.
II was not known whether the foe
was in force or whether it was simply
a patrol. The enemy put up stiff re-
sistance and two field pieces were
brought up TO support the fighting bat
TALON. After an hours sharp fighting
the enemy retreated Patrols were sent
out, and they reported that there was
no other large body of the hostile
forces in the vicinity. so the camp was
pitched.
The rockies scouts and patrols are
solely depended upon by their officers
for information in regard TO the en-
emy's whereabouts, as the plan OF the
hike is 10 simulate as far as possible
actual war conditions. The situation
is that war has suddenly become i'm
minent between the Blue, or Southern
States. and the Red. or Northern States.
separated by the northern boundary Of
the United States Hostilities began
day before yesterday at various points
along the frontier.
The first Blue division is modified
at Albany, and Major Murray, COM
handing the third training regiment.
is acting on the following message
from division headquarters
ITO hold open the Rutland Railroad
between Ogdensburg and Rouse's Point
| am sending detaehments 20 Ogdens-
burg and Malone. Move your COM
mandto Mooer's Junction for the same
purpose"
Defence with Enemy Near.
To-night's camp site was selected
with a view for defence In face Of the
fact that to-dsy's clash showed the
regiment has entered hostile country.
The grounds are surrounded by stone
wall, which will serve as breastworks
in case of il being necessary 10 make
a stand against an attack.
Il is expected that the full force OF
the enemy will be met tomorrow and
general engagement fought for the
greater part Of the morning. The only