Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-05

blNkS lELL1
OF MANEUVER
The nine day war problem on the
Mexican border in which the Browr
army attacked and defeated the White
army. the biggest war maneuver ever
worked out in time Of peace and IN
yolving some $4,000 troops. Is related
by Corp. Phil Binks Of Co. G in let:
ter to a member of the editorial stan
of The Courier, received today. The
Browns were commanded by an
Jovan, Brig. Gen. Allen, whose clev'
erness in manipulating his forces
brought ultimate victory to the attack
Ing army of which the local soldiers
were 4 part. Corp Binks' letter will be
found full of the details Of the war
stunt and is given in full as follows:
Brownsville, Tex.
Nov rs, 1916.
Dear Friend:
The Brown army, under command OF
Brig Gen. Alien, returned to Browns
vile after a strenuous nine day man
euver. 1t was by no means an assum-
ed maneuver when it came to digging
trenches and hiking answering the
call to arms in the wee small hours
OF the night The morning of the
Browns retreat from San Benito We
were busy at 8 a. m. and one hour lat
or the entire army was on the march
to Olmito, nine miles away. March
ing long before sunrise until late at
night with field rations for dinner was
4 real game of war.
Both sides fought hard, hiked all
hours OF the day and night and endur-
ed. all the rigors Of field campaign
but We can say that we were members
OF the Brown army which won the
victory Of the nine day maneuver.
One of the most brilliant moves OF
the entire campaign was the defeat
OF the Whies near Olmito. At this
point the Brown army took position in
4 huge horseshoe shape. The Whites
fell into Gen. Aliens trap, receiving
llre from three directions. The enemy
that was not ruled out as killed, by
the umpires. was said to be cut to
pieces and Intellectual for any sort Of
defense.
The great value of the motor trucks
was proven in this great battle early
In the morning. The Third Iowa reg
iment was moved by the trucks to
meet the enemy and take up posi-
tion. After We had travelled about fve
miles we were fred upon and immedi-
ately deployed. The boys played the
same and in one minute the entire reg
iment was out Of the trucks and de-
ployed in the proper place on the line.
The enemy took to the right flank
thinking that the Browns would move
entirely by motor but such was not the
case. They met their defeat. The two
Virginia regiments had moved out In
the cool OF the day and were waiting
For the Whites with splendid posi-.
tion in the thickly growing mesquite
brush. with a good field Of fire.
!. Following are few Of the happen
mrs during the nine day maneuver:
N1y. 16-The Brown army departed
from Brownsville at 1923 a. NJ.
We marched eleven miles and made
amp near the railroad and about one
mile from the station Co. G reported
with sixty-five men and three Officers.
Not a single man having fallen out.
This camp was a dandy, but the first
night on the ground with a poncho,
1 couple of blankets, and shelter tent
bur only protection these very cool
nights made US think we'll of our little
cot and straw filed bedsack bark at
Camp Victoria. We were informed
Ay the mess sergeant that each CON-
Dany would be mindful Of rations Just
ratIons Just like We would have in
time Of war.
We were busy at 5:45 a. m. the ]
next morning and shortly after mess !
We were on our way to San Benito |
twelve miles away Arrived at San |
Benito at 1910 having forced enemy
to retreat we made camp near out. |
skirts OF city. The Whites camped !
near large bridge one and half !
miles from Harrington.
San Benito is one of the prettiest1
little cities in the valley and is located |
ID the center of the large truck farm. |
ng district. It was considered to be |
IN important city because of its rail-
'oad facilities. The city is about |
.wenty miles from Brownsville by |
'aidroad and nearly twenty-four miles !
~ wagon road.
We left San Benito November 1S
ldvancing toward Harrington. The
3rowns displayed and took up posi-
ions along the large drainage bitches
which afford excellent covering for
We were in the field most
4 the day driving the Whites across
small resaca where they took up
'osition. Having moved all troops
cross the resaca the enemy closely
uarded the bridge.
The second battalion of the Third
owa made camp in a small opening
-hich was well hidden by the mes
uite brush about 1900 yards from |