THE SHAM BATTLE
Forward marched the cadets, keeping step to the lively air of the fifes,
and the accompanying rattle and boom of the drums. But regular formation
and step were not maintained for long, only until the young soldiers
were on the main road, when they were allowed to break step, and proceed
as they pleased, the companies, however, keeping together.
It was an all day's tramp to camp, and they stopped midway on the road
for lunch, the baggage wagons having been halted while the regular cooks
of the academy, who had been taken along, prepared the meal.
"Wait until we get the tents up," said Dick, "then we'll have some fun.
Nothing like life under canvas in the summer."
"Right, Captain Dick," replied Paul, trying to talk with part of a
chicken sandwich in his mouth. Dick had not yet assumed his new command,
but would as soon as camp was pitched.
They got to the place about five o'clock, and found that the tents had
been unloaded from the wagons, and that the cooks had their white
shelter already set up, and were preparing supper.
"Now, boys," said Major Webster, "I want to see how soldierly you can do
things. You have had considerable practice in putting up tents, at least
you older cadets have; now let's see how you have profited by your
instruction."
In a short time the scene was one of great activity. Cadets were
straightening out folds of canvas, laying out ropes, driving in tent
pegs and, in less than half an hour, where there had been a green field,
it was now dotted with spotless white peaked-roof houses of canvas.
"Very well done," complimented Colonel Masterly, who came out of the
headquarters tent to look at the sight. "Very fine, indeed, major."
"Yes, I think they did well."
The next work was to dig a trench about each tent so that rain water
could not settle about it, and this was quickly accomplished. This done
the camp had a fine appearance, the tents being arranged in rows or
company "streets."
By this time supper was announced, and the way the cadets put away the
good things which the cooks had provided made those servants open their
eyes. They were used to hungry boys eating, but they almost forgot to
allow for the extra appetites created by work in the open air. It was
some time since a general camp had been held at the academy.
After guard mount, sentinels were posted and orders given that no cadet
would be allowed to leave camp. In spite of this some of Dutton's crowd,
including himself, ran the guard that night and were nearly caught.
However, this was to be expected, and it was considered no great crime.
The next day Dick was given charge of forty freshmen, and he took great
delight in starting their instruction. There were drills to attend,
lessons in tactics to learn, the best method to observe on a march, and
illustrations given in artillery firing, for several field pieces had
been brought along to use in the sham battle.
Cavalry exercises occupied a part of every day, and though the cadets
had plenty of leisure they found that their time was pretty fully
occupied, for Colonel Masterly and his staff wanted practical benefit to
be derived from the camp life. Target practice in the open proved to
many a cadet who had done well on the ranges that he had plenty yet to
learn.
"I wish they'd hurry up and have that sham battle," remarked Paul to
Dick one night. "Heard anything about it?"
"It takes place to-morrow," replied our hero. "Blank ammunition will be
served out the first thing in the morning, and final instructions given.
My company is to form part of the attacking party."
"That's good. I wonder where my bunch will be stationed? I wish I was an
officer."
"It will come in time. You're to be on the defense, I believe. So is the
company of freshmen that Foraker has charge of."
"Well, it won't make much difference. I'll not fire on you, if I can
help it."
"That's good."
The plan for the sham battle was announced the next morning, after each
cadet had been supplied with many rounds of blank cartridges. The young
soldiers were divided into two equal commands. Somewhat to Dick's
disgust Major Dutton was given charge of the attacking party, of which
the millionaire's son and his young lads formed a part. Harry Hale, the
football coach, who had also been elected a major, was to be on the
defensive. The latter army was to occupy a wooded hill, back of the
camp. At the foot of it ran a small stream, and to get at the defenders
of the mound the attacking party would have to build a temporary bridge,
which work was included in the instruction imparted at the academy.
To cover this operation, the artillery of the attacking party would be
brought up, but, at the same time, the field pieces of the defenders
might pour a devastating fire on the bridge builders from above.
The holders of the hill were to be stationed at the rear limits of it,
while the attackers were to start their march about two miles from the
foot of the slope. It was figured out that if the defenders could bring
up their artillery, and other forces, and attack the enemy before a
bridge could be built across the stream, the holders of the hill would
win the battle. On the other hand, if the attackers could succeed in
getting a body of cadets across the stream before a heavy artillery or
rifle fire could be poured into them, they would win. The promptness of
firing, the number of shots and general quickness were to count.
At the appointed time, Major Hale and his force took possession of the
hill, and Major Dutton led his army two miles back, on the plain in
front of it.
Dutton issued his orders.
"We'll try to surprise them," he said to his young officers. "We'll
swing around in a half circle, and instead of building the bridge at the
easiest place to cross the stream we'll try it farther down. They won't
suspect that we'll come there, and we'll gain some time."
"But they'll have their pickets out," observed Russell Glen. "They'll
see us."
"I'll send some of you to another point to pretend to build a bridge,"
decided Dutton. "That'll draw their fire, and they'll start their
artillery toward that place. Before they find out that it's only a bluff
we'll have the real bridge half done."
As the cadets had a record of building a thirty-foot bridge of the "A"
style inside of four minutes, it seemed that Dutton's plan might be a
good one.
"How are you going to carry the planks and spars for the bridge?" asked
Glen. "On the field piece carriages?"
"No, we'll carry them ourselves. We can close up ranks so they won't see
the boards."
This looked like a good plan, and the cadets made ready to carry it out.
"Hamilton," said Dutton sharply to our hero, "you'll take the rear
guard, and stay there until you get orders to come up."
This was rather hard on Dick. It practically put him and his freshmen
out of the battle, unless Dutton should order them to the front, and he
was not very likely to do this. Still Dick could not object, and he made
the best of it.
"Won't we see any of the fighting?" asked one of his command.
"Maybe so," replied the young millionaire. "They may need us for
reinforcements."
Dick could not help but give Dutton credit for making his plans well.
The young major led his men to the designated point, taking advantage of
such inequalities of the ground as there were to conceal his movements.
The ropes, beams and planks for the bridge were distributed among the
cadets, several of them being required to carry the heavier pieces. The
strongest lads were used for this work, and their rifles were taken in
charge by their less-burdened comrades.
Then, when all was in readiness, Dutton gave the command to advance. He
led the way, at the head of a company of infantry, while back of that
came his cavalry force, and to the rear of that was massed his
artillery, while Dick led the rear guard of freshmen.
Straight at the hill advanced the attacking army, while from convenient
points Colonel Masterly and his staff of officers watched to decide who
won.
"Skirmishers, advance!" ordered Dutton, and several cadets detached
themselves from the cavalry and rode forward. As they approached there
were puffs of white smoke from the slope of the hill, and the sharp
crack of rifles announced that the pickets of Major Hale's force were on
the alert. The skirmishers returned the fire, and then galloped back to
report.
"They're waiting for us," Dutton was informed.
"So I see," he replied. "Now, then, we'll halt here a moment. You
fellows that are to pretend to build the bridge, get ready to rush when
I give the word. I'll send one field piece as if to cover your
movements. Are you all ready there, Stiver?" for Lieutenant Stiver, with
whom Dutton had again gotten on friendly terms, was to lead the fake
movement.
"All ready," was the answer.
"Then go!"
Out from the attacking force rushed a squad of cadets, bearing light
planks. Of course, from the hill, it looked as if they were the advance
guard of bridge builders. Particularly when there dashed out a field
piece, drawn by galloping horses.
As the cadets approached the bank of the stream, and began to arrange
their planks, the lads in charge of the cannon quickly wheeled it,
unlimbered and fired the first shot. There was a white puff of smoke, a
burst of flame, and a great bang went rattling and echoing among the
hills. The battle had opened.
As Dutton had expected, his ruse deceived Hale. The latter quickly
ordered up his entire artillery to shell the intrepid bridge builders.
Dutton, watching through a field glass, saw the approach of the cannon.
"Forward march!" he cried to his main command. "Double quick!"
Quickness was everything now. Off they started, the real bridge builders
and nearly his entire force, including Dick and his youngsters in the
rear.
They circled around a turn in the stream, and, for a time, were out of
sight of the small force left to bear the attack.
"Build the bridge here!" ordered Dutton. "Lively now, boys. See if you
can't break the record."
The cadets needed no urging. Two of them quickly plunged into the
stream, and, partly swimming, partly wading, carried over some ropes. By
means of these they pulled over spars and planks, which, when several of
their companions hurriedly joined them, they proceeded to lash
together. The same operation was going on among the cadets on the other
side of the brook.
Two long spars were laid down on the ground, at right angles to the
stream. At the further extremity of these spars a cross piece was
lashed, projecting on either side. Ropes were attached to the
projections, and the unconnected ends of the long spars, being held down
to the ground by several lads, the others quickly raised the connected
ends, just as a painter hoists a long ladder. The same thing took place
on the farther side of the brook, and, when both squads were ready, the
two parts of the bridge that were to form the two slanting sides of a
double letter "A" were allowed to incline toward each other, from either
side of the water, cadets having hold of the ropes, regulating and
guiding the long spars. The big sticks met in mid air, over the centre
of the stream, and, being well braced at the bottom, held. Then cadets
climbed up on either side, and united them more firmly by lashing them.
Something like a double letter "A," but without the cross piece, now
spanned the brook. Or, perhaps, it would be more correct to say that it
was a double inverted "V." It was necessary to put on cross spars, and
lay planks on these, or the artillery and cavalry could not get over.
And, as there were no spars long enough to reach all the way across the
stream, two sections had to be used on either side of the bridge. They
were to be tied together, and supported at the centre, or place of
joining, by long ropes, attached to the apex of the letter "A."
Though up to this time the main attacking party had not been fired on,
they could not hope to escape much longer. Already puffs of white smoke
from the hillside indicated that they had been seen by pickets. A minute
later Dutton's trick was discovered, and Hale ordered his artillery to
cease firing on the fake bridge builders, and to turn their attack on
the others.
But Dutton was ready for this. He had his field pieces in position, and,
as soon as he saw that his soldiers had the bridge well under way, he
began shelling the defenders, who were rushing down the hill to the
attack. The infantry also began to pour in a withering fire.
The ropes, by which the long spars had been lowered and inclined across
the stream, now served as guys to hold them steady and in place, while
the floor beams were being put in position.
"Lively!" cried Dutton. "They're making it too hot for us! We must cross
soon, or we'll lose! They came at us quicker than I expected!"
Meanwhile the little force that had started to build the fake bridge had
(theoretically) been killed.
Now the long floor timbers were in place, being supported at the centre
by long ropes, hanging from the point of the "A," and the cadets were
beginning to lay cross planks on them.
"Tell the cavalry to get ready to advance, to protect our crossing,"
ordered Dutton, to one of his captains, and the troop of lads on their
restless steeds prepared to rush across the bridge at the first possible
moment. It had only been a little over three minutes since the building
of the structure was started, but a heavy artillery fire was being
concentrated on the attackers, and, in accordance with instructions
previously given, cadets began dropping out, being supposed to be
killed.
Dutton's field pieces were pounding away, and there was a thick cloud of
smoke, which partly concealed the movements of his cadets.
"Bridge is ready, major!" reported a smoke-begrimed lad, running up, and
saluting. Then he hastened back to continue firing on Hale's soldiers.
"Advance, cavalry!" shouted Dutton. "Lively now! Charge!"
The horses, urged on by their shouting riders, thundered over the frail
bridge. It trembled and swayed, but it supported them.
"Forward, the infantry!" cried the young major. "On the double quick!
Here they come down the hill at you! Fire at will! Charge!"
Down the slope of the hill came rushing the defenders. Behind them
thundered and rumbled their artillery, which was supporting their brave
advance in the face of the enemy.
"Artillery, forward!" shouted Dutton, waving his sword, and hoping, by
throwing his entire force suddenly upon Hale's army, to overpower it,
and get in more shots than could his opponent. That meant he would win
the battle.
"Shall I stay here?" cried Dick, for he had received no orders what to
do with his force, and was still on the farther side of the bridge.
"Yes! Until I send for you, or you see that you are needed," called back
Dutton. "I guess I can get along without you."
Louder roared the cannon; and the cracks of the rifles of the infantry,
and the carbines of the cavalry, was like the explosion of pack after
pack of giant firecrackers.
Then something happened. As the three field pieces rumbled across the
bridge, there was an ominous cracking and splintering sound. Dutton
heard it and turned back from his rush, which he had started on to be in
readiness to lead the charge of his artillery. He saw the bridge
swaying.
"Come on! Come on!" he cried, waving his sword. "Come on!"
But it was too late. The middle supporting ropes had slipped, and the
bridge collapsed at the centre, letting horses, cannon and cadets down
into the stream, which, fortunately, was not deep.
Dutton had, at one blow, lost all his artillery, while Hale's was
advancing to annihilate him and his force. The boom of the defenders'
field pieces sounded nearer and nearer, while their rifle fire became
hotter than ever.
Dutton saw himself defeated by the inopportune collapse of the bridge,
which had been insecurely lashed together. But he would not give up.
"Forward! Forward!" he cried. "Split up and attack 'em on both sides."
His cavalry and infantry rushed forward, firing as they ran. Dick
Hamilton, left with his little body of troops on the other side of the
stream, saw his opportunity.
"Quick!" he cried to his lads. "We'll go back and get the guns at the
fake bridge. Then we'll pull it across and we'll see if we can execute a
flank movement."
"That's the stuff!" cried some of the lads, who had begun to fear they
would never get a chance to fire their rifles.
Dick led his men on the double quick to where the field piece, from
which only a few shots had been fired, had been left. He saw a chance to
turn defeat into victory.