Harper's Round Table, March 24, 1896

THE BATTLE OF EASTER MONDAY.

BY W. G. VAN TASSEL SUTPHEN.

Fred March had an idea. It was even a brilliant idea, and the longer he pondered over it, the more certain he was that it was a practical one. "And that, after all, is the important point," as Jack Howard had sagely observed, after being taken into Fred's confidence. Here it is as it finally resolved itself into tangible form.

"The Twelfth Regiment of the Transylvania State National Guard are to hold a sham fight on Easter Monday. There has been a great deal of talk about the use of the bicycle in war, and here is a chance to test the theories. Let us organize the boys into a bicycle corps, and offer our services to your father, Colonel Howard, who commands the regiment."

Jack reflected, soberly, "How could we be of any use?"

"We could be organized as a body of mounted riflemen, and also do scout and staff service. The fight is going to be somewhere on the Quantico golf course, and the grass on the links is short and smooth enough for riding. Easter comes so late this year that the frost is out of the ground already, and it isn't likely to rain before Monday. And then there are the roads in all directions."

"How many fellows can we muster?"

"Well, you know that all the boys from boarding-school are at home for the Easter holidays, and I've counted up sixty-five single wheels and three tandems; then we have the motor cycle, the 'Happy Thought,' and the people at the Driving Park have promised to lend me the 'quad' that they have there for pacing the circuit riders--an available force altogether of seventy machines and seventy-seven men."

Jack became enthusiastic. "Let's go down to the armory and propose it to my father," he said, briefly.

Colonel Howard was mildly amused when the proposition was first broached to him, but as the boys proceeded to explain the practical details of the plan he grew interested.

"There may be something in it," he said, finally, "and I'll think it over."

Two days later Colonel Howard sent for Fred and Jack, and informed them that their idea had been favorably considered, and that the services of the bicycle corps would be accepted.

"I have arranged," said Colonel Howard, "that the boys on the single wheels and two of the tandems shall be armed with short repeating carbines, and shall act as mounted riflemen, under command of Fred March. I have a friend in the gun-factory at Decatur, and he has promised to lend me two rapid-fire guns, which I will have mounted on the third tandem and on the 'Happy Thought.' Jack will take command of the 'quad,' and will act as a member of my personal staff. You will report with your men at the armory Monday morning at nine o'clock sharp."

The idea had actually materialized, and Fred was naturally pleased to think that his suggestion was to be taken up in earnest. But he was even more anxious that the experiment should be a success and that the military value of the bicycle should be demonstrated.

Now sham fights are generally carried on after a carefully prepared plan, every movement being carefully thought out beforehand, even to the strategy. But on this occasion it had been proposed that an actual problem should be placed before the two commanders, and that they should be allowed to work it out in their own way. Here, then, was a chance for real strategy, and, other things being equal, brains must win. Of course, as only blank cartridges are used, umpires must be appointed to determine the practical results of the various movements, and to finally award the victory to the side which in their judgment has fairly won it.

The field of operations had been decided upon, and Saturday afternoon Fred and Jack jumped on the "Happy Thought" and went down to have a look at it.

The map on the opposite page gives a good idea of the military features of the battle-ground, and if you study it carefully, you will easily understand the conditions of the problem.

It is supposed that Colonel Howard with a force of two hundred and fifty men, together with an auxiliary bicycle corps of mounted riflemen, including two machine-guns, are intrenched upon the wooded ridge at the left and locally known as the "Cardinal's Nob." This ridge is the key to the country lying behind it, and must consequently be defended at all hazards. The position is naturally strong, as its steep sides are inaccessible except at the three points marked by the numerals 1, 2, and 3. The open space in front is part of the Quantico golf course, and a putting-green occupies the little knoll at 8. The green is defended by an earth bunker, and from its military appearance it is known to the golfers as "Sebastopol." In the woods immediately behind "Sebastopol" the forces of the enemy, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Camp, are supposed to be concealed. They number four hundred and fifty, with a battery of two field-pieces, and their object is to obtain possession of the "Cardinal's Nob." It is to be understood that the ground south of the "Cardinal's Nob" and separated from it by "Deadman's Hollow," is practically unfitted for military occupation, and consequently of no strategic importance to either side. The other features of the map explain themselves.

It is furthermore arranged that the two parties shall leave the armory at Fairacre at ten o'clock precisely, and proceed by separate routes to their respective positions. The battle will begin theoretically at eleven o'clock, and will continue until three in the afternoon unless decided earlier.

With these points carefully fixed in mind the two boys made a careful survey of the ground. The "Happy Thought" moved swiftly and easily over the short, firm grass of the golf course, and it was evident that the bicycles would have no difficulty in operating in the open. But how would they ever have a chance to do so with the enemy under cover in the woods? Exposure would mean destruction, and, moreover, they could expect no support from the main body under Colonel Howard. At all risks the "Cardinal's Nob" must be held, and, it was clear that Colonel Howard would act strictly on the defensive. The bicycle corps, it is true, could assist in the defence as an unmounted body, but that was not what Fred wanted. Could not the wheelmen be used as an independent force without materially weakening the defence? Of course the "Cardinal's Nob" must be held, but might it not be strategy to both repel the assault and destroy the attacking force?

"And I think it is possible," thought Fred to himself as the "Happy Thought" rolled slowly back to Fairacre.

Easter Monday dawned clear and warm. The armory was a busy place at nine o'clock, and every effective man was present to answer to his name. Fred's force was complete just as he had counted it up, and the machine-guns, mounted on the "Happy Thought" and Alec Jordan's tandem, looked particularly wicked and fit for work. The ammunition was served out, the general orders read, and at ten o'clock the two forces took up the march. Fred on the front seat of the "Happy Thought," and with forty wheelmen armed with repeating carbines, headed the line, and the rest of the bicycle corps, under command of Acting-Lieutenant Alec Jordan, formed the rear-guard.

The "Cardinal's Nob" was reached at half past ten, and Colonel Howard summoned a council of war. There was still half an hour before hostilities would commence, and it was necessary to consider carefully Colonel Camp's probable line of attack, and to devise an effective checkmate.

Colonel Howard briefly outlined the situation as follows:

1. The "Blacks," or Colonel Camp's force, will occupy "Sebastopol" with their artillery, and a false demonstration will be made against the point 1.

2. A strong flanking force will be sent around by way of the Swamp Road (4) to make an attack in the rear of "White" at the bridge (3).

3. At the moment that the attack on "White's" rear begins, "Black's" main force, under cover of the artillery, will abandon the demonstration against 1, and endeavor to carry the "Cardinal's Nob" by a charge across the open and a general assault at 2, the most practicable scaling-point.

"We may therefore expect, gentlemen," concluded Colonel Howard, "a pretty hot corner at the point 2, and a simultaneous attack at the bridge (3), which, if successful, will place us between two fires. Obviously we must, above all things, protect our rear. Captain Jones will therefore take one hundred men and occupy a position near the bridge (3), to meet and, if possible, ambuscade the expected flanking force. As for the bicycle corps--"

It was Fred's chance, and he improved it. Colonel Howard listened attentively to what he had to say, and turned to his staff for their opinion. The suggestion was a daring one, for it involved a separation of forces in the face of an enemy numerically superior, but it looked feasible, and if there was no hitch it meant defeat to the "Blacks." There was not much time for deliberation, and Colonel Howard acted quickly.

"Your suggestion is accepted, Captain March," said Colonel Howard, "and you will therefore take your corps, including the machine-guns, and occupy the wooded knoll shown on the map at 6. Corporal Wood, with two men, is detailed as signal officer, and will take up a position at the point marked 7. It is expected that Captain Jones will be able to hold 'Black's' flanking force at the bridge (3) in check, but to draw the enemy into the open it will be necessary that we should make a false demonstration in our own rear. If 'Black' takes the bait the bicycle corps will be brought up by signal to the point 7, and finally ordered forward at the proper moment to take 'Black' in the rear, and, if possible, capture the battery. Captain March will remain in strict concealment at 6, and will not advance under any consideration until the signal is given from 7 by the waving of a white flag. Is that clear, gentlemen? It is just eleven o'clock," concluded Colonel Howard, shutting his watch with a snap, "and the game of war is on. Lieutenant Mason, you will determine at once the exact whereabouts and disposition of the enemy's force. Gentlemen, to your posts."

Ten minutes later Fred, at the head of the bicycle corps, was spinning rapidly along the wood road in the direction of the wooded knoll at 6. It was all important that the movement should not be discovered by the enemy, and the greatest care had to be taken in transporting the bicycles down the hill and out upon the road. As Fred glanced back at the shining silent line bowling swiftly along in column of twos, he felt sure that they had been unobserved, and that success was certain.

But he had not reckoned upon the fact that Lieutenant Young of the "Blacks" was a smart young officer who owned a particularly fine pair of binocular glasses. Colonel Camp smiled grimly when Lieutenant Young reported that the bicycle corps had left the "Cardinal's Nob," and were proceeding southward, and that the point 7 had been occupied as a signal station. It had been his original intention to carry out the very plan of operations that Colonel Howard had outlined; but it was now necessary to modify it. Colonel Camp decided upon the following plan: