assigned to other organizations or mustered out.

We opened this chapter by subscribing to the contention that it is worth while to call things by their right names. There is no disputing the fact that, with few exceptions, the state organizations of our militia are poorly filled, indifferently trained, partially, and in some cases wholly, lacking in personnel and equipment necessary to a well-balanced fighting force which can be counted upon to give a satisfactory account of itself in battle.

CHAPTER VI

THE BATTLE OF THE CONNECTICUT

AN army across the Connecticut River, driving our handful of defenders northward, was as far as the speculation was carried in our imaginary attack on New York.

Suppose it is carried a bit further.

Suppose the following as fragmentary press accounts of a struggle at the Connecticut to check a hostile advance on New York:

With the Army, March 28 - Although the presence of small advance detachments of the enemy was reported by our scouts toward evening, apparently the main body of the enemy's forces had not yet come up, and, owing to our lack of aeroplanes for scouting, it was decided to throw a squadron of cavalry across the river.

It was only when the troops were pouring across in fancied security that two batteries of the enemy's guns, cleverly posted and screened,

opened their concentrated fire on the crowded bridge.

Before the blast of shrapnel and machinegun projectiles, scores of our men were swept into the river. The challenge of the enemy's guns was taken up by our artillery, and a spirited duel continued for an hour, under cover of which our cavalry retreated and reformed. The enemy's batteries finally became silent, but on account of our lack of aeroplanes it was impossible to determine whether the hostile guns had been put out of action by our fire or had changed their position. Because of an appalling shortage, orders have been issued to save every possible round of ammunition.

In the trenches, March 29 - Before dawn it became apparent that the enemy was to attempt the crossing. Several night advances by small detachments were made. But our scouts were alert and our guns had the range. During the night, apparently, the enemy brought up additional and heavier artillery.

These guns were set to work at an early hour this morning, when the prospect began to

change. Several of our batteries were soon moved backward. Though suffering heavy loss, at last the enemy managed to get a brigade of infantry and a battery of artillery across the river and into position. Under the protection of a heavy bombardment of our position, two more batteries were got over and were planted at the bridge-head. With three hostile batteries and a brigade of infantry over the water, a retirement to our secondary entrenched position was ordered.

Hardly had the movement been completed when the overwhelming superiority of the enemy's field artillery became apparent. A terrific fire was poured into our lines from a distance fully four miles away. Our lighter artillery was powerless against the heavy guns.

The enemy is now centering his rain of steel upon our entrenchments. For three hours our brave young fellows have stood the terrific ordeal, unable to fire a shot in return. Any man raising his head above the fire-swept earth ramparts is certain of death. Lying flat on their bellies, all our men can do is to pray for a

respite and a chance to charge the ever-increasing forces on our side of the river and to silence their guns. The enemy for the most part is using shrapnel. Hastily entrenched as we are, our forces are suffering terribly.

Hostile aeroplanes, like great hawks, are soaring continually over our lines. It is impossible to conceal our batteries, no matter how frequently they are moved. Our inferiority in aircraft and the impossibility of locating hostile batteries is maddening. While the hostile gunners find the range quickly and exactly, we waste round after round of precious ammunition in attempting to search out the enemy's positions.

Ignoring our guns, the hostile artillerymen, relying on concealment for immunity, are concentrating all their efforts to enfilade our trenches. With an apparent prodigality of ammunition they continue to pour bouquet after bouquet of high explosives or combined shrapnel and high explosive shells into our works.

With the Army, March 29 Toward mid