HARVARD REGIMENT AT WAR

The Harvard Regiment engaged in its first field problem on Sunday, May 7. Promptly at 1.45 o'clock, the Regiment started on its way to Belmont, preceded by a covering detachment known as an Advance Guard, which was the first phase of the field exercises. Motorcyclist messengers were speeding back and forth between the Advance Guard and the Main Body, carrying messages and keeping the commanding officer informed of the result of the reconnaissances made.

When the head of the Main Body reached the railroad crossing at Concord avenue, near Bay State road, Col. Cordier received information that hostile patrols had been sighted in the vicinity of Spy Pond. He immediately notified the Commanding Officer of the Advance Guard of this information, and the latter at once despatched an officer's patrol to reconnoitre in that direction. This occasioned a short halt of the column, but within fifteen minutes a motor-cyclist arrived with a message from the front stating that the hostile patrols had been repulsed and that the progress of the command need not be further delayed. Throughout the advance messages were sent back and forth from head to rear of the column and the cyclists and mounted orderlies, as well as the officers in command of the various sub-divisions, had ample opportunity to make use of the knowledge which had been imparted to them in the training of the Regiment.

Upon reaching Belmont the situation changed, and the Regiment deployed across the hills to the north of Belmont, taking up an intrenched position commanding Arlington Heights.

The third phase was a withdrawal to intrenched lines at Cambridge, where the 1st Brown Brigade, of which the Harvard Regiment formed a part, was to make its stand against the advancing White forces. The General Situation, the Special Situation and the Field Orders issued, follow:

General Situation.

The United States (Brown) and a Foreign Power (White) are at war. A White army landed at Newburyport on May 1, and now occupies Essex and Middlesex Counties, as far as the line of Lowell-North Billerica-Wilmington-Reading-Wakefield-Saugus-Lynn-Swampscott. A Brown field army, less one division, is encamped at Dedham. The division, less one brigade, is occupying Boston. The First Brigade, Third Division, First Field Army, Brown, is encamped at Cambridge.

Special Situation. Brown.

At 1 o'clock, May 7, Brigadier-General X., commanding the 1st Brigade at Cambridge, receives the following message: 1st Brown Division,   Boston, Mass.,   7 May, '16. 12.30 P. M.

To C. O., 1st Brown Brigade, Cambridge:

1. Our aviators report large force of White infantry moving from North Billerica over South Billerica-Bedford road, in direction of Lexington.

2. You will order a reconnaissance in the direction of Arlington Heights and Waltham.

3. The 2d Brigade will march from Boston to Cambridge, and the 3d Brigade will remain in camp at Boston.

4. I will occupy the 2d Brigade.   A---   Major-General.

General B--, commanding the 1st Brown Brigade, then issues the following order:

Field Orders, No. 1.   Headquarters, 1st Brigade,   Cambridge, Mass.,   7 May, '16, 1.00 P. M.

1. Our aviators report large force of White infantry moving south over South Billerica-Bedford road toward Lexington. Our cavalry detachments are observing the country through Winchester, Lexington and Waltham. The 2nd Brown Brigade is marching to Cambridge. The 3d Brown Brigade remains in Boston. Our field army, less the 1st Division, is still encamped at Dedham.

2. This brigade will make a reconnaissance toward Arlington Heights and Waltham.

3. The 1st Infantry will march at 1.30 P. M., by way of Arlington, to Arlington Heights. The 2d Infantry (Harvard Regiment) will march at 1.30 P. M., to Belmont. The 3d Infantry will march at 1.30 P. M., by way of Watertown, to Waltham. Each column will provide its own protective detachments and will maintain communication with the other columns.

4. The field trains will remain in Cambridge.

5. I will remain in camp at Cambridge. All messages to camp headquarters.   B----   Brigadier-General.

Maps:--U. S. Geological Survey, Boston Quadrangle, and Boston and Surroundings (Walker Lith. & Pub. Co.).

The Commanding Officer, Harvard Regiment, at 1.30 o'clock, assembles his battalion commanders and staff, and issues the following verbal orders:

Field Orders, No. 1.   Harvard Regiment,   Cambridge, Mass.,   7 May, '16. 1.30 P.M.

1. Our aviators report large force of White Infantry moving south over South Billerica-Bedford road toward Lexington. Our cavalry detachments are observing the country through Winchester, Lexington and Waltham. The 2d Brown Brigade is marching to Cambridge. The 3d Brown Brigade remains in Boston. Our field army, less the 1st Division, is still encamped at Dedham. The First Infantry has been ordered to make a reconnaissance toward Arlington Heights via Arlington. The 3d Infantry will make a reconnaissance by way of Watertown to Waltham.

2. This Regiment will march to Belmont via Garden street-Huron-avenue-Concord avenue-Belmont Station-to junction of Pleasant and Center streets.

3. (a) The 1st Battalion will act as advance guard, and the reserve will clear Harvard square at 1.45 P. M.

(b) The main body will follow the advance guard at 600 yards.

(c) The advance guard commander will maintain communication with the 1st and 3d Regiments.

4. The field train will remain in camp.

5. Messages to the head of main body.   CORDIER,   Commanding.

Troops:--(a) Advance Guard: Major Sutherland. 1st Bn. M. G. Co. (b) Main Body. Col. Cordier. 2d Bn. 3d Bn. Attached sanitary troops.

Map.--Boston & Surroundings. (Walker Lith. & Pub. Co.)

Regiment Takes Defensive Position.

Field Orders, No. 2.   Harvard Regiment,   Belmont, Mass.,   7 May, '16. 4.00 P. M.

1. White Infantry patrols report large enemy force, estimated at about two brigades, re-enforced, approaching Arlington Heights from the north. The 1st Infantry has taken up a defensive posi- tion through Arlington from Town Hall, along Broadway and Pleasant street, to Pleasant and Kensington streets, both inclusive. The 3d Infantry is at Payson Park. Our advance cavalry is retiring on this point.

2. This Regiment will take up a defensive position on Hills bordering Prospect street, extending from Carlton street, 600 yards east.

3. (a) The 1st and 2d Battalions will constitute the fighting line. The 3d Battalion will be in reserve. The 2d Battalion will occupy the sector on left from Prospect and Carlton streets, 300 yards east, and the 1st Battalion from right of 2d Battalion, 300 yards east. The fighting line will intrench.

(b) The M. G. Co. will take up a position on Hill about 200 yards to northwest of Pleasant and Carlton streets.

(c) The reserve will remain at Belmont Station. The commanding officer of the reserve will detail one platoon as support for the M. G. Co.

4. (a) A Regimental dressing station will be established near white house, 200 yards in rear of center of firing line.

(b) Two extra bandoleers will be issued to each man. The combat wagons will then park at Belmont Station.

5. Messages to the reserve.  CORDIER,  Commanding.

Map.--Boston & Surroundings. (Walker Lith. & Pub. Co.)

Retirement to Cambridge Ordered.

Field Orders, No. 3.  Harvard Regiment,  Belmont, Mass.,  7 May, '16. 5.00 P. M.

1. Our aviators report about one division of enemy 5 miles north, Arlington Heights. Arlington Heights occupied by one White Brigade, re-enforced. The Brigade commander has ordered the 1st, 2d and 3d Regiments to retire to intrenched lines at Cambridge.

2. This Regiment will retire over Common street-Trapelo road--Belmont street-Mt. Auburn street-Brattle street-to intrenched position. The 2d Battalion will form the rear guard. The 1st and 3d Battalions will constitute the main body.

3. (a) The main body will clear Belmont Station at 5.10 P. M.

(b) The reserve of the rear guard will follow at 600 yards.

(c) The commanding officer of the rear guard will send an officer's patrol towards Waverley, and will maintain communication with the 1st and 3d Regiments.

4. The combat wagons will follow the main body.

5. Messages to head of reserve.  CORDIER,  Commanding.

Troops.--(a) Main Body. Major Sutherland. 1st Bn. 3d Bn. Attached sanitary troops. (b) Rear guard. Col. C. M. G. Co. 2d Bn.

Map.--Boston & Surroundings. (Walker Lith. & Pub. Co.)

It was a most instructive day for the Harvard Regiment, and when the Mt. Auburn Station was reached the problem was declared off, and the Regiment marched back, with flags flying and band playing, to Cambridge. A little over ten miles was covered and only one man fell out. This casualty was a case of sore feet, and the man was immediately picked up by one of the two Red Cross ambulance cars which formed a part of the Attached Sanitary personnel following the Regiment. About 600 members of the Regiment participated in the Sunday march