Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 September 1908 — LIEUT. BRENNER OFFERS TO MAKE ASCENSION [ARTICLE]

LIEUT. BRENNER OFFERS TO MAKE ASCENSION

War Balloons Are to Go Up Friday— Company “M” Participates in Sham Battle.

Fort Benjamin Harrison, Sept. 15, ’OB. Well, Rensselaer boys got into a ’ lively sham battle with the Eighth ' Illinois colored regiment yesterday at the conclusion of a good hike that involved maneuvers with the three Indiana infantry regiments, two batteries of artillery, one regiment of West Virginia on one -elde and the 1 1st, 4th and Bth Illinois and one West' 1 Virginia regiment on the other. Our 1 battalion was sent out to reinforce 1 the other battalions in the ravines 1 near Baker’s bridge and Major Har--1 rison ascertained the position of the 1 enemy and so stationed our battalion 1 echeloned by companies that we were [ concealed from the enemy and yet caught them as they attempted to flank the other battalions. Two of ' our companies were sent to the brow 'of a hill and as the section of the enemy consisting of the entire colored regiment bore in upon them they repulsed them sufficiently to turn them to the left and our company acting with G from Columbia City did a rapid flanking movement of almost a mile, much of it at double time, down ravine and up hill at single file, through briars and beneath lowllmbed treeg. , We wer brought up at the top of a hill and just in time to see the darkeys rushing pell mall after our two retreating companies. Talk about a short and relentless fire, M company was right there and cross fired the darkies as they ran. The range was short and there could be but one outcome. Our two companies put the colored regiment out of business and.

our boys rushed down the emb nkment and captured the colored officers and took them as prisoners, taking their blank revolver ammunition. It was the first real live battle- our boys have had in the past three years and all were much pleased. All got back with the company except John Robinson, Lester Speaks andßay Harrington, who came in with another company, having become sepra&ted from their squads. Friday comes our big al! day maneuvers and Colonel Thayer of our regiment proposes to spring a surprise on the enemy by sending up a war balloon; the Plymouth company trumpeter intending to make the ascension. When Col. Thayer; called for volunteers to the balloon corps, five officers quickly offered services. They were Lieut Glenn Van Auken, Angola, Ind.; Lieut Lester Feagler, Auburn, Ind.; Lieut. James E. Brenner, Rensselaer, Ind.; Lieut Earl Smith, Columbia City, Ind., and Lieut. J. F. Brecker, Peru, Ind. Col. Thayer has not yet made the appointments. All our boys are well. Our company received the second highest sanitary grade in the regiment, thanks to the vigilance of Sanitary Seargeant Herman B. Tuteur. Lieutenant Woodworth is still battalion adjutant, and as I have been detailed as officer of the day for 24 hours beginning this evening at 5:20, Lieutenant Brenner has charge of the company. We had inspection this morning and got through nicely.. CAPT. GEORGE HEALEY.