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Show Captain Kncass and Lieutenant Bassett Return From Mexican Mexi-can Border. EXPERIENCE GAINED IS VALUABLE, THEY SAY Militia Representation, It Is Thought. Is (o Be Greatly - Decreased. - The two Utah national uuard officers, Captain William Kncass of D company of Ogdcn and Lieutenant Freeman Bus-sett, Bus-sett, adjutant, First infantry, who were detailed to the maneuvers near the Mexican Mex-ican bonier three weeks ago. returned to the city late Friday night. The two officers were detailed by Adjutant Genera Gen-era K. A. Wedgwood to attend the maneuvers, after the first order was. received re-ceived from Ihe war department. They went to San Diego where they were assigned to a detachment of regular troops. Lieutenant Rnssctt, speaking ol the past, three weeks, said: "We arrived at San l-Megd, where we were given orders or-ders to join a partial division of troops under the command of General Bliss We were at San Diego only a short time before wo took up Ihe maneuvers. The troops had .been maneuvering for Some time before our arrival and we joined Iheiu Fit their camp at Gross .Mountain. This place was the only lo cation that might be called a permanent camp, as the troops were on the march all the time. Ready for Trouble. "The men were in absolute readiness for a war move at a moment's notice, as there were check roll calls five limes a day, and it was possible for a commander to locate every member of his command in a few moments. The maneuvering was along the line, that is. parallel to it, but about a day s march from Mexican soil. The marches were from fifloen fo twenty-five miles a day and T will state that the division divis-ion was in almost perfect physical condition con-dition and lighting trim. All men were well supplied with ball cartridges and the-officers were. Held down to war requirements re-quirements in the nature of personal equipment. All tJio wagon trains were in readiness. "Captain Kncass and myself were to-((ether to-((ether most of the time and marched in all the maneuvers and we had some great experiences. There wore but twenty-seven militia officers' assigned to the division, tho greater number being near Sah Antonio. Rebel .Camps in View. "We saw rebel camps just over Ihe lino in places, and Captain Kncass and myself crossed the lino in civilian clothes. The nearest wc were to any lighting was about 100 miles. As no heavy field guns were used we could hear' nothing, but we .could easily hear the practice firing of the Pacific fleet some thirty miles djstnnt. "To sum up, we "had a most enjoyable enjoy-able time, although some of the march: cs were heavy. Ji he trip was well worth taking and was a good Vacation. Some of the states will send militia officers lo re-djice those who have spent two weeks there, but the number will be greatly cut down.3 |