Feb. 8, 6 p.m
Were we fighting against supernatural forces , which no human heroism could overcome ? A telegraph instrument had been set up next to the President 's study in the White House so that all news from the front might reach him without delay . On a table lay a large map of the battle-field where the fighting was now going on , and his private secretary had marked the positions of the American troops with little wooden blocks and colored flags . Suddenly the instrument began to click , a fresh report from the general staff of the Pacific Army appeared on the tape : `` Fort Bridger , Feb. 8 , 6 p.m. . Our captive balloon reports that the enemy seems to be shifting his troops on the left flank . Two Japanese battalions have abandoned their positions , which were at once occupied by a line of skirmishers from the 86th Regiment supported by two machine-guns . An assault of the second battalion of the 64th Regiment on the Japanese infantry position was repulsed , as the enemy quite unexpectedly brought several masked machine-guns into action .