At times the field was so dry that once the action started the dust completely obscured the hillside with only torches and lanterns eerily dancing in the haze. In other times, such as in 1905, the area was a quagmire of six inch deep mud. When the two sides met a massive brawl commenced. When a scrapper was brought down he was tied up, or chained, and dragged, or as in 1905 slid down into the camp of their opponent. In the early years attempts at rescuing the tied was undertaken. Those attempting such rescues used knives which added another element of danger to the proceedings. The tide of battle some times moved back and forth. The captains yelled out commands, and reserves tried to make end runs or reinforce their failing lines. The battle averaged about a half hour. The 1897 Scrap took two hours and some took under twenty-five minutes. Once the entire opposing force was subdued, the defeated were lined up and tied to a rope in the early years and later a chain.
Students fighting in the Tank Scrap.
Source: Harvey Dart Scrapbook, Box 1, Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center.
