Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-08-20

Some Of the Attractions in Fishing Near
the Arsenal.

Mr.. Luther Mangum, the oyster dealer on
North Capitol street. taking q day for recrea-
ZION, went fishing on the Eastern branch. He
was accompanied by young boy, and when
they had secured a boat, they rOwed out on the
branch and sought favorable fishing place
Finally they anchored by the arsenal wharf,
and while enjoying the peaceful sport which
fishing in these waters afford the report Of
musket was heard, and the whizzing Of q ball
through the air just over their heads made that
cheerful music which soOthes the nerves OF the
average man. But it had the opposite effect on
Mr.. Mangum, and he stood up in the boat to
ascertain If the threatened Mexican war had
broken out, or If some one had special designs
on his life. He discovered to his horror that he
had unwittingly plunged his head into a shower
OF leaden bullets which a company of soldiers
belonging to the arsenal were projecting across
the Eastern branch after the latest and most
approved order from the manual OF tactics. As
the bullets sang their merry song first on one
side OF his face and then on the other, and as
their hot breath touched bis cheeks, Nj: Man
gum says that he stood paraly Zed with fear,
mechanically swaying his head from side to
side i'll the attempt to dodge the bullets. Men
who stood outside OF the range manifested
friendly interest in Mr.. Mangums safety, and
loudly advised him to row out OF the range. He
states that he would have gladly acted upon
their advice, only he much occupied
with lodging the bullets that he mot give
that attention to rowing which was required.
between the Voileys he shouted yam appears i
hiring until ne came to the conclusion that ne
was In the range OF the entire United states
army. Mr.. Mangum, after thinking over bis
experience, reached the conclusion that as he
was alone and unarmed perhaps 1t would have
been more creditable in the attacking party to
have given him some notice that hOstilities
were about to begin, SO that he might have
an opportunity OF choosing between retreating
or fighting. He states, however, that the gen.
eral practice at the arsenal Is to begin shooting
across the Eastern branch without regard to
such trites AS fishing parties or boats on the
branch, and that the opinion seems to be that
bullets go around such objects in their range.
W lille not indOrsing this opinion entirely he
sincerely trusts that the future may continue
to establish its truth.
Major Gen. Schofield has issued orders direct
ing the batteries of the third artillery stationed
at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, TO proceed to the
barracks at the Washington arsenal for rifle
practice at the longer ranges. Battery u, under
command of Major JnO. q. Turnbull, will march
from Fort McHenry August 3Oth, and leave
18th. Battery /, MajO John X. Wyrick, under
command of Brevet Captain Edw'd c. knOwer,
leaves Fort McHenry September 10th. and will
return there by October 9th. Battery q, Major
Geo. +. BarstOw, will mike the trip from OctO-
Der 18th to october 3Oth. These dates will give
each company at least two weeks rifle practice
at the arsenal here.
EXCURSION TO PINEY PoINT.-It will be
seen by the card elsewhere that the steamer
Lady of the Lake leaves foot of 9Th street
wharf tomorrow evening and daily until
further notice, at $50 o'clock, Tor Piney Point.
Hotel accommodation $1.5O per day; $40 per
week. The attractions are good fishing, bath
ing, boating and other amusements.