Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-13
A BEAUTIFUL SPOT.
The Camping Ground of District Mill
tia at Fort Washington.

Ia at II Ort w aSnIOStOn.
| HOW THE GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS ARE BEING
PREPARED FOR THE SOLDIER Boys-A BUSY
SOMEWHERE THE TENTS WILL BE PITCHED
BEAUTIFUL VIEW IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
A year ago Fort Washington stood in lone
illness on the bluffs of the Potomac, garrisoned
by an ordnance sergeant, with light house
keeper for company. The reservation sur
rounding it, lying between Swan and Piscata-
qua creeks, was wild aud thick with underbrush
and trees-a wilderness traversed only by the
| squirrel and the cst-bird. To-day it is alive
with busy workmen, noisy with hammers and
the shouts Of teamsters, the picture Of activity.
Its expanse of fields have been cleared and
| moved, its roads Strengthened and levelled, its
| ferces trimmed into shape 1t fact it has been
| reclaimed to the world and is one of the most
charming spots on the river shore.
/ AS A CAMP.
| A week from next Monday il will be invaded
| by 800 or more men wearing the uniform of
the District national guard, who will pitch
| their tents and go into camp after the manner
OF veterans. 1t for this purpose that the
transformation was effected, and to this end
that Gen. Albert Ordway, commanding the bril-
gade, has labored day and night for nearly two
months. He has succeeded in bringing order
out of chaos and has proved that Providence
has given the District guardsmen q camp
ground within sight of Washington that is not
surpassed anywhere in the country. Every
thing essential to the success of this, the first
annual encampmeht of the guard, was at hand
at the fort, but it required considerable
amount of contriving, planning and executing
to turn the possibilities of the place into facts
VISIT TO THE PROSPECTIVE ENCAMPMENT. 3,
Yesterday morning Gen. Ordway, Major A.
L. Crawford and STAR reporter boarded the
steamer Corcoran and were landed at Fort
Washington an hour and quarter later They
went down to make a survey of the field to
note the improvements, and to see that things
were going on smoothly. They were met at
the wharf by the garrison of the fort, COM
posed of Sergeant Joyce. who has worn Uncle
Sans colors for twenty-nne years. He has
been IN charge of the heretofore abandoned
work for number of years, and during the
preparations for the encampment has been of
incalculable service to Gen. Ordway in direct
ing the work at the fort.
The wharf was covered with materials of all
description-boxes, barrels, lumber. tent floors
tent poles, bundles of tents, bales of straw-a
nondescript lot of freight that betokened the
activity of the place. Wagons were hauling it,
rs fast as possible, up the road that wound ND
the steep side of the hill crowned by the sullen
walls OF the fort that scowled down on the bus
tie with an air of protest at being disturbed
after so long rest. The road was stony and
sandy, the wagon wheels sinking deep, but.
the general explained, it had been improved
beyond measure. 1t was undoubtedly perfect
terror of a road before the invasion. A stop
was made to admire a magnificent elm tree
fully IL feet in circumference, that spread out
over the ground for yards around-a perfect
giant. This tree, said Sergeant Joyce, was one
of the two that were spared on the river side
OF the reservation when the slopes were cleared
IN war times to permit the aiming of the guns
In the fort 1t has the reputation of being the
largest tree of the kind in the county
Pushing upward the sergeant pointed out
some bitches he had caused to be dug along
side of the road to prevent washing by the rain
and IN another minute the party had reached
the summit of the plateau, fully 80 feet above
the river. Here the road divided. the more
beaten part turning to the left into the reserva-
ton and a grassy path leading to the right
under the shade of one of the stone ramparts
of the fort. The general halted a minute to
give direction or two as to the manner of lay
ing pipe that is to be connected to the fish
commissions pumping engine on the wharf
and thus force water in abundance to the camp
This water is drawn from the center of the
river, away down deep, and is cool and fresh.
UNDER THE RAMPARrs
of the fort the heat of the sun was somewhat
diminished and when the party passed over
the bridge through the main arch into the fort
Enclosure the air was delightfully."- cool for q
minute. This arch is imposing in its decayed
beauty. Its dOric columns seem to be trying
to keep up semblance of respec.ability and
Its keystone is making noble effort to remain
upright, while the yellow foxglove Chambers
over and around the green stones in mocking
freedom. The dry moat is green and peaceful
The walls are pathetically crumbled and half
hidden from sight. The bridge leading over
the ditch is strong and modern, in rather sharp
contrast to its surroundings. 1t was re-
Gently built there to replace the old
draw bridge that had done duty almost ever
since the fort was erected. away back near the
beginning of the century. The doors heavy.
thick, studded with bolts, are swung back into
the walls, but half hiding the enormous wheels
and chains that formerly were used to raise
and lower the bridge. High above the arched
ROOF OF the entrance Is growing green with
mold and from the other end comes burst of
sunlight that almost blinds. Beyond through
this vista was heard the banging of hammers
and the throng of workmen was seen erecting
some skeleton-ike structures. Before reaching
the other arch, however. the sergeant led the
way off to the right through n doorway into a
room Uttered with fallen plaster.
This was the guard ROOM" he said. "and
here the dungeons" pointing through one of
two half-opened doors that looked into dark
ness beyond. This will be all cleaned up next
week"
THE MESS HALLS.
In the bright sun outside a score or more of
men were busy with tools and muscles, build
long SneuS without SlueS. These. IT
was explained, were the mess halls, where the
brigade, three times each day, will march and
eat with military appetite. Two long halls
will accommodate the two regiments, a short
one on the side of the inclosure next the river
wall the seventh and eighth battalions and an
other yet to be built, running across the ends
OF the Others. the commissioned officers. The
kitchens will be located in long brick building
III tolerabie state of repair. i'll the southeast
corner of the Enclosure. 1t viii give room for
three large ranges that have been bought for
the camp. The culinary department will be in
charge of Caterer lie Mour of this city. who
will have corps of experienced cooks to
handle the frying pans and roasting spits. The
food will be first laid on line of tables on the
porch of the kitchen house, where the mea
detailed from the companies as walters will go
for 1T. They will carry it across the short yard
to the mess halls and there distribute 1t to their
hungry comrades.
THE MAMMOTH REFRIGERATOR.
Down among some overhanging peach trees,
under the walls of the fort, is brick cavern,
known in military parlance a casemate. This
will be used as a refrigerator room and store
house. Its roof is formed of groined arches.
white and sparkling with stalactites The air
is damp and COOL and the place is roony
enough to hold a company of men. Two small
windows give light. 1t is an ideal ice house,
but it Is guarded only by a rotten door, half
hung. sentinel will be posted there at night
to keep on foragers from the camp.
BEAUTIFUL VIEW.