Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-25
CAMPING BY THE RIVER.
THE SOLDIERS At CAMP ORDVAY.
ORGANIZATION.
Night Scenes and Incidents in the Tented
City-Keeping Order in the Dark
A Creditable Record.
BRANCH OFFICE EVENING STAR,

BRANCH OFFICE EVENING STAR
CAMP ORDwAY, Fort WASHINGTON No.,
July %, 1889.
When the last whistle blew for the departure
OF the steamer George Law for camp yesterday
afternoon there were fully three hundred peo-
pie left on the wharf unable to get aboard on
account of the crowd. They took passage,
however, on the Leary and arrived at Camp
Ordway about half an hour after the Law,
which was unable to make landing at the fort
for some time owing to broken fast line.
When a landing was effected there was rush
for the drill grounds, but dress parade was al
most over, and before the Leary arrived the
gun announcing the close Of the drill had
doomed forth and the boys were in their tents
preparing for supper. There were many per-
sonal friends of the guardsmen among the
visitors last evening, and some boosted of fried
chicken and cake for dinner. The visitors wan
dered through the camp, chatting with the
soldiers until the
BUGLE SOUNDED FOR SUPPER.
There was sudden activity developed among
the tents and blue coats popped out here and
there and fell into line, each bearing tin cup
with which to beat time on his brass buttons.
The march lay in the direction Of the old fort,
=
bridge waiting for the word to get to work.
They had good appetites, judging by the time
they fingered and the sunset gun doomed out
upon the still evening air and sent its echoes
reverberating among the hills of old Virginia
before they got up from the long tables. Evil
IDENTIFY the meal was a good one and heartily
enjoyed.
After supper the boys had chance with their
sweethearts, and the envious looks and groans
given to the favored ones could be seen and
heard on all sides.
IN THE EVENING.
When it began to grow dark the camp pre-
sented an attractive appearance, the light in
the tents gave everything ghost-like look, and
the old gray sergeant who passed up and down
the dusty road looked like specter of the war.
AT RIVER VIEW.
A large number, having obtained leave until
roll-call, visited River View. Here everything
was hustle; the blue coats seemed to own the
pavilion and captured many dashing maiden.
The shooting galleries did good business and
the gravity railroad paid for itself. The boys
would load car, and then with war whoop of
"let her go" they would dash down the incline,
yelling at the tops of their voices. Taken all
In all, they behaved very well and there we're
no scenes of drunken disorder. About 9:45
there was q lull in the festivities and mad
break down the hill for the boats. They had
but five minutes to get into camp before the
tattoo sounded. The old colored boatman
was promised everything if he would
get them there on time, but although
he did his utmost many got in late and we're
reported One Of the representatives of The
STAR accepted the invitation Of one of the cav
alrymen to spend the night in camp. The re-
porter was left outside the lines while the SOL
der went through to make it all right Pretty
soon he heard him call to come on, and he
started. He didn't go far, however. for sud-
denly soldier sprang up from the grounds and
called in a gruff voice. Halt" The reporter
tried to laugh it down, but the sentinel looked
determined, and so did his gun, and the COM
mand was promptly obeyed. The sentry told
him to advance and give the countersign. He
didn't know it. Things began to look serious
The reporter thought of his home, the sentry
OF his duty; so commanding the scrib, to for
ward march, he brought up in the rear with
his gun cooked and primed in readiness for the
slightest resistance. The march ended at the
guard tent, where the following conversation
took place: