Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-24

Company Of the Fffth Battalion Learning
| Military Duty at Harper's Ferry.
| Special Correspondents of The Evening Star

Company A Of the Fffth Battalion Learning
Military Duty At Harper's Ferry.
Special Correspondents Of The Evening Star.
CAMP Benson, HARpER's Ferry. ". Va,
August "a, 1891.
ion Is now known as Camp Benson, in honor of
its popular captain. Last Friday evening Capt
Benson was in the psrlors of the hotel when,
much to his surprise, every man in his COM
pany, with the exception of the men on guard,
came marching in. led by Surgeon buchanan,
and with Corporal Shultz rs spokesman, re-
quested that the camp be rechristened in his
name. Under the circumstances the captain
could not well refuse the honor. so he made a
neat speech Of acceptance, and it is now Camp
Benson instead of Camp Clay.
The boys are daily put through the regular
routine of military duty and are getting very
valuable experience.
Yesterday being Sunday no guard was kept
up, but on all other days there is a regular de-
tail who walk their posts night and day.
PRIVATE Thorp of the regular army. acting
sergeant major of the command. is a valuable
instructor as to guard duty and its several
technicalities. his efforts being well appre-
ciated by his superiors.
There was general inspection yesterday. and
the commanding officer found everything ia
the command, very few Of them ever having
seen military camp before.
Both officers and men are now thoroughly
recovered from AL bad effects of their long
march.
HEAVY RAIN STORM.
Uncle Jerry was a little off in his calculations
Friday and the camp was visited by a heavy
rain, but the tents being pitched on a gentle
slope no i'll effects resulted; otherwise the
Qu no haoh <A IA
The camp is well policed and the streets are
kept perfectly clean.
Target practice begins today and the COM
pany Will complete its score for the wear while
here. Lieut.. Johnstone. the crack shot of the
second regiment gave very pretty ex-
hibition of shooting Saturday afternoon.
whieh was witnessed by quite num-
Der of the guests at the hotel, and he
received much applause. Lieut.. tombstone
Is not only very fine shot with the military
riie at target at regulation distances. but does
number of fancy shots with Winchester re-
peater. such as knocking the ashes off a cigar
cite heid between the lips of a member of the
company. hitting pennies tossed into the air.
ana a still more wonderful feat of breaking two
glass balls thrown into the air at the same time
Lieut.. Johnstone is authority on all matters
pertaining to firearms and is a frst-class all
round shot.
The utmost good feeling prevails among OIL
GERS and men. Capt. Benson il not only highly
~ S6"iueu as an oncer Dy MS men, but Is a gen.
tieman above reproach, and he has the conf
dence and respect of every member of the COM
pany. Adiutant Smoot, Capt. Walker and
Lleuts. tombstone and Smith are also very pop
ular among the men. Lieut.. Boeger who was
unable to leave Washington with the company,
Is expected down today. and will probably re-
main until camp is broken.
AN ENJOYABLE HOP
A very enjoyable hop was given by Capt.
Grun at the hotel on Saturday night in honor
OF our guardsmen. Taps we're delayed until a
convenient hour, and officers and men spent
thoroughly enjoyable evening. The following
guests from the Hilltop House were in attend
ance: Capt. NJ. A. Donnelly, wife and daughter,
Mesdames NJ. &. Palmer. c. NJ Marks and J. IL.
Brough. Misses X. G. Marks, s. c. hurry and
Minnie Palmer, Gen. Lee Pitchlyn, and Messrs
=. =: Pitchlyn, Dick Jones, W. +. Mcclure and
4. Hoover, wife and children. j. BG