Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-27
AT HARPER's FERRY,
Pleasures and Duties OF Company A, Fifth
battalion, at Camp Benson.
Correspondence Of The Evening Sta-
CAMP BENSON HARpER's Ernnx w Va


Battalion, at Camp Benson.
Correspondence of The Evening Star.
CAMP BENSON, HARPER's FERRY, WA,
August 26, 1891.
The second annual hop Of company A, fifth
battalion, d. C. N. g., was given at Green's
Mountain House last evening. The wide
veranda in front of the hotel was tastefully
decorated with flags, and presented quite a
military appearance. Chimes lanterns shed
a soft light ''oer fair women and brave men,"
for are not our guardsmen the bravest Of the
brave2 ''and all went merry as marriage
bell" Music was furnished by a colored string
band from Harper's Ferry. Refreshments were
served at II o'clock and dancing was continued
until 80 am.
Blue uniforms predominated, although there
were quite a number Of the sterner sex from
the Ferry and other hotels. The guests from
the Merrill House were Mesdames Kolb, Sasse
and Turner. Misses Emma and Susan Cook
Stella Carpenter, Minnie Snyder, Florence
Davis and Jessie Cowling. The gentlemen,
some OF whom are residents of Harper Ferry
were Messrs. W. j. Murphy. Il. b. Miskimmons,
w. Kane, Ben Chambers. VIM. Stewart, Geo. II.
Kolb, Lee Crandell, Richard Gundlach, Charley
Hilry, Chas. Turner and DIR. j. NJ. Shafer, Miss
Laskey and Miss Madge Laskey, Miss Wheatley
and Miss Kate Wheatley and Misses Mcknight
Wilson and keogh, chaperoned by Mrs. Laskey,
were from the Summit House.
Among the lady guests Of Green's Noun
tain House who participated in the dance were
Miss Net,ie Robinette Of Washington and Miss
Olivia Green of Baltimore.
The quartet" consisting of Misses Ida Buck
heimer, Mary Culichane, Mamie kearney and
Eva Beck, chaperoned by Mrs. DIR. Buckheimer
all of Washington, left Tuesday, and were much
missed at the hop.
Among the friends of the guardsmen from
Washington who have been stopping at the
Mountain House are Capt Chas. Smith and his
daughter, Miss Mamie, and MIR. Thomas ID. Leach
OF the pension office.
AN ATTACK UPON THE CAMP.
About IL O'Clock, while the dancing was going
merrily on and our soldier boys were tripping
the light fantastic as only soldiers can, the al
most deserted camp suddenly attacked by
the advance picket line of the enemy. Their
FIRE was returned by our sentries. Those of the
command who were engaged in the dance,
alarmed by the firing, which was now quite rapid,
rushed hastily from scene OF gayety and
pleasure to engage in the stern realities of war.
Capt. Benson found his men in two sections,
under the immediate command of Capt. Walker
and First Lieut.. Smoot, the advance being led
by Lieut. Smoot, Capt Walker following with
the reserves.
The attacking party were steadily repulsed,
and after a sharp skirmish were driven from
the field. The fight was short but decisive and
after the smoke of battle had cleared away it
was found that our men were entirely unhurt
and the enemy had carried their dead and
wounded from the field.
Scouts Lowe and Buchanan, Corp Thomp-
son and Privates Kohr and Brown, by Sergt
ThOrp, constituted the enemy. The attack was
well planned, but Sergt. Thorp says he was
overcome by superior numbers.
The attack and repulse were according to q
prearranged plan and afforded quite a sur
prise to the hotel guests and guests OF the hop,
and all were delighted with the exhibition.
NOTES.
"Ordway weather" has prevailed this week,
and the daily drills, parades. &c, have been
considerably interfered with, but both officers
and men have enjoyed the encampmcnt very
much.
Private Brown left Tuesday in response to a
letter announcing the severe illness of his
wife.
Private Prewitt was taken sick this morning
and was excused from camp.
Second Lieut.. Boyer and Sergt. Pidigo, who
were unable to leave Washington with the COM
mand, have been spending a few days in camp,
returning this morning.
As am now writing lively skirmish drill
with blank cartridges is going on under the
command of Sergt. Thorp on the parade
ground in front of the hotel
When the boys marched in to dinner today a
beautiful hand-paintcd souvenir marked with
an appropriate inscription was found at each
plate. they were done by Miss Bertha Schaefer
OF Washington who is guest of the hotel, end
will be treasured by both officers and men as q
pleasant reminder OF their encampment a,
Harper's Ferry.
The tents will be struck tomorrow and oul
guardsmen will start OH the return march e
Washington Friday morning. They expect t.
| arrive Sunday evening. J. y. G.