Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-25
BLASTING AT CAMP.
Camp Cecil Clay IMagines Artillery
Duels and Carnage.

Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
CAMP CECIL CLAY,
HARPER'S FERRY, w. Va,
August a. 1893.
The camp was as quiet last night as the
graveyard on the opposite hill-the Quietest
In the history Of this camp The fine NOON
light made the jaunt in the mountains ex-
ceedingly pleasant. 1t seems as If special
angels are lowering about US at Camp Cecil
Clay. While the other camps are having
inclement weather we are blessed with the
finest skies day and night that campers
could possibly wish for Two rains since
camp started. and both Of them at night.
settled the dust and inconvenienced no one.
The heavy blasting going on in the
mountains near camp makes the earth be-
meath us tremble and in the silence Of the
moonlight night the roaring for a full min
ute from peak to peak and dying away
like distant thunder sounds peculiarly
grand A little forgetfulness of his sur
roundings and the meditative soldier sees
the batteries OF artillery on the hill tops
and smells the powder waited over. Hap
PLY the absence of carnage and consterna-
ti9n routs him out Of his reveries;
Lieut. Russell Is officer of the day, Lieut..
Esty Is officer of the guard and Sergt.
Gunderson is sergeant of the guard. The
sergeant is a clever officer and deserves
shoulder straps. Corporal Dement'S de-
parture Is regretted by all Of the boys and
some who are not boys. His Prince Of
w hdieS Wh1Skers are the talk OF the town.
There are no flies on the corporal.
Acting Major Smoot was pleased with
the battalion drill on Wednesday evening.
Acting Major Salmon put the battalion
through the manual today at dress parade.
Sergeant Major Harper went through guard
mount all alone today for the edification of
a few spectators.
Several of the boys have received clip
pings from The Star about our camps. We
get The Star out here sometimes. The
mails are very irregular and nobody seems
to know-not even the postmaster-when
the mails leave or arrive to and from
Washington.
Private Hassler had his chin whiskers
cut off with an ak. Private Barton took
an anti-dance foot bath recently. He steps
lightly. but he kicks high.
Private Fftzsimmons' sideburns are the
envy OF the people of Mayor Dolls juris-
dlction. Private Taylor has just appeared
on the scene. The expression on his face
Private Bartlett wants his friends in
Washington to know that the hair invig-
orator ne is using Is doing extra duty at
Harper.s Ferry. Guard duty was per-
usual owing to the fact that Private Perry
has four eyes. Lieut. Esty's strawberry
blonde smile is the winning card among
the ladies'
The The large dining hall at the Summit
House was filled with a brilliant array of
dancers. Miss NJ. Cassidy. Miss NJ. Miller
and Miss c. Thompson, all Of Washington
and Miss p. Swalzwaelder and Miss Brown
or philadelphia are generally the first on
the floor with the brass buttons Tomor-
row night straw ride will be given by the
BOYS and great time is anticipated
There Will be competitive drill at the
Jona6ab Hall tomorrow night. The best
d pr,ret man will will receive hsndsome prize
on furlough. reported for duty today
l.. T.. b,