Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-08
A MILITARY-soCIAL EVENT.
Mrs. Lamont Visits Fort Myer. Wit.
nesses - Great Exhibition and f. En-.
tertafned.

nesses u Great Exhibition and fs En-.
tertafned.
Misty and muggy and rainy as Il was,
this day was brighter than are most days
at Fort Myer. Even had the weather been
very much worse than Il was, IL would
have had no effect on the combined mill
itary-sociai event for which the postal
ways in what seems to be perfect condi-
don-this morning put on its best bib and
tucker
Exercises in the riding hall are quite COM
mon at Fort Myer, but IL Is only at rare in
tervals that the wife of Secretary of War,
accompanied by distinguished party.
Climbs the short stairway TO the riding
nan balcony and watches the troopers 20
through their invariably interesting pro-
gram. That. however. Is what happened
this morning.
1t was rot a surprise party, though, for
Col and Mrs Henry had invited Mrs. La
mont and her friends to breakfast, and Lad
arranged matters SO that their guests
should see how well trained and how agile
are the soldiers who are a. Fort Myer be-
cause they are especially deserving OF the
post OF the army
The equestrian exercises were competitiye
III cad OF ordering but one troop into the
nan, Col. henry had the troop commanders
each select the twelve men who would be
most likely to do their respective troops
credit, and the result was a performance
that fairly rivaled the widely advertised
n.intsIy tournaments over which Chicago
ration. y. "
First to pound over the tan bark were
the twelve men and horses from troon A
Iilst cavalry, commanded by Lieut. J. r. r.
Lahois; then came the delegation from X
OF the ninth, under Lieut. Alexander w.
Ferry; the twelve from II OF the eighth. un-
oer Lieut. Alfred c. Merillat and then the
TIepresentatves OF f OF the seventh, under
Lieut.. Robert SewelL
They Did Wonderful Things.
Details OF the feats that were performed
would bear close resemblance to the pro-
gram OF a Touring circus. There was hur-
Ole jumping by files, by twos and by tours;
there was mounting and dismounting IN all
sorts OF fashions and while the horses were
moving at all varieties Of eaits
some or the men jumped from a spring.
board over the backs OF one two and
three animals. and one acrobatic trooper
oiu tne Ieat with finale to IL which inclnd-
go STANDING on his head on the further
horses back before dropping on his feet
on the bark. Then the horses were thrown
without any apparent effort on the part
OF NOSE VINO did the throwing, and It didn't
seem TO be at all hard for one horse 70 car
ry three or four soldiers around when such
an exhibition was called for
Occasionally there was some especially
clever work that would bring out a round
OF applause from the deeply interested spec
tators.
When Col Henry's whistle notified the
last twelve TO retire from the arena Lieut..
Lands took command OF the consolidation
and then ensued a troop drill that had In
II innumerable opportunities for confusion
not one Of which was taken advantage OF.
Ii was excellent throughout. the circling
by fours being marvelously accurate ana
the more wonderful when IL IL remembered
that the men were from different companies
and are not drilled in that mixed-up way
very frequently. II ever before.
Breakfast With Col. and Mrs. Henry.
It was noon when the exercises were over
and then the invited guests proceeded TO the
commanding officers quarters where Mrs.
Henry awaited them and where. after the
formal courtesies were attended 70. break.
fast was served
The decorations were tasteful throughout
and the menu all that could be expected OF
a skillful chef. Those present were Mrs.
Lamont Miss Sanders. Miss Lockwood.
Mrs Collamore, Miss Cornell Miss Scott.
Miss Blackburn. Miss Breckenridge. Mrs.
Kennon, Mrs. Benton. Miss Ruggles, Miss
Slocum. Miss Huddleston and Miss Brfce,
Lieut. Benton, Lieut. Kennon. Lieut. Perry,
Lieut.. Lands, Lieut.. Sewell Capt Pitcher,
Lieut.. Heiner Lieut. Merfllat, Mr.. Steven
SON and Mr.. Douglas Cornell