Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-20
G HARDING INF CAMP
The knowledge of the Sentinels at Camp
Thompson Tested.
The Soldier Boys Mfegik Fun With
Duty and Are Enjoying Their
Life Under Canvas.
Correspondence Of The Evening star.

Life Under Canvas.
Correspondence Of The Evening STAR
CAMP GILBERT THOMPSON,
OCEAN CITY, Nd, August IS, 1894.
The regular routine was suspended yes
terday and this evening, and, a new order
substituted, which was productive not only
of good deal Of amusement, but also Of
profitable instruction. Capt Horton gave
the company some tests of sentinel duty,
which exemplifled some of the points with
which a sentinel should be thoroughly
familiar. but of which company c knew
very little at all.
Immediately after retreat almost the en-
tire company was put on duty for this
sentinel practice. Lieut. Ruebsam was de-
tailed as officer of the day. Lieut.. Middle
ton as officer of the guard, Sergt. Stevens
as sergeant Of the guard. Corp. Steward
as corporal Of the first relief, Corp. Lepper
Of the second. and Corp. Stevens of the
third, each relief consisting of five men.
Capt. Horton then addressed the company,
giving in outline the general duties of SEN
tries. but not saying anything specially
about the particular tests he proposed to
make. Corp. Steward posted his men, gave
them the countersign, and then the fun be-
gan.
The idle reliefs and all the other men in
camp accompanied Capt Horton on his
rounds in order to see and appreciate the
mistakes of the different guards. The first
one encountered was the one on the board
walk. He did not understand that he was
to halt the party, while they kept on the
walk. and he allowed Capt Horton to walk
up behind him and snatch his machete cut
Of his hand. But. as the camp was sup
posed to be in hostile territory, he should
have halted all on or near his beat. Try
ing 1t again. he challenged the party. and
being given the reply. Friends, with the
countersign." correctly ordered one to adj
vance with the countersgn.
The answer to the challenge Of the second
sentinel was "A troop of cavalry" and he
made the mistake of not requiring the one
ordered to advance to dismount before ad-
vancing. The third sentinel was told that
1t was Coxey's army. He called for the
corporal Of the guard. who told the gen
eral in command that his army could not
pass through the camp. Capt. Horton then
gave the countersign. and was passed, with
the usual salute.
Pushing the Sentries.
The fourth sentinel was told that the
party were friends Of one Of the officers in
camp, that they wanted to see him, but did
not know the countersign. The guard called
for the corporal of the guard. who was
nOnplussed, and in turn yelled for the
sergeant of the guard. He very properly
ordered the leader to advance, asked the
names of the party, and ordered the names
to be taken to the officer asked for Capt
Horton then gave the countersign and went
on to tackle the fifth guard: The answer
to his challenge was: Some Fiji Islanders,
who have been taking IN the worlds fair
and are bound to return tomorrow. We are
anxious to see the camp before returning"
The corporal of the guard. being called.
Ixnn 10 Ia Ia o..
the sergeant Of the guard Who decided not
to allow the inspection, bue upon the pro-
test Of the leader at being Sshut out by a
non-comn.issioned officer. he called for the
them, two at a time. in charge Of an "hon-
orary escort" Of two guards.
Capt. Horton disappeared while this con-
fab was going on. and to kill time. Capt.
Averill sent couple Of sets Of twOs with
the escort through the camp. By that time
Capt. Horton returned, calling for the off,
Ger Of the day. to whom he reported that
he had personal knowledge or the removal
unnoticed by the guard. The corporal Of
the guard had detected him, but had not
stopped him. Lieut.. Ruebsam was some
what startled when told that he. as officer
of the day, unless he could locate the guard
On duty when the theft was committed. was
responsible for the goods stolen. Capt.
Horton then called the game and reported
the transit in the hotel Office. where he had
eight Of the company. with eight fair part
ners and nine watermelons started on a
straw ride. They went to visit a cabin
about three miles of, making the six miles
in five hours. One melon was busted"
but half of one apiece seemed to have been
more than enough for them, judging from
the disgruntled and grabbed appearance and
demeaEor Of the men today. 1t Is reported
that Capt. Averill went to sleep on the
wagon.
Some Rifle Scores.
The rifle practice was continued today,
but still only at 200 and 800 yards. The
scores are as follows: At 200 yards-Pri-
vate Frech. 0; Pvt. Lyon, and 4; Pvt.
Sunderland, 10 and 10; Pvt. Wilkerson,
and 10; Pvt. Wright, 16 At 800 yards
Capt. Averill. IA and %; Lieut.. Holt, 10;
Sergt. Stevens, 81; Pvt. Cass, IA and II;
Pvt. Frech, 10; Pvt. Lyon, 4 and II: Pvt.
Pellen, IA and Z; Pvt. Wilkerson, Is and IL;
Pvt. Wright, II. Lieut.. Holt hoped to fin
ish all the scores at all ranges. but the
weather has been unfavorable, and other
duties hDre also demanded attention. The
combination of engineering work, camp
military duty and rifle practice is too much
for a small company.
Lieut.. Ruebsam was on the sick list to-
day. The transit was also laid up for re-
pairs. as the cross bars were broken. Corp.
Steward and Private Frech undertook an
illustration Of simple methods when quick
and approximate work is required and no
instruments available. They took the 100
foot base line laid out yesterday, draw
ing board. a ruler, paper and pencil. and
made a very good map Of the camp, pacing
the distances which were wanted. 1t was q
species Of plane-tablc work, only without q
regular alidade. There was a little bit of
revolver practice had, these being the
scores: Capt. Averill IL and 10, total p
Corporal Steward, Il and ii, total %. AT
snap shooting, Corp. Steward made and 4.
The guard detail for today is: Lieut..
Middleton, officer of the day; Corp. Stevens,
corporal Of the guard, and Privates Wright,
Pellen and Gustin. Corp. Stevens was
corporal Of the guard yesterday. but in get
ting ready for first call and for reveille this
morning Che has charge of the field music),
he forgot to have the flag hoisted, and was
put on as substitute for Corp Lepper, who
was somewhat indisposed today. He is
progressing all right, however. The boys
were glad to sec Private Colt out again to-
day. though he is not we'll enough to re-
sumo his camp duties. tx "a Ter hard on
him to be sick during most of the camp.
The drill in guard duty, which was SO well
begun last night, was continued again to-
night. Corp Steward, in charge Of the
first relief, posted his men, and then Corp.
Stevens went around and relieved them
with his guards. The first test was as to
advancing by seniority. So the officer of
the guard, the commander Of the post,
Can't, Horton, who is senior in rank to the