Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-20
WAR DEPARTMENT GUARDS
They Are Occupying the Camp at Sea Isle
City.
The Journey and q Hearty Welcome
Received From the Members OF
the Ordway Rifles.
Correspondence of The Evening Star.

WAR DEPARTMENT GUARDS CAMP,
SEA ISLE CITY. N. j.. August 10. 1894.
At last. after an a;l-night ride full Of fun,
the War Department Guards. company d,
sixth battalion, District of Columbia Ma
tional Guard. are under canvas at this de-
hghtful resort. and are gradually settling
down to rest their weary bodies.
Promptly at 11:lO last evening Second
Lieut.. James M. Fairly commanded 'Fours,
right" and the camp-bound boys formed
column and marched to the Baltimore and
Potomac depot. where their special car was
in waiting. At the depot the boys had quite
a lively time working their way through a
colored excursion crowd.
A soldier Is generally an inventor when
1t comes to making himself comfortable.
and the fast-nying train was hardly out of
Washington before its military passengers
mad stored. In all sorts of odd Places their
ensconced in their hunks. All hands bad a
jolly time. but notwithstanding the witty
sailies OF the more humorous, the laugh soon
died out, and all was quiet. excepting the
neaVy muttertng roll of shores. But this
Inconvenience was soon overcome by q
counter-charge on the part Of those still
awake.
The train was scheduled to arrive at
Philadelphia at o'clock this morning, but
the engine was disabled by some break In
Its machinery somewhere this side OF Bal
timore. thus necessitating long delay.
The damage was sufficient to warrant n
telegram requesting another iron horse In
deed. 1t seemed as though another engine
could have been built while waiting for the
new one. but finally 1t arrived. and the
journey was continued without further in
cident until Philadelphia was reached
where, during the march across the city
one of the soldier lads declared said march
"a realistic reproduction Of Pickett's IA
nous charge at Gettysburg. The incoming
train was two hours late. and Capt. Wilson
managed to get his company aboard an ex-
cursion train leaving an hour and a half
earlier than the one he had intended TAX
ing. So the stop-over was reduced from
five hours to one and a half. The march
across town was executed at route STEP"
for which the men called down blessings on
their captain.
Not n Mad Dog.
Shortly before leaving Camden, not a
little excitement was caused by the ap-
pearance of a ferce-iooking dog. that was
frothing at the mouth, at the same time
rapidly going through what might be term
ed n frst-class zouave drill. OF course
everyone thought the animal was mad, and
at once made for him. In en- instant the
brute would have been a dead dog, had not
one of the railroad officials quietly re-
marked: well. I'll be hanged; that dogs
got another fit" These few words were
spoken just in time to prevent a slaughter,
watch the performance. The run to Sea
Isle City was occupied by a STUDY of the
landscape. and some expressed great sur
prise at seeing farmers blowing and hoeing
as though Sunday had never been devoted
to rest. and these same fellows made 1t a
point to rest and sleep all this beautiful
afternoon. They believe In the doctrine
Of observing the Sabbath. and were glad to
practice that belief after their tedious ride.
When Sea isle City was reached, the
company was formed and marched in COL
umns OF tours at carry arms" before the
Ordway Rifles. who were at the depot in
company 'front.' to welcome their COM
rades. "Fours, right" was executed by the
new arrivals, who halted, brought their
rifles to present arms" and returned the
salute a S OF Capt apt Williams men: who march
was continued toward Camp Stephan, the
War Department lads following in rear Of
the Ordways in columns of forrs. Turning
ir to the company street, the latter again
wheeled into line and going to present
again honored their friends with a salute.
which was acknowledged as Capt. Wilson
and his men marched by.
A Cordial Reception.
The alignment Of the two companies
was made even. when Capt. Williams. in
behalf of his command. extended to Capt
Wilson and tie guardsmen q warm and
hearty welcome, expressing the hope that
the newcomers would have as good time
as his soldiers had enjoyed.
Captain Wilson replied in q neat little
speech. thanking the Ordways for their
much-appreciated greeting. with q few
other happy little thoughts.
Then the air was almost rent in twain
II such thing Is possible-by one of those
almost mintelligible company yells," re-
sembling the wild cheer of the college
student, only 1t was far more fierce and
wariike. 1t showed the brotheriy feeling
existing between the two organisations
and ranks were hardly broken before the
members Of each were eagerly shaking the
hands of their friends
Now, the dusty travellers were hungry
who would not have been, after such a
fast that was soon served After this a
more satisfactory idea of the camp and its
various appointments was obtained by its
future inhabitants