Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-09
TROOP "a" RETURNS
The Cavalrymen Complete Their Tour of
Camp Duty at Marshall Hall.
The Usual RaiHstOrm Accompanies
Their March HOme-GOOd Re-
suits of Their Work.

TetuTHeI last HlSnt from camp at MdrSndii
Hall, Md. where the cavalrymen have been
living under canvas for the past nine days,
and dustier more travel-stained lot of
men would be hard to find than the column
of miitiamen that halted in front of Center
Market armory at 1:15 this morning.
Yesterday morning Lieut.. Eiker, COM
nandant Of Camp Harrison S. Barbour, is
sued an order officially ending the camp of
the District cavalrymen, and all day the
lads We're kept busy alternately entertain
ing their many friends who were ia camp
and packing for the return home. Personal
baggage WAS got together and turned over
to Assistant Quartermaster Sergt. Shlom-
berg, who piled 1t in great heap near the
quartermaster tent and at O'Clock the
general was sounded. Instantly every
tent comprising the little canvas village
was struck. and. almost before one could
realize the change in the looks of things,
the ground was cleared, leaving a mound
OF government property where but a few
moments before stood military camp. At
twenty minutes after boots and saddles
stirred the blood of the men OF arms, and
the command was in readiness to march.
Old Glory was reverently lowered from
the flag staff, the command dismounted
formed on foot and marched to the cafe
Where hearty meal awaited them. There
vas a short rest after mess, during which
lime the advance guard, consisting of Sergt.
Iayior OF Fort Niger and Sergt. Pillsbury
Oh the troop, went ahead to mark the road.
The Homcward March Began.
At . O'Clock the command was again as
sembled and marched to the river for the
purpose OF watering their horses. Promptly
at half-past Lieut. Eiker ordered .'fours
right, march," and the troop broke into
column to begin its homeward march, The
trumpeters calls We're answered with a
Cheer ana the tedious ride was well ON
"a fltrDr
ShiomberS remained over at Marshall Hail
shipped.
The advance guard was accompanied by
| Commissary Sergt. McChesney and the
ambulance. The objective point OF the
commissarys march was PisauataWay
@here ne called halt and prepared some
good army coffee for his hungry comrades
Inc marching column pressed steadily on
through one vast cloud of dust that en-
Veiopei everything it came in contact with.
a mn i.e.any covered the District troopers.
ne gait was alternated between a walk
ana a trot until Pisquataway was reached
mere mix was procured, together with
no ; othef articles of food and mixei well
with the government coffee In three-ouar-
ters or an hour the troop was again on the
move. ~ ~ '''@
There were several bluffs at falling. but
waI, s gu netsenanship of the men told
wei, ana prevented accident of any kind
Horses were watered ut Oxon HIN and
the march continued, almost without intar
lup'loh uii the gallant volunteers had
passeu WITHIN the gates of theic native city
The Inevitable Rain.
yesterday was remarkably delightful. and
'"e members OF the Presidents Troop ex-
pressed not a little anxiety over the prob
acie turn In weather affairs. 1t did no,
look like rain was probable, but at the
same time troop a was never known to go
anywhere without n dousing. However the
fri,,
weather record; but their fondest anticipa-
tionS in this regard were sundnra5 ohon,
an hour after the start from Marshall Hall
lnere was not a heavy rain but n w7g
ram just the same. Now that the uncer-
talnty had been removed, the nerve tension
was relaxed and the sons of Mars proba bIv
Ielt better IN the wet. AS Washington was
HedTed tne ram fell q little heavier hut
some ala not even go to the trouble TO wrap
up IN thelr poncho. Before Diminishing IN.
command Lieut.. Eiker made some rema rks
respecting the encampment, and all his men
heartily agreed with him in the thanks ex-
tended Lieut.. Merillat of the eighth
United States cavalry, who was detailed bv
the secretary of War to act as instructor
at the camp and repor. the progress made
10 the department The popular Sergt
Iaylor OF the regulars, who acted as Lieut.
Merlllats assistant, was also thanked for
the interest he had taken In the welfare OF
the men. First Sergt. Simms then dis
missed the troop.
HAcut. MerliLutIB frutSc.
Lieut.. Merillat, the regular army officer
expressed great satisfaction at the condi-
ton Of the troop, and more especially Al
the progress that had been made in the
short time of the camp. The lieutenant was
warm in his praise of the officers and nom
commissioned officers of the command and
the intelligence of the men. He has a ma
GUITAR way OF teaching, and the manner in
Which the daily lessons were impaired
caused great surprise among the men, as
tney never hoped to ind regular that
could get along with militia, but Lieut.
Meriliat seemed TO understand them and
had no difficulty in making his clear. con-
else explanations plain to all.
Inc Presidents troop returns home from,
their short soJourn wonderfully impruI ed
in many respects. and it is doubtful ii any
militia organization ever got more solid
dement, out OF ten days camp than did
these lads.
Last Day in Camp.
The last night nNcamp was spent quietly,
though the boys were up to all the fun
imaginable. remembering always to OBJ
serve discipline.
There Is joke Private Stewart that
will probably outwear his uniform 1t seems
that he was marking on one of the ranges
and when the man who was shooting had
finished he walked away without Notifying
the brigadier private of his disappearance
and for two hours Stewart kept the flie,
on that target, wondering all the while why
the man at the other end did not fire.
While visiting the encampInent the other
day Lieut. Rennic, adjutant of the sixth
battalion. made wonderful score. With
out any concern in the matter the lieu
tenant calmly knocked of six bulls eyes
at 500 yards. and thought nothin., of il.
There was target practice with pistols at
the camp yesterday morning, and some
very creditable scores We're made. Lieut.
l1nn oh inc nor. 8 d.
troop, was enthusiastic over the result of
the shooting of his men. The health of
Camp Barbour was something exceptional
The troop has one of the best surgeons in
the District militia, but the doctor did not
have chance to display his skill in any
serious cases, only little troubles of a mere
ly local nature being apparent.
To Cover School Books.
From the New York Times.
l.