Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-11

wharf and put on board the steamer Queen,
and unloaded and delivered in camp without
the loss of a single piece. Owing to the fact
that SO much private baggage was taken
along, an unusual degree of care and atten-
ton was required. In addition to this were
the many other kinds of property which
had to be cared for and duly accounted for
to the proper authorities after the camp
was over.
A Thoroughly Equipped Hospital.
The hospital at Camp Blake was probably
the best and most thoroughly equipped of
any during the history Of the District guard
1t was under the care OF four able and ex-
perienced military surgeons, qualified and
equipped to treat any wound or disease that
might have demanded their attention. There
were two large tents furnished with soft
beds covered with mosquito bars and with
room for twelve patients. The dispensary
tent was in charge Of DIR. Mcpherson anu
DR.. Davis, hospital stewards of the nth
battalion and the ambulance corps respect
lively. DIR. }. K. Nicely. surgeon OF the nth
battalion, was post surgeon, in charge of
ward No. /. DR.. Francis j. Woodman,
surgeon of the sixth battalion, was assist
ant post surgeon, in charge of ward No. 2.
DIR. James A. Watson surgeon of the ambu-
lance corps. and DR.. Clarence A. Weaver.
surgeon OF the third battalion, were assist
ant surgeons. One feature of the medical
department of the camp was especially
praiseworthy. Each day a surgeon was
and his duties were to carefully inspect the
sanitary condition of the camp and to in
spect the condition of the food at each meal
and the condition of all meats upon arrival
one of the busiest scenes in camp was
about the tent of Adjutant Charles a.
SwiSart. Here the morning reports were
received and considered. The guard detail
for each day was made out and proportion
ell amcng the several companies. Here the
orders We're issued, and any time during the
day and until late at night the click of
Sergt Maj. Mock's typewriter could he
heard. AdJutant Swigart, although young
man, has had extensive experience in the
National Guard. both in the District and in
the state OF Indiana. and 1t can safely be
said that nc better informed adjutant can
be found in the District militia
The rifle practice was conducted by Lieuts
Shaw Vale and Sabin. The shooting was
done on the range used by the regular
troops. and many good scores resulted from
the weeks work.
One of the important features Of tho On mn
was the practical instruction given the men
relative to guard duty. Maj. Suess places a
hlSn estimation upon this important service,
ana AIMED to make IL one of the specia |
features of the camp. Capt Columbus was
designated as special instructor in guard
duty, ana 1t must he said in justice to him
mat no enlisted man went guard duty
ana came off without attaining a great
zeal or knowledge concerning sentry re-
qulrements. The sent.nels were snstruct-
Ell relative to their duties and required to
NohiIiib ~ memory the most impOrtanf
charges. Not infrequeltly were they put to
severe tests by the older and more OK
perienced officers. One fact concerning tho
guard duty at Camp Blake Is that no man
was put on Suard duty as a punishment for
violations OF camp regulations or breaches
OF discipline. Instead of such mode of nun
ishment. which is prohibited By the army
regulations, the prisoners were REQUIRED to
90 ponce DUTY around the mess tent, and
perform such other duties as were neces-
sary 10 Keep the camp in good order What
Is known as the odd guard fatigue was
something as new to some of the boys as 1t
was dlSagreeable.-
To one who attended the drills an5 ,o,-.
them his attention. the benefits of the short
eAcaihpnent were. manifest. Although AT
hist some OF the soldiers were a little awk-
ward with gun and a little clumsy in the
ranks Vet before they returned home all
conducted themselves like veterans There
were three different Inspections held during
the week, and although the first one wa 3
hlghiy creditable. the second was an i'm
proven;ent and tho third was still better
and highly pleased Mai. Suess
Another feature of the camp. conducted
by the engineer corps. under the personal
supervision Of Corp. 3. c. Wheeler. was the
homins pigeon messenger service By~care-
ful breeding and training of those birds the
m iltia has ACQUIRED valuable adjunct
they are handled and used by the signal
corps. and it only requires an opportunity
to illustrate their value in time of active
military service.
Maj. Sucss GratiHed.
At the close of the encampment Mai
Suess expressed himself as being highly
pleas and gratified with the results of the
outing. The excellent work the soldiers did
in camp and the willingness with which
they performed their respective duties We're
especially gratifying He has written let
tiers to Maj. Wilson of the third battalion
and Maj. Gilbert Thompson OF the engineer
;.-;,,
respective commands who were in camp
Special mention was made OF the excellent
conduct of the provisional company of the
engineer corps and of the ability of Capt
Theodore Tallmadge. I.ieuts. Donnelly.
N2ttingly and Heidi and Sergt Mai. Mock
Of he third battalion also received special
r1ent,t,." for the soldierly manner in which
they con-, 'cted themselves and performed
tLeir respcti~>H duties in camp Capt. Say
ers' company of -. third battalion was the
pride of the whole cn,.-" 1t drilled contin-
uously. and although in ne suaru OUT
few months the exhibition N. inc manual
Of arms given on the evening CT .he coih-
petitive drill was excellent.
After the exciting scenes of the memo,.
BILE Friday night Maj. Suess placed on duty
provost guard to patrol the grounds of
Marshall Hall after taps" in order to pre-
vent any further disturbance Lieut.. Mel
ZACH of troop A was appointed provost Of
ficer. and. with squad Of five mounted
men and about twenty afoot, he kept the
vicinity OF the camp as quiet as could be
desired after taps" Maj. Suess was de-
telmlred that no more disorders should be
committed to injure the good reputation of
his command, and his thanks, well as
those of Col. McKibben. were heartily ex-
tended to Lieut.. Meilach for the efficient
manner in which he managed the midnight
patrol.
The boys are now at work trying to i'm
prove in every way military There may
he some changes in the personnel of the
fifth battalion by designations, promotions
and possibly by cou-t-martial. One thing.
however. is already manifest-every officer
and enlisted man OF the provisional regi-
ment Is preparing to make a perfect show
ing at the brigade encampment next year.
to which they are all looking forward with
eagerress
Considerable dissati Jfa ction is being ex-
pressed by the members of certain CON-
paniCs Of the guard concerning the location
of the new brigade armcry, now in course
Of erection, and also as to the size of the
company rooms The men claim that they
have become accustomed to a downtown
location and are not in favor of meeting
place not easy of access. Therefore ii is
not at all UNLIKELY that certain organiza-
tons will maintain rooms distinctive from
those at the National Guard armory.
Company A, second battalion (CorcoFan
Cadet Corps, will entertain the Norfolk
City Guards company d. fourth Virginia,