The Washington times., 1895-06-20
Presidents Troop Bodily Cap
tured by HOspitabIe Virginians.
IN CAMP AT FRONT ROYAL
Two Days to Be Spent on Happy Creek.
Incidents of the March-Temp0Tary
Hospital at MeadOwviIle Had to Be
Protected Against an Irate Man
with Winchester.
Especial to The Times.J


Front Royal. Va, June I9.-With every
man erect in his saddle and horses in good
condition, WashiD gton's crack cavalry
troop arrived here after a hot and dusty
march OF thirty-one miles about O'Clock
this evening.
About five miles from town they We're
met by delegation of prominent cit
izens, among whom were Capt. E. II.
Jackson, Capt. H. H. Downing, DR.. H. c.
Cline, and Messrs. II. L Cook, Thomas NJ
Roy, Hugh E. Naylor, J. j. Corder. and
j. w. Easter. These gentlemen captured
the command, and all without firing a
shot.
Had the troop not been one day ahead
of time about forty of Front Royal cit
liens intended TO have captured the COM
mand in real military style in Dismal
Hollow. A lovely camp has been selected
on Happy Greek on the outskirts of the
town and the hospitable citizens are look
ing forward to a pleasant time with the
boys during the next two days.
SLEPT UNDER STARS.
Marshall, Va,
June 18th, 1895
Notwithstanding the fact that the dew
at night through this country is almost
equal to a heavy rain, Captain Barbour
gave his soldiers an experience last night
of true military life.
AS already told in these columns, the
command left Warrenton shortly after
noon, and reached a point named Meadow
vile. a distance of seven miles, at about
half past two.
The men were somewhat surprised 10
receive orders from the First Sergeant
not TO unload the wagon which contained
the tents. This meant bivouac, one of
Captain Harry S pet schemes, and of much
practical benefit to the men.
There was no particular spot set aside
for the men to rake down their slim
bedding, but every one selected what TO
him seemed to be the softest spot. The
really comfortable place was the hay pile,
every part of which was taken possession
Of with alacrity.
The troopers had rather expected to re-
main in WaTenton all day yesterday and
rest, but on this trip the trooper proposes
and the captain disposes. Consequently,
after most elegant dinner of spring lamb,
peas, potatoes, coffee and bread and butter,
the troopers were glad to retire to their hard
and uneven resting places, with their saddles
for pillows, and the starry canopy Of heaven
over them.
No III effects have been developed so far
from the biyouac, but considerable surprise
was expressed when reveille was sounded
at O'Clock this morning. Two hours before
this time t. cooks were up and busy getting
breakfast ready for the hungry soldiers.
On the grounds on which the command
encamped is a school house, which was
Immediately seizea by DR.. Birdsall, and
turned into hospital, and large red cross
was nailed on the door.
LOADED FOR BAR.
The key of the building was turned over
10 Capt Barbour by the commissioner of
schools, and it was thought that everything
was all right. The school house bell tolled
at sundown by order of the captain, i'll con-
junction with retreat sounded by the trump
eters. wasa pleasant andhamoniousnelody
The sound. however, reached the ears of
a member OF the school board, who picking
up his Winchester, advanced upon the school
house, and demanded that it should be
immediately vacated The surgeon, be-
ing IN possession, quietly told the gentleman
that he was there TO stay, and the sight of
troopers getting hold of their carbines and
ammunition made him think that he had
better retire.
The sentries kept a very sharp lookout
during the night, in case this irate citizen
might return with others and make an at
tempt to capture the camp. This, how
ever he did not do, and about all the guard
bad TO do was to keep catching and tying
up horses that gotloose from the picket line.
Many of the men have not yet learned how
to tie their horses in cavalry style. Much
needed instruction will be given them by
their officers at Front Royal and elsewhere,
when a stop is made for a day or more.
THE SURGEONS CANDLESTICK.
This point was reached about eight
o'clock this morning and everyoneis is Won
dering whether or not the commanding
officer will succeed in getting the command
into Front Royal, a total distance of thirty
one miles. this afternoon.
One of the funny sights of camp was the
manner in which the doctorlighted himself
to bed the other night. He could not find
a suitable article upon which TO place his
lighted tallow candle, but his inventive