Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-24
And the Cavalry and Artillery Are
Back Again.
A ROYAL RECEPTION on THE WAY
Some Incidents Of Daily Life While
on the March.
SOLDIER BOYS IN CAMP

Troops A, E, g and H of the 9th Cavalry.
United States army, accompanied by the
mounted band of the 9th Cavalry and
Troop E of the LIST Artillery, United States
Army, reached Washington this afternoon
after a practice road march from New
York city. The march IVES of considerable
interest and decided importance. 1t tended
to enlighten to no small degree the resi-
dents Of the country traversed, who DEM
onstrated that they were in woeful ignor-
ance as regards the army, and also greatly
encouraged the troopers and artillerymen,
the applause and expressions Of good will
accorded them causing the men to feel that
they are appreciated. In order to judge OF
army life in the field as 1t really is, a Star
reporter last week Joined forces with the
regulars, accompanying them for twenty
four hours on the march through Maryland.
AS the reporter rode into tine camp of the
detachment, pitched in large field, just
a mile and half from the attractive little
town OF Belatr, In the very heart of Mary
land. Thursday evening last as darkness
was falling, the scene reminded him very
strongly of large lawn fete or garden
party. AT intervals in the midst of the
many white tents were CHEEKY camp fires
that gave to the surroundings an air of at
Effectiveness and warmth. The occasion
was an unusual one for the residents of
Eelair and vicinity and it seemed as If the
entire population of that section of the
country was visiting the camp. Pretty
girls could be counted by the score, and
their mas and the orunipresent small boy
were, OF course, out in droves. The visitors
made their way to camp in all sorts of
vehicles, while some rode horseback and
hundreds walked. The business men of
Belair, 1t should be remarked, are nothing
II not progressive. The wagons of ice
cream vendors, bakers and other trades
yharo I'm ~
did fourishing business. The visitors
made the most of the event. They fingered
etout the tents until taps sounded at II
clock, and the majority of them were
hack again at o'clock Friday morning to
witness the breaking of camp.
For an entire day the reporter was prac-
tically full-f1edged cavalryman. He
iounged with the troops, he ate with them,
bugle call. lie assisted in breaking camp
and he rode with the column; he rested
and lunched with the troopers, he rode
along public highway in the midst of a
experience, and finally after covering TWEEN
ty-fve miles, through mud rain and at
times under rays from the sun that seemed
torrid In their intensity, helped to pitch
camp IN rain-soaked stretch of woods
Army life i'll the field is free, easy and en-
1oyable to certain extent but it has its
drawbacks.
In Camp at Delair.
While in camp near Belair the men. for
all intents and purposes, had the evening
to themselves until taps, after which lights
were cut and quiet prevailed everywhere
Colonel Sumner. with his staff and several
ohCers OF the line, sat around the camp
nre before the colonePs tent and discussed
promotions in the army and the Cuban
sltuau ton. Ar invitation was received early
In the evening from the young ladies OF
Beiair inviting the officers to a dance In
the town, but no one awaited himself of the
Oh pcrtunity to mingle with society.
The service is going to the dogs" re-
marked Colonel Sumner in an undertone
to The Star man, when he heard that his
command would not be represented at the
social function. II remember the day when
an ofhcer was not considered the proper
person 10 hold commission. when, after
marching all day. he did not feel able to
dance all night"
Revellle was sounded promptly at =
O'Clock Friday morning. the camp during
the night having been guarded by the reg
ular quota of sentinels. A variation in this
respect was made to the regular order of
tmrgs In that no guard house was estab-
lished. A sentinel was posted in each
company street, his duty being to main
tain order among the line of horses as
much as 1t was to watch over the Sleep
ing soldiers, and, of course, there was an
outer line of sentinels. The men assign
ed to guard duty occupied their respective
tents until the time to take their posts,
when they We're awakened by the sergeant
of the guard.
A very short time after reveille, "stables''
was in order. Stables means the grooming
and cleaning of the horses, and while this
was in progress the utmost activity was
nlspiayed IN the direction of preparing
breakfast. Each troop has lis own mess.
Inc cooking being done on Buzzacott ovens
similar to those used at the last encamp-
ment of the District National Guard In
ABORTION to the ovens the troops are pro-
vided with old time iron uprights and
cross rods. from which pots and other
COOKING implements are suspended over a
blazing fire. One of the components of
the breakfast was bread. white and light,
baked In camp during the night The troon-
ers were provided with a meal as substan-
tlal wholesome and appetizing as is ordi-
nar:ly served to most mortals the prov
ender, SO to speak, being supplied by Lieut.
Harmon. who acted as quartermaster for
the detachment
The Officers.
The officers. of course, breakfasted, dined
and supped apart from the men. Head
quarters had its mess. and there was
mess among every three or four of the
other ofhcers, the meals being prepared
by servants taken along for that purpose.
All the necessaries and many of the lux
uries of life were spread before the off,
breakfast Lieut.. Harmon and an orderly left
camp, In order to complete arrangements
Tor the stop Friday night. A few min
utes later he was followed by Lieut. Hell
berg OF the calvary, and Lieut. Hamilton
OF the artillery, who were detailed to
make map of the route followed Each
officer was provided With sketching boa nd
and compass. AS stated, they left the col
unn early in the morning and were en-
gagged all day preparing a map showing all
the reads and streams along the line of
the march, as well as the general topog-
rapny of the country. The topographers
had barely passed from view when several
wagons bearing the baggage of Col. Sum
ner and staff, with some other light ar
ticles, started forth. under escort of sew
eral troopers.
Breakfast over and the debris cleared
away, the entire detachment prepared for
the sounding of the general. Guy ropes
were loosened from pegs, and the men took
posts at the sides Of the tents. A moment
later the bugle sounded, and on its lasf
note, the men cheering loudly, every tent
In the field dropped as one. An unusual
burst of energy followed. There was a
hurrying and scurrying in all directions
First. all poles and pegs were pulled from
beneath the lower canvas and loaded in n,
large wagons that stood at the end Of
each company street. Next, tents were
folded neatly and tied, and also placed In
the wagons. Everything in the nature of
baggage followed. In every troop there
was race to see which souad cnnId go