Evening star., 1897-06-15
DRAWING TO A CLOSE
District National Guard on Last Half
Of Its Outing.
VISITORS In 4 PREDICAMENT
Rumor That Camp Will Be at
Sheridan Point Hereafter.
DISCUSSING THE CHANGE
EVENING STAR HEADQUARTERS,
CAMP WASHINGTON,

EVENING STAR HEADQUARTERS.
CAMP WASHINGTON,
FORT WASHINGTON, Md, June Is.
The encampment of the D. C. N. G. at
Fort Washington is drawing to a close, the
second and concluding half Of the outing
being reached this morning. If the next
four days shall prove entirely fruitful.
in a military sense, as has been the case
up to date everybody will be more than
satisfied. With the exception Of the storm
Sunday afternoon, the weather all along
has been all that could be desired. The
health Of the camp is really remarkable,
while the feeding and quartering of the
men are such that logical complaint cannot
be lodged in that direction. Although but
small amount of leisure is allowed the
guardsmen they seem to be enjoying them
selves thoroughly, and will unquestionably
return to Washington much benefited in
more ways than one by the outing.
There was rather unfortunate incident
last evening. A large number of visitors
were forced to spend the night in camp, ow-
ing 10 the failure of the steamboat to make
landing at Fort Washington. 1t was the
general understanding that a boat would
leave for Washington at IL o'clock last
night, and that announcement was posted
on the bulletin board, giving the arrival and
departure of steamers. Furthermore the
large bell which rings fifteen minutes be-
fore the departure of steamers was sounded
at 1U:45 o'clock. In the belief that there
would be late boat a very large number
of visitors remained in camp, principally to
enjoy the band concert.
Cause for Tears.
They gathered on the wharf as the an
nounced hour grew near, but were very
wrought up when the steamer moved up
the river as ccolly you please, making
no sign of landing. Then it was that quite
an amount of weeping and wailing was in
order, followed by considerable excitement
Young ladies who were expected home, and
mothers who had not brought their bab!es
with them, particularly, were in a frenzy
report of the situation spread rapidly
through the camp, and a number Of general
staH officers FASTENED to the wharf. The
state Of affairs was quite serious for II
would lave been practically an impossibiri-
ty to find accommodations for all who
were placed in the unpleasant predica a.
ment.
Finally, after a long wait, the steam
launch LOWE Randall" from River View,
reached Fort Washington, and volunteered
to transport to Washington as many as she
could carry. The offer was eagerly ac-
cepted, and about midnight the launch
edge, leaving behind. however, about forty
or fifty persons. Several officers and men
surrendered their tents, and in that man
ner those who could not get home were
well taken care of during the night. They
received the best to be had at breakfas,
this morning, and left for home on the
hrst steamer this afternoon, agreeing that
the experience had not been so decidedly
unpleasant, after all.
Stars Special Wire.
The Evening Star rendered the use of its
Telegraph line to the belated excursion
ists, and nearly all of them took advan-
tage of the courtesy in order to relieve
the anxiety of relatives and friends at
home, who would have had no way of
knowing the reason for the continued abb
serce of those who had left during the day
to visit the camp. The Evening Star
headquarters were by far the busiest place
on the reservation until almost daylight.
"a representative cf the Mount Yer
non and Marshall Hall Steamboat Com
parry stated today that there was no rea-
son for supposing that the Manchester, the
beat referred to. would touch at Fort
Washington on her trip home last night
for she was not scheduled to do So In
fact. she was specially chartered last
night, as she is liable to be any evening
except Friday. 1t was expressly an
nounced in the advertisements yesterday
that the River Queen would make the
regular trips to Fort Washington, but the
evening trip of the Manchester was omitted
from the schedule. The company, the
agent said, assumed no responsibility for
leaving the passengers on the wharf. In
fact, the Macalester was out of the COM
pany's handsD
Largest Crowd of the Week.
The largest crowd of the week witnessed
guard mount yesterday afternoon and dress
parade a little later. AS stated the major
ity of the visitors remained in camp for the
band concert, which commenced at 3
o'clock.
Company B. 9Th Battalion, was mounted
as exterior guard this morning. Company
Il, I'd Battalion, the Morton Cadets" will
report for duty as provost guard at 30
o'clock this afternoon. THIS morning the
drill of yesterday was repeated the 1st and
"a Regiments being consolidated into one
regiment. Col. Alexander of the lst Regi-
ment was in command. For nearly two
ground.
After dinner drilling in extended order oc-
cupied the attention of the men, each bat
TALON being organized as two companies
larger crowd even than yesterday is ex-
pected to visit camp this afternoon, and the
guardsmen are ready to entertain all who
come.
AT the band concert this evening the fol-
lowing selections are to be rendered:
March, Cruiser Columbia - selection,
japanese Dance" intermezzo, "Cavaliera
Rusticana;" quartet, When the Heart is
Young" selection. Gay Old Boy" waltz,
Loves Dreamiand; serenade, La Ad-
die" march. American Republic
In the absence of Maj. Harries. Capt
James E. Bell, the next ranking officer Of
the department of rife practice. conducted
the aiming and sighting drill yesterday
Afternoon The drill will be repeated this
afternoon. 1t includes instruction in aim
Ing and sighting with the regulation mil
itary rifle. The paraphernala consists Of
tripods, On which are placed sand bags
These serve to steady the rifles. The Off
Ger sights through the rifle, and an at
tendant marks on piece of white paper
paced against the headquarters stables a
SPOT Indicating the bulPs-eye. The spot Is
too small for the man who Is aiming to
see from where he is posted. The paper is
then removed, and the marksman, by again
sighting. endeavors to have the paper SO
that the small ,vrark will be in its original
position directly in line with the sight If