Evening star., 1898-06-20
District Troops Go Through the Trial
Like Veterans.
GEN. COPPINGER MUCH PLEASED
Not a Man Fell Out of Ranks
From Fatigue.
N e VS. OF THE MP
pecial Dispatch to The Evening Star.


TAMPA. Fla, June 20.-The District reg
| iment has just returned to camp from a
second practice march. The men stood ii
like seasoned veterans. AS they march
through Tampa thoroughly equipped and
thoroughly trained they are the observed
of ali observers. Yesterday afternoon
shortly after o'clock orders were received
from General Carpenter at the brigade
headquarters to prepare the regiment for
semi-weekly practice march. In a short
while all was in readiness, dog tents and
blankets were rolled and one days cooked
rations prepared. Promptly at 5 o'clock,
the hour named in the order the regiment
in heavy marching order headed by. the
band, swung into line. and headed for Tam
pa Heights. distance of about three m les
over very heavy sandy road
In the three escort wagons which follow
ed were packed utensils for making coffee.
The train was followed by hospital am
bulance in charge of DR.. S. Clifford Cox,
assistant surgeon. But the ambulance was
not used as not a single man dropped out
of line on the march. Tampa Heights was
reached shortly after Z o'clock, and prep
arations were hastily made to give the men
bountiful supply of coffee to drink with
the rations they had brought in their
haversacks.
In Camp for the Night.
AS soon as the men had messed, they
put up their dog tents and prepared to
sleep for the night. Although it was dark
by this time, the camp was one of the
best aligned and most regular that they
have ever pitched They are becoming
very proficient in the matter of laying out
To- 90
and the men, tired from their march, were
soon asleep. The hardest part was yet to
come, however. At 3 o'clock reveille was
sounded, and the men jumped up with a
will. Mess was served, and at 4:1O am.
they were taken into the field for practice
in skirmish drills and extended. order move
ments. They drilled for an hour by COM
panies and the battalion drill was taken
up for three hours. The men stood this
hard work splendidly, and only two or
three were compelled to drop out. The drill
being over, they returned to the temporary
camp for a short rest, before returning to
the camp on Tampa bay
While the men were resting Major Cen
eral Coppinger, in command of the corps
to which the District Regiment is attached,
rode up and made an informal inspection.
To say that he was pleased with the show
ing made would but poorly express it.
After resting about half an hour the men
started their long march home. As on
the march out no one dropped from the
ranks on the march home. They reached
camp shortly after 10 o'clock.
An Eagle for Mascot.
Yesterday morning while bathing a num-
Der of the members of Company 1 saw a
large black eagle struggling with a fish in
the water. They started after 1t and sue
ceeded in capturing it.
1t measured six feet six inches from tip
to tip. 1t has been added to the mascot
contingent of the regiment and is the pride
of the regiment. The members of Com
pany &C. Capt. Hodgson, have been made
happy by the receipt of a box of good
things from the Metropolitan Church in
Washington. Company e. has also re-
ceived a box of good things from the West
ern Presbyterian Church. The chaplain has
received a large box of magazines, papers,
&c. from the Brother hood of st. Andrew
for the use Of the boys generally
Private Owens of Company I'D" and Pri-
vate Kelly of Company "a" who have been
sick Ut the hospital at Fort Myer. reported
for duty yesterday. Private L. A. Cham
berlin has been granted furlough for six
ty days to take an examination at the Ma
val Academy at Annapolis.
The mail has been causing considerable
trouble. and it is often delayed at home.
Those at home should address letters plain
ly and always put the company letter on
the envelope.
There is no sickness of any consequence
in the regiment today. B.