Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-25

On the porches the troops were assembled
and made ready to march.
The first to leave the armory was the 4th
Battalion, headed by the regimental band.
These boys pres ented a soldierly appear
al-ce as they marched forth upon the street
III full battle array. They were loudly
cheered as they passed through the crowds
which lined the sidewalk. The 4th was
quickly followed by attachments from the
I'd Battalion, which was ordered to duty on
the Conduit road. Capt. Hines, with de-
tachment of recruits for Battery A, light
artillery. left the armory shortly before 10
o'clock. These recruits presented a motley
appearance, some clad in regulation blouses
with checkere1 trousers, others with regu-
lar trousers and cutaway coats, while still
others were only provided with the regula-
ton army cap. Some of them had no uni
forms, but carried a blanket swung across
their shoulders. while in their hands they
carried 8 gripsack with change of clothes
and a days rations. A few days in camp,
however, will find these men fully equipped
in the matter Of uniforms and accouter-
ments.
Martial Music.
The fife and drum corps, which had also
been recruited, left the armonry shortly
after 10 o'clock, and they were quickly fol-
lowed by the 9Th Battalion, under COM
mand of Major LOCKER. The last command
to leave the armory was the 9Th Battalion,
which, with the I'd Battalion. had been or
dered to the Conduit road, to defend the
water works. This battalion looked as fine
as fiddle. They were fully equipped and
presented a very warlike appearance. The
men wore the regulation field hats.
All during the morning the officers of the
departments of the quartermaster and
commissary were rushing back and forth
getting the camp equipage and stores in
shape and shipping them to the camping
places. Large army wagons We're loaded
with tents, poles pegs and ropes for pitch
ing camp. Hospital, and other stores were
rapidly loaded on the wagons and started
to the Soldiers Home and Conduit road,
where the troops were to go into camp
All of the Headquarters furniture was
placed on the wagons for removal to the
camp. SO that the regimental work could
be begun. The qaartermaster sergeants
and the commissary sergeants appeared to
be working with ciock-like precision, and
showed that the several experiences that
the guard has had in camp have been of
great value. The hospital corps was the
only body Of men.
There was great CONSERVATION at the ar
mory shortly after H. clock, when the 5th
Battalion, headed by Major Simonson, was
seen marching back to the .'rmory, fol-
lowed by the camp equipage. Orders had
been received by the major to return to
the armory until further notice. Arrange
ments were Immediately made to unload
the wagons and put the tents. poles, chests
and other camp material back into storage.
Order Reaches sOldiers' Home.
1t was about noon when the order reach
ed camp at the Soldiers Home for the men
TO march back again. They at first re-
fused to credit it, and thought joke was
being played upon them. When they final
ly learned the truth they were worried and
Disguised in the extreme.
1.-The war is all over, boys" they told
one another
Il knew those Spanish troops wouldn't
fight anyway" said another.
Disappointment was visible on every
countenance Most Of the men had taken
their own lunches along and were stretched
out on the grass eating them and resting
themselves after the tedious march from
the city.
Fall in, fall In, boys" was the cry
heard. and reluctantly knapsacks, guns
and other impedimenta were picked up
and shouldered
The men of Light Battery a, some Of
whom had pulled out the Hotchkiss gun
to be used In firing salutes. were especially
dlsgusted at the orders received.
Here we've dragged that gun all the
way out here. up hill, and we've got to
take 1t back again. It's a good thing it's
downhill grade back to town." one of them
said.
They all took it philosophically. how
in CHI NH ln
marching over the same route they had
traversed short while before. The band.
which had stacked it's instruments under a
big cherry tree at the west end Of the
camp lined up about thirty-two strong,
and marched back, keeping time to the
drum.
The camp presented a pretty appearance
this morning, with the blue uniforms of the
men, making a marked contrast to the
deep green of the grass and the yellow of
the dandelions on the sward. 1t is doubt
fui II prettier place for camp could
have been selected. It Is in the lower part
of the Soldiers Home grounds, about 300
yards directly west of the hospital. and
nearly a half mile from the 7th street rail-
way. 1t Is on rising ground, knoll sep
arating the two ends. THE place on which
the camp was to rest occupied a space of
probably 1900 feet iR length, and about
GOO III width. FrofH itsi elevated position
fine view can be had nof the surrounding
country and a portion Of the city. the mon
ument sticking up . warning finger to the
southwest, as IL to point the location. A
fine view of the main building of the home
Is obtained from II. Il
Battery AM EaFly Arrival.
Light Battery Ajlwith'the Hotchkiss gun.
was early on the az about the first to ar
rive, In fact. Arrangements were at once
made for the location'safof the quarters Of
the men at the northern end OF the site Sc
lected. next to the. horfe. The field is al
most clear, thered being but one or two
trees, one Of them'being an immense cher
ry, which is just bidding into bloom. The
,, limbs had been trimmed from this. and 1t
made fine place for shade, II there had
been any sun. Fortunately for the boys,
there was none, so that after their march.
which they appeared to stand remarkably
well. they threw themselves. down on their
blankets and rested Rations were to have
been furnished them for supper, but none
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