Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-02-24
Letter From Mashlngton.

The invitation extended 10 witness the
famous cavalry drill at Font Nyer ~ DR..
Torney, a u. :, army surgeon stationed -
West Point, and at present visiting his
1 son-in-laN, Lieut.. r., m, stationed mere,
was iOyfuly accepted. DR.. Iorney was
an ultimate friend o. tue late Surgeon
4 General j. ii. Baker, q native OF Sgran prd
ana a grandson Of Hon. Jedeoilh Harris.
phe drive % tbs fort through the slreeis
/ Of G%eoraeroWn, many OF whose buttd ngs
appear 10 have been buiit in Old colonial
days, TO say the least, was interesting.
We passed the hne tAtnolic university,
whi-n is widely known, and tae elegant
new Capital Fracll S%tauion, where
close behind on an elevation snuggles the
quaint little home, the residence OF the
aged Mrs. u. ID. u. N. S~aAthworth, of tae
literary fame 81 "auld lang sYne." TIE
impressions felt when child came vivid
IL back. You remember reading hat
seemed then 10 be most Intensely Interest,"
ing, her famous ''hlddeu Hanoi with
Cap tolia and her marvellous exploits
standing ont as q marvel OF Wonder u the
youthful mimi Her sad ''RetrIba.ion"
is IL came 60 US forty years ago. IN the
New York Ledger, wss an astonishing
literary production. Hos much amateur
dramatic talent sas expended in g title
nome Entertainments ia vain attempts 70
reproduce her stories 10 here We ind
ner, living quietly, as a taie that Is tod
anu then forgotten, waiting tai the cur
tain rises Tor ner where sue may behold
wonders OF Wnich her poetic heart neyer
dreamed.
The haze In the atmosphere as We cross
ed the Potomac spl,ened the yieE Of
monument ana surrounding landscape
DeA onu, 10 the distance, evas the come OF
the Capitol and the gHded one - III
National library, easily seen from any
point about tao city.
We 0 approached formidable look
ing annun appropriately stationed
seemingly ready for action. Coming 70
be residences Of the officers aud the par
racks OF he men we found uurseives In
tie midst Of a nat ouo usually pictures as
he scene of most % those Intensity
interesting stories Of Csp,. CAss
King. The tsauliul lawns and Woe
ves8ndas were onIy needed 20 enable one
70 imagine lovely maijens is daibtF mus
ius ardently coufled ~ Aoung lieuten-
ants with shining buttons and gJldan
epaulettes.
We were shown seats in the front roy
Of the gallery, looking own upon the
vast amphitbeatre with It's floor covered
with dampened tan BARK, resulting in a
stiffness thst was somewhat weird and
uncabny. Fort Myer Band sent forth
Inspiring strains aud at the bugle cali Co.
II appeared. To, Sc soldiers we're evident
~ the most youthful aud we were aston
shed to see with what control they man
aged their horses. yet we were disappuint'
90 in the horses, which appeared slightly
stiffened with age. but Which acquitted
themselves SO finely we concluded they
were tried and true, and were especially
cnoss n for the youthful riders. Co. f.,
led by Lieut.. Ryan. showed finer horses,
and a beautiful drill was given and most
enthusiasticsl y received by the thTong of
spectators. CO. A, which attends Pres
ident McKinl,y at all public functions,
with its beautiful bay horses under pee
feet control, was the delight OF the alter
noon. The animals stepped ~daintily as in
the stately miDuet, advancing or receding
as they oheyed the orders of Lieut.. Shaw.
The almost INN date falling of the
whole line Of horses at the command
"Down !" was wonderful, and the charge
of the opposite line bet ,een those that
had sdied for their MASTER" without the
horses showing any signs OF life, was
most astonishing. Their hurdle jumping,
riding three horses or Standing with one
foot on each outside horse vas good rea-
son for calling the Friday afternoon
cavalry Grill at the fort the circus of
fashionable Washingtonians; for no cir
Gus could have finer horses or those b sitter
trained and mounted, and more, there
was a pleasing absence of the tver-present
clown and circus lemonade. The perfect
over the animals was beautiful To
behold. We are told that "Order is
first law The soldier must
obey his officer, he must control himself
and then follows his power over an in
ferior animal, which was readily seen.
What manhood, what perfection in the
bearing OF COMPANY A of Fort
They have achieved the right to
be accorded the honor of being the best
drilled cavalry in the world. This honor
has been given them by many distinguish
ed foreigners as we'll as by Americans.
Nj. A. II.