Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-12

| parade rest and then the combined band
| and corps of field music, after Captain Rob-
bins, the acting adiutant general. had di-
| from right to left and back again, playing
| Sousa's 'Semper Fidelis March"
| AT the conclusion of dress parade the
cOlorS of the several organizations were
| marched to the front and stationed in line
| some distance from the center of the bri-
| gade- The troops then marched by In
| as they passed. The brigade was reviewed
| by the commanding general and staff just
4 after passing the colors.
Concert by brigade Hand.
| A pleasing feature yesterday Afternoon was
| a concert by the National Guard Brigade
| Band in front of headquarters. The con-
| ductor, Lieut.. Macleod. had arranged a
/ program of unusual excellence, the numbers
| being rendered in most finished manner.
| That fact was appreciated by the large
| number of visitors ia camp, who listened
| attentiveIy and We're generous with ap-
| plause, While the band was playing the
| big majority OF the visitors neglected other
parts of the camp for the time being and
c1ugregated in the intermediate vicinity of
the band stand.
Although the encampment is not yet half
over 1t may be timely to announce that
AFTER the troops return to Washington next
Friday afternoon q street parade is to be
held Camp will be broken about noon and
the brigade put on the cars at I-eesburg in
time to reach Washington about 4:1J o'clock.
Ire column will move by way of Virginia
avenue and the White lot to 18th street and
pennsylvania avenue The line of march
will then be along Pennsylvania avenue to
point in front of Center Market Armory
between It'll and 9th streets, where the COM
mand Will be dismissed
The troops will be disembarked at 9th
street and Maryland avenue. The general
STAN and the regimentai stats are to be
mounted.
1t is proper to speak of the discipline that
prevails at Camp Ordway. Officers who
have been connected with the guard since
its organization, twelve years ago, declare
That at no time heretofore has such perfect
quiet and order prevailed at any encamp-
ment. Not one word of complaint has been
| heard from anybody as regards the food
supply. In fact the remarks are all COM
plmentary to the cOmmiSSary department
Each company has its professional cook,
and the excellent food issued is, therefore,
well prepared.
AS the work that is being done is for the
most part of a thoroughly practical nature
and just such troops in the field would
have to face. the outing is already an as
sUred success. Notwithstanding the heavy
rains of the past few days that have been
disagreeahle, to say the least.
Second Lieutenant o. W. Bell of the Sd
United States Cavalry, stationed at Fort
Myer, Va, having reported to General
Harries In accordance with Instructions
from headquarters of the Department of
the East. United States army, in general
orders has been attached to the general
staff and announced special inspector
and instructor during the encampment.
Lieutenant Bell is well known in Wash
ington, and is considered one of the most
capable and efficient of the younger Off
GERS of the army. He saw considerable
service in the field in connection with the
war with Spain. and already has made
himself popular with those officers of the
guard with whom he has come in contact.
He has been placed in charge of the guard
work, and will devote himself to instruct
ing everybody VINO mas anything 10 90 WIN
walking posts.
REPORTS of Battalion Commanders.
The reports of the battalion commanders
whose organizations have INDUCED in prac-
tice marches, tell an interesting story and
contain much information of an instruc-
tive character Major sinlms explains that
as soon as camp was cleared by the 9Th
Battalion Company was assigned to the
position and duties of an advance guard,
while Company d was detailed Tor duty as
rear guard. The condition of the country
and the location of streams are dWert
upon as well as the condition Of crops
Wood land was comparatively scarce, 1t is
stated there being but one place about
two miles north of Oatlands. where the
road is bounded on each side by WOOD.
'sIn view of the fact that such cond!-
tions might afford shelter for an enemy,
Major Simms explains, "a thorough recon-
naissance was made by the advance suaru'
with fiankers thrown well out 10 opset Z
any indications of the presence OF the
enemy before the passage of the main
body The general character OF the couH-
try bordering the road, and the Iact oi 1t
being almost all under cultlValoh' CAUSE
me to omit the throwing hankers at pre-
scrihed distances. except where the Coh-
ditions was such as to afford a sultaoie ol
likely place for resisting. force TO De
posted" s----1 ~ Il boIts
MADE nv his command. and then discusses
the storm that overlook 1t. Inc men nav
sufficient time to put on pohciios nt" 81
under large trees, ne says. anu were az
To nrotect the equipments. y brancn VI
Syc1Iin creek was reached late friddy
afternoon by the 9TH Battalion. II was
found to be swollen to a depth OF ABOUT Two
feet. and to avoid wetting the aaNaii i
guard constructed a footWay is inches
wide of stone slab. The command was mus
enabled to pass the stream dry shod. Inc
command went into camp for the night
shelter tents being properly pitche9. "a
heavy rainfall commenced ana continued
for about one hour. The men were COM
PEELED 70 work in the rain, and by the tune
the tents were up and properly dltched an
clothing was wet a greater or less de
gree. A good large fire was maintained ali
night. enabling them to dry their ciothes-
Camp was broken early in the morning
and changes in formation made TO compete
rear guard. AT $50 O'Clock matt was
made and close order resumed. the com
panies taking their regular position in bat
TALON formation, entering the camp at I
O'Clock Saturday morning. having covered
fourteen miles in four hours and twenty
four minutes actual marching time. The
condition of the battalion upon reaching
camp was excellent The only man not
marching with his command was a private
who had his shoes badly burned at the
camp endeavoring to dry them as 10 make
it impossible for them to be worn. He de-
sired to march the entire distance bare
footed, but the request was refused.
In summing up, Major Simms reported
the roads of the country to be generally
good and fit to sustain heavy. travel, and
the country open TO permit of the free
passage of large bodies of infantry ana
cavalry parallel to the established roads
simultaneously with the passage of the lat
ter by artillery and wagon trains. There
are also a number of small trees, wells and
springs. affording abundant water supply
for drinking. cooking and bathing purposes
and for supplying stock used for artillery
and transportation trains In his report
Major Simlns speaks of the efficient services
of all his officers and men
Graham's Report