Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-28

every hostile sign could be Immediately
discerned and communicated to the com
manding officer through couriers. through
eousiess Colonel ute!l was II Gl9}ss t eaS
manding the District Of Columbia militia,
was on the Long bridge as a spectator.
Sentinels were posted at the approaches
spectators. Vehicles and persons showing
nlitted to pass to and fro. Passengers In
incoming trains stared in wonderment as
they noted the military preparations; Much
talk Of war with China was INDUCED in.
The crowd which had assembled, expect
Ing to witness a spectacular display, wfth
accomplishments of dazzling, pytotechnic
character. was sadly disappointed. Scores
Of citizens and citizenesses wendell their
way to the vicinity of the Long bridge be-
fore dark. They increased in numbers as
the hours passed. They waited and waited
Between o'clock and $50 o'clock the as
semblage was densest. Then folks grew
tired of waiting and began to start home
ward. Adventurous youths In rowboats
had lots Of fun deceiving the pickets. Par
ties in small boats would make their way
cautiously in the direction of the bridge
and the nearest picket would promptly dis
charge blank cartridge in the direction
OF the small boat. The rowers would
thereupon scream in the most horrifying
manner and feign death The climax would
be a derisive howl. These little privateer-
ing expeditions enlivened the long wait
somewhat.
The Signal at Last.
By II o'clock the mass of the spectators
had left the scene of the proposed action
They probably regretted their departure,
however, for soon thereafter voley firing
by infantry and cannonading with big guns
were heard. 1t continued for some time
AS stated, this could be heard in all parts
of the city.
Shortly after II o'clock Col Urell gave
order for the recall of his forces, the time
limit having expired and no sign of the
for the LIST Battalion to reach the point of
rendezvous, from the south end of the
bridge the Fern appeared in the Washing
ton channel. The signal corps men at the
same time located some small boats. I'm
der the fire of the big guns on the Fern
and some guns on steam launch the
small boats approached Notwithstanding
the expiration of the time limit some of the
troops fired on the attacking force, and
there was good deal of indiseriminate
fighting. The Naval Battalion claims to
have affixed torpedoes to the bridge without
having been discovered, but as the game
was over their claim to distinction, 1t is
stated, cannot be officially considered.
Most of the troops had reached the ar
mory and had been dismissed by 1 o'clock
g M, but It was as late as $3.50 o'clock be-
the navy yard The exercises are consid-
cred to have been Of value, not only from a
tactical standpoint but also, as stated,
from having shown that in case of neces-
sity the greater portion of the local brigade
can be assembled. armed and equipped on
short notice.
Was n Prisoner.
Major Harvey, who was assigned by
headquarters of the militia to command
the marine guard on the Fern, Of which
the 9th Battalion was to be a part, did not
receive his orders, 80 he states. CHANGING
to go to the armory about o'clock last
evening he heard for the first time of what
was In progress. The marine guard was
then aboard the Fern. Major Harvey hunt
ed up Col. Urell and on inquiring why the
orders from militia headquarters had not
been transmitted to him from I'd Regiment
Headquarters. received the following reply
from Capt. SWigart Col. Urell's adjutant:
This Is time OF war. You don't imagine.
do you, that We would send along orders
for you to attack US? Oh, no."
Major Harvey was held as a prisoner Of
war for some time, and then was detailed
to assist Col. Urell.