The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-28
TIE MIGHT MADE HIDEOUS
National Guard and Naval Reserves
Keep the City Awake.
A FnrcicnI Attempt Made to Initiate
Wnr-A sham Hattie in Which Much
Government Powder Was Burned
Landing Party From the Fern Left
to Fight Mosquitoes on the Flats.

Because OF some alleged enmitr exist
ing between the District Of Columbia Ma
tional Guard and the District Naval Re-
serves. and further because of an ex-
treme excess of pomp on the part OF Brig
adler General Harries and Commander
Hams, the residents of Washington were
| forced to remain awake last night while
corps Of young men glared madly at
the malarial darkness which enveloped the
Potomac River and fired blank cartridges
at the passing mosquito. The fracas lasted
far into the night and was only silenced
by lack Of ammunition.
The cause of the disturbance was pre-
arranged sham battle, In which the sham
predominated. The Naval Reserves were
to attempt to blow up the Long Bridge,
while the National Guard was to defend
the historic and shaky structure.
An emergency call was issued about 6
o'clock last night and the entire National
Guard was mustered at the Armory. The
Naval Brigade had already been prepared
and lay in wait on board the Fern at the
navy yard. The expedition which was TO
send the Long Bridge into history was
to have started at p. m. but did not
leave the wharf until nearly $3.50.
After an adventurous trip down the
river. during which the officer in charge
OF the Fern attempted to land on a mud
bank in James Creek and bombardei Blood
field, the vessel finally reached the point
of the sea wall in the Washington channel,
known as the Potomac Flats. Here party
consisting of Company "A, Second Regi-
ment, under Captain Edwards; Company A,
First Regiment, under Captain House. and
detail of Naval Reserves. was landed III
small boats from the Fern. The landing
expedition, which was the one silent and
sensible portion OF the entertainment. was
under command OF Lieutenant Commander
s. G. Hopkins. of the Naval Reserves. The
party, when landed. eagerly awaited
signal from Commander Hains on board
the Fern, but the signal never came.
Stationed at the Long Bridge and on both
sides of the river was the National Guard
under Colonel Well. The troops were
armed with rifles and blank cartridges
and managed to make plenty OF noise. The
launch and boats OF the Fern approached
the Long Bridge from the Georgetown
channel and after placing imaginary tor
pedoes under the piers. proceeded to blow
it UP. Unfortunately. the old bridge re-
fused to be destroyed, whereuoon the
boats retreated and began a bombardment
with one-pounders and rapid fire guns. The
National Guard answered this ald the
Fern. in the Washington channel. added
to the din with a score Of six-pounders
The landing party, under Lieutenant
Commander Hopkins. after waiting for the
signal until nearly midnight, then ad'
vanced and proceeded toward the Lops
Bridge. through the mosquitoes and jungle
of the Potomac Flats. Some splendid
maneuvres were exhibited. and the party
showed its intelligence by maintaining alb
solute silence. Shortly after 1 o'clock the
bridge was reached. but the enemy had
grown weary and departed.
1t was then discovered that the Fern
had also been docked. and the only war
riors in sight were the members of the
landing party. Tired, muddy. and swollen
with mosquito bites. this detail reached
the bridge with expressions Of affection
for both Commander Hams and General
Harries. AS there was nothing to dc the
command went to the Armory and thence
to bed.
Thus ended an idiotic exhibition which
had kept all Washington awake and re-
suited in no earthly good. Judging from
the temper OF the men who participated
in last nights farce another such call
could not muster a corporal's guard.