The Washington times., 1901-07-25
aILES REVIEWS MILITIA.
Commanding General of the ARMY
Praises Citizen Soldiers.
Greeted by Salute Due His Rank
Smart Appearance of Gunrdsmen-
Heaviest Drilling Yet Experienced
"A Town Reception 10 the Military

son A Miles commanding the army
caup Ordwav and the troops Of the Ma
tionai Guard made a splendid showing To-
DAY The rapid improvement in all de
partme nts since their advent in the helo
brought the Guardsmen to standard
which attracted most favorable comment
from General Miles and the staff Off
GERS who accompanied him. on review
the bows marched with a swing and
smartness they have gradually attained
since becoming Injured to the strenuous
daily routine of camp life.
General Miles left Washington early
this morning in the private car of one of
the officials of the Southern Railway. He
was accompanied by Col. Marion Maus,
Cant. l. N Lewis, and Capt. !. B. Nor
ton. Major Davidge, representing the
National Guard, and Col. l.. S. Brown,
general agent at Washington of the
Southern Railway At the Leesburg depot
he was met by an escort composed of Off
GERS Of the general staff. General Miles and
his aides mounted horses brought from
camp General Miles mount was mag
riticent black charger A rapid canter
soon brought the distinguished party to
the main gate of camp on the 1eesburg
Pike.
AS General Miles entered the grounds
the first gun of a lieutenant generals sa-
Lutte was fired by the platoon of regular
artillery Within the gate and extending
to Headquarters was double line of
sentineis standing eight PAGES apart and
composed of soldiers of the Fourth and
Fifth Battalions. under command of
Lieut. Col. Richard A. O'Brien, of the
Second Regiment Arms were presented
as the party passed.
After dismounting at headquarters Cen
eral Miles conversed for a few minutes
with the officers of the escort, remarking
at the time the fine appearance of the
camp. At 10:l5 there was cursory in
spection of camp. General Miles was
dressed in fatigue uniform and wore
white cap, which distinguished him at
distance from the horsemen in the es-
cort.
The troops took the field at II o'clock
for review. General Miles and the gen.
eral staff rode up the brigade front and
then behind in the opposite direction,
after which the brigade passed in review.
The artillery did not, as was planned,
participate in the review, but proceeded
at once to the battery range north of
camp and began a bombardment of the
huge canvas targets near Fort Evans
nearly mile and a half distant. General
Miles rode to the firing point and watched
the work of the gunners for a time
Lieut.. Fox Conner was in charge of the
platoon, and the result of the practice
was up to the usual standard.
By this time it was nearly the hour for
the departure of the train which was to
carry General Miles back to Washington.
Setting spurs to his steed the head of the
army cut out pace that the officers Of
the escort had difficulty in maintaining,
unused as they Were to hard work in the
saddle When the depot was reached
most of them were dripping with perspir-
alton, and heartily glad the ride was over.
During the progress of the review Gen.
eral Miles expressed high opinion OF the
appearance of the men.
This evening the townspeopie gave
splendid reception in honor of the Guard.
The selection of Leesburg as the site of
This year s camp is recognized a very
high honor by the citizens, and they tried
TO excel one another in convincing the
officers of the Guard of their gratifica ton
In consequence. The officers were very
outspoken regarding their delight at hav-
ing such a fine camping ground and re-
ciprocated the compliments extended to
them.
A telegram received at headquarters
last night stated that Secretary Root will
not be able to visit Camp Ordway on ac-
count of being called to New York. Colo
mel Sanger. Assistant Secretary, is ex-
pected Thursday night.
There is the keenest interest displayed
IN the maneuyres by everyone in camp.
The utmost secrecy regarding the opera
uons is maintained, and it is probable
that no orders will be issued until within
short time of the hour when hostilities
open. Much more ammunition than ever
given out before will be supplied the
men. and the regular artillery, as well as
the two guns stationed at the flagstaff
q fyrn ms tfaI, 81,
arrived Will form formidable battery
Morning drill was called at an early
hour again today. Extended order in
struction was taken up again and the
men given the usual hard work. There
Is some little complaint on the part of
ofhcers and men at the heavy drill sched-
uie Today it was especially irksome.
After morning drill the Fourth and Fifth
Battahons were ordered out as an escort
of honor for General Miles. Only few
minutes later the call for review was
sounded, and al O'Clock in the afternoon
came more of the extended order instruc-
tion, this time in battalion formation.
Inasmuch as this drill involves almost
constant fast work, the men were quite
tired at recall, and took the field for dress
parade this evening with less than usual
enthusiasm.
Major Anton Stephan is field officer of
the day. Major Stephan commands the
Fourth Battalion, which is a striking ex-
emp'incation of the principle of educating
enlisted men up to the standard required
those
who command companies and hold staff
positions in the Fourth have risen from
the ranks, and are most efficient officers
Ihe Fourth is one Of the best battalions
In the brigade. Major Stephan is an old
member of the Guard, having enlisted in
the Fourth Battalion upon its organiza-
tion fourteen years ago. Prior to receiv-
ing his commission as major he was a
heutenant In private life he is the man
ager for William II. McKnew. the we'll
known furnishing lrm OF Washington
When the National Guard was orga nized
the present Fourth Battalion was mus
tered in as the Second. At that time II
showed a spirit maintained ever rinca
the four companies were quartered in
various parts Of the city In order to
have the battalion uniformed the men
PAID out OF their own pockets for blouses
necticut National Guard
The battalion has always borne an ex-
ceilent reputation and has stood high at
annual inspections. The Fourth BattaIion
was accorded the honor of firing the sa-
lutte over the grave of General Ordway
when he died. The officers have ALWAYS
ranked as excellent commanders and are
frequently consulted by the heads of the
various departments of the Guard on
matters of particular importance During
the Spanish-American war a large pro.
portion of the members of each company
enlisted and saw service with the First
District of Columbia Volunteers.
Lieut.. Charles F. Roberts is the adm
tant of the battalion. He is one of those
who have risen from the ranks. having
enlisted in 1890. During the spanish Amer
lean war the battalion .;uarternaster
Lieut.. Samuel Feland. served as a SER
Rsant in Company ID of the d. c. Volun-
teers. The name OF the surgeon. DIR. b.
G. Poole. stands well along toward the
head of the list of senior medical officers.
He has been the surgeon of the Fourth