Evening star., 1901-07-19
SLEPT SCUNDlY ON STRAW SACKS
Satisfactory Record Made by
Officers and Men.
WORK OF SIGNAL CORPS
Special Staff Correspondence of The Evening Star.

ters last evening and We're instructed by
the commanding general that the work for
TODAY would embrace extended order drill,
attention to be devoted principally to lead
ing the squad and familarZng the men
with the signals used by the corporalS and
Serseants For an hour and a half this
morning and for a similar period this after
noon all available space within the bounds
of the camp was dotted by squads of men
IN uniform earnestly engaged in the study
and practice of the work of skirmishers
ManeuVering of this character is practical
fy new to the guardsmen as the facilities
for pursuing it while in the armory are de-
cldediy limited. If not entirely lacking. One
of the chief benefits derived from these an
nual encampments is the daily and thor
ough drill in extended order, which is the
formation of most value for forces in ac-
ton. The other essential advantage de-
rived from the outing in the field is the
knowledge of guard duty that is gained by
actual experience.
Instructor Overton.
First Lieut.. W. S. Overton of the Artil-
lery Corps, U. S. A. who is in attendance
at Camp Ordway by detail of the Secretary
OF Warts instructing the guardsmen in the
intrlcacies of the extended order drill A
graduate of the United States Military
Academy at West Point and a participant
In the hghting in the Philippines, in con-
nectlon with which he was severely wound
ed IN action, Lieutenant Overton is thor
ouShiy equipped to discharge the duties as
instructor in this important branch of the
work or a soldier. Lieutenant Oyarton is
also rendering valuable assistance to Ma ior
ourano, the inspector general of the militia
who is in special charge of al matters per
tanning to guard duty in camp Incidental
~ 1t may be remarked that last night al
though marking the first tour of duty of
the encampment the men on posts display-
ed knowledge of their duties for so early
IN the outing that was pleasing and graft
lying. 1hlS cOmTnPpd3 bIa J.
ABOUT by the preliminary instruction given
throughout the brigade prior to coming TO
camp.
Brigade parade was the first formation
mere Of the Guardsmen yesterday. An
tents were up and the camp established
anu BUSINESS running smoothly by l o'clock
YESTERDAY afternoon, but there was plenty
hard work In sight and every officer and
ENLISTED man was busy during the re-
malnder of the day. An interruption of the
work was caused by the sounding of first
eau Tor brigade parade. Adjutant's call
was followed at 5:15 o'clock The brigade
was formed in line for experimental mr.
poses, In order that the parade gronnds
might be tested. The line was found to be
100 long, so that this afternoon and here
a1ter the formation will be In line of
masses. Va
The ceremony, being the first of the kind
10 pe held since July of last year. was en-
tlrely credltable. Certain weak points We're
apparent, however, but they will probably
be corrected this afternoon. The parade
was followed by the picturesque ceremony
of "trooping the colors" This is an eyhi-
bition peculiar to the citizen sodiery Of the
national capital. The colors escorted bv
the color guards Of the several battalions,
were marched to the front and center after
the formal dismissal of parade and the
brigade, in column, headed by the com
manding general and staff, marched by,
saluting the colors as they passed.
Making Up Straw Beds.
Immediately after the evening ceremonies
the guardsmen were compelled to exhaust
considerable energy in filling their I. bed
sacks with straw. While engaged in this
duty, thunder and lightning put in an ap-
pearance and the indications were that a
vigorous storm would soon burst over the
camp: Such did not cause much alarm
FOR the District guardsmen have suffered
wide and far-reaching degrees of inclem-
ency Of the weather. In fact, every en-
campment Of the past has been noted for
the fact that the majority of the days In
the held had been wet. 1t Is usual for the
storms to be of such severity as to level
many of the tents. The threatening condi-
tlons last evening, however, did not culmt-
nate In anything serious or even disagreea-
BILE, but the boys in blue were put to the
necessity of lowering the sides Of their
tents and making thing snug and secure
In haste that was more effective than dig
nlhed After supper, and, by the way Ia
vorable comments are heard on all sides
regarding the excellence of the food being
the brigade band proceeded to the flag
staff in front Of headquarters and rendered
several selections. Owing to an unavoida-
Bile delay In issuing torches the efforts of
the band last evening were informal in
character. regular concert with prevt-
ously announced program will be given this
evening. These concerts by the band are
to be regular feature Of the encamp-
ment
During the early evening there was som.
singing, but the soldiers retired early, be-
Ing weary after The labors of the day. Be-
fore taps the camp was in silence The
men, for the most part. remained close TO
their tsnts, and very few visited Leesburp.
Scarcely any citizens of the town or coun-
ty have yet made their appearance in
camp.
Early Morning Music.
The general desire was to slumber longer
when reveille was sounded early this morn
ing. The corps of field music, though,
proved an exception to the rule. This Or
ganization is astir about half an hour
earlier in the morning than anybody else.
1t proceeds to Headquarters and starts play
ing. Those who desire quiet in the hope
of enjoying a few mere wnks of sleep in
sist that the field music plays every selec-
tion that was ever written by every COM
poser. 1t marches through camp and then
returns to headquarters. where it repeats
the program recently given When the
morning gun booms everybody Is thorough
ly awake.
Captain Andrew Parker, aid-de-camp, left
for Washington this morning as the repre-
sentative Of the commanding general. Cap
tain Parker took with him invitations to
visit the encampment, to be delivered to
the Secretary of War. General Miles, AS
sistant Secretary Sanger and other officials
of the War Department, the District Com
missioners and number of prominent citf-
zens of Washington. 1t is understood that
Assistant Secretary Sanger will spend a
night and day in camp next week.
Excellent Showing of Signal Corp..
One of the features of the encampment
most readily, noticeable is the system in
stalled by the Signal Corps. The corps ia
doing it's part of the plan of the outing In
manner surprising even in the face of it's
excellent record Of last year, when under
the command of First Lieut.. F. Carroll
Mattingly.