The Washington times., 1901-07-27

, Lieut.. Fox Conner was doing what would
have been were shrapnel used, most
deadly work. Less than mile away, and
screened by bushes, so that in the early
morning mist all that could be seen was
the flash of the guns and the cloud of
smoke that arose from the blanks, the
platoon fired at regular intervals into the
fort without receiving single shot in re-
turn frcm the single Hotchkiss gun in the
fertilization. This piece was used simply
to bear upon small party of ,kirmish-
ers. Fort Evans is too strong to be taken
by infantry alone, and capitulation can
be effected only through steady lombard
ment.
One piece of the gatling gun battery
under command of Capt. 4. p. Robbins,
acting adjutant general, was brought into
position about 1,ooe yards from the fort,
but such heavy fire was poured upon 1t
that it was declared out before single
shot had been fired by it. The main at
tacking column took advantage OF every
slight depression in the ground for pro-
lection and of every lulI in the fire to ad-
vance. When about 400 yards distant from
the fort the order was given by Major
Simms for the Fifth to fire by battalions
and four rounds were discharged in this
manner. This fire gave the coiored troops
an opportunity to advance, which they
did Advance by rushes" came the or
der, and firing in company volleys. which
crashed in echo against the breastworks.
the troops would dash forward a short
distance and then fall to the ground.
pouring in another fire; almost immedi-
ately the fire was quite heavy.
Along the defences the. Guardsmen look
ed as determined as if they We're engaged
| in real warfare. Yells of defiance were
hurled at the attackers. The officers
paced behind the men and warned them
not to expose themselves as they were
apt to do in their enthusiasm.
Colonel Sanger was within the fort dur
ing the most of the engagement and was
abroad in the field prior to that time. He
was mounted and displayed keen interest
in the maneuvres. although disappointed
AT thatr hire ~ an oh ,AH
to aim steadily at one of the enemy be-
fore he fired. Thus the men were neces-
sarily steady and cool. From the other
sides of the fort re-enforcements We're hur-
ried up, but as the attacking party ad-
vanced nearer orders were given to hold
fire until they approached still closer
The fire of the attacking party continued
unabated. When the Fifth Battalion had
gained the nearest point to the breast
works they We're REINFORCED by a portion
of the First Separate Battalion. Firing
by companies, the coiored troops ad-
vanccd rapidly along their entire line, with
the exception of two companies, held back
as re-enforcements for the fighting line.
The advance continued IN this manner to
q distance of go yards, when the order
Charge was given and the line was
advanced fifty yards farther. At this
point General Harries chief umpire. rode
down the line and orders were given to
cease firing. His decision, at first misun-
derstood, was deemed favorable to the
defence. and the garrison sent up a luSty
cheer. But when Lieutenant Overton in
formed the defence that the attacking line
had been victorious owing to the fact that
their fire had not been returned, a yell
OF disappointment replaced that of sup
posed victory.
Major Ourand. inspector general and
umpire for the Army of Virginia, dashed
across the field to the chief umpire, ex-
postulating that the fire had been fully
returned. The protest availed nothing,
however, and the fort was declared oc-
cupied by the Army of the Potomac, and
the troops ordered to return to camp. Off
GERS and men of the defence were enraged
at the decision.
Fatigued by long march of the night
before and the brief but strenuous work
of one hours engagement, the Guardsmen
were glad to seek rest in their tents.
Morning drill was dispensed with and the
boys had nothing to do until first call for
review at IL o'clock by Colonel Sanger.
in the operations. The garrison at Fort
Evans neglected to outpost that defence
in the proper manner. Entrance could
be effected more easily than through the
lines at Camp Ordway.
IN the opinion of the umpires the Army
Of the Potomac made an error in attempt
ing daybreak attack, necessitating a di-
vision of troops during the night The
Hotchkiss gun in the fort was practically
useless. as it was trained only on small
bands of skirmishers instead of the artil-
iery well beyond the effective range of
rifles.
The last dress parade of the encamp-
ment tonight was witnessed by hundreds
OF people of Leesburg and Lou ioun
county. The evening gun was the last that
VIII be fired at Camp Ordway. The
Guardsmen carried themselves with
swing they had readily acquired during
ten days of hard drill. Tonight a large
burg Their conduct was exemplary and
established a record for sobriety and gem
tlemanly behavior during the encamp-
ment.
Seven thousand dollars in currency for
the payment of the troops has arrived.
capt Andrew Parker. acting paymaster.
will begin to pay the Guardsmen about
10 o'clock. Payment will be made by regi-
ments. Not over hour and half will
be consumed by the operation.
AT noon tomorrow camp will be struck.
In the same direction. To the strains of
The Star Spangled Banner the colors
viii be hauled down for the last time. and
the Camp Ordway of 1901 will be a mat
ter of history. The first of the three sec
tions of the train which viii carry the
troops back to Washington will depart
at 2:4O o'clock. and the Guardsmen will
arrive in Washington between and 5
o'clock in the afternoon. After dis
embarking from the trains at Ninth and
Maryland Avenue. the troops will parade
the. principal streets of the downtown
business district.
Notes of the Camp.
Rear Admiral Terry and Lieutenant
8iCtItd, u. .. N. DOtn visit
ed camp today and returned to Washing
ton with Colonel Sanger when he depart
ed. Wilton ]. Lambert was another
Washingtonian who watched the Guards
men in review.
The people of Leesburg are highly
pleased with the conduct of the soldiers
in town during the present encampment
There Is still considerable feeling regard
ing the absence of an official representa-
tive of the Guard at the reception ten
dered the officers at the Loudoun County
courthouse the other night. This feeling
does not extend to the men. however |
who have borne themselves in a uniform
ly manly and soldierly manner.
When Colonel Sanger mounted TO re- |
view the troops and rode to the parade |
ground he received an official salute of |
eleven guns by the platoon CT regular ar |
The regular artillery will break camp |
at o'clock in the morning and take the |
road for Washington. Lieut. Fox Conner |
expects to make the trip of thirty-sevcn |
miles in single day. |