Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-04
Information for Veterans.
r Of The Evening Star:


Without doubt a very large number Of
veterans of the civil war will visit Wash
ington in October on the occasion of the
national encampment of the Grand Army
who have never had the opportunity of
revisiting the capital since their participa-
ton in the memorable grand review in
May, 1865. Not the least of the delights to
all these men will be revisiting the once
familiar scenes of this historic locality.
AS nearly forty years have passed very
naturally great changes have occurred, and
more than one once well-known and famli-
lar locality or scene will be sought for in
vain. 1t is hoped that the committee on
literature, which 1t seems generally sup
posed is making very complete preparations
to quite fully present accurate and reliable
data pertaining to these points of historic
interest, will not overlook the many camp
sites in this vicinity, SO many of which are
now difficult to locate and clearly identity.
Many regiments, companies and light bat
teries had their first glimpses of camp life
and their first experience under canvas.
either within the actual limits of the pres
ent beautiful city or upon some of the Vir
ginia hills surrounding it. Camp Barry,
the immense light artillery camp, was Sit
uated on the Bladensburg road at its juno
ton with Maryland and Florida avenues.
The site was for some years subsequent 70
the close of the war used for burial pur-
poses, and was known Graceland Gem
etery. Federal Spring. which then supplied
the water to fill the water troughs for the
artillery horses, still furnishes an abundant
supply, which is now utilized for the mere
peaceful purpose of making artificial ice,
the spring having passed into the hands of
the American Ice Company. Back of old
Federal Spring in those days was higher
ground, where stood Emory and Lincoln
Hospitals, two immense institutions, al
ways filled with sick and wounded soldiers.
The broad plateau lying between the two
hospitals was used drill ground by the
light batteries at Camp Barry. The light
infantry field maneuvers required plenty
of room, and the ample space and level
ground afforded fine opportunities for artil-
lery practice Battery drill took place
daily, and at frequent intervals brigade
drills occurred. in which from ten to twenty
batteries participated, Gen. Barry generally
being in command. These drills were very
interesting, not to say exciting. Commands
were largely given by the bugle, no human
voice being able to make itself audible
above the clatter of the horses hoofs and
the heavy clank of the gun carriages and
caissons. Many crack batteries were sta
toned for time al Camp Barry, among
them being Sleeper's 10th Massa chusetts
York, Eaton's Buffalo Light Battery and
others equally as we'll or better known.
Besides Camp Barry there were many
camps and rendezvous in and about Wash
ington whose names very naturally awaken
interesting memories of the eventful years
of the war, and 1t is earnestly hoped that
the literature committee will, as far as pos
sible, supply such data as will enable the
visiting old soldiers to find the localities
they seek. diagram or description show
out by Gen. Barnard, which formed the de-
lenses of Washington, would not be with
out great interest in this connection
JAS w. HUDSON.