The Washington times., 1902-07-27
Break Camp at Leesburg
After a Morning OF
Fierce Strife.
FIRST REGIMENT WINS FIGHT
Battle at Ordway Results in Defeat Of
Attacking Party Under Colonel Urell
Dress Parade on White Lot-Pro-
cession to National Guard Armory.

trlct OF COiumDla, aTrlNeu III washington
yesterday afternoon after the ten days
encampment at Leesburg, Va. 1t was
a tired but enthusiastic body Of troops
which came in on the special trains
from the Virginia town. but ready for
any duty it might be called upon to per-
form.
Brig Gen. George H. Harries, who has
been in command of the District militia
since the death of Gen. Albert Ordway
five years ago. expressed himself most
heartily in approval of its conduct while
at Camp Ordway.
The last day in camp was model one,
and like the others preceding, was note
worthy only for the manner in which the
troops answered to discipline. In the
field maneuvers the commanding general
had arranged matters so as to keep the
commanding officers of the opposing col
umns guessing. and he succeeded to
large extent. The commanding general
himself was chief of the board Of judges
which decided that the attacking column,
under Col NJ Emmett Urell, failed in its
ATTEMPT, but mo count of incompetency
campaign was mapped out well, but the
three columns which surrounded the
camp of the enemy failed to respond on
time.
victors Jubilant.
During the day there was consider
able joking going on among the mem
bers of the opposing forces. There
could be no doubt that those on the
winning side were jubilant, while on the
opposition both officers and men were
inclined to take the joke too seriously.
OF course. there was somewhat Of
surprise created owing to the fact that
Lieut.. Col Burton R. Ross repulsed an
attack on Leesburg with force one
third as large as the besieging force,
but it is this which illustrates the ad-
vantage of the intrenchments.
Col. NJ. Emmett Urell. who has been
in command of many forces which have
been victorious, for once was in charge
of the army which had been defeated.
A peculiar fact in connection with the
affair. also, is that there were about
three times as many men OF the at
tacking force as of the defense. 1t
consisted of infantry, cavalry, and ar
tillery. but the plan OF attack mapped
out by Colonel Urell failed and the de-
cision was rendered against him.
Leesburg, it was at first declared,
was safe from such force. but later,
when it became known that a column
consisting of cavalry and artillery hcd
marched to the Virginia town without
having been observed by the defending
army, the judges were inclined to decide
that Color ell Ross forces had not de-
Tended the knoll as strongly as they
might.
Major R. D. Sims, with the main
column, consisting OF infantry and ar
tillery, had flanked the defense Ind cut
off their communication with Leesburg,
but decided to go back for the encounter.
But the Judges awarded the battle 20
the First Regiment and 1t returned to
the National Capital last night as the
heroes of the third bloodless battle OF
Leesburg.
The last day in camp was tedious,
especially as the field maneuvers had
been brought of during the day. It is
remarkable how the boys withstood the
long days fatigue. Reveille was sound
ing when those who had been put out
of commission marched into camp, and
It was not long thereafter when the
men of the First Regiment were paraded
into Camp Orday. While regimental
feeling cropped out here and there the
officers had their men under thorough
subordination and but little trouble was
encountered.
Resting Up.
Those who had an opportunity took
nap during the morning and among
these was General Harries himself.
others were called upon to perform
guard or fatigue duty, and 1t was In
possible for them TO rest. Consequently
1t was tired body which marched Into
Washington yesterday afternoon The
body put up brigade parade which
would equal any IN the country, never
theless.
There were men, however, who were
to receive their pay and they were AFRAID
TO trust themselves to quiet nap. They
remained up during the day and as
consequence many were unable to par
ticipate in the dress parade on the White
Lot yesterday afternoon.
II had been arranged that the gen.
eral assembly should be sounded at l
.. m, and promptly on time the tents,
which covered 100 acres of ground. were
dropped. An hour was allowed for the
enlisted men to fold the tents and get
everything into readiness for the quar-
termaster's department. When the las
sembly'' was sounded at o'clock prac-
tically all the men were in line.
AS the First Regiment. which occu-
pied the east end of the camp, marched
through the organizations Of the Second
Regiment cheers rent the air for Colonel
Urell. The Second Regiment responded
for the commanding officer o, the First
Regiment. Lieut.. Col. Burton r. Ross.
The Brigade Band, under Lieut.. d. B.
Macleod. was at the head of the brigade,
and as II passed the cavalry camp there
we're cheers. and TO which the militia
men responded.
On TO the depot the troops paraded
and we're greeted with running cheers
along the road. officials and citizens
turned out to bid the guardsmen adieu.
and the band played music which will
be remembered by the soldier citizens
III days 10 come.
The feminine element OF the Virginia
town was represented at the depot. and
IL is seldom that the boys in blue from
the National Capital have had such
fair assemblage to bid them farewell.
Offcials OF Loudoun county were pres
cnt, as well as the officials of the town
10 pay their respects to the soldier boys.
The first section made a fast run TO
Washington, covering the distance II