Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-01

were taken up TO the numerous batteries
where the details we're explained to them
BY the painstaking regulars. but as adj
missions TO the fort were cut on the reg
ulars were unmolested by the crowds Of ex-
cursioaists which surged into the city. The
men at the signal stations scattered along
the shore were, however, not 80 fortunate.
The search lights at Prices Neck. though
somewhat on the beaten track Of the ocean
drive had numerous visitors, while the little
telephone stations at BatemRn's Point and
CARTE Rock were fairly besieged. At one
time nearly 100 curious exeurslonists we're
clustered about a little corporal's guard
at the very tip end Of the island Of Rhode
Island, and troops were piled with questions
Of all kinds. These little stations have
been designated as A, B and c. Station A
is the one at Garlic Rock, Station B at
Batemsn's point and Station G at the
Search light at Prices Neck.
Assistant Secretary Of War Sanger, who
has been here for the last three days was
taken on board Nourmshal. owned by John
Jacob Astor, and shortly before noon the
yacht left for the eastward in the direction
Of the feet on Martha's Vineyard. The
Nourmahal returned Just before dark. The
gunboat Gloucester arrived during the day
In order to get the last mail. As itSdis-
appeared In the mist to the eastward on its
return, those on shore caught the last
glimpse that they will probably have Of any
Of Admiral Higginson's feet. until they
make their appearance threatening some
point. The weather all day was hazy, and
tonight a fog is threatening, and every pre-
caution was taken to guard against an at
tack after midnight.
From AIabama's Deck.
UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP ALA
BAMA, MENMEsHA BRIGHT, Mass. Aug.
31.-Since the arrival Of the Massachusetts
Naval reserves on the battleship Alabama
yesterday to take part in the war game.
there have been two incident calculated to
remain In their memories. One was the
service held today on the gundeck for
ward, when Chaplain Reinolds celebrated
mass, and the other the concert last night
on the port quarter deck by the Naval Re-
serves band.
The Naval reserves we're distributed to
the warships Just before the dinner hour,
Alat ama's quota numbering 11S men. The
hand was assigned to Alabama, in spite Of
the fact that Massachusetts, has none. The
reserves on board Alabama include Com
pany H of Springfield. Mass. and Company
@ of New Bedford, under command Of Cap
tain G. r. H.. Burlington OF Fall River.
An immense feet had modified in Men
mesha Blight by noon. The last to come
were the battleship Indiana, the auxiliary
cruiser Supply, the cruiser Montgomery,
Ailleen and Scorpion. This makes q
formidable squadron OF fifteen ships. The
marines who have been on the shore Of
Martha's Vineyard broke camp today, but
their destination was not known. 1t seemed
probable during the afternoon that Ad-
miral Higginson's fleet would move before
the hour set for the beginning Of hostili-
ties.
Great Gunst
NEW LONDON, Conn, Aug. S1.-At in
tervals all day the big guns and the mortars
At the forts in this vicinity belched forth
FIRE and smoke and sent shot several miles
at imaginary targets, illustrative OF moving
ships. The conclusion was so great that
it was felt plainly In this city and 1t seemed
by the sound as IL the guns were at old
Fort TrumbulI instead of from seven to
thirteen miles distant.
The United States Steamship Panther with
the ConnecticYi naval battalion on board
sailed away fST The eastward just before
noon today to join the attacking fleet, leav-
ing the training ship Lancaster in the
hsrbor as the sole representative Of the
navy.
Major General Macarthur and General
| Greedy, chief signal oficer, will be at Fort
TrumbuIl until after the enemy is sighted
and will then proceed to whatever point
that may be considered the most advan-
tageous for the direction Of the movements
Of the arm forces.
1t is believed that the plan Of signals
Is the most complete ever established in
the world and every precaution has been
taken to have substitutes for any system
that may be destroyed or captured by the
enemy. Searchlights Will play an import
ant part in the maneuvers at night was
the efficiency Of those or the army was
demonstrated at midnight when the waters
Of the entire New London district were
completely covered, every searchlight being
used that hour and directed a short distance
above the surface OF the waters. 1t was a
magnificent sight and the smallest boat,
even the small craft used by the mackerel
fishermen at this season could be seen
plainly and with the aid OF marine glasses
the occupants Of the boats could be counted.
How the warships can get within firing
distance OF the forts, as set forth In the
rules governing the war game, Is somewhat
mystifying to The uninitiated.
Flashlights Interest Residents.
FISHERS ISLAND, N. Y, Aug. sL-The
summer residents at Fishers Island were
greatly interested in the lashlight signals
exchanged with New London, Plum Island
and GARDENERS Island and & large number
Of them are watching for the approach OF
warships almost as keenly as the soldiers.
The searchlishts light up the water so
plainly that It Is possible to see a ship
as we'll as though IL was daylight.
The soldiers are tonight sleeping beside
their guns. ready at a moments notice to
beat on a possible attack from the enemy.
The oficers particularly are alert, some
Of them expressing the opinion that an at
tack tonight Is probable, because the at
lacking force will hardly expect the de-
tenders to look for them on the hrst night.
| Considerable target practice was INDUCED
In throughout the day. Tonight a schooner
was sighted and. in range Of Fort Wright,
the fort fred and the shells appeared to
fall dangerously near the vessel. Those
aboard the schooner evidently became
alarmed at the demonstration and imme-
diately put on all possible sail to carry
them out OF range Of the guns. A few mo-
ments after the schooner was observed run
ming away, the order 10 cease firing was
given at the reservation.