Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-26
LAST OF THE CAMP
District Guardsm6n on Their
Way Home.
GET HERE ABOUT4 P. M.
WILL HAVE DRESS PARADE ON
-r-. ~. WHITE LOT.
The Battle of Leesburg Last Night
Proved Great Sue
.'1-E 7.-s- ra... cess
GET HERE ABOUT4 P. M.
Special from STAFF Correspondent.

LEESBURG. Va, July 26-Camp Ordway
Is a thing of the past. The troops of the
District of Columbia National Guard and
a detachment of the I'd United States Cav
airy are homeward bound. The last of the
gusrdsmen departed from Leesburg shortly
before 8 o'clock this afternoon. as did the
Cavalrymen. The latter set out for Fort
Myer by way of the Alexandria turnpike,
while the citizen sodiery embarked on
special train comprising three sections.
The men in uniform have not had any
sleep for nearly twenty-four hours. They
were out the greater portion of last night
. engaged in field maneuvers. Upon return
ing to camp this morning the work of pack
ing up preparatory to leaving and other
routine matters occupied attention. AT
o'clock the general was sounded and
all the tents dropped simultaneously.
Shortly thereafter, to the strains of THE
Star Spangled Banner played by the band
and with every man within the Enclosure
standing at attention, uncovered, the flag
that had waved over the camp for ten days
was lowered for the last time.
The brigade was formed in column at .
O'Clock and marched to the railroad station
at Leesburg. The whole town. it seemed
was out to witness the departure of the
guardsmen. While passing through Lees
Old Virginia." Should Old Acquaintance
Be Forgot" and other appropriate airs.
Amid much cheering and waving of adieus
the first section pulled out shortly after
30 o clock The other sections followed
within ten minutes. The guardsmen will
disembark at the intersection of 9th street
and Maryland avenue southwest, Wash
fngtOn, about clock. The command will
then proceed. probably by way of 18th
street and Pennsylvania avenue, to the ell
lipse of the White Lot. where brigade parade
will be given. after which the organizations
will be dismissed. The officers horses left
the camp at o'clock last night to be
taken to Washington over the turnpike
The mounted officers of the guard during
the field maneuvers last night and this
morning used horses kindly loaned by the
2d Cavalry.
The Battle of Leesburg.
The battle of Leesburg has been fought
and won. The attacking army was re-
pulsed with severe loss, all of a mythical
character. and the gallant defenders ara
1ubhant. On exceptionally short notice
the troops took the field at II o'clock last
night. The general plan was for one force
to endeayor to advance on Leesburg in a
given direction and for the other force to
attempt TO check the advance. The de-
Tending force consisted of the LIST Regi-
ment the Engineer Corps, the Signal
Corps, two Hotchkiss guns and two Calling
guns. directed by Lieut.. Col. Burton r.
Ross. The attack was assigned 10 the I'd
Regiment the LIST Separate Battalion and
the Cavalry, the whole under command of
Col Emmet TreI The respective forces
left camp by different routes. The defense
made stand at a point on the road to
Edwards Ferry, less than one mile from
camp.
The commendable feature Of its work
was that II dc SelOped fifty-eight perfectly
constructed rihe pits in exactly eleven min
utes, the men digging with bayonets and
meat cans. The attacking force spread
out SO as 10 cover large arc of territory.
The rules stipulated that no movement not
even the sending out of scouts, should oc-
cur prior to : O'Clock, and that no general
engagement should take place prior TO 40
o'clock.
Beginning of the Fray.
Promptly at 3 o'clock few shots were
heard. which indicated that the position of
each force was known TO the other Des-
uitory firing continued until 4:30 o'clock
when the fighting became active. Consid-
cradle ability was shown by the officers in
command. The strongly intrenched posi-
ton OF the force under Lieut.. Col. Ross
together with annihilating work of its Cat
ling guns and the exposed position of the
attacking party. quickly ended the strug-
gle. 1t was just > o'clock when the chief
umpire announced that the attack had
failed. The troops thereupon assembled
and marched back TO camp, reaching the
grounds in time to be here when reveile
sounded and TO witness the raising of the
Coiors. Before being dismissed the guards
men who composed the victorious force
cheered time and time again. All who
were not duty then directed their efforts
10 securing what rest was possible.
one incident of the engagement caused
some amusement. A picket of the attack
Ing force was taken by surprise and found
himself a prisoner in the hands of the
enemy. As soon as the news of the cap
ture was announced the general cry was
heard:
Give him the water cure"
The only Casualty in connection with the
engagement happened to Mr.. Fred. j.
Whitehead. Gen. Harries' private secre-
tary. According to his own statement Mr..
Whitehead was serving as volunteer field
marshal when he became so excited that he
fell Into a deep trench and injured an
ankle Proper treatment at the post hos
pita! relieved the case of all seriousness.
Gen HarrieS acted as chief umpire the
officers Of his staff and Capt. Brett and the
Officers Of the I'd Cavalry staff assisting.
Arrival of the Ammunition.
1t was the general impression yesterday
afternoon that the proposed field maneuvers
would have 10 he abandoned because OF the
impossibiity of locating the shipment OF
necessary blank ammunition. After much
searching the cartridges came to hand dur
Ing the afternoon. Their arrival meant ths.t
the suardsmen would most certainly take
the field before this morning No one could
obtain any information upon the subject
however Even the members of the person.
al stan of the commanding general were
About $50 O'Clock last evening the Off
GERS OF the general staff were summoned 10
Headquarters and given assignments TO ac-
company the several organizations and To
serve as umpires. They were not even told
which commands would constitute the at
lacking force and which would make III
HE defense Very quietly the guardsmer
marched away from the city of canvas
about II O'Clock. Not until they had pro-
ceeded a mile or more from Camp Ordway
did they receive instructions as to what
was expected OF them. The regulations
governing the field maneuvers provided tina,
Ehen company protected its front witt
Zen lying down trenches. it was supposed Il
be wholly intrenched and held its position
against any force less than a battalion q,
infantry, provided it fired not less thar
three volieys at not exceeding 800 wards,
Rules of the Battle.
When a battalion protected its front witt
forty lying down trenches. it was supposed
10 be wholly intrenched and held irs posi-
fioa against any force less than regimen
OF infantry. provided 1t fired not less thar
three a nh