The Washington times., 1903-07-31
RAIN-SOAKED SOLDIERS
PREPARED FOR BATTLE
Guardsmen Spend Night in
Open Field.
THE ATTACK ON FORT EVANS
Many Commands Already Out of the
Fighting, and Several Cap
t:ves Taken.
Special to The Washington Times1

Especial 10 The Washington Times.)
FORT EVANS. Near Leesburg.. Va, |
July 31-Sleeping on the open fields with |
nothing. but a small army blanket and |
poncho between them and the damp rain |
soaked ground all night did not serve
70 dampen the ardor Of tho National
Guardsmen OF the District who went CT
the warpath yesterday morning.
The bloodless war began at 9 o'clock,
when the two columns OF infantry, the
battery of field artillery, two troops CT
cavalry. the signal and ambulance corps
left Camp Ordway, prepared to remain
out for forty-eight hours. There was
little lighting between the guardians OF
the wagon trains yesterday, and much
scouting by General Harries and his
star
Today everyone who has a trigger to
pull will be In the fight. and only a
little scouting by the commanding Of
fcer and staff. Operations were sus-
pended last night. but the men arosN
from their slumbers promptly AZ
o'clock. and proceeded on toward the
fort
Out of the Battle
There have been several little scrim-
images and few Of the commands have
been thrown out. for exposing themselves
TO the fire of the forces within the
breasJworks. The commands as they
are thrown out retire from the firing
line
Everyone, including war correspond
ents, who did not come prepared for The
rainy season. is wishing for the war to
cease. That wish will be graft
fed about o'clock this evening, when
General Harries. commanding the at
lacking forces. will make an at
tack upon the breastworks where hun
dreds of men are supposed 10 be- In
mediately after the close of fghung and
the charge the umpires will give their
decision.
Victims of Heat
About 100 men fell out Of the line yes
teIday between the time OF starting AMI
the suspension OF operations Heat was
responsible for many of the casualties.
while General Debility also figured con
spicuoUsly IN the manouvers.
Assuming that hostile forces we're oc-
cupying the old fort where one OF the
bioodiest and most memorable battles Of
the civil war was fought, General Har-
ries marched his men out to make an at
tack and take the important stronghold
To gain the fort was the principal thing,
and tine was not. an element
Contrary TO general belief Fort Evans
is not reservation where buildings. are
erected or ammunition or guns are
stored. II is simply a spot about as large
as a city block with breast works thrown
UT on all sides at its limits and also has
intrenchments behind the first pile OF
dirt thrown UP by the men who fought
for the lost cause" in order TO keep
the Federal forces from advancing.
There are no buildings or anything
else on the ground.
Attack on Fort Evans.
Fort Evans is only q half mile frou.
camp. The object of the attacking forces
is TO 90 things to the fort without
being seen by the umpires and the
meE inside the fort.
The musicians are not needed in
camp WREN the Gusrdsmen are away
General Harrles has assigned them 10
the fort 10 scout for the occupants OF
the stronghold. The Signal Corps is
also in the fort o..
Fer fear OF being seen and thrown
CHI o. The battle before II was well Oh
General Harries marched his men down
through Leesburg and out the main pike
about FIVE or six miles 70 an unfordabIa
branch OF Goose Creek. The point was
reached about nocn. when it was Is
covered that ;he men could not get
through the water because Of the fact
that it was eight feet deep. they were
permitted instead 10 dive into theiI
hGvcrsacks and eat their hrst meal on
the road
Neal time over, General Harries sen
the wagon trains 20 the rear under 2
heavy guard and ordered them taken Il
the headquarters Of the various bat
taHons. which were TO be cstabnshel
near Edwards Ferry, Va. The First Bat
TALON Field Artillery, commanded b.
Captain Marion and Lieutenant Mar
shall supported by Major Simms. il
command OF the Fifth Battalion. witl
Capt. z r. B-ian's company in the Va,
and several other companies, escorted
the wagons bearing the supplies To-. tn.
battalion
The Wagon Trains.
Eaeh battalion had wagon load OF
rationE and cooking utensils IN addition
70 what the men carried 81 their haver-
sacks The ofice- n charge OF the
wagon trains and their guards wa.
given Instructions 20 go Immediately u
Edwards Ferry. And the artillery was
ordered 10 protect the wagons At al
hazards.
strong forward and rear guard was
established and the march was begun
General Earries. accompanied by Lieut.
Col. Rospopow, OF the Russian Artillery;
Major Averill. Major OuTand, an UNI
pire; Adiutant General Robbins, Cap
tain Harries. an aide; 4 trunpctor.
standard bearer, an orderly. and two