Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-17

would not judge him to be military man.
He is about the medium height rather
spare of build and of quiet manner His
face is the typical face of an Englishman,
not very handsome. but expressing an in
teligence and energy that is unms taxable.
He would be called interesting If pointed
out as Baden-Powell of Mafeking, but
would never lie judged as a man of dis
tinguished attachments unless the person
taking his estimate should hear him talk.
He is careful of the little things, never
neglecting an opportunity to be courte-
Gus, and his manner in the presence of
ladies is all that could be expected of a
cultured gentleman.
1t is when he is watching soldiers that
General Baden-Powelrs face lights up. and
the energy and enthusiasm that one would
never judge him to have shows plainly in
the expression of his face and the inter-
est he displays in every little detail He
seldom gives expression to his feelings,
however, except in the shortest of SEN
fences in the best chosen of words. To
see him on the street or even while inspect
ing troops it would never be imagined that
he was could be the great figure on the
field of battle history credits him with be-
Ing. but when he does speak of military
matters he shows the deepest knowledge of
his subject and the most careful considera-
ton for those with whom he speaks.
Studying the Cavalry Tactics.
Gen. Baden-Powell came to the United
States. 1t is said. for the purpose of study
ing the cavalry tactics. He has recently
been appointed to a high command in the
English army, and will have to deal with
troops of the cavalry arm almost entirely
This is the branch of the service he loves
best, and 1t is the branch of the service In
which he Is most interested. Therefore,
when he called at the War Department
yesterday arrangements were Immediately
made with Col. Edgerly, commanding the
troops at Fort Myer, to show him what
United States cavalry could do. The COM
pOsite troop of the I'd Cavalry. which Is to
represent its branch of the service in the
military athletic tournament in Madison
Square Garden, New York next week. was
ordered out for an exhibition drill, and
Capt. Foote'S battery of field artillery was
also called upon to give an exhibition. The
about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and was
greeted with the major generals salute.
He was accompanied by Major r. H.
Kearsley, r. A., one of his aids-de-camp.
and Major Green Of the adjutant generals
department, u. 8. A. Col. Edgerly of the
I'd Cavalry met the party in the city and
drove with them to Fort Myer, where they
were received by the members Of Col. Ed
gerleys staff and were then driven direct
ly to the riding hall.
The visitor had hardly been seated when
the composite troop rode into the hall. UNI
der the command of Lieut.. Charles G.
Harvey. The drill was arranged for ON
short notice, the men being engaged in the
routine duties of garrison work when
called out to the special drill. but II was
most effective AS the cavalry went
through the evolutions about the hall, Gen.
Baden Powell's face showed the admiration
he did not express in words. but showed it
distinctly and Enthusiastically. The troop
was put through all its PAGES and the En-
glish officer looked on with critical eyes.
The Military View.
The firm seat and agility of the American
trooper was the first thing that impressed
ho vie
control the men exercise over their mounts
was observed with more than passing in
terest The crowds that have assembled to
witness the drill at Fort Myer heretofore
have generally occupied themselves with
the spectacular features of the drill and
have applauded movements that seemed to
them pretty. The English officer looked
on them from a purely military view and
admired them as exhibits of the high state
OF proficiency that can be reached when
man and q horse combine to make tactics
science and work out military problems
that seem to be only solvable in theory. 1t
was to this thoroughly experienced spec
tator demonstration of the variety of uses
to which horse can be put and of the
training of~which it is capable.
The drill OF the cavalry was followed by
the artillery, and in this the visitors show
ed more interest even than they had in
the cavalry drill. The extreme mobility
Of the field artillery was what surprised
them, and they were warm in their praise
of the battery when Capt Foote advanced
his men down the hall in dead run and
put the guns In action In less than min
ute. The battery drill concluded the ex-
ercises in the riding hall. and the dis
tinguished officer was then invited to in
spect the quarters of the men.
On the way to the barrack buildings a
short time was spent in examining the ar
tillery detachment, which was drawn up
at the side of the riding hall. Gen. Baden
Powell made minute inspection Of every
piece of the equipment He examined the
harness and the horses with the critical
eye OF one whose experience in military
matters had taught him how much depend
ed on these seemingly small things He
examined. the buckles of the harness., the
chains of the traces. the quality of the
leather. He had the men in charge of
fI,a ovtr mi fob fha fpo<