Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
CAVALRY ON THE ROAD
The Trip From Leesburg to
Z. Fort Myer.
EXCELLENT TIME MADE
HEAVY RAIN STORM ENCOUNTER
ED ON FIRST DAY.
Regulars Return After Absence Of
Almost q Nonth-Equipment
Of the Cavalry.

4AoopS II ktilA JOAAiIH6 SAiC SQuooAoh 70
the I'd United States Cavalry, which an
camped with the District Guard at Lees
burg, had been away from their regular
post for almost a month when they re-.
turned last Sunday. All Of that time had
teen spent in the field, more than half OF
1t on the march. These two troops were
well oficered and equipped for such duty
The organisation was under the command
of Maj Augustus p. Blocksom, recently
assigned to the I'd Cavalry, an officer who
served with the army as captain in the
9Th Cavalry in Cuba. was wounded at San
tiago, went to the Philippines, served
through a campaign in the interior and
later accompanied the army to China. He
is one Of the few officers in the army who
have had the advantage. Of serving every.
where the army has gone during the past
twenty years. His adtutant was First
Lieut.. Henry w. Parker. Lieut.. Parker
will shortly relinquish his duties here to
enter the general staff college at Fort
Ieavenworth, Kan, to which he has been
assigned. Troop H is commanded by Capt.
Harry G. Trout, an officer OF wide prac-
teal experience, whose knowledge OF mil
itary science is such that he Is regarded
as one Of the most thorough and efficient
instructors in the officers school at Fort
Myer. First Lieut.. Walter F. Martin is
second in command of Troop H, and Second
with Troop H as second lieutenant In the
absence of Second Lieut.. Joseph F. Taul-
bee. who was detailed for special duty.
Up to day or two before camp was
Command Of Its captain, Capt. John P. Wade.
Capt. Wade Is one OF the best known
marksmen Of the army, however, and was
detailed as member Of the rifle team of
the department of the east, to attend the
rifle competitions at Fort Niagara, N. Y,
and left the troop under the command of
Lieut.. Frank e. Lynch. Lieut.. Lynch
acted as the mess officer for the Off
GERS mess also and was one of the most
popular men in camp. Capt. Wilson. as
sistant surgeon, accompanied the squadron
to Leesburg and remained with 1t until a
few days before camp was struck. He. too.
was detailed for special duty, however.
and left the health Of the command in the
care of First Lieut.. Foster assistant sur
geon, who has recently joined the medical
corps detchment at Fort Myer.
Ordered to Bel Air, Md.
The squadron left Fort Myer early in
July and marched to Bel Air, Md, where
they were ordered to go into camp with
the Maryland National Guard. The troopers
were encamped ten days at this place and
were most Hospitality received by the Mary
land militiamen. Gen. Riggs and the men,
bers, both OF his official and private fam
lilies, put themselves to no little trouble in
showing the officers and men of the regular
establishment what true Maryland hospt-
tally meant. The efforts of Gen. Rigs and
his kinsmen to make the time pass pleas
antly with the regulars did not cease with
the breaking of the militia camp. At Green
Springs Valley. Nd, the country seat Of
the Riggs family. the most lavish enter
tainment was prepared for Maj. Blocksom
and his officers and they were pressed to
spend several days at the place.
When the Maryland National Guard broke
camp the cavalry detachment had re-
ceived orders to go to Leesburg and par
ticipate in the encampment of the District
soldiers. The local militia officers did not
expect the cavalry would put in an appear
ance for several days after the camp was
pitched, but they were not acquainted with
the manner In which the I'd Cavalry does
business. for by the time the militiamen
had their tents up the cavalry was in the
field and putting up its tentage also.
Major Blocksoms command was a valu-
able aid to Gen. Harries in the war prob
lens he set the militia to solving and the
troopers were worked hard during the ten
days they were In camp. Both officers and
men conceived a wholesome respect for
the militiamen and their work during the
encampment and spoke with the highest
praise for the soldierly appearance and
bearing of the guardsmen. The work of
the cavalrymen was not completed with
the striking Of the tents on Georges farm
last Saturday, however. distance Of about
forty miles separated the troopers from
their home station, and the lowering clouds
did not give promise of very delightful
ride. Through the courtesy of the officers
Of the squadron a reporter for The Star
rode to Fort Myer from Leesburg with the
cavalrymen and observed from the best
cavalry Of the United States army makes a
march.
On the March.
A march such as that from Leesburg to
Fort Myer, when there is no necessity for
haste, is made in two days. It could be
made in day. but 1t would probably be
hard on the horses. The average march
Of the cavalry arm is from twenty to
twenty-five miles per day. the condition of
the country through which it passes having
a great deal to do with the speed attained.
In the Geronimo campaign Gen. Lawton's
troop Of the 4th Cavalry was not able to
make more than ten or fifteen miles some
days and had to march both day and night
to make that But in that particular cam
paign some of the country traversed was
well nigh impossible for the horses, and
the men were compelled to dismount and
lead their steeds. The roads over which
the cavalry passed from Leesburg to Fort
Myer were miserable in the extreme, but
were not to be compared to the mountain
trails In the Sierra Madre range or any Of
ness and impassability. The distance be-
tween Leesburg and Fort Myer was va
rfously estimated at from thirty to forty
miles. The former figure was Major Block
som 0SCluldte, anu the natives OF the
country furnished the highest figures
Major Blocksom's estimate was made as a
result of long experience with marching
troops, and the other estimates were ar
rived at by the natives principally from
what their fathers had told them.
The cavalryman on the march carries
with him everything that is necessary for
his comfort on the march. His horse is
equipped with a saddle. the ordinary bride
In use in service. a watering bride with
snaff1e bit and halter. On the saddle
he has a pair Of saddle pockets. his saber
and carbine Strapped to the cantle is his
shelter tent half, made into a neat roll,
inside Of which Is placed his bedding,
changes Of underwear, ETC., and across
the end of the roll Is strapped the nose
bag for his horse. If necessary, enough
feed for one meal may be carried in the
nosebag In this event the nosebag Is de-
tached from the tent roll. and after being
securely tied to prevent the grain from
splitting, is fastened to one of the rings
either on the cantle or pommel Of the sad
die. The saddle bags contain the curry
comb and brush for the horse. and II neces-
sary extra ammunition, on one side and
the mans personal toilet articles and such
rations as he has issued him in the other.
A tin cup holding a quart Is fastened in
one Of the straps by which the saddle bags
are closed and canteen Is fastened to
oro of tho y1p ON NJ tho milo ~ tho ddIo