The Washington times., 1903-03-13
SIX HUNDRED PERSONS
SEE FIELD MANEUvERS
Numerous Others Disap-
pointed at Fort Myer.
cREDITABLE PERFORMANCE
Crack Horsemen Practice for COMPETE
tion Drill in Madison Square
Garden.

Six hundred or more persons Journey
ed over TO Fort Myer yesterday after
noon TO witness the field maneuvers and
monkey drills" performed by three
troops of crack horsemen OF the Second
Cavalry. made up OF the expert riders Of
Troops z. F. G, and II. stationed at the
Fort. Every bit OF available space was
crowded by spectators. Secretary OF War
Root, and a number OF other War De-
partment officials attended and were
much interested in the performances
In May q competitive drill between
six troops OF cavalry from Fort Ethan
Allen, three from West Point cavalry
post, and as many from Fort Myer. will
be held in Madison Square Garden New
York city, and will be witnessed by
Secretary Root. General Miles. General
Corbin. and a number OF other high mill
tary officials. Since the Fort Myer troops
were named as competitors there have
been a number OF practice drills in the
riding hall at the Fort. They were be-
gun on the last Thursday in January
and have been held every Thursday since
then.
Drills Not Public.
The drills are not public, but despite
that fact every Thursday a large crowd
hocks TO the post to witness them. The
crowd has increased every Thursday. but
yesterday IT was larger than ever. and
although 500 visitors were Accommodated
there were several hundred persons on
the outside OF the hall.
The monkey drills were interesting
rs well as amusing. and from the time
the first troop entered the large hall
until the last one departed at the con-
clusion OF the drills. about two hours,
there was not a dull moment Captain
Brett, who commanded the cavalry. and
Captain Foot, in charge OF the battery
of artillery. were complimented after
the maneuvers. and everyone expressed
the opinion that the rival troops would
have to do some remarkable things in
order 10 successfully compete with the
local soldiers.
The Field Artillery.
The fourth Battery of Field Artillery
under command OF Captain Foot. en-
tered few minutes after the concIu-
sion of the monkey drills. The battery
was composed OF about thirty-eight men
counting the enlisted men. and the cap
tain and his lieutenant The men acted
with precision, and there was also an
clectric-like ouickness about the move
ments. At the conclusion OF their ma
neuvers, a number of stakes were driven
In the ground in the center OF the hall
They were just wide enough apart to
allow a piece OF artillery 20 pass with
out knocking them down. The flag
bearer led the battery through the aisle
several times at a low rate OF speed
but after a few moments when the
guiders got their eyes on the stakes
and gagged the distance. they charged
through the aisle Just as though the
stakes were not there.
AS finale. the cannon were loaded
with blank shells and made a terrific
report when discharged. The specta-
tors were almost shaken from their
seats when the four guns were fred
ard most OF them were thoroughly
frightened.
Addicks Attends.
John Edward Addicks. OF Delaware.
drove out TO the fort with his wife.
and was an Interested spectator. After
the drill was concluded. Mr.. and Mrs.
Addicks went TO their carriage. which
was drawn by a pair OF prancing bays.
rhe sun was shining brightly and one
OF the animals saw its shadow reflected
In a pool of water in the road. Just rs
Mrs Addicks was about 20 place her
loot upon the step of the carriage the
animal made a forward lunge and had
Il not been for the presence OF mind of
her husband. a serious accident might
have occurred
Mr. Addicks FASTENED 20 her assist
ance. and succeeded in getting her into
the vehicle before she could fall. Nh
Addicks then endeavored TO enter the
vehicle and met with the same result
The animals this time darted down the
road but he left the step and held them
until they were quieted.
Other Visitors.
Among the other spectators were the
italian ambassador. Signor Mayor des
PIauches and Signora Mayor; Commits
sioner II. 3. r. mcfarland, Assistant
Attorney General Hoyt and Mrs Hoyt
Lille McCauIey. Mamie Hume. Chic
Clerk schoheld. of the War Department:
Mrs Charles W. Kutz. wife OF Captain
Kutz, stationed at the Washington
Barracks; Elsie Seymour. and Miss
Whitside, daughter Of General Whit
side
Commissioner Proctor. OF the Civil
Service Commission. rode out 70 tho
fort on spirited steed. but did not ar
rive until the exhibition was more thar
half over The next practice drill viii
be held Thursday OF next week, and II
Is expected that Lieutenant General
Miles Will attend. Yesterday afternoon
ten or FIFTEEN persons crowded each Of
the twenty-five or thirty windows e
the hall. Arrangements will be made