The Washington times., 1904-08-14
GuardSmen Return and Are
Reviewed by Gillespie.
LAST PARADE ON WHITE LOT
A Resume of Two Weeks Soldering
on the Historic Fields Near
Harpers Ferry.

o'clock yesterday afternoon, and were
Immediately marched to the White Lot
Ellipse, where a spectacular dress pa
rade was held.
Mai. Gen. George L. Gillespie acting
chief Of stan Of the Urited States army.
reviewed the soldiers at the conclusion
of the parade
Despite the fact that the militia men
were footsore and weary from travelling
and marching. they made a favorable
impression on General Gillespie. who
complimented Gen. George II. HarrIes
upon being the commander Of such a
well-drilled and sOldierly looking bri-
gade.
Mothers, wives, sweethearts. and
friends gathered around the ellipse and
waved handkerchiefs to some loved one
ia the ranks who had been separated
from them. When the men passed in
review and the spectators got q closer
glimpse at their features they were
greeted with cheers and prolonged hand
clapping. Friends OF Colonies UreII and
May. commanding the Second and First
regiments. respectively. accorded them
cordial welcome as they passed the
reviewing officer
Commanders Applauded.
Many of the company commanders
were applauded because Of the military
appearance Of their organizations. The
negro soldiers. under Major Brooks,
commanding the First Separate BattaI-
ion. put up an exceptionally good drill
for men of their race. They were greet
ed by cheers and yells from the negroes
who went to the White Lot expressly
TO see them. Capt. Thomas Maroon
First Battery Of Field Artillery looked
fine after the two weeks Of hard work
in the field. the last few days being
spent in climbing the mountains con-
tiguous TO Bolivar Heights.
The 1904 encampment. which will 90
down In history as the most successful
outing Of the District militia. was for
mally brought TO a close after the 1e-
view. when General Harries Instructed
the colonies OF the regiments and com
manders OF the separate organizations
10 take their men TO their respective ar
mories. and dismiss them. Speaking Of
the encampment. General Harries said
II am well satisfied with the work CT
the men The tasks We're as hard and
arduous as they were numerous. but
the men went at the work manfully, and
soidierly. This was the first encamp-
ment OF more than ten days duration.
The several days that were added en-
abled US TO get in more hard work and
afforded more chance TO learn things
that were not already known.
Ideal Camp Site.
Bolivar Heights IS a splendid site for
a camp. and think the men liked II up
on those high hills The length of all
future encampments viii be two weeks. -
Although a few cases of fatigue and
exhaustion were brought TO the atten-
ton of Lieutenant Fales and the am
bulance corps. the men were quick
" revived and were soon able to pro-
coed. Many OF the men reached Har-
pers Ferry station In a weakened con-
di;ion because of the march at a brisk
gait from camp. They were hurried
into the waiting trains and the change
from standing 10 sitting revived them.
Upon their arrival at the Baltimore and
Chic station the members Of the Second
Regiment. which left camp about 100
o'clock. had a long wait The First
Regiment, commanded by Colonel May.
arrived on the third section and when
these men arrived there was another
wait for the First Regiment Battalion
When the last named organization had
and marched to the parade grounds.
The larger portion Of the throng which
witnessed the parade had gathered on
the ellipse before the soldiers arrived.
The Guardsmen were marched to the
south-of the ellipse and Colonel Brett
ad1utant general. quickly formed the
regiments into a brigade. Bringing the
men to present" he turned the organI-
zation over to General Harries. The
men were put through the manual %
arms and brought to present" again
as n salute to General Gillespie. The
review followed Immediately afterward.
Work at the Camp.
The encampment which has just closed
was held on historic backgrounds. and
while the Guardsmen were marching or
partIcipating In the field maneuvers
many OF them picked Up Old baychets.
belt buckles and many bullets. History
was called upon 20 repeat itself again,
and the battles which the Guardsmen
fought near Charles Town. Rafting
Spring. Keller and Duffield would non
have been less CORY than those Of the
civil war had real bullets, instead OF
paraffine ones. been used. II Is moral
certainty that the Union and Confeder-
ate soldiers never fought with any more
grit or under more unfayorab!e ctrcum-
stances than the young Guardsmen OF
the District
For the first few days after camp was
established the boys were given light
drills 81 close order so that mistakes
and breaks would not be so perceptible
Gradually the drilling was made harder
and more difficult by Colonel Brett
who changed OF TO extended orer and
gave these formations 70 the Guardsmen
for several days. Two or three days be-
fore the field maneuvers Colone! Brett
coached the men on outpost duty. and
they behaved like real army scouts.
Because Of the rapid progress made
By the soldiers IL was decided TO give
them a practice march a day or two
ahead OF the originally planned time
They were provisioned for twelve hours
and taken out on Wednesday morning
with Charles Town. about six miles from
camp, as their destination. The men
were put through their extended order
drills and We're given further training IN
picket duty and scouting. The mArcE
was begun IN tho morning and thf
Guardsmen We're brought back 70 camp
about o'clock.
Despite the fact that IL was their
first Held duty. they stood the march
and lighting admirably. and on Wednes-
day evehing. General Harrfes informed
'hse officers at their meeting that Colo