Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-10
LESSONS OF THE WEEK
Estimating the Benefits of
the Maneuvers.
END OF THE EXERCISES
MILITIA TROOPS LEAVE TONIGHT
FOR THEIR HOMES.
Gen. Corbin Issues an Order Express
ing His Qualification at the Success
of the Great Undertaking.
END OF THE EXERCISES
Special From a stan Correspondent.

WELLINGTON, Va, September 10.-The
grand review of maneuver corps was held
in the field north of the railroad tracks at
Wellington this afternoon. Not more than
half of the military troops ordered here
were present during the ceremony, the hard
work of the past week having exhausted
them to such an extent as to make the
fatigue standing for the review Impossible.
The division commanders were very lenient
to their men permitting all who did not
feel able to attend TO remain in camp.
Lieut.. Gen. Chaffee Reviewing Officer.
General Chaffee arrived in camp on the
first morning train, accompanied by In
spector General Burton of the army. He
was received with appropriate honors and
proceeded almost Immediately to the re-
viewing field on horseback. The corps was
formed in line by Adjutant General Hell
stand with General Grants division on the
right.
eral New England regiments and the New
york militia from Thor oughfare will en-
train for home here at Wellington
An Item of History.
The army maneuvers for 1904 are now
an item of history 1t would hardly be
true to say that the last gun has been
fired for the militia still fas small supply
of blank cartridges ami il the men are as
liberal In their expenditure on the trains re-
turning to their homes as they nave peen
for the last two days in returning TO their
cfnps there will be any number OF guns
fired after the corps commander has lower
ed his flag here and has departed Tor other
scenes At any rate the real work or the
soldiers who came to his section from all
parts of the United states for their advanc-
ed instruction in the military science has
been fnlsred. When he last column of SOL
diers marched past the chief of staff OF the
army today on the field at Wellington the
program of exercises for the week was
brought to close and there is nothing now
to do but send the troops to their homes
and TO clean up the places where the en-
campments have been held. This job prom
Uses to be one of the disagreeable duties of
the camp. and when X is completed the Of
ficers who have ii IN charge Will heave a
hearty sigh of relief.
Benefits of the Experience.
Just what the results of the strenuous life
the men have led here Will be no one can
gainsay, but that he troops have improved
since they came is Lot ONLY sure. but it is
apparent The course through which every
mcn on this field has been put will probably
have a most lasting effect and the officers
who have had charge OF the work are more
than gratitied at the showing made
The officers and men have all showed an
tHiIuSlaSm lhdt mas Deen most pleasing TO
the army officers. and have taken hold and
worked as they probably never worked be-
fore. For ninety-siX hours practically the
. troops of the two divisions here have been
in the field without any prepare
ton for the work. Last night they re-
turned to their respective camps in an ex-
hausted condition. They were simply tired
very tired. and needed rest The officers OF
both the mil tia and the regular forces were
disposed to be lenient to the men, and per-
mitted them to return to their camps and
go to bed. On Tuesday morning at IL &c
O'Clock the men were sent into the field,
ana they were either on the field or march
ing to and from camp for the four days
that have succeeded the day that signalized
the beginning of the problems. They have
slept in the open on the bare ground ans,
have lived on soldiers rat:ons when they
could get them and on nothing when the
wagons did not come up.
The Conrmissary Arrangements.
As has beer stated, during the first
twenty-four hours of the maneuvers much
suffering was occasioned by what appeared
to be the inexperience of the regimental
commissaries and quartermasters of militia
In some cases troops were without food for
twenty-fous hours. The regular sunn,fes
mad been Issued to them, but their commits
sarles and quartermasters were not vet suf
nclently familiar with their duties in tn,
held TO get the supplies to the different
commands. In this respect decided i'm
ana ltscontinued each day. Yesterday ther.
was little or no complaint and what Their,
was came from men who received their fuI
supply and ate IL all at once
with respect to the food supplies the worl
or the stan officers of the brown army
seemed TO be better than that of the blue
Inc browns, however, were the last of IN,
troops to need Quitting of this kind AND
IL may be that their officers learned from
ihe experience of the troops of the oppos
ing forces.
As to the tactical lessons learned the off
ers OF the militia expect great things TIL,
NoIh mere was entirely new TO some of tn,
tSSIHehts' and took up in practice what
tney nave studied In theory ONLY at lea st g,
aIihy oHlcers say, and therefore will hrinf
us Dement'S to the officers of the line ~.
wen as 10 the staff. The value Of conSsry
ing the strength of troops on tho nnarct
until the crises of battle are reached I,
among the most important things the troon,
have learned here When the various III
gades and divisions would bivouac for ~,
night the soldiers of the regular estahlisb
ment would Immediately make up thei,
beds and go to sleep Not so with ~,
militiamen. Some of them regarded thi,
series of exercises as sort of a picnic anf
remained up until late hour at night EN-
joying themselves. AS a result, when the,
were called on to march out at an earl,
hour in the morning they were tagged Gu