The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-02
MIMIC WAR POMP
DUST SHOTHERED
Clouds of Virginia Dirt
Cover Maneuver Field.
SOLDIERS PRAYING FOR RAIN
Feared Forced Marches May Exhaust
the Hardy Soldier
Boys
SOLDIERS PRAYING FOR RAIN

GAINESVILLE. Va, Sept 2.-Prince
William county probably shelters in its
three great camps more soldiery than it
has seen within its borders since the
grim old days of the civil war
Here, IN truth. IS much Of the pomp
and panoply of war, but all the pomp
has found itself smothered and OBJ
secured under clouds Of red and yellow
Virginia dust.
The Fifteenth United States Cavalry,
fresh from the cool breezes Of Vermont.
sweltered in its tents at Manassas. One
troop of that gallant band of regulars
came gathering into Gainesville on a
practice march. and horses, men, uni
forms and accouterments were all one
dun color
Even the tin cups that ratified at these
troopers saddles were half filled with
the fine impalpable dust that covers all
the roads hereabouts to a depth Of from
five to eight inches.
Camp in Condition.
The three maneuver camps are now In
splendid condition. All that the old bat
tlefield needs 10 make the events of the
coming weeks an unqualified success are
a few smart showers.
From the headquarters staff down to
the camp orderly everybody Is praying
FOR rain. None has fallen here for many
days. The whole country looks parcned
ana scared, almost as arid as though the
armies Of Jackson and Pope had again
seourged its verdant fields.
Unless a downpour comes TO lay the
sitting clouds OF dust that rise at eV-
cry football some of the hardy men VINO
go out for forced marches next week
are likely 20 return to camp almost as
badly used up as POpe's Yankees were
hns kr~ FnfT oh g.
ward Alexandria forty-two years ago.
Sanitary Precautions.
General Corbin was comfortably smok-
ing his pipe and wooing a breeze in
front of his tent when seen today.
Yes said the general. in answer 70
a question. 7 am well satisfied with the
present condition OF all three Of the
camps of maneuvre.
Everything is now ready. No camp
was ever pitched in which more jealous
\ sanitary precautions have been taken.
With nearly 10000 men TO be here next
week IL was Incumbent upon the mill
tary authorities. OF course, to safeguard
their health. and the health Of this com
munity as well, and we have spared n.
pains to do that in the most scientific
manner possible
The wells we have driven especially
for these camps now yield copious flow
enc deeper than 500 feet to get IL. In
addition 70 that. every well or other
source Of drinkable water within the
$1,000 acres comprising the field OF opera
tons has been examined and its waters
have been subjected TO thorough chem
zeal analysis.
over every well. spring or pump VIC
have put a tag designating the water as
good or bad for drinking purposes. II
any soldier drinks polluted water there
lore, he will do IL despite a plain warn
ing.
by a simple device we have also
Installed shower baths IL the camps
which are clean and serviceable. Under
almost all conditions II IS possible 20
imprOvise fairly good bathing facilities
and no camp intended for occupancy for
a period OF more than four days should
be without such facilities for personal
cleanliness. Certainly everything posi-
the possibility Of epidemic
Independent Telephone.
Colonel knight. chief Of the headquar-
tiers stan, is highly pleased with the of
ficiency Of the Signal Corps.
Two days ago" said Colonel Knight
eve experienced some little troubl,
through telephone wires grounding alonl
the line OF the railroad II was decided
then 10 stretch a complete Independent
line from the camp at Manassas TO IN,
camp at Thoroughfare Gap, total dis
lance OF about fifteen miles. The Sigma
afternoon. The line is now compl- te
nd n WORKING order m end