The Washington times., 1905-08-10

won by Aruhcer Metcalf. of the
Third Battery.
Members of all the commands have
signed the payrolls. The men will
be paid of tomorrow before camp
is struck.
CAMP ORDWAY. Bolivar Heights.
W. Va, Aug. 10.-The First Battery
Field Artillery D, c. n. G. had its
initial target practice yesterday. De-
spite the fsct thdt il was the first
time the District artilIerymen fired load
ed shells since the command was
organized about three years ago,
the men did excellent work, and Captain
Somerall. of the Third Battery. L. s.
Artillery. who had charge of the test.
complimented Captain Fox. the COM
mauder of the battery. The citizen-ar-
tillerists managed 10 hit the target at
an average of one out of three.
The morning practice was the more
interesting, because the distance was
greater. Captain Somerau selected
field opposite the camp grounds. in
which to place the battery. This meant
that all the shells must be fired over
the camp site. They were sent high up
eIed was about one mile The target
was made of canvass stretched across
two stout scantlings planted deep in
the ground The second lieutenants
from the Third and First Battery. TO
gether with Privates Brown and Rob-
er:s, of the Signal Corps. readjusted the
target after each shot. and by means
Of flags signaled the artillerists when
everything was in readiness for them TO
fire, Work was kept up for several
hours, during the morning, and was taken
uD again in the afternoon, at shorter
distance. The officers al headquarters
watched the battery and the target with
field glasses. The scores were kept by
the lieutenants. They viii probably be
handed 20 The commander of the mount
ca camp, Captain SomeraI who IS also
ar Instructor. this afternoon.
Rain Drove Them to Cover.
Owing 70 the fact that it began to
rain a few moments after the guards
men went out on the drill field about
o'clock yesterday morning, General
Harries had recall sounded and the men
hurried 10 cover on a dead run. The
downpour. ceased shortly after o clock
and the eitizen-soldiers went back TO
work They did outpost duty, and once
again Colonel Urell and Colonel Ouraud
put them through the advance and rear
guard maneuvers. While one regiment
drilled the other stood at rest.
Fom now on everything will be in
extended order. except when the guards
men march along the road. The maneuv-
ers are interesting and instructive both
TO the enlisted men and the officers. all
Of whom are discovering far more than
~
camp. This is due In a large degree TO
the work OF Colonel Biddle. Colonel
Brett. Captain Rooster. and Lieutenant
Grimths. the regular army officers who
are detailed here as instructors and are
thoroughly familiar with all the recent
changes IN the army regulations which
particularly affect drill field work. II
is safe 10 say that the men and officers
viii return 10 Washington stronger.
healthier and better soldiers than ever
before. They have been working since
they came to a halt on the camp grounds,
but no hard tasks have been given them
suddenly, because General Harries was
very careful to graduate the work and
let the men take it slowly and care
fully.
Col Charles A P. Hatfield. Lleuten-
ant Bulls, Cadet Haynes, a number Of
ladies from Fort Nyer Baron Katten-I
tack, one Of the secretaries at the Rus
sian embassy, and Colonel Raspopof,
military attache. who has visited the
encampments Of the District militia fer
the past three or four years. were visi-
tors to camp yesterday. They witnessed
a highly interesting cavalry drill and
monkey drill on the field in front of
brigade headquarters, shortly after
noon. The members OF Troop F, Thir-
teenth Cavalry, participated. They were
commanded by Capt Guy NJ Preston,
who has developed what Is believed TO
be the best troop OF expert and daring
bareback riders in the United States
service
Field Sports Finishcd
At the conclusion of the dr.u, The
field sports. which were not finished on
Tuesday, were begun. 4 shelter tent
pitching contest was the first contest /
on the program It was won by Sergt !
Howard Ehrlich and Corporal II. c. |
Bailey, of Company K. Second Regi- !
ment. These two men put up their tent /
il four minutes ard fifteen seconds |
General Harries and ;he other judges I
thought this was excellent time. in view /
Of the fact that the guardsmen have /
had but little practice in work OF this /
kind
Because of the keen rivalry between |
Miller. Of the Thirteenth cav
airy, and Artihcer MetcaIf OF the Thir-
teenth Battery a special rescue race
was arranged Tor them 1t was Won by /
Sergeant Miller. He rode 100 yards from /
q starting line. picked up Private Rich /
mOrd and threw him upon the saddle Of |
his horse and then returned 70 wherc |
the judges were standing. All this re-
quired bat one minute and thirty-four
seconds. Metcalf with Private Amith on
the pummel of his saddle, was only
three feet behind the winner.