The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-07-25
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

as q few moments later a big hotlla,
under a convoy of two gun
boats, was sighted on the Maryland shore,
Just above Marshall Hall.
Batteries Open Up.
Batteries wilkins, Smith, Meigs. White,
and all the others opened up,
the mortar batteries firing volleys. Within
a few minutes the entire fleet was blown
up OF sunk, fully 100 shots being fired.
The Gushing" comprising the feet.
had been disguised with black paint and
ponchos, and for this reason had got
close without being made cut, despite the
fact that several boat loads of men were
IN tow.
The fleet and attacking parties were
theoretically destroyed, but there was a
second phase to the fight-the problem
as to what would happen If. under cover
of fog or some other circumstance, q
hostile force should make a landing. The
action continued on this theory.
ReinforcementS were hurried to the
threatened OutpOsts by Col OBrien, with
Lieut. Rubottom, Of the regular army,
acting as instructor and advisor. The
attacking party, under command OF
Lieut.. Bristoe, having as its object the
capture OF the big 50-inch light, was
beaten back and held off shore.
Landing Made Despite Heavy Fire.
However, in the face Of heavy odds and
4 fire from six-pounders. Colt automatics,
and infantry, the main force landed from
the Cushing Of the engineers wharf.
They captured light No. I, put the guns
out of commission. and then made a rush
at the inclined railroad, n grade OF forty
degrees. They were met at the top by
an inferior force. which they overwhelm-
ed. and. after closing ranks, charged on
Fire Command Station.
Receiving re-enfOrcemcnts, they cut their
way through to the old fort and Battery
Wilkin. capturing both The old fort
proved more or less a trap, however, as
there was nothing 70 take and no one on
guard, excepting sentries. Col OBrien
masSed his troops as rapidly as possible.
calling in all the outposts and reserves,
and faced the enemy in the old fort. The
engagement was terminated with the OPP
posing army in this position Two red
bombs were exploded and recalls sounded,
as a signal that action was terminated.
Naval Militia Not in Action.
II was thought for a time that the naval
militia had taken part in the engagement.
but this proved untrue. The rumOr gained
credence through the fact that part of the
naval reserves on board the Oneida
and the tender of the monitor Puritan
passed here on their way down the river
this afternoon. Capt Stratt0n. It IS UNI
derstood. was In command. Short stors
were made at Forts Washington and
Hunt, and several boats which came down
from Washington were used in to-night's
attack
Begin Preparations Early.
Preparations for the battle were CON-
menced almost at the peep Of day. Every
body was UP with the usual sprlghtliness
when revenle sounded, and the quick
bathers and dressers had their usual
lounge in the shade before mess" was
sounded. One hour later. at o'clock
the notes of assembly foated over the
scattered camps Of Fort Washington and
over Fort Hunt, giving the signal for the
commencement OF the days work.
The programme was identical with
Tuesdays. The men did not appear tired
from their short but hard campaign OF
the night before, and went at the work
with vigOr and enthusiasm. The sup
ports-Companies !. X, L. and M-WhiCr
made the attack on Fort Hunt, under
the command of Lieut.. Col O'Brien, went
on reconnaissance and outpost duty The
lines were extended over the entire reser-
walton. and the waterfront was well
covered from the southern and western
limit to River View. The permanent out
posts on the waterfront were strength
ened. and the men in attachments toob
up the positions occupied by them during
the attack
Pfckcts Are Posted
PicSets were sent out and the mon ar.
ranged IN sEirmish lines and went through
other maneuvers TO prepare them for the
attack. They were thoroughly drilled in
these maneuvers. and consequently when
the enemy was sighted, were sure Of theIi
position and confident. as they had ac.
quired 4 thorough knowledge Of the
ground and the mode OF defense against
landing parties.
The other three companies, z, F, and G.
manned the guns. and went through a
drill similar TO the actual firing, and
gained still greater proficiency in hand.
ling. There was no apparent uncertainty
in any move, and the regulars who stood
by to assist and instruct them had very
little to do by way OF coaching. Company
q. manning the big ten-inch guns, showed
markedly the results of their previous
training
All day long the men of the regular sig
nal corps stationed at Fort Washington
worked in the field, completing communi-
cations between the battle command sta
ton and the outposts. Lines were
stretched in every direction, and car
tracks and wire fences were used to good
advantage. Where there was nothing OF
this character handy the signal corps men
stuck stakes in the ground and ran a thir
copper wire on them. The outposts We're
put In communication with one another
the lines OF communication almost makina
a complete circle around the batteries
The entire fort is a network of electricity
Map Out the Defense.
Frequent conferences between Lieut.
Col O'Brien, commanding the supports
and the regular army instructors, Lieuts
Rubottom, Grain, and Donnelly. acting
with him. were held in the colonels tent
at headquarters. The defense was mapped
out in its entirety, and thorough precau-
tons We're taken 10 prevent a surprise
by any boats getting by the searchlights
Col. Coffin, commanding the post: Col
UTell, in command of the militia forces
and Maj. Stevens, second in command OF
the post, were equally busy in pcrfectine
their plans for the defense. Everything
In both the battle command and fire com
mand stations was in readiness wher
darkness fell
Lieut.. Grain gave a lecture at 10 O'Clock
In the morning on printing and fuses
This was attended by practically all the