Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-28
COAST DEFENSE EXERCISES
WORK DISTRICT NATIONAL
GUARD IS TO PERFORM.
Companies of Local Brigade Will As
sist Regular Troops at Forts
on Potomac.

Lieut.. Col VIM H. Comm, Artillery
Corps, commanding the artillery district II
the Potomac, has submitted a program Of
coast defense exercises which IL is pro-
poseu To carry out in that district with the
assistance of the National Guard Of the
District OF Columbia, which program has
pcen approved by Gen. Murray chief of
artillery. who has general charge OF the
exercises.
The details of the participation Of the
District troops are stated in a Letter from
Col. Coffin to the War Department. as fol-
lows:
1t is expected that the militia will ar
rive at the latest July - some time in
the afternoon, and will leave the District
on July IS for their home station.
Disposition of Troops.
There will be at Fort Washington Nd
three militia companies-artillery reserves
assigned and camped with gun companies.
four militia ompanies-artllery supports,
camped in selected positions for service as
supports.
There will be at Fort Hunt. Va. one
militia company-artillery reserves. as
signed and camped with a gun company:
four militia companes-artilery supports,
camped in selected positions for service as
supports.
l. July ~, Friday-Arrival and making
camp all companies.
,. July ~, Saturday-Muster of the nj
litia companies. in the morning. Afternoon
devoted 10 going over the fortifications.
Supports may join in this.
;. July u. Sunday
4. July -. Monday-For artillery re-
serves, explanation of and the nomencla-
ture of the coast artillery material in the
service of which they may he assigned by
the artillery district commander For the
N hn at
over the reservation and learning the
ground: in the afternoon such instruction
as the instructors find most advantageous.
Witnessing Artillery Drills.
>. July %, Tuesday-Artillery reserves
witnessing artillery drills by the regulars
and learning the material of the batteries
TO which they assigned. (Subcaliber
practice not practicable in the District, on
account of shipping and inhabitants)
Supports-Instruction by the officers in
charge of instruction.
q. July ~, Wednesday-With both resu-
lars and militia posted, day alarm drill and
night tracking drill.
Supports-1nstruction as above and sinlu-
lated covering of the land approaches and
water approaches against landing parties.
I. July -, Thursday-Simulated attack on
the works by the naval militia fee. by
water in the daytime, and landing parties
making attempt to attack the works in the
daytime.
Supports-Defending the works against
attack by landing parties.
s. July 26. Friday-Smulated attack on
the works by the naval militia fleet by day,
and attack by landing parties on the works
al night
The supports to have instruction by their
instructors during the forenoon and to lie
prepared for the night attack later.
1t is not deemed wise to risk the attack a
night by the Puritan and Oneida owing to
the narrow channel and the presence OF
other shipping, as 1t is mpracticable to run
safely in the face of the searchlights.
y July -, Saturday-In the forenoon ar
tillery drill for regulars and reserves and
instruction drill for the supports. In the
afternoon payment of the militia troops
10. July %, Sunday-Departure for home
station of the militia troops.
In Event of Earlier Arrival.
Should the militia arrive on the 18th,
then No. 6 will be repeated, as there will
be one more available day.
Should the naval militia be available
only on the Goth and 9th, then No will
be repeated and No. will appear for No
s. and No. will have the forenoon devoted
to attack by the fleet, payment still taxi
ing place in the afternoon. The night land
ing attack will be made cnothe 18th
The naval militia will have the monitor
Puritan and small converted yacht Oneida,
with number of boats and probably TWO
launches. Our own boat the Cushing will
be completely taken up with supplying the
District. 1t is proposed to use her one
night, so the reserves can see the effect of
the lights in connection with artillery
work.