The Washington herald., 1907-07-24
ATTACK REFUSED
BY FORT HUNT GUNS
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ton with headquarters in some other
manner The new field instruments in
use are marvel; they can be used as
either a telephone or a telegraph, each
instrument being fitted with a receiver, a
transmitter, and telegraph key. In case
1t is used as telephone, II is handled the
same as the ordinary Instrument; but
when it Is used as telegraph, the trans
mitter is laid down and the key and re-
ceiver used. each touch Of the key max
ing a distinct buzz in the receiver. no
matter how far away. Each dot and dash
| is Individually distinct The whole con-
trivance is in a small leather case. about
S by by inches, and can be slung on
the shoulder as easily as a pair of field
glasses,
Another distinctive feature about them
Is the fact that connection can be estab-
lished along the rail of a railroad track
or along a bob-wire fence as easily as
by a regular telegraph wire. In running
the line to the outpost on the freight
wharf 1T Fort washington and on the
| simply twisted around one OF the spikes
/ holding the rails on either end Of the
naTrOW-gauge railroad, and messages were
! flashed along the rail II is said by the
/ Signal Corps officers that a break in the
rails Of six inches, or in the wire, either,
| for that matter, would not I'm the least
| affect the working Of the system; that
each flash would jump this distance with
out difficulty.
Gun Drill for the Reserves.
The reserves, or the three companies
serving the big guns with the regu-
lars, were not idle They turned out TO
gun drill soon after mess IN the morning
Their performance to-day surpassed any
thing yet accomplished. and brought
praise and commentator from Col. Coffin
and HIS stan. Instead of receiving in
structions and watching the regulars as
they had done in the past. the militiamen
manned the guns themselves, while the
| regulars stood by and coached and as
sisted them.
Company Z, under command of Capt
| O'Bren. at Battery Smith, had the guns
entirely in its hands. The work of this
company was particularly commended
The only assistance given them was in
loading. They executed every order,
found the range. and fell in with the fire.
control work without hitch. Company
F, which has gained the title Of the cadet
company. owing 10 the fact that II is
composed largely of high school cadets.
was at Battery Meigs. where the big NOR
tars are located, and Company G. manned
the big l0-inch guns TO the south Their
task was harder one, but they also dis
! tinguished themselves.
Officers Attend Lecture.
Capt. Philip 5. Golderman, engineer of
this district gave lecture at 10 O'Clock
on mine placing for the benefit of the
militia officers. The lecture was given In
the mine easemate OF the old fort. Capt.
Golderman gave a practical illustration by
firing several fuses In one Of the case
mates on the north front OF the romantic
looking old building One Of these fuses
was discharged by the mine being hit
or tipped by boat passing over It, an
Other illustrated what is termed position
fire, that Is, the discharge of a mine from
the casemate when it is known through
the electric signal apparatus that a hos
tile ship is within striking distance
Several Washington tugboats. includ-
ing the Cameron and the Gem, were in
the vicinity Of the fort late this after
noon, apparently cruising In the shallow
water just to the south, and both sides
were apprehensive that it was q recon
noissance by the enemy
Three picked crews from Companies K
L, and NJ, of the militia supports. were
drilled In the use and handling of the
Colt automatic field guns by Lieut..
James X. Grain. of the Artillery Corps.
one of the officers assigned here for the
maneuvers. The men swung the guns
into action Ike regulars.
Surprises the Officer,
After receiving instructions. they fired
several rounds. the men putting their
shoulders TO the guns and firing a round
at a time. After the first performance
Lieut.. Grain told them to 20 ahead. and
he stood and watched in establishment.
Later he reported TO Col. Coffin and Col.
Urell that the men had done remarkably.
He said that he himself was surprised at
infantrymen taking so readily 70 the use
Of artillery. Each crew was composed
Of a noncommissioned officer and four
men. The detachment from COMPANY
NJ stationed in the old fort, carried Off
the honOrs
The officers detailed from the regular
cavalry and infantry here for the maneu-
Vers nave all recently come from the
Infantry and Cavalry School al Fort
LeavenWorth- They are well versed i'm
tactics and field action. and TODAY
they went out with the supports at Fort
hunt Before starting. they presented
some OF the problems 10 Mai. Stephan
that had been given 10 them to work out
at the school. 10 see what the militia Off
GERS would do with them The problems
were worked cut perfectly. and. as II
happened. the same solution was given in
practical form by the officers and their
men, under field conditions. that thew had
themselves given in theory at the school
The same thing occurred with the sun
ports at Fort Washington, and, in conse-
quenee, the militia officers have been
highly comolimented.
Notes of the Forts.
Lieut.. James Totten is here from Fort
Monroe. Va, his regular station, acting
under Col. Coffin in the battle command
station.
Col Urell did not answer 10 the mess
call at noon He said he did not feel like
eating, but maintained that he was per
fectly well and enjoying the camp.
Chaplain Dudley. Of the Second Regi-
ment. wanted to go over to Fort Hunt
after mess this evening. but was deferred
by the fear that he would be seized as
a SPY.
Col Urell has given the officers per
mission to dispense with their coats at
mess. The officers mess tables are in
long, low wooden structure, with the
kitchen at one end. Consequently, it is
oppressiVelY warm