Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-28

keenest competition were the night at
tacks by land-Tuesday night by the Fort
Washington supports against Fort Hunt
and Wednesday night by the Fort Hunt
supports, reserves and regulars. upon Fort
Washington. In each case both attacking
and defending parties were on their mettle.
and there was tincture OF reality to the
operations despite the prohibition of the
use of blank ammunition for the rifles. This
gave the spice OF excitement necessary to
actual adventures. The landing parties that
got wet had jumped into real water, and
the approach and struggle at the shores
were under conditions that did not cal
for a vivid imagination to conjure up the
picture of the midnight descents upon an
enemy's coast in real warfare.
Both sides prepared for their campaigns
with great care and secrecy, not even Col.
Coffin being informed of all the details of
the contemplated ruses.
Enthusiasm in Land Attacks.
In the land attacks the men who partici-
pated were full of enthusiasm. and seemed
actually to be striving as If for real VIC
tory. There was plenty Of competition and
rivalry, but no jealousy. The militia at
Fort Washington were fully convinced that
cobody could be better situated than they
were, while those at Fort Hunt were per-
iectly certain that the conditions surround
ng them were ideal Each side was conse-
iuently eager to prove by achievement that
is situation had mad 1t invincible. since
was found that verbal arguments in
variably resulted in a draw.
When the attacks by sea against both
forts began, Thursday night, the ptogram
underwent a radical change. and the sup
ports who had been repulsing each other
worked together against a common foe.
The element of rivalry thus taken away.
some Of the Zest disappeared, but the loss
ras merely in comparison, since the exer:
cises were exciting in themselves, ard kept
he men intensely Interested, though in i
iifferent way.
h. 11,t
ports-the men used for outpost duty-was
due to the painstakng efforts of the accom-
pished regular officers detached by the
War Department for assistance and In
structon. These young men have all dis
tinguished themselves by their aptitude in
their chosen profession, and are selected by
the government for higher studies in the
military art. Those with the companies at
Fort Washington were Lieut. E. Hal Ru-
bottom. 9th Cavalry; Second Lieut.. Mat
thew G. Bristol, 18Th Cavalry; Second Lieut..
John T. Donnelly, 18Th Cavalry, and Sec
ond Fay W. Rrabson. 18th Infantry.
18th Infantry; Lieut.. West. I'D Infantry;
Lieut.. Merchant of the 18th Cavalry, and
Lie't. Dawson of the 18th Infantry.
Factor in Success.
At Fort Washington the unceasins vigil
lance and untiring energy of Maj. Stevens.
whose mind holds card catalogue of the
details of the stronghold. was great fac
tor, 1t is conceded. in the success Of the
encampment. The major was never too
busy to hep the regimental officers or to
explain the mysteries To which he holds
the key. At Fort Hunt the hep of Capt.
Balentne and his officers iightened the load
for the District comma nders. and Col. Coffin
kept a watchful eye over what was going
on al both forts.
1t is agreed by both the artillery and tie
militia officers that the Joint coast Tense
exercises have been a cuccess at this point,
as we'll as al the other forts, where they
have been tried this summer, although
there were grave doubts at first about the
wisdom of the pan.
The reception TO the District troops given
tonight by Lieut.. Col. and Mrs. Coffin be-
gan at 8 O'Clock Promptly on the hour. as
the post bugler blew the clear notes of
tattoo" there was a blaze of light on
the lawn OF the comma nding officers resi-
dence.
Electric lights had been strung from the
trees and in front of the broad porch "A
canvas floor had been spread upon the
close-c!ipped grass. ready for dancing. 1t.
Col and Mrs Coffin received at the head OF
the steps leading to the porch. They were
assisted by the following ladies of the
post: Mrs Golderman. wife of Capt Colder
man; Mrs. Herring, wife of Lieut. Herring,
uuarterma ster; Mr.. Terrell. wife of the
post adjutant, and Mrs. Totten, wife of
Lieut. Totem. the colonei's aid. The Of
ficers of the regiment crossed the lawn in