The Washington herald., 1907-07-26

BY a STAFF Correspondent
Fort Washington, July 25.-DOzens OF
ships were theoretically destroyed by the
batteries of Fort Hunt and Fort Wash
ington tonight There was no enemy
and no opposing force, but the tug
Cushing and a couple of launches were
sent out as targets. and with instruc-
tons to Try and eyade the searchlights.
They were readily picked up and the FIRE
OF all batteries turned upon them. The
fring was heavier than on any other
night. the idea being 10 put the men
through a thorough battle and FIRE COM
mand drill before the heavy fighting
promised for tomorrow.
The call to arms was sounded with the
coming of darkness, and the outposts
pickets and cossack post were thrown out
on both sides of the river.
Col Coffin took his post In the battle
command station and Mai. Stevens in the
hre-command station. Lieut.. Col o'Brien
took his post at headquarters. TO receive
reports from the outposts. All the search
lights were put in operation, under favor
able circumstances. the object being OBJ
secured by heavy black clouds, that pro-
tended a storm.
Open Fire on Boats.
At S15. when the object boat came
within range the command was given to
open fire. The big guns of Battery White
were the first to send volley of heavy
projectiles crashing through the sides of
the Gushing, which was held within the
focus Of the big lights. Notwithstanding
the rain Of heavy shots the Cushing and
the launches with her steamed steadily
ahead with all lights exunguished.
As soon as they came within range the
smaller guns were put into action. The
heavy firing continued for fifteen minutes
until the fleet had gotten in too close for
effective fire by the mortars.
These were silent. but the six-pounders
and Colt autOmatics and machine guns in
the hands of the Outpos.s and supports
sent a raking fire that swept the decks
OF the approaching vessels The infantry
also opened fire at close range and It Is
safe TO say that there was not one Of a
thousand imaginary marines swarming the
decks left alive.
TheOre ticaIIy, the six-pounders and rap
id-fTe guns in the hands of the outposts
on the main wharf at Fort Washington
did great execution. They did not cease
until the Gushing was within hailing dis
tance.
The Gushing, which had been theOret-
ically destroyed dozen times, steamed 10
the wharf and tied up a few minutes
later
Many Witness Battle.
There were several parties who came
down in launches and cruised below the
forts. These boats have continually
caused the defending forces a deal OF
trouble as in some Instances they have
been hard to distinguish.
A real attack is expected on both forti-
fcations at any minute. The OutpOsts and
patrols have been kept in position, and all
the searshlights and watchtowers are
manned. 1t is probable that officers and
men VIII sleep with their clothes on to-
night The naval militia is lying just be-
low Marshall Hall. AMI may attack 1t
any moment.
Both day and night engagements are ex-
pected tomorrow. by land and water.
The reserves at both posts have been con-
centrated on the parade grounds. with
thgir arms stacked close at hand. They
are in shelter tents, but undoubtedly Will
be comfortable under the ideal weather
conditions.
Early Attack Made.
Early this morning both forts were at
tackled by a formidable fleet in COM
mand Of Lieut. Dempf. Of the Naval Mi
litia. which endeavOred to take the de-
fenses by surprise They were made
out, however, long before they were
within striking distance, and were ami
hilated by the big guns of several of the
batteries.
Precautions had been taken by Col
Coffin, commanding this post and by
Capt. Ballentine commanding Fort Hunt
and word was received by heliograph sig
nal that the enemy was approaching be-
fore the first boat had rounded the point
below Marshall Hall. The smoke from
the fleet was made out before the first
boat had rounded the point, and it was
followed slowly up the river The flag
ship Oneida was the first TO appear
around the pOnt, and she was imme-
diately spotted by the big telescopes IN
the battle and fire command stations
ITO arms" was sounded shrilly through
the scattered camps, and the men who
had been lounging around just after mess
manned the batteries. Col. O'Brien, com.
manding the supports. rushed re-enforce
ments to the outposts and pickets were
called il.
Running at high speed, the feet ap
preached In three detachments one hug
ging the Virginia shore, one the Mary
land side, and the flagship Oneida, stripped
and disguised, steaming at full speed il
midstream.
Battle short, but Fierce.
A dozen batteries on both sides Of tn
river opened fire. The battle was a shOT
one, but exceedingly fierce while it lasted
The flagship Oneida, the squadron on tn
Maryland shore consisting of a launcl
and a ships boat in tow. and a Tx
squadron on the Virginia shore, were
tangled mass of scrap iron. and thei
crews at the bottom Of the river. Bat
teries White, Meigs, and Smith where tn
militiamen OF Companies G, F, and E
manned the guns, We're in the thick 0
the fight.
Defeated, the naval reserves retUrne
down the river. Commander Stratton wa
on board the Oneida but acted as an in
structOr and turned the command owe
10 Lieut. Dempf
The packing of one of the cylinder head
OF the Oneida blew out during the en-
gagement but this was Immediately re