New-York tribune., 1907-06-16
PEACE NOW UPON CITY.
MILITIA REACHES HOME.
Enemy Destroyed, Szcords Are
Yielded Into Fountain Pens.

Before old chantcleer had piped his matutinal
| lays yesterday the defenders of Forts Hamilton
| and Wadsworth were up and doing. The king
spiel over, and 1t was time to break up camp.
Each man went about his task with alacrity; every
tent was packed. and all the accoutrements of
war were brought together in double quick time.
The tents and other camp impedimenta were bun
died into large trucks and sent TO the armories.
Fortunately Old Sol returned TO his post again.
after two days leave of absence, and his beams
quickly dried the grounds. The breaking up process
was. therefore. comparatively easy task to men
trained, and by the camping grounds had
been stripped of their military aspects Only the
mess shacks remained to indicate that the place
hao once been the scene of desperate combat.
These will be torn down early next week
The regulars at the posts. who with detach-
ments of the 18th Heavy Artillery and the 7th In
fantry, National Guard have for week been de-
ieholns ue city from attack by hostile feet.
walked lonesomely about the forthcations. Their
comrades in arms had left them to their endless
routine Of guard duty. drills and artillery practice
lt'H be a good while before the boys will come
back again." said one. land unless there Is some
real fghtin, and there won't be- well be knockin'
our heads together for excitement"
Looking the picture of good health their faces
beaming with satisfaction. the militiamen took
leave OF the regulars. Everybody had something
to say by way of congratulation, from the highest
officer to the private in the ranks. II had
been most successful campaign. so they all said
The enemy had been annihilated: not a single
vessel in its once proud navy remained
why the hay must be checked with all kinds Of
fighting craft said Colonel Crawford Lets see,
how many of them did we sink? sixty-four bat
teships GA torpedo boat destroyers and 80 torpedo
boats. That's pretty good record for a few days
fighting"
1t was the infantry's turn TO speak up. Yes.
that's a good record for the artillery said Major
Lydecker. but we've got few scalps dangling at
our belts. We folled the enemy at every attempt
at landing. Our prisons are overcrowded with
captives. and the dead and wounded.-My! This
war game is hell, simply red hotl''
So with complimentary adieus the state militia
and the army regulars parted for a season. 1t
seemed 10 be the consensus Of opinion that there
would be no more MISUNDERSTANDING The general
feeling that the work OF the week had made
possible the most friendly relations between the
national guardsmen and the regular troops. That
the two complementary and worked we'll in
double harness. proved beyond dispute, the
army officers say. The men Of the 18th showed
themselves adept at learning TO manipulate the big
guns. To be sure, they had service before. but
mono thorough and successful that just
tbeV had never had such % good ySrfn m in defencs
lesson
Colonel Austen. under whose command the 18th
was deyeloped from half-tralned and half
equipped battalion into a crack regiment OF artil-
Il believe" he said. the boys have done their
and grateful to the offcers Of the fort for their
hospitality. We've all had splendid week Of it.
In speaking OF the war game an officer pointed
out the necessity OF having well equipped and
army. Tho whole artillery force OF the United
States at present organized he said would be
the approaches to New York Harbor, Considering
the large seacoast Of this country. II neCes
Fary he said, that In every coast state the militia
should have working knowledge OF the science OF
ITO train the National Guard Of New York in
these particulars the officer continued has been
dicated that the militia must and work well
with the regulars; II war were suddenly declared
quickly reduced by an enemy from the with
powerful land force. This Is the work OF the In
fantry-to guard the rear approaches to the forts.
Il think with thoroughly efficient militia and
the regular army 10 its proper quota OF officers
and men, the forts about New York Harbor would
would be taking IA desperate chance IN attempting
10 capture them now. but desperate chances are
not unusual In war. for It is a desperate game
a country must be- prepared TO meet any and every
emergency.
Il am very we'll pleased with the work which
very encouraging to know that the militia IS com
posed OF such capable officers and men
mid-afternoon. Wives. sweethearts and friends
were there 10 greet them Much handwriting
tho order, with end OF reminiscence internin-
gled. II seemed 10 most OF the men as II there
had been real war
Souvenirs OF all sorts were brought home by the
conquerors $ the spotls OF war. one private OF
the 9TH had six potches in his gun.
What are they for. dear?' asked solicitous
why. mother. they are dead ones I shot six
In yesterdays scrmmage. and ! can't tell
how many wounded. 1t dark. you know"
But. my boy. you really didn't hurt any one,
7OR. no. tnotherl The men didn't know what
struck them You See 1t was all over in a second"
Others had gifts from the regulars. shells from
the smaller guns, and old muskets which had done
service One had sword, which he said had been
used in the Crimean War. lie refused 10 tell