The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-23

field. Long will the members of Rich
mond's crack battery of artery re-
member THAT Sunday evenings anG
sorry were they when the PAIRING
came. The bugle sounded assembly
and drivers mount, and at Z o'clock
the notes of Forward March" We're
heard. The battery was Off, pushing
cheers of their friends at Wakefield
soon became fainter as the column
moved forward, each step making them
nearer and nearer their goal
The march was continued to Mill
Dam Bridge. point three miles east
Of Wakefield, which was reached at
8 o'clock. This place offered the pref
tiest camp site which the march had
presented to the battery. A good
spring afforded fine water for the men,
a large pond to water the teams. and
a fine site to park the battery. Tho
halt for the night was ordered, and tho
usual duties gone through with. the
battery covering during Sunday dis
lance of twenty -four miles. The
horses were soon ordered groomed and
fed. Then the pleasant notes of mess
call assembled the men at the camp
fire for the evening meal.
Ghosts Begin to Walk.
It was at this point that Musician
w. II. Cowardin. taking advantage of
the wild. surroundings, desired to have
some fun with the boys. Shortly after
supper he stole off into the swamp, and
with some musical instrument, sent
into camp the most wild and weird
sounds which were ever heard These
were pronounced by the cannoneers
as being uttered by almost every kind
Of wild animal known.
| Some OF the boys. who had taken
| short walk to explore the lake and
surroundings. soon found a more d.
rect route to camp that the path by
(which they left. Others gathered
closer around the camp fire, While a
volunteer detail, with lanterns, We're
forming to make raid on the swamp.
sA the time for taps drew near Cap
tain Myers stated that lie would sleep
on the porch of vacant house near
| the camp, a short distance from the
pond Several others thought we'll of
the idea, among them captain
| Wortham. Lieutenant Taylor. Dr.. Gllls,
IGuidon, Graham and Private Bosher.
| AS the blankets We're being arranged
on the floor Of the porch, the thought
struck the captain that the house was
lin rather good condition not to be
Il OCCupletl, itlu lIISiSi SiA0 EpAc AAAN>Ne -
haunted. or otherwise some one would
be living on the premises. He eX-
pressed this idea to several others of
the party, who. strange to say, were
all OF the same opinion
Captain Myers then communicated
with Musician Cowardin, who was soon
under the house. Tho notes OF tattoo
lrang out; the entire outfit was at rest
and slumber; a few moments, and then
came the most inhuman cry from tho
| house. 1t was Just like one little war
lwhoop, swish OF blankets, and blamed
| II one of the party who, contemplating
| having a nights rest on the porch or
that house. We're In sight anywhere.
That portion of the party who took
flight over the milldam the captain did
mot bother with, knowing that he would
| pick them up somewhere on the next
days march, but as for DIR. Gills and
Lieutenant Taylor, who, with several
Others, had taken flight on the road
/ which would have carried them back
| to Richmond, it was necessary to send
a mounted orderly to overtake them
and escort them back to camp.
Taps soon put the camp to sleep and
many were the dreams of the lake Of
DISMAL Swamp that night The guard,
on his quiet and lonely post, was
startled more than once by the sudden
/ cry of some cannoneer, who had q
nightmare and was lighting bears and
| Wild animals out of his tent,
MISUNDERSTANDING Day,
\ The men all turned in knowing the
! next day would be q record. Orders
| haa been issued for the guards to
1 feed the animals at 2;i5 a, NJ, res
'veille TO be at 8, roll a;lo. stables