Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-26
RUSE IN WAR GAME
PROVES SUCCESS
Disguised Launch Steals Up to
Fort Hunt Wharf.
WAS THERE "DESTROYED"
Maneuvers on Potomac River Prove to
Be Realistic
BIG BATTLE EXPECTED TONIGHT
Social Side of "Camp'-Good Feeling
Predominating and Earnest
Work the Rule.
BIG BATTLE EXPECTED TONIGHT
Social Side of "Camp''-Good Feeling
Predominating and Earnest
w ork the Rule.


Va. July Co men olTHdm WOOD uOtl
come to Dunsinane" was reality that pos
sibly Shakespeare might have liked to see at
Fort Washington last night, for the Puri-
tan's steam launch, manned by six men Of the
naval reserve under Lieut.. Kempf, landed
at the quartermaster's wharf after having
escaped the keen flash of the searchlights
Its real nature was disguised under mini
allure forest, made fast to the gunwales, so
that it looked like piece of woods broken
adrift or wagonload of Christmas trees
Lieut. kempf called it his roof garden
Shortly after O'Clock in the evening the
Oneida, naval reserve boat moved up the
river with its boats as if to attack the forts.
In reality this approach was to create a
diversion under cover of which the dis
guised launch might make its landing. al
though it was hoped that some of the
smaller boats might also get in. A feint
was made toward the Fort Hunt side of
the river and Maj. Stephan and Lieut.
Fuaud concentrated their forces at the
pie and below it. the points apparently
threatened. The big guns on both sides
began their thunder, and in a brief space
the Oneida and her convoy were put out of
business This was the first time since
Monday night, when the Gushing came I'D
the river at battle command drill, that both
forts have opened fire at once.
All the guns operated We're manned al
hioSt eAclusiNtly pS the District boys, who
are beginning to feel and to act like expe-
rlenc=d gunnerS. Quick to their stations
every man familiar with his especial duties.
they nave given great satisfaction to the
regular officers, and to their own officers
they are source of pride To the regular
soldiers. who have taken great pains in
helping the volunteers belongs a great deal
OF the credit for the remarkable progress
which the men have made.
Disguised Launch Approaches.
While the Oneida was drawing the fire of
the forts the Christmas tree launch was
coming slowly up the river with her ar
boreal disguise heightened by a coat of
black paint upon her hull. So far as can be
learned the identity of the little vessel was
not discovered by the guardians of the
forts, but her landing, though made, was
technically impossible since she was net at
the dock by a larger TO &c than that which
she had on board and found machine gun
and sX-pounder aimed directly at her
Lieut.. kempf was very proud of the
achievement of his craft, and it certainly
was effectually disguised. The awning car
RED by all navy launches of it's type was
fastened down securely on the port side.
ana many OF the trees were made fast to
its framework.
BY $50 O'Clock the naval hostilties were
over. for 1t had been planned to make them
largely eparatory for the great maneu-
vers tonight, when everything will be .cut
loose Yet last night. for the first time,
the men of the support were allowed to use
blank cartridges for their rifles. This pleas
ed them immensely, for it gave to the ope-
rations a verisimilitude that has been lack
ing in some of the land maneuvers hereto
fore carried out.
Rested on Their Arms"
Lieut.. Col. O'Briens supports bivouacked
last night. taking out their shelter tents
and lying ready for the call to arms which
q IN at hf,tI
Hunt there was no bivouac, but the men
were a their stations within ten minutes
after the call was sounded. Again the
naval militia coming up in the Oneida and
small boats. concentrated their operations
upon Fort Washington. and. thinking that
the floating forest ruse, having been once
successful might remain just as good re-
peated ii. but this time unsuccessfully The
boats. going up past Fort Washington. to
divert attention, were picked up by the
searchlghts as they turned TO come down
stream.
Attacks were made at a ravine between
the old fort and the point and near the
point where Piscataway creek empties into
the Potomac. Companies l, X and NJ
We're rushed to the threaten spots and
the landing parties were repulsed The
fighting did not begin until about 4:IO
O'Clock, and it was all over by 30, but the
thunder OF the big guns and the rattle of
busketry and cracking fire of the ma
chine guns awoke the few slecpers that
the camp contained.
To-day the men are preparing for the
big attack tonight. when the greatest eff
fort will be directed by the naval militia
and its auxiliary boats to make some i'm
preston upon the forts that have thus fan
proved themselves impreSnable.
Gen. Harries and two of his staff officers
arrived at 3 O'Clock this afternoon, and will
probably dine with Col Urell and his staff
other guests from Washington and the post
being expected.
Dining Table a Social Center.
For the past two or three Gays the staff
dinner table has been the camps social
center. being run close second for the
honor by the locust grove in front of Col.
Ure'is headquarters, where impromptu re-
ccptions and jolly little parties may hap
pen at any moment. AT luncheon yester-
day Col and Mrs. Coffin, Capt. Totten,
the colonels aid. and Mrs. Totten and Mrs
Bond were guests of Col. Urell and toasts
were drunk to the artillery and the District
nihtla and to both colonies, while Col.
conn, In a brief speech, expressed his graf
i]Icatlon at the satisfaction expressed by
the District officers and men with the con-
ditions at Fort Washington At dinner
last night Lieut. Herring. quartermaster
of the post. and Mrs. Herring were enter
tanned by Col. I'reil and his STAFF and aftar
dinner Mrs. Coffin, Mrs. Totem Mrs Doors
Mrs. Bond and Mrs. Herring went ont on
The Star boat to witness the maneuvers
Win COL llelt surgeon WOOiman and
Chap,ai Dudley.
At their return an informal gathering was
held at the house of Capt. Macon OF the
Artillery Corps, formerly in Cuba with the
list District Regiment.
Col Urel is popular with his men. Eh...-
ever he comes near a gathering of them
there is no mistake about it. When The
Star boat approached the Gushing the other
night to take some of its boats in tow Col
l'reu looked out from beneath the awning
and as soon as the companies aboard the
mimic warship saw him they called for
three cheers which were given with vim
that might almost have carried the sound
to Fort Washington and caused an
alarm" The best of feeling seems TO eX-
! iSt between the men and all their officers, a
mutual confidence creating the flrmest sort
! Of foundation for this sentiment.
Capt. Shaefer's Duties.
! One Of the hardest working men in the
| camp Is Capt Shaefer. quartcrmaster and
| COMM ssary. who Keeps one eve on the
| cook and the other on the tables during
meals, and would apparently have use for
| az many eyes as Argus If he could think
| % some way to got them. And as for III.
! officers mess that he provides come of the
! mon who sit at lis tables wondering
what they VIII do when they get back To
. v az .ttUg!pu. "a uf them ,ynttEp,