Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-29
WIRELESS IS At WORK
National Guard Signal Corps
Sends Messages.
STATION IS AT FORT HUNT
Citizen Soldiery on Virginia Shore
Proceed With Duties.
INTERESTED IN ARMAMENT
officers Play Base Ball and Then
Discuss Outcome Of the Con-
test-other Matters.
STATION IS At FORT HUNT
INTERESTED IN ARMAMENT

Special From STAFF Correspondent by The stars
Dispatch Boat Fairbanks
FORT HUNT. Va. July 2S.-Fort Hunt
has been in action today in all but the
burning of. gunpowder. The two days
lessons and lectures on the subjects con-
nected with coast artillery work were fol-
lowed up, beginning at 8 o'clock this
morning, with practical work by re-
serves, supports, the light battery and
the Signal Corps.
The three S-inch guns of Battery Mount
Vernon were manned this morning by
the regulars of the 44th Company, Coast
Artillery. An imaginary fleet sailed up
the river and the men loaded the guns
with dummy shells, "tripped' the guns
and aimed them. A rapid loading and
firing drill was shown the reserves
During the progress of the coast artil-
lery drill the national guardsmen of the
I'd Battalion, I'd Regiment. were merely
observers. but intensely interested in the
work. Each phase of battery manning,
loading of guns tripping and firing was
gone into thoroughly by the regulars, and
artillery officers explained the drill to the
guardsmen in detail. 1t Is the surmise Of
the National Guard officers that they will
be allowed to man the batteries tomorrow
Each days program. however. is given
out in the early morning so that what
will happen tomorrow is not known until
breakfast time.
Defend Post From Land Attack.
The LIST Separate Battalion and the LIST
Battalion. LIST Regiment, did practical
work today. defending this post from a
land attack. Yesterdays patrol work
was by officers. but today each officer, in
Guiding sergeants. took squad of men
with him to the 'front.' The general
character of the country was examined
bridges counted and noted. their strength
and position carefully remembered and
streams examined so that crossable places
could be defended or made impossible.
The river front was thoroughly patrolled
In this vicinity Is carefully noted so, that
when the enemy attacks us by small boats
and launches. If he has that plan in mind
he will find that the reserves at the bat
teries will have nothing to do but watch
the supports capture his men.
on-commissioned Officers recitations
were heard this morning by the regular
omcers. large part of yesterday was
devoted to instruction Of the non-com-
mhsioned officers, and today's Rotations
terday. Some of the officers here think
that recitations will not be practicable.
however. as there are scarcely any in
struction books here.
Field Battery Gets Busy.
The field battery got to work immedi-
ately after fatigue call and harnessed ND
their pieces. They have not had a full
drill here previous to this morning. Can't.
Fox has been very anxious to get In all
the practical work possible. but owing
to the condition of the ground he has
not been able to do much with his fieId
pieces. Mounted soldier school was held
by the battery also.
Ihe guns were taken out on the Alex
a sh ROAD and placed in position to
point. 1'oAA '''a'
One OF the busiest little camps ever
pltched In any National Guard encamn.
m p'st Is that OF the Signal Corps Lieut..
futnam, In command of the corps has
his men working day and night. and thew
are interested In producing results The
wireless station is in operation at ast
Inc sixty-foot pole having been erected
Inc nrst message from Fort Hunt by
respondent at this post.
oerst. boteler. the wireless operator
cannot be driven away from his outfit
ne ne sits In front of the field chest contain
his ears ar app pd a with the receiver over
s salo ioaay that the air is fun of static
electricity. which produces a s,,eht ' a..
iL.ng IN the receiver. and which at time.
ihter1eres with messages '7"
the m neui's ION TO the wireless messages
I'LL. men are wigwagging all day. Al
hient they send signals BY nashlisht.
Drilling by Battalions.
Battalion drills were held today at Lao
o'clock. The I'd Battalion. I'd Rextment
us.u the west grounds and the LIST Bat
tahon' LIST Regiment. used the east
grounds. Regular army oIicers Wit
messed the drills. Dress parade will he
neid this evening at o'clock by the 1st
separate Battalion. o'
Guard mounting was held this after
noon for the first time since the guard
mas been in camp. The field music from
Fort Washington is now here.
.,,! Two pase ball games are scheduled for
to play the guard officers again, and two
teams from the LIST Battalion. 1st Reei,
ment. have been formed, and win get
together today II military duties do not
Pay for the men is in sight. The gov
eminent officials will begin to receive the
regularly approved and properly made
out pay rolls today. There is a great deal
Of detail and red tape" attached to this
part of the work, and the I'd Battalion,
I'd Regiment. Is patting itself on the back
because Its pay rolls are the flrst to be
finished.
It is understood here that while the
guardsmen at this post are doing infantry
drill daily those at Fort Washington are
not. This. however. causes no dissatis-
faction, as the men are extremely anxious
to get in all the soldering they can.
There Is a fine spirit throughout the entire
camp, and each of1icer will proudly tell
the visitors that he has the finest lot of
men In the guard.
Efforts to Reach Perfection.
The efforts the guardsmen are putting
forth to reach perfection are producing
results. and they are being encouraged by
the regular officers Commentator IL
being heard on every side. The field
battery is walking on air today because
an army officer told their private in
charge Of the picket line that the horses
were handled and picketed as we'll as any
he had ever seen. While there is plenty
of time for play. there Is also an album
dance of working hours, and every min
ute of the latter are crowded with MILL
tary practice.
The reserves are tickled over their new
est accession, the long fatigue clothes"
These are called overalls In the parlance
of the civilian, but the peculiar language
of the army makes q three-word term for
pair of big brown pants. The long
fatigue clothes are made in four sizes
nolv and an the smallest artillarvmAn In