The Washington times., 1908-08-08
MILITIA
BREAKING UP CAMP
ManeuVerS at Forts Demon
Strated Ability to Pro-
tect Washington.

FORT WASHINGTON, Aug. &-The
war IS over. Today the dove Of peace
hovers owe rthe armed camps on either
side Of the river. and the soldiers Of the
District National Guard are ready to
return TO their peaceful pursuits as citi-
zens. They have amply shown their
ability TO defend their homes and the
Nations Capitol from any invader,
seeking 10 come up the Potomac. Their
work has brought much praise and
commentator from Colonel Coffin, and
the regular officers stationed here
This morning the sun shOne brightly
and the peace and quiet of the camps
was strange by comparison with the
other Warnings OF the maneuvers, when
the big guns doomed and the sound
OF marching feet anC sharp commands
could be heard all over both reseTva-
tons. Assembly sounded, but the men
did not 20 out to vancouver or drill
Instead they had the regular Saturday
muster on the parade ground. and dis
persed to their various camps.
At II O'Clock the men at Fort Wash
ington were again mustered, and az no
time have they fallen IN with more
aiacrity. They knew what was coming,
Men AGE Paid OFF
Marching out on the main road the
men from each camp converging on the
parade ground. the companies formed
a long column in alphabetical order,
Company A resting f. front of Colonel
Cohin's lawn. Captain Howard. detailed
as paymaster Of the artillery. District
Of the Potomac, during the maneuvers,
paid the men and officers. They were
then dismissed from further duty for
the afternoon, all except the company
details. who were making preparations
for breaking camp.
At Fort Hunt, the men did not muster
for pay until ] o'clock. Captain How
ard went over there Immediately after
dinner, and they too, went through the
formality Of receiving their pay with
much alacrity and enthusiasm. The reg
uIars stationed at both posts will not
be paid until Monday. Ordinarily they
receive their ray soon after the first
of the month, but this month it was
held up for the maneuvers. This was
thought to be a wise policy by Colonel
Coffin and the officers in charge, who
did not wish 10 invite a break in the
wonderful discipline at both posts by
giving the regulars and the militi amen
their fun pay.
Militia to Entertain.
The regulars and the militiamen frat
ernie, as though there was no distinc-
tlOnr ana TINS AFTERNOON and evening
the regulars viii be entertained by the
militia All the camps will be granted
unusual liberties. and the officers have
the utmost confidence that this liberty
will not be abused.
This morning the regular officer de-
tailed here as instructors have been
busy with their reports on the man
euveTs which are to be sent to the War
Department and to Colonel Coffin
one great cause Of EGGPLANT at the
maneuver camps that was apparent
last year and are pronounced this year,
is the lack of adequate facilities for
Colonel Coffin and the Artillery Dis
trict of the Potomac. With the facjli-
ties at his. command, Colonel Coffin has
done wonderfully and is in high favor
with officers and men. It seems re-
markable that two important coast de-
tense fOrtidcations, twelve miles below
washington, should be practically fso-
lated and cut of from the world Yet
such is the case. For many years com
plants have been made. but without
avail. Fort Washington, through mod
ern conveniences and communication, Is
no nearer 10 Washington than the Flor
ida Keys.
Only a Beaten Trail.
There is no good road from the city
to the reservation. and the trail beaten
through the woods to the Marlboro
pike is generally impossible. The tel
egraph line between both forts and