The Washington herald., 1908-08-08

IRON STAT Correspondent
Fort Washington. Aug with the
martial strains OF the call to arms-the
most thrilling and poetic bugle call which
has been heard here since the encamp-
Inent began-echoing across the river. the
defenders Of Forts Washington and Hunt
turned out at 1879 O'Clock tonight TO
repel an attacking fleet sailing Up the
river
the first call. two real bombs were thrown
from their mortaTs high in the air from
both forts. and 10 every soldier in camp
this meant that the enemy wEs making
an unexpected attack
Eshoing far in the distance and across
the river. the call was repeated from
camp TO camp. and in a few minutes the
men were rushing TO their guns. There
had been no regular drill or practice in
the evening. and the day had been one
Of rest
No attempt az a landing was made by
the enemy tonight The supports were
not called out. The attack was the grand
male. being the last OF the series Of
maneUvers. and upon its conclusion
every one OF the enemy's batteries had
been blown up OF sunk Peace was de-
cIared with the National Guardsmeu de-
Tending the two forts, the victors.
All evening the battle command sta
tions had been manned by active watch
ers On the lookout for an attack. and at
10-S0 o'clock the hostile feet was dis
cerned coming up the river It was many
minutes before a shot was fred and sus-
pense was awful 10 The watchers
., sent a Sudden VoIIey.
The first volley from Battery Melgs. at
Fort Washington. was as sudden as the
call. and It shook the earth for miles
around The delay was caused by the
wait for the enemy 10 come within range.
Every gun and mortar within both fortl-
dca-ions was carefully trained and sent
regular FIRE
All OF the blank ammunition not used
up IN the weeks maneavers was burned
tonight. and the fight was most real
tstic- II was much more picturesque and
fUiI Of thrill than the one Of the night
previous
At about . o'clock the moon came out.
after the soaking rain. and the night.
1wOze the echoes for miles around
The smoke hung law, in a heavy pail
over the batteries. thus disclosing their
position The attack was altogether IN
expected. and the men tumbled out n a
great hurry, some Of them from a sound
sleep.
The defense was conducted along the
lines OF the battery command drills prac-
ticed during the week. The attacked feet
was again composed OF the cruiser yacht
Oneida and the gunbOat-battie ship Cush-
ing L was expected that several other
boats would be available for service. but
this expectation was not realized
Because Of the heavy weather the mud
was so thick on both sides OF the river
and the undergroSth so damp and heavy
that no enemy could have made its way
Ihro-gh II without opposition
For this reason the support companies
were not required 10 90 out but Iounged
around camp enjoying the spectacle.
Maneuvers at an End.
With the closing OF last nights battles
the uaneuvers were brought TO an end
To-day the men viii have the regular
Saturday muster and viii be paid OF.
They viii have nothing 10 do afterward.
except prepare for their departure for
Washington early tomorrow morning.
and they will be allowed unusual llber-
ties
At the close Of the engagement there
was fine pyroJechnic display. All the
rockets and bomb signals left over from
the maneuvers were sent up. making a
magnificent spectacle
The attacking feet was aanihilated. and
revived al least a dozen times before the
ammunition ran out
Arrangements for Transporting the mill
1tlamen and the camp equipment to
Washington have been placed IN the
hands OF Capt Emil Schafer. quarter
master Of the Second Regiment Camp
will be struck at o'clock Sunday morn
ing Al tents will fall simultaneously.
and the militiamen viii Immediately roll
them Up for shipment
Shipped TO Washington.
Two soldiers VIII be detailed from. each
Of the companies to assist in loading the
tents. cooking utensiles. center poles
boxes Of pegs. and other articles. on the
dinky railroad cars. which will transfer
the accoutermenUs 10 the engineers
wharf
There the equipment will be placed
aboard the barge Daniel h Jackson and
shipped 10 Washington
The soldiers viii march 10 the wharf
after camp is struck and embark upon
the steamer Jane 8Iosely. Diserbar
al the foot Of Seventh street. the militia
meG VIII march 10 the Center Market
armory. where they viii be relieved from
further duty until the fall drills
stayed in Their QuarterE
All day the men have STAYED close 10
their snug quarters in camp on account
Of rain This afternoon there was a
doEnpour that threatened 10 deIuze
everything The tents were all snug. how
ever. and not a single one OF them was
flooded There was nothing doing an
afternoon and the men Iouneed in their
camp read and wrote letters and other
wise amused themselves The downDour
continued. and for time II was feared
II would necessitate change in the
plans for the night
This morning the regular drills were
IN order. and the reserve at the guns and
IN the battle and fire command stations
repeatedly sank the Cushing and Oneida
sent out as targets The supports at both
posts had close order drill for an hour.
when they were given respite on account
Of the rain.
Some OF the regular officers viii leave
both posts tomorrow morning. and there
IS general air Of preparation for the
departure. While some Of the men are