Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-03
BEGIN SECOND WEEK
Troops at Fort Washington
Continue War Game.
GUARDSMEN AT STUDIES
Reserves at Big Guns, While Sup
ports Dig Trenches.
OFFICERS ATTEND LECTURES
Citizen Soldiers See Visitors From
Homeland Concerts Popular.
History of Fort.

Special From Stan Correspondent by The Star s
! Dispatch Boat Fairbanks.
| FORT WASHINGTON. Md. August g.
With weather conditions ideal the troops
| of the National Guard of the District of
! Columbia this morning began the second
and last week of its joint exercises with
the regular army in coast-defense work.
Refreshed by rest from all but neces-
sary military duty since Saturday morn
ing. the suardsmen proceeded with the
work assigned with renewed vigor and
accelerated interest and enthusiasm. The
reserves are handling the big guns in the
several batteries. having battery drill
under the instruction and with the as
sistance of the regulars. They will re-
port this evening for tire-corhmand drill
The National Guard companies assigned
as supports have reached that point in
the war game where they are called upon
to actually protect themselves from the
| Imaginary bullets of the enemy. They
were hard al work nearly all the morn
ing digging entertainments. under the
supervision of Capt. Mitchell of the army
and the other instructors. The citizen
soldiery la bored with diligence. using pick
and shovel, the men learning how to
make trench. some with elbow rests
anu dHllHuil|lpU TeCeSSeS. ana uO1nS IL In
a hurry. Digging trenches is one of the
many details of the training of d soldier
that cannot he practiced in an armory,
and is included in the benefits resulting
from the annual outing in the field.
For the "Non-Com.'
For ron-commissioned staff officers there
were -recitations at II o'clock and at the
same hour battle and fire command sta
ton instruction for non commissioned
staff officers. This work will be continued
this evening. Two lectures followed the
actual work this morning, the officers of
the reserves hearing all about projecties,
fuses and explosives, and the officers of
the supports being told by Capt Mitchell
OF the duties of artillery supports. He
also explained the theory and object of
the War Department in having the Dis
trict National Guard indulge this year In
coast defense work. instead of holding
brigade camp for straight infantry in
struction. as heretofore.
The only ceremony here today will be
guard mounting late this afternoon. and
the principal diversion the concert by the
Brigade Band this evening. After the
"let-up.' so to speak of Saturday after
noon and yesterday the camp has re-
sumed its normal aspect. there being no
visitors. with everybody hard at work.
Notwithstanding the informal dance and
also the dinner given by the colonel and
and Mrs Coffin. both Saturday night Off
GERS and men were astir bright and early
yesterday morning, perfect weather being
happily provided for the one day of re-
Taxation of the strenuous camp period.
While means for relatives and friends
of the guardsmen to reach Fort Washing
ton had not been explained in advance
several hundred fathers and mothers,
here. many arriving before noon and
manning until nearly o'clock in the
evening. One steamboat made three
trips the visitors being met at the wharf
by the men in uniform who were ex-
pecing the folks from home. Many of the
visitors carried large boxes, containing
dainties intended for the gallant men
mustered to defend the flag.
Visitors in Every Tent.
visitors. and probably every officers
mess was taxed to it's capacity with
guests, both for the midday meal and
for dinner. The majority of the visitors
remained for the evening concert by
the Brigade Band. The musicians fairly
outdid themselves. and Director Mac
Leod was kept busy receiving con-
CALCULATIONS on the excellence of the
program and the finished rendition of
every number. Nearly every member of
the camp was on the wharf when the
steamer departed with the last of the
visitors and farewell cheer was given
The lighthouse bell was used to give
salute and the steamer responded with
her whistle All in all the day was d
thoroughly enjoyable one, and the
guardsmen resumed work with greater
alacrity this morning for having seen
the home folks yesterday.
a feature of Sunday was the church
service in the grove where the two
regimental commanders have their
camps Capt. George r. Dudley. chap
lain of the I'd Regiment, conducted the
service. preached an appropriate SER
CITY" Music fes the service was fur
nished by the Brigade Band. A large
congregation. including officers enlisted
men and visitors, constituted the con-
gregation.
Special services morning and evening
were held yesterday in the Y. NJ. c. A.
tent.
Guests of Gen. Harries at militia head
quarters included Mr.. r. j. Tracewell.
controller of the currency; Gen. Davis,
army: Col. Pullman, assistant quarter
master general United States Army: Col.
Cain of Ohio. Mai William r. Horton.
quartermaster. United States Army. for
merlv captain and aid-de-camp, District
of Columbia militia; Capt. Eugene P:
CoryaiZier formerly of the National
Guard: Maj. James f. Bell. inspector gen.
eral of rifle practice, District of Column
d.
u Carmody of the Naval Battalion and
Messrs. VIII II. Way and Claude Miller.
Joke Is on the Band.
4 story is going the rounds as a joke
on Director Macleod and the Brigade
Band. The plea was made recently that
il would be nice compliment to have
the band give it's concert one evening
near headquarters of the list Battalion of
the I'd Regiment the explanation being
made that the battalion is camped some
where way off in the woods. where the
officers and men might feel lonesome
after the principal work of the day is fin
shed. and the music, IT was thought.
would cheer EN- up. The band was in
structed accordingly. and set forth in
quest of the camp indicated
| As heretofore explained, II is necessary
! for the uninitiated to have guide and a
| map if il is hoped to locate certain of
the camps within anything like reason
able period of time. Before marching
many miles Director Macleod sped Maj.
! Anton Stephens standing in the doorway
| of a building The bandsmen forthwith
| took position in front of the structure
and proceeded with the concert. Later. it
was learned that the building in ques-
| ton is the post exchange situated a
! long. long way from the camp of the LIST
/ Battalion of the I'd Regiment. and so
! &c members n hat