Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-06
CLOUDS ARE WEEPING
Elements Lament the Taking
of Fort Hunt, Va.
RAINING TODAY IN CAMPS
National Guardsmen Resting Up for
Big Engagement.
LAND AND NAVAL ATTACK DUE
Preparing for Exercise on Elaborate
Scale Tonight-signal Corps
Operates the Wireless.
LAND AND NAVAL ATTACK DUE

operates the wireless.
Special From a star Correspondent by The STAR
Dispatch Boat Fairbanks.
FORT WASHINGTON, Md, August g.
This is a rainy day in camp. 1t is sug-
gested that the heavens are weeping be-
cause of sorrow due to the fall of Fort
Hunt last night before the onslaught OF
an attacking party Of gallant District
National Guardsmen from this post. The
rain was respoI 5ible for let-up In the
work this morning. The supports were
busy at the big guns using heavy charges
of blank ammunition. last night, while the
reserves, who constituted the expedition
against Fort Hunt, had a most strenuous
experience. Most of them in making the
landing jumped overheard from the small
boats and waded ashore, many being
soaked from feet to shoulders. All of the
force had not returned to the tents here
at midnight So everybody needed a rest.
and, in addition. the rifles required atten-
ton after the firing in connection with
the onslaught. Keeping dry in their tents.
the guardsmen did what was needed to
the firearms.
officers and men of the guard. and the
regulars as WE'LL are on the qui vive this
afternoon. The spirit of battle is rife.
The first general land and naval attack.
for tonight. So far as can be learned the
exercises will be preliminary to a more
elaborate engagement tomorrow night.
Disposition Of Troops.
Gen. Murray, chief OF artillery, is ex-
pected here to witness the exercises to-
night. The National Guard support COM
panies will man the big guns, use the
searchlights and locate and theoretically
destroy the enemy, while the support
companies. both here and at Fort Hunt
are to be disposed as they were Tuesday
night and last night. respectively-along
the shore line, to repel an imaginary at
tack.
While the support companies were hav-
ing their energetic little set-tO last night
the reserves were far from idle. They
it well. The U. S. S. Oneida. which had
been sent down stream, was located by
the searchlights. her exact position de-
term1ned and charge after charge of pow
der discharged in the direction of the
craft. The explosions of the charges
shook every building on the reservation
The Signal Corps was also actively en-
gagged with bombs. rockets and flash sig
nal apparatus. The wireless station was
also used.
A wireless station has been established
near the Fort Washington wharf, and
apparatus is installed on the Oneida Per-
feet communication is maintained be-
tween the station here and the Oneida,
no matter at what point on the river the
yacht may be.
General Staff Not Captured.
1t is denied with some show of spirit
that Gen. Harries anC staff, while re-
counting heroic deeds of the past, were
more or less ANONYMOUSLY captured by
the attacking party from Fort Hunt last
Tuesday night. During the progress Of
the engagement the commanding general
and the officers Of his staff were right at
the seat Of war. where Col. Ourand was
directing the defense. The only individual
near the manor house headquarters was
Maj. George Henderson. surgeon general
of the militia. He was in his hospital
tent when an enlisted man. armed with a
rifle. dashed in.
What can 1 do for you, young man."
do you surrender" was the counter
question by the intruder.
Surrender what?" DR.. Henderson
wanted to know.
I'VE have captured this fort and you
are my prisoner, the young warrior ex-
planned. with an air Of pride
oh" Dr. Henderson calculated. I'll
have you understand. sir. that insist on
my rights under the treaty of Geneva Are
you aware. sir. that you are encroaching
on a hospital in violation of the terms OF
that treaty."
Colored Cooks Apprehensive.
The conquering hero appeared nom
plussed for several moments. Then, with
out a word. DR.. Henderson says, his
visitor skunk away in the darkness.
Proceeding to the manor house for a
glass Of water, DR.. Henderson found the
structure apparently deserted. He called
loudly several times. At last door was
opened cautiously and the head of one
of the colored cooks peeped out.
Has they all done gomez he demand
ed. apprehensively. his concern being I'M
genuine.
The foregoing. it is claimed here. is
proof positive that Gen. Harries and his
staff were not taken prisoners. When the
invaders. who were theoretically annihi-
lated before landing. reached headquar-
tiers there was no one there to be taken
prisoner. for the surgeon general was
protected by the Geneva treaty. the col
ored employees were safely hid and the
others were far off, very much in the
midst of the war game.
Attacks in the Past.
Now that war is In the air and Fort
Washington is the center Of simulated
military strife. those Of the guardsmen
historically inclined have been trying to
learn definitely whether or not the fort
was ever actually assailed by a real
enemy. According to Dr. James Dudley
Morgan Of Washington although the fort
was in a generally dilapidated condition
in 1913. Secretary of War Armstrong.
with all the facts before him. proceeded
to argue the utter improbability of hos
tile force leaving It's fleet and marching
forty miles inland. AS to the Potomac,
its rocks and shoals and devious chan
nels it was held. would prevent any
stranger ascending 1t. The British -
Armstrong concluded. would never be
so mad as to make an attempt on Wash
ington. and it is therefore totally unnec-
cessary to make any preparations for its
defense"
Not only the Secretary of War, but also
President Madison did not see the need
OF urgency and only "a couple of hands,
were ordered down to the fort to execute
the necessary repairs, so that the ascent
of the British in August. 1914, was
checked by no formidable display of men
or armament. and their approach to Alex
andria was easy and simple, having only
one man killed in a journey of eight to
nine days or more up the Potomac, and
this Briton was shot while lower down
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