The Washington herald., 1908-08-06

Fort Washington, Aug. "a mock at
tack upon Fort Hunt tonight by the
District national guardsmen stationed at
Fort Washington came near developing
into a real battle, with disastrous conse-
quences.
A serious clash OF arms and possible
race war were narrowly averted. A
company landing on the main wharf was
halted BY ten negro soldiers Of the First
Separate Battalion Being stronger. the
detachment refused to stop, but the ne
groes held their lire with determination
The attacking company fixed bayonets
and charged. One negro's shirt was
ripped. but no other damage was done.
But at the forts the score is even. The
tables have been turned. and Col Ourand
and his forces are nursing a choice re
venge- Fort Hunt. too. has fallen. and
Washington is defenseless.
In bitter retail ton for his defeat and
capture on Tuesday night. Col Ourand
tonight stormed Fort Hunt and captured
the victors Of last night before they had
time TO collect their scattered forces
served success. It was even better plan
ned and executed than that Of last night
Strategy a Revelation.
The strategy Of the attacking force was
a revelation 70 the defenders. and too
late they endeavored 10 concentrate on
The wharf against the main attack that
landed there. The Umpires are stiu in
quandary, but the attacking force claims
a great victory. and this seems 10 be
substaur.ated.
At nlghtfau. two launches with three
boats in tow were dispatched down the
river. and it was believed by the defend
ers that this was the main attack This
impression was created by the tactics Of
the invaders to-day. when they made re-
co1noiters. had boar drill in the vicinity.
and were apparently directing their efforts
toward the lower end Of the reservation.
the ooIy vulnerable point
The defense concentrated here. and by
a bold stroke. the main force. under cover
Of the diversion below the long wharf
dashed into the main wharf swept IL.
and storued the post before the defend
ers realized there was anything doing in
that quarter.
The main attack was under command
OF Col Ourand. with Capt Mitchell. chief
OF instructors. and Lieut. Duke and the
various company officers IN tow OF
the tug Lieut. Bernard just al the time
the diversion was at It's height, half a.
mile below, they sped straight across the
river @ the wharf Just OF the pier the
tug cut the boats loose, and by executing
the movement IefJ into line they ran into
shore through the marsh, while the tug
landed az the wharf Both these forces
broke through. although they had a num-
Der killed and captured Even the diver
sion was successful. and a portion Of this
force succeeded in getting through.
Break Bread Together
At dinner this evening. before hostiU-
Jles began. the enemies broke bread to-
gethe- IN the mess tent OF the Second
Regiment, field and star. at Fort Wash
i1gton. They were the best Of good fei-
lows. and no spectator could suppose thar
in a few minutes, al most they would
be the bitterest Of foes. fighting for the
possession Of Fort Hunt
Col NJ Emmet Creu and the staff OF
the Second Regiment entertained Col
OGrald and his staT Of the First Req
menL The dinner itself needs no men
ton. except 10 say Il was prepared under
direction Of Cant Emil g Schafar. quar-
+
IS a past master al the art and can turn
out q spread IN mess tent, of a camp
stove, that would make a ''thirty-a-plate"
al DelmO7ic0's look Ike a dairy lunch
Some few OF she opposing forces were
unfortunate enough as 70 De detained by
the expected attack They missed il.
Those attending were Col OErand. Lieut..
Col ReIcheIderfer. Ad5utant Harry Cope.
Lieut. Mathews. Post QuartermasteT
Lieut. Col O-Brien. Mas Harvey and
Stephan. Col. Ureu. Capt John E.
Brooks. Capt 2. C. Schafer. Dr. Francis
J. W0odman. Charles II Wiuoughby. and
Ralph = Collins
soon after the mess the attacking party
put out from Fort Washington in seven
small boats and three launches n the
afternoon the board OF strategy had a
. long meeting. and all the details Of the
. attack were decided upon In accordance
with the plan adopted. the attacking force
was split into three parts. and each. un-
der tow OF q launch. made a dash for the
only three vulnerable points left by na-
ture- Along the rest Of The shore line
there IS nothing but waste OF eel grass
fats and mud that would swamp any
force