The Washington herald., 1908-07-27
p e sag C1resp7ndent.

P g StaE Cor7rs7ondent.
Brigade Headquarters. Fort Washing
ton, Nd, June 25-Rising from the ground
like q phantom city. hundreds Of tents
sprang up al Forts Washington and Hunt,
on either side OF the Potomac. to-day. as
II by the magic touch Of a fairy's wand
With the rhythm Of sIedge hammers
upon tent pegs and the CHEEKY voices OF
The meu as they worked. the district Of
Columbia militia began its annual en-
oamPment ia the artillery district Of ths
Potomac.
Surrounded with all the romance Of the
Old for-. with its traditions Of the mound
Gefenses Of aboriginal days. this section
Of the Potomac. famed for its beauty. was
more picturesque than ever to-day.
Cheered by ExcurSIonists.
Il eZhaled the very essence Of that rnvs-
JeriOus IlriI and patriotism excited bv
ever formidable military fertilization
and warlike camp. and So potent was Il
that the passing boau0ads Of excursion
lists caught il I'D and Cheered as they
passed the answering cheers Of the mill
tiamen blending in the echoes that rever-
berated between the high bluffs from side
10 side OF tho Potomac
Never befc-- has an eucamp-enr been
SO auspicIously begun The enthusiasm
ol regulars and militia alike. officers and
men. knew no bounds The citizen sol
diers went about The business OF pitch
ing camp like body OF seasoned men
JUST back from a long campaign. Their
work was surprising TO the regular Off
GERS detailed as instructors and obse-v-
ers. and in the groups around the head
quarters tents tonight compliments We're
freely passed No other work was pro-
vi1ed for the day. other than that Of
pitching camp, and so expediri0usly was
this done that Sunday was. IN fact. a
day OF rest.
The day itself was ideal There was
no rain. and but little sunshine. Il IS
cool upon the bluffs. and the men worked
with g VII
Tonight Il rained. and river. woods
and ravine looked dark and dismal. bu-
In the camps It was cszy and dry, and
the best Of good cheer prevailed. The
men had done their v,crE vel. and the
storm held no t-rrorS- Trenches had been
carried of the heavy rainfall Inside Z,
was as dry as q bone
An Electric Display.
The electric display that accompanied
the storm was one Of rare beauty. and
the bright flashes Of light lit up a beauti-
fuI scene On both sides OF the river
were long lines Of tents. all Of them on
good sheltered ground. that bid defiance
70 the storm Everybody turned IL
early, and It was fine night for sleep
ing Lights were out al 9 o'clock in the
various camps, and the mea turned II
with viii Fortunately. cots had been
supplied for every one. and officers and
men were well of the ground
Every detail OF the camp lad been pre-
vioUsly arranged with remarkable fore
sight and precision. and 70 Col Coffin
the military genius whose tactical eye
had placed all the troops. great credit IS
due.
When the steamer Jane 8Ioseley pulled
IN at the Fort Washington wharf. but one
hour ouc OF Washington. the nilitiamen
and company commanders found all they
had 10 do was 10 march TO their re-
speCtive positions and pitch camp IN the
afternoon the men were free. and they
iounged around. played baseball. explored
the post. cr went swimming, each follow
ing his inclinaui0ns.
The start from Washington this morn
ing was as auspicious as the pitching ot
camp Promptly at o'clock. the buEles
sounded assembly at the armOry. and the
men fell into company formation, approx
tms1Cly l5f9 strong. There were but rev
stragglers- Roll call showed the smallest
number Of absentees Of any previous en-
campmeut-
Take Up Line OF March.
Led by the band. the line OF march was
down Seventh street 10 the wharf.
As the column swung into Water street
It was cheered by the assembled hun
Greds. who had come 10 say farewell 70
husbands. sons. and sweeJhearts. There
was a shower OF greetings and farewells
when q halt was made al the foot Of O
street. and il presented a real war. scene
To the UnknOwing stranger. Il would have
never been apparent that the war was
only theoretical and the scene Of hostili-
ties hut a few miles away
The scene rfvaled those at the trans
port wharTes in New York in 1898. when
many said farewell who never returned
Shortly before S o O'Clocz. with lingering
I..,---s~lRps and salUVa1iCus, but smiles in
go aboard Those companies destined for
Fort Hunt went aboard first and rnassed
On the upper deck The two battalions
Of the Second Regiment. stationed at Fort
Washington. went on last Il was a
hard squeeze TO get everybody past the
steamboat inspector. who checked I'd .50L
as the companies marched aboard.
As the Noseley backed out and turned
her nose down stream, the throng in
Water street and on the other river
steamers waved handkerchiefs and para
sols in answer 10 the departing cheers
The ride was short The vets OF
many previous encampments, particular
y those who had been 10 Fort Wash
fngtOn in 80. reminisced for the benefit
Of the less fortunate
There we're many tales Of Santiago as
well, and some few OF the Indian wars
and Of the days OF 81
Long before the river forts were sighted
those who had wished for a longer
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