The Washington herald., 1908-08-05
FORT WASHINGTON
TAKEN BY ENEMY
Continued from Page One.

many drownings al the various encarlp'-
ments around the country in the last rev
years. when the nilitiamen arrived, he
issued an order against bathing in the
river CT the creeks on either side OF Fort
Washingtoa- He had constructed hun
dreds OF shower baths for the use Of all
those who wished to bathe. During the
extreme heat Of the last few DAYS these
have been IN large demand To some OF
the men it was torture TO stand under
the frigid stream, but this wore on and
the showers are now a rare treat
The heat to-day has been even more in
tense than on yesterday. ana not cloud
crossed the SKY There was cooling
breeze ali day. however. and IN the shade
It was pleasant There was no work 70
DO after the morning drills. ard the men
loUnged in the shade. II was even too
hot for baseball. and the regular daily
carnival dwindied 10 one or two games at
either fort At Fort Washington the
regular officers played the miiitamen,
and the game was one Of the most stir
ring Of the series.
Fish have been biting fine in the river
and this is q favOrite pastime for many Of
the men. They sit IN the sun by the hour
angling for perch and catfish few
days ago three Of the noncomnissloned
officers OF the Second Regiment stan
Sunfsh have been remarkably scarce.
and this Is q matter Of comment among
the fishermen Usually az this season
the river IS full OF them. and they are
as good food as perch But not 50 this
year. The perch are much more numer-
Gus. and bite more freely Many Of the
men Of the First Separate Battalion have
angled day after day for catfish, and the
catch has always been good. There are
G-- #Hr No ~fa "A
and these are a pest Some Of the men
are Drowned 20 a crisp from sitting on
. the wharf day after day
Commands First Time.
For the first time to-day. Col UreH
commanded the battle command station
absolutely on his own responsibility. Col
Coffin left him in entire charge, and he
directed the operation Of the guns In
both forts. The defenses were worked
as a unit. each battery following the
directions from the battle and FIRE COM
mand stations. Mai. Stephan was fire
commander. with Lieut.. Heideureich as
his communication officer. Capt Brooks.
adjutant Of the First Regiment. was
searchIight communicating officer in the
battle command station.
For the first time after the battle prac-
I tice there has been a scarcity Cf targets.
and it was feared the river boatmel had
taken fright al the theoretical danger.
! and were avoiding passing up and down
( the river. The entire expanse Of water
( IN range OF the big guns was scanned
4 with feldglass and telescope. and even
row boats and yawIs miles away were
I tracked and fred upon. Mai stephan
! watched every small boat crossing the
3 river. and opened Up on L with the heavy
I batteries. some OF them throwing shells
I Weighing a hundred times as much as Ire
/ vessels fired upon, as soon as they were
I IN range OF shore The small craft too
/ close in could not be fred upon by the
I big guns and nortars. as they could not
I be sufficiently depressed.
/ The militiamen handled TIE real charges
/ Ike old stagers at the game. and were as
/ steady az regulars facing the terrific ex-
/ plOsiOns OF the big guns They showed
/ no signs OF tiuidity or fear. and worked
I with the freedom and precision with
which they handled the dummy shells
} Il is a severe ordeal t0- man Unac-
[ custoued 20 Il % stand alongside one Of
the big guns or mortars when Il goes on,
and there was the uerest suggestion Of
/ UneasiCess when the dTst charge was
fred. This disappeared Immediately, and
I the men were discorterte6 with the order
T that only allowed three rounds
I All cIose-o-der 6-IIs and officers schools
/ have been discontinued. and for the rest
| Of the encampne-t instruction viii give
way 70 practice under actual war Condi-
tons The scheme OF the present ma
/ neuvers has been wonderful. the work
/ and instruction leading On and follow
! ing Up so completely that the District
militia by Saturday VIII have been con-
verted into a practical lot OF coast
( artiilerynen- The course was selected
with Infinite wisdom and in manner
I that would do the men most good
{ A peculiar fact IS that the men do not
T notice -he intense heat while they are
I working but are profuse with i-nprecs-
! tons while they are l0IIiag around resting
I and trying 20 keep cool Each Is secret
/ " hoping. however. that the weather con-
I tinues good