Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-10
HOME FROM THE WAR;
National GuardSmen Now Fol-
low Paths of Peace.
BREAK CAMP IN transform
Undergo Strenuous Experience
Handling Wet Canvas.
DETAILS OF THE MOVEMENT
Pay Clerk Neumeyer Gives Reasons
for Severing Connection With
the Naval Battalion.
BREAK CAMP IN transform
DETAILS OF THE MOVEMENT

Typical District National Guard weather
was in evidence for the breaking of the
camps at Fort Washington and Fort Hunt
yesterday morning. and in a steady down
pour of rain the men lowered the canvas
rolled and packed IT. had a makeshift
breakfast in the wet. and after the equi
page had been moved from the field board
ed the steamer Jane Moseley. The steam
er left Fort Washington at noon. and ar
rived here at ten minutes past 1 o'clock
Reveille was sounded at o'clock. and
the men in both camps awoke to face the
hard work of getting ready for the trip
home. Most of the trenches around the
tents had been filled the night before. con-
sequently the tents were flooded. and there
was hardly a dry spot in either camp.
Nearly all the ovens had been taken down
Saturday night. also. in order to get them
aboard the steamer promptly. and the
cooks used camp kettles to make hot cof-
fee for the men, but breakfast was not
much of function.
Moving Baggage and Troops.
There was some little delay on the Fort
Hunt side with the baggage. The steam
barge Daniel X. Jackson finally got 1t all
ried over in the Gushing and the Bernard.
There were a few smoke bombs left in the
Signal Corps outfit. and they were sent
skyward as a goodbye to the 100 men
leaving camp. The brigade band. sta
TONED in the bow of the steamer. played
Should Aud Acquaintance Be Forgot!
as the trip home was started, and the men
began to cheer.
There were several men who considered
themselves very unfortunate in being de-
tailed to remain behind to look after the
tentage. The War Departments instruc-
lions were to have every tent brought
home by Sunday night, and that was
done. They were wet through, and were
stored over night in the drill hall of the
armory. All of today they have been
spread out to dry on the grass to the east
and south of the Washington Monument.
Maj. Sylvester detailed several policemen
to watch the canvas. Park policemen and
representatives of the National Guard also
kept the property in view.
There was a crowd of spectators at the
18th street wharf when the steamer
reached the dock yesterday, and the rain
soaked veterans of the fortnight's cam
paign broke loose again with cheers of
pleasure at the sight of home folks. 1t
took only short time for the 800 men
to disenrbark, and the march to the
armory began.
Pay Clerk Neumeyer Explains.
According to William Neumeyer. the
statement that he rendered his resigna-
ton as paymaster's clerk on board the
National Guard training ship Oneida, and
at the same time made charges Of irregu-
larities aboard the ship. is not exactly
true.
1t has been stated that Mr.. Neumeyer
charged members of the ships force with
having their personal wearing apparel
Numbered at the expense of the militia
charged to the napkin and linen account.
Il resigned last Thursday" Mr.. Neu-
meyer said today. l found that l could
not continue my duties as paymaster's
clerk. as 1 had business in this city
which needed my attention, and l was
beginning to suffer from malaria Sleep
ing on the deck Of the Oneida was making
me feel very badly. After I left the ship
1 began to feel better right away.
My action was a very simple one. II
was merely a tender of resignation. l
said nothing about irregularities regarding
the laundry bill. The only controversy 1
had with any one was with an officer who
interfered with the cook. and as the con-
troll of the cook was entirely within my
province, according to my understanding.
I took the matter up with headquarters
Mr. Neumeyer. as pay clerk. was not
commissioned or enlisted in the naval
battalion, being a sort of civilian ap-
pointee. Therefore he could sever his
connection with the organization at will.