The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-05-23
GUARD MAY CAMP
In new ENGLAND
Indications Point to Maneu-
YerS in Massachusetts,.
MAY BE A JOINT EXPEDITION
RumO-s Circulated About Headqusr-
tiers TO Effect that District Bril-
gade VIII Embark on Transports
August II for Trip with New York
and Connecticut Militia

Present indications are that the District
National Guard VIII embark on army
transports, now al Newport News. on
August Z. and be taken 10 the coast OF
Massachusetts 70 participate in extensive
maneuvers in conjunction with force OF
regular troops and a detail OF the or
ganized militia from the States Of New
York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts
The entire expedition viii probably be
under command Of Maj Gen. Leonard
Wood. L :. A. with Brig Gen. Hsrries.
Of the District: MAJ. Gen. Rowe. Of New
York. and Brig. Gen. Clark, OF Msssa-
ChuSettS. as aids.
The rumor that the District Guard Is
going 20 Massachusetts could not be veri-
fed al militia headquarters yesterday, as
Col Smiley. adjUtant general. would
neither affirm nor deny il Gen. Harries
could not be reached. as he is out Of the
city Col Weaver. OF the division Of
militia affairs. was equally noncommunI-
cative Several officers in the War De-
partment know that the project has been
under consideration and believe the mat
ter is already settled. Officers OF the
Massachusetts volunteer militia are al
ready making preparations for the joint
exercises. A detail OF New York troops
has besp made. and two regiments Of
Connecticut guardsmen are under orders.
Il has been announced in Boston that
the problem VIII probably consist OF an.
attempt 20 rake a landing on the Massa-
chusetts cQast. and that the Bay State
nlilitiamen will be called out TO repulse
the attack Five batteries of field adtil-
lery. including the first Battery. OF the
District. three from New York. and one
from Connecticut. are expected TO &C
company the landing force. A troop OF
cavalry from New Haven and some reg
ular cavalry is expected to participate
Erig. Gen Pew. Of the Second Bril-
gade OF Massachusetts. assisted by Capt.
Davis. [. S. A, detailed as aid by the
War Department. will in ali probability
have charge of the defending force
Trip Begins August IL.
It is reported that militia headquarters
Knows definitely where the encampment
viii be, but the only information that
Col Smiley will give out is that the en-
campment viii begin on August u, and
wifi last for about two weeks. Several
officers in the guard, who have followed
up the rumor that the brigade viii go
to Massachusetts. are convinced that this
is true. They point out further that
these exercises would be Of great value
to the guardmen.as il would give them
their first actual experience in loading
end unloading on transports. and In the
routine work during the voyage.
Experience in entraining and detraIn-
ing. and in travelling on transports. is.
the officers say. an important part OF
the military training Of any command.
When II Is first done there is always more
or less unavoidable confusion. and in or
der that this may happen n times of
peace instead of after war is declared.
practice in doing this kind Of work is
made a part of the regular training Of
the troops The District Guard has had
considerable experience in travelling BIZ
rail and In loading and unloading horses.
field artillery, and baggage, but their
experience on water has been confined
to crossing the Potomac on visits TO
Alexandra.
A trip 10 Massachusetts. the officers
say. would be OF great interest TO the
men, and the experience would be OF
great value 70 them. They point out,
furthermore that trip Of this char
acter would bring in large number Of
recruits who would like to make the
journey and take part In the attempted
landing.
Members OF the guard are evincing con-
siderable interest in the outcome Of the
first general court-martiai, which was In
session on Tuesday and Thursday nights
az militia headquarters. Private William
Flood, Of Company B, Second Regiment.
Eas brought before the court charged
with violation Of the twenty-1rst and