The Washington times., 1909-08-11
Transports Sumner and Nc
Clellan Loading Freight
For the Militia.
I 400 WILL LEAVE
CAPITAL TONIGHT
Preparations for Their Departure
Look Like Actual Warfare
Is in Sight.

Good-byes will be said tonight by 1,lOo
or more Of the Districts citizen soldiers
when, as the army transports Sumner
and Mcclellan turn their prows toward
the sea. they depart for tie scene of
the field maneuvers on the coast OF
Massachusetts,.
There is prospect Of a big gathering
Of the fair sex along the Arsenal wall
about O'Clock this evenin,S when II
is expected the start will be made, for
that part of the Capitals 20. .yulation Is
keenly interested In the shol ging these
gallant guardsmen viii make when they
storm the ramparts albou Boston.
Above the huzzas and godslJeeds that
will awaken the echoes along the river
front this evening win be the expressed
hope that the khaki-clad guardsmen re-
turn from TIE cruel war with no
greater irsTdes than a little extra coat
of sunburls
Loading of Steamers.
All last night and today up to past
noon the work Of loading the Sumner
and Mcclellan went forward at a mer-
ry clip. It is doubtful II the wharf
loungers along the river front ever be-
fore saw anything that so resembled
preparations for actual warfare Mill
tary baggage OF all descriptions, from
stacks Of small arms to field kitchens
and rations without end. poured into the
interiors Of the two big transports un-
til they seemed TO settle TO their wa
terlines ike monsters weighted With
badly digested meals,
In this respect the Sumner Jared
FRA
port, for II was into the spacious hold
OF this vessel that the guns, Caissons and
battery wagons of the First Field Ar
tillery were loaded shortly after noon.
staff Headquarters.
Because the Mcclellan hae more cabin
accommodations than the Sumner. Cen
erai Harries and mis- entire staff will
make their headquarters on this ship.
In addition will be The First Separate
Battalion. The Sumner will carry the
First and Second Infantry. together
with the regular army officers who will
go along as instructors and observers,
and the Newspaper correspondents.
Unless present plans miscarry or are
purpOsely misarranged as part or the
plan to deceive the enemy IL is prob
able that the sumner and the Mcclellan
will arrive off the Massachusetts coast
on Friday afternoon or Saturday morn
ing, there to be joined by other trans
ports carrying the militia Of New York
and Connecticut.
If Gen. Tasker II. Bliss, who will be
IN command of the Red army, decides
on a night attack, which is understood
TO be the plan OF campaign, IL probably
viii be made Saturday night against
the defenses TO the south of the Hub.
The real plan Of attack and the place
of attack however. lie hidden behind
certain very official looking sealed
orders" which viii not be opened until
the District guardsmen are safely out
TO sea.
Smiley Unable To Go.
Because Of illness in his family. Col.
Samuel Smiley. adjutant general. will
not be able to go with the command.
Colonel Smiley has done yoeman serv-
Ice in getting the guardsmen in shape
for the rnaneuvers and regret is express
ed among his fellow officers that he
VIII not be IN the field to witness the re-
suits OF his work Colonel Smiley's
work In the field will fall on the shouI-
ders of Capt. Manus McCloskey, Fourth
United states Field Artillery, who is al
so 7re of the army instructors in tactics.
Major g. Fred Cook also will be among
ths. few absentees. Business provides
the barrier TO his military ambitious this
year.