Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-16

the Mcclellan, with Gen. George H. Har-
ries and staff. Mr. Ritter the Swiss min
lister. as Gen. Harries' guest. the 1st Sep
arate Battalion and the 1st Infantry
Band. is now riding at anchor off the
pretty town of Fairhaven. Preparations
are being made for the debarkation and
all the officers and men are on the qul
vive.
The Mcclellan left her moorings on the
Washington river front at $50 O'Clock
Wednesday night and steamed COVE
stream as far as a point off Luna Park
where she waited for the transport sum
ner to take the lead as the Searchlight
of the Mcclellan was out OF commission
The troops We're assigned to quarters IN
der the direction of Col. Harvey Inc
men settled down to sleep at the call to
quarters, which was sounded at /"
o'clock. after the twinkling lights OF Al
exandria had been left far behind ne
band and one company OF the Isl sep
arate Battalion slept on deck
Reveille was sounded at ':4' CLOCK
Thursday morning, away down the river
where the Potomac is wide and way.
Breakfast was served in two detachmehtS
one at 6:lJ m. and the other at
o clock. The bugle call for gIard-fnount
was sounded just before O'Clock. ana
soon colored infantrymen OF the Dlstrfct
National Guard were walking post III
different parts OF the ship.
Capt. McCloskey's Talk.
The after part of the transport was
reserved for officers. At the officers
school. held at 80 o'clock. Capt. Nc
Closkey gave a talk on the mistakes mace
al the Mount Gretna mancuvers in re
spect to the advance and rear guard.
Afte, passing out tho Virginia capes the
Mcclellan steamed ahead of the Sumner
and took the lead, as Gen. HarrleS was
aboard and the Mcclellan was the mead
quarters ship. AS she passed the Sumner
the bands on both boats played and the
troops cheered Justify. Rain began 10
fall in the afternoon and continued the
remainder of the day The band gave an
enjoyable concert III the forenoon. Only
a few of the men suffered from seasick-
ness.
Rain was still falling when the men
were aroused by the notes Of reveille Fri
day morning, Just before breakfast a
school of porposes crossed the ship s
course and the troops were much inter
ested in watching the playful antics of
the fishes.
Signals from the Sumner at 1915
O'Clock announced that she had met with
slight accident to her machinery and
was therefore. compelled to LAY to-" The
Mcclellan turned and went back to the
Sumner and by means of the wig
and megaphones learned that the accident
was slight.
AS the two SHIPS came close together
orders for the debarkation at Fairhaven
were mega phoned to the Sumner by Capt.
McCloskey, acting adjutant general The
experience was novel as the Mcclellan
moved in a circle about the Sumner. the
men on each vessel talking to one another
a. they passed. At 1l:25 the Sumner
signaled that the accident had been
remeded, and both ships resumed their
course.
Have a Fire Drill.
The most important and interesting
feature of the voyage was fire drill at
, o'clock Friday afternoon. The call
came suddenly and unexpectedly, but
seven minutes after 1t had been sounded
every man was on deck and at his sta
ton. Some were at the fire hose, others
ready to lower away on the lifeboats, and
still others at the pumps. Had there
really been fire, prompt and efficient
service would have been rendered by the
District Guardsmen.
At the officers school In the afternoon,
following the fire drill Capt McCloskey
gave a talk on the game of war. First
Lieut.. Ben Lear of the 18th United States
Cavalry has reported by order of the
War Department, to Gen. Harries for
duty with the District troops during the
Massachusetts maneuverS.