Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-15
Fast and Furious Battle at Old
Pierce Mill.
SLAUGHTER MOST FEARFUL
Reckless Daring Checked Only by
Fatal Chalk Marks.
DEAD AND SURVIVORS HUNGRY
Scout Stew Disappears in a Ji6y.
Games Resumed After
"Mess" Hour.

Tired and more or less bedraggled, but
thoroughly happy. about 80 youngsters,
members of the Y. NJ. e. A., finished a
day of hoy scouting" in Rock Creek
Park about o'clock this afternoon, clam
bered aboard a convenient trolley car and
returned to the haunts Of civilization
Seven hours wrestling with the under
brush and sun convinced them that.
though the game of war may be exciting
and lots of fun, nevertheless Sunday, as
a day Of rest. is quite properly given a
place in the weekly schedule Of events.
The boys. all enthusiastic over the boy
scout movement. left the Y. NJ. c. A.
building about $50 % clock this morning.
under the guardianship of A. M. Chesley,
director Of the. boys department Of the
Y. NJ. c. A, and several older boys. No
attempt at organization was made until
the boys had made their way from the
cars to the rendezvous at old Pierce mill,
in Rock Greek Park.
Chalk Notes Out Death.
Then the party divided into two
armies. Armed with nothing more
destructive than many rounds OF small
sticks Of chalk, they started out on
the prize event Of the day, the
big war game"
larger boy. took up a strongly fortified
hills. After q short delay a second
body was sent out to do battle with
the first body.
Locating the enemy, the second army
ton. opened up the attack. making a
desperate attempt to dislodge the de-
tenders.
The slaughter was fearful to behold.
Both sides exposed themselves reck-
life and limb. mo surrender was
the slogan hurled back and forth with
AS one telltale white line on his
demise Of marked soldiers. the Held Of
battle was quickly strewn with slain.
The dead. however, refused to litter
up the battle-ground. and those who
couldn't command quick attentions aasas on
vived. and clambered to their feet and
Joined the rapidly increasing spirit
band of observers from both sides that
watched the remainder of the contest
from a neighboring elevation.
After great loss Of life, the commanding
officers on both sides drew OF their shat
tered armies and declared truce. Both
retired from the field with
honor-and large appetite.
Scout Stew Disappears.
The provisions Of the truce allowed all
to Join in the MONDAY meal. When the
mess call was sounded the dead and
wounded and those who bore no chalk
marks attacked the scout stew" pre-
pared in the latest and most approved
military style over camp fires. with I'M
Each scout had brought along a tin
cup and spoon. The subsistence corps
soon had his hands full filling and re-
filling the cups Bread and crackers were
served with the stew.
After mess the boys divided into
patrols Of seven boys each, and spent
some time studying the scout law and
OF the service from hand
books while the meal was digestinE.
Later the patrols practiced carrying
messages in and out Of the enemy's lines.
One party. with message. started out
for a given point. Another patrol tried
to intercept them and prevent the de-
livery Of the dispatch.
Other games noted In the scout hand
book were played in the course Of the
afternoon. When Mr. Chesley announced
that 1t was time to start home there
were many loath to leave the seat of war
even for q seat at their mothers din
ner tables.