The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-22
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HOWiTzERSENJOY
PRACTICE MARCH
Guns Hauled Over Rough Roads
Of Chesterfield in
Darkness.
MEN FARE WELL IN CAMP
All Return in Good Condition,
Notwithstanding the
Heat.

Du~st-covered and weary, but full OF
enthusiasm. the second platoon OF the
Richmond HoWitzers returned to the
city last night about I o'clock, after
a most successful practice march into
Chesterfield county. The trip was
made with full equipment of guns,
caissons and wagons. in order to give
the men practice In handling the guns
in action. Delay in starting Saturday
afternoon resulted in giving the men
the extra hard service of three hours
OH the road In the dark-an I'M
familiar and very rough road at that.
Save for the trouble in starting.
when horses unused 10 warfare showed
an inclination TO bolt. the trip was
without mishap. Once out of the city
limits, the cams settled down to hard
road service. drivers became better
acquainted with their horses. and the
horses with each other. But several
OF the teams had been hired for the
occasion and had been worked all
day Saturday and were, tired.
March In Darkness.
The trip was slow and darkness
fell long before reaching the objective
point, a farm IN Chesterfield county.
belonging TO Lieutenant Poindexter, or
the battery. about twelve miles from
the armory. over rough and UNI
familiar roads the heavy guns were
trailed through the darkness, the men
seeing more of actual service condi-
lions than on any former practice
march of the battery. for heretofore
the big guns have been left at home.
Coming back yesterday afternoon
the trip proved much easier, The
horses were fresh. the men in better
condition and the return march to the
armory was made in about half the
time. All reported in without mishap.
and in fine condition. Notwithstanding
the heat. Captain Myers said last
night that the trip had been most
informing. both to officers and men.
Live Well In Gimp.
On arrival at the camping grounds.
with the wagon and forage trains. the
men had practical experience of pitch
Ing camp In darkness, attending to
the horses and settling themselves for
the night. All forage and subsistence
for men and horses was carried from
Richmond. and while the horses were
being cared for. the battery cooks
were busy. Eggs. clipped beef, bacon
and coffee was soon ready for the tired
soldiers. For breakfast yesterday
morning the cooks provided scrambled
eggs. hashed Drowned potatoes with
onions. hot bread and coffee in abund-
ance. while dinner yesterday proved a
treat, with a hot Brunswick stew.
cooked In the open mir. In old IA shion-
ed style. potatoes. peaches and cakes.
Thirty-eight men too part in the
drill. composing the second platoon.
under command of Lieutenants Pollard
and Myers Captain Myers, of the bat
terry and other officers. including Ad-
jutant Wise and Lieutenants Reese
and wood. accompanied the campers.
TO observe the movements and render
any assistance necessary. though their
aid was not NEEDED, save in disposing
OF the best efforts of the camp cooks.
Within the next week or two 1t is
expected that another platoon will
undertake a similar practice march
and encampment. going out of Rich
mond In another direction.