Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-06
DISTRICT BATTERY
OPENS THE BATTLE
PIayinq a Prominent Part in
the Mimic War at Camp
Tobyhanna, Pa.
MAKE GOOD RECORD AT
SUBCALIBER PRACTICE
! Today's Program Calls for the Use
of Real Shrapnel Shells
Against the Targets.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
ARTILLERY CAMP, Tobyhanna, Pa,
August 6.-Early this morning word was
brought into the camp that the enemy s
skir,nish lines of infantry We're sighted
approaching the camp, and Immediately
the LIST Battery, Field Artillery, n. G. d.
c., harnessed up. and, taking road In
rear of the camp, went into position be-
hind clump of trees and fired the first
shot at the enemy.
These maneuvers We're in accordance
with the plan of instruction. preparing
the men for target practice with real
service ammunition. Instead Of using
ammunition this morning the men had
subcalsber practice. This consists Of the
regulation three-inch shell with A.
caliber cartridge inserted In it instead of
powder and ball. When the gun is fired
the bullet leaves the shell and travels to
the target By this the men can see
where the shell would strike if actual
ammunition were used
This afternoon the regular service
practice will be started, and the POcOno
mountains will echo and vibrate with the
sound Of many guns firing at the targets
representing an attacking army, sta
toned behind hills and in gullies among
the hills for miles around the camp. The
men are all ready, and although excited
at the experience they will undergo Tor
the first time are confident of making
the best score of any of the militia Dat
te1ies from the different states that have
been at the Tobyhanna camp this sum-
mer.
Out on Long Hike.
Yesterday morning the battery went
for long hike, during which they had
instruction and practice in reconnais-
sance. selection and occupat ton OF posi-
tons. the posting OF all elements con-
cerned in battery firing. the prepa:a-
ton of firing data and the conduct of
tire
While hiking along the road toward
Scranton scout, riding at the head of
the column. discovered the advance guard
of the enemy intrenched about a mile OH.
Cart Louis c. Vogt Immediately sent
the battery into position In a rocky field
behind thick woods, took up his position
on a small hill and inside Of twenty
minutes had dropped so many shells into
the enemy's lines that complete rout
was effected The militiamen have be-
come so accustomed to the horses of the
regulars that they get the guns In any
place open enough for the horses to
travel and unlimber In quick time, alt
of which counts III lHe target pTdCllCe.
The regulars took over the battery yes
terday afternoon when the District men
finished their subcaliber practice and
fired about fifty rounds of shrapnel. The
officers and men of the District of Column
bia battery formed all around the firing
guns and observed the burst of the shells
ON the targets. learning how. the fire is
conducted Shells shrieked over the
camn I'D to a range of 1900 yards, the
flames jumping out of the muzzles. and
the great recoil of the guns greatly in
terested the miltiamen, who for the next
rev days will do the firing themselves.
District Men Riddle Targets.
Yesterday afternoon was spent i'll sub
caIiber practice. A problem was worked
out by the District officers and the fire
was very effective. Targets about six
inches high shaped like horses and" can
non, were placed about $50 yards from the
guns After few rounds fired for ad-