Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-07

out skirmishers In an effort to get an esti-
mate of the strength of the vanguard of
the enemy.
Draw the Enemy's Fire.
The skirnishers spread about the ridge,
and while the 1st Infantry spread itself
southwark of the summit it's skirmishers
toward the north succeeded in drawing
forth the fire from the enemy's van.
guard. 1t developed as the battle started
all over again that the retreat of the
enemy's skirmishers was seeming at
tempt to draw the defenders to the foot
of the mountain. which, had it worked,
would have permitted an easy attack
upon headquarters The 1st Separate
Battalion was en- masse about headquar-
tiers and advanced toward the summit
of fire ridge" in an effort to draw the
fire away from headquarters
squadron Of "petticoat cavalry" ad-
vanced upon headquarters during the
heaviest part of the firing, and Capt.
Thomas II. Clark's effort to obtain
medal for meritorious services by effect
ing Its capture failed. He. however, sue
ceeded in capturing two OF the squadron.
Capt. Clark was ordered to take charge
of the prisoners
When the 1st Infantry left the camp
grounds and started along the road Capt.
Terry, with his Signal Corps Company
and two reel carts, followed them, laying
telephone and telegraph lines from head
quarters, and at no moment during the
battle. hardly, was headquarters without
communication with the front, although
reports were not made public. There
seems TO be a disposition to have the war
correspondents go to the front and col
iect their own information, but no one
mad the heart to suggest that this was
an easy way to rid the camp Of them.
The Signal Corps detachment did re-
markably quick work in laying down the
field lines, using broken wire fences and
everything else in its successful ef-
forts to complete the circuits Commu-
nication also was maintained with the
front by means of a field wireless set
Fought Under Bright Sun.
The District boys fought under bright
sun, the heat of which was relieved by
the cool breezes which constantly sweep
the plateau. When the boys turned out
early this morning the clouds hung heavy
over the mountain tops. They hurried
about their work. but did not realize that
the enemy was SO close upon them, and
the usual infantry drills were going on
when the first shots from the enemy's
skirmishers broke forth and echoed and
re-echoed through the mountain passes.
Ihe sklrmisherS are continuing their
Efforts at this hour to ascertain the
enemy's strength, but the advance
guard or District boys of the defending
force having cleaned fire ridge" of
the enemy has returned to camp.
The purpose of the drill this morning
was to train the men in close and ex-
tended order of firing. They were to
locate the fire of the enemy and set
their sights at the estimated distance.
FROM meaSer reports which came to
camp and judging from their success
in chasing the enemy they did re-
markably well. AS the program put It,
the exercises were rapid deployment
and picking up indistinct targets,
training In communicating, location Of
target, instruction in use Of cover"
The mayor of Harpers Ferry has
probably realized his mistake in con-
f.scating the unloaded revolvers of sew
last night and it is expected that he
will return them today However.
headquarters has left the matter Of re-
covering the property with the COM
pany commanders. Orders were issued
today instructing the company COM
manders to ascertain IL any OF their
sidearms were missing and if so to
take immediate steps to recover them
Confiscated q. s. Property.
1t was United States property which
the mayor confiscated when he relieved
the men of their arms. and this ia an
offense against the United States. The
armed force" from the District of Co.
lumbia came in to West Virginia by per-
mission Of the governor and the MAYOR
seemingly exceeded his authority in re-
lieving the men OF their revolveps, which
are a part of the uniform. The return
of the property will close the incident.
Although the Medical Corps men are
getting in lot Of drilling there are not
many real cases for them to take care of.
George F. Thomson. private in COMPANY
p Of the I'd, is confined to the hosn;,
tai tent with case of tonsilitis. How
ever, his condition was much improved
this morning. Sergt. Jenifer Morris. who
was suffering from fever. was sent fo
tha city last night accomnapioa ~