The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-08-22
GUARDSMEN DEFY
HEAVY rainfall
Drills Carried Out at Camp
Ordway, Despite Drench-
ing Downpour.
SIGNAL CORPS ON "HIKE''
Officers of Third Infantry Form Asso-
ciation-March to Fredericksburg
and Sham Battle Planned.
BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.

BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.
Camp Ordway. Colonial Beach. Va.
Aug. H.-The gentle pat, pat. pat of
great big raindrops awoke the camp this
morning, and indications are that the
weather will be slightly damp in this
section all day. although the storm has
subsidized.
Rain is a real test of a camps eff
cheney. 1t tests the mettle of the officers
as well as that of the men. and those
who have pitched their tents in faulty
way soon learn where they made theT
mistakes when the water commences to
trickle through.
There was no interruption in the drill
work today. and on schedule time the
long line of khaki-ciad soldiers marched
OF in the driving rain for their mornings
instruction promptly at O'Clock and
kept up the business of drilling all day.
The members Of the machine-gun COM
pany nearly wept this morning when
they poked their heads out Of their tents.
as they didn't want to get their new
guns wet
However after the boys .sloshed"
around in the mud awhile they go. over
the feeling. and after several mules had
slipped down and another had tried to
run away they began to feel that it
wouldn't be such catastrophe after all
If the eight pesky mules would start rum
ming and never stop until they were in
deep Potomac water with the several
hundred pounds strapped securely on
their backs That would mean good-by.
Mr.. Mule. and would afford immediate
relief from the constant battle with the
animals to get them accustomed to car
rying the packs.
The parade of the First Separate Bat
TALON which took place last night, drew
one OF the largest crowds that has as
senbled at the drill field this week. The
boys in this company are noted for their
excellent drilling and long before the
time for the drill to commence. the men,
bers of the other companies began to
wend their way in the direction of tho
field When the First Separate Battalion
swung by in review. keeping almost per-
feet step to the music of the band, the
crowd gave the company a great ova-
ton.
This afternoon there was a parade and
review of the entire command Tomor-
row there will be no drill work. but a
dress parade will be given at i:3O O'Clock.
Last night was the most exciting since
camp opened. To start things going
COMPANY F. which was on guard duty
with Lieut. P. r. Shomattc. officer of the
guard. and Capt. W. H. BeCkstein. officer
Of the day. made a determined attempt
to stop the guard running which has
5oen feature for several nights.
Eishtv-fve arrests were made. five or six
rough and tumble fights occurred be-
tween guards and soldiers trying to get
into the lines without pass. and one
guard. who dropped his gun and chased
a soldier who was trying to get in, lost
his gun. some one grabbing it when he
went of down the road in chase f. w
'Salkcld jr.. who was on guard during
the most exciting hours of the evening. |
was IN several fights and sustained a
blow on the head which pat BIN in the
hospital this morning.
Mules Stampede.
Another exciting feature of the even
Ing was the stampede of mules belong |
ing to the machine gun company. four !
breaking away and disappearing in the
inky blackness OF the night. Capt. H. |
&. Earnshaw and Orderly Tony Ro-
setta immediately set out TO scour the
country and succeeded in capturing
three of the animals before morning.
The other mule Is still at large and has
probably gone back home. The search
is being continued. however. and it is
hoped to catch UP with the animal be-
fore nightfall.
The Signal Corps took long horse
hack hike Of two hours this morning
when the rainktorm was ut its height
wet but with taste ~ real soldering.
The hospital experienced the busiest
day Of I'll" camp, when Is cases were
treated at sick call this morning. Only
one case was serious enough to be adj
mitted. that of T. w. Salkeld, jr.. who
was injured in a tussle while on guard
duty. William Field. who entered the
hospital two days aEo. was released this
morning as cured and returned to his
The First Battalion was inspected this
morning and tn" Second Battalion went
through the same ordeal in the after
noon. Both made an excellent showing
and were congratulated by the officers
who conducted the inspection.
The officers Association of the Third
Infantry was organized yesterday even
Ing at meeting held in the school,
house, \ constitution was adopted and
officers Elected.
The objects Of the association are