Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-24
FIERCE FIGHTING"
ON LOWER POTOMAC
Theoretical Battle Waged
Against Invaders" at Co.
IoniaI Beach, Va.
GUARDSMEN OF DISTRICT,
TAUGHT RULES OF WAR
Field Day Contests for Prizes Sched-
uled for This Afternoon at
Camp 0rdway.
From 4 STAFF Correspondent.


gan here early today. when an army
OF enormous proportions theoretically
invaded the shores under cover of
darkness A force. vastly inferior in
numbers, which was camped about two
miles Inland. opposed the invaders, who
were identified by bands of blue worn
on their hats.
Theoretically. Maryland had declared
war on Virginia. The invading troops.
commanded by theoretical Gen A.
consisted Of the entire Sd Infantry,
under the command of Lieut. Col An
ton Stephan. The small force upon
which had been placed the duty of
defending Virginia was at Wilkersons,
some distance from this place. and
was composed of the 1st Separate Bat
talon of Infantry. commanded by Mai
James Z. Walker
After crossing the Potomac and maxi
ing successful landing here Gen.
A" directed Col Stephan to push for
ward with the Sd Infantry on the W-ilker-
son-Colonial Beach road and to attack
the Red forces. which were reported
to be in the neighborhood. 1t was $50
O'Clock when the invaders started their
inland movement.
Scouts from the Reds" discovered the
Blue invaders shortly after they had
landed, but not in time. however to do
anything toward stopping the movement
The defenders had less than a brigade,
their force being commanded by theo-
retica1 Col. B." There was a rush about
the Red" camp when the scouts re-
turned with the news.
Orders Startle the Defenders.
col. B" Immediately issued the fol-
lowing orders to Maj. Walker:
Blue forces are landing at Colonial
Beach this morning. This command
will retire onto Maple Grove. You will
take up position on the Wilkerson-
Colonial Beach road and delay the en-
emy's advance. l will notify you when
to retire as a rear guard"
All the morning. in, intense heat, the
invading troops, loaded down with the
pack equipment on their backs, beat
their way throug the rough country.
every once in while getting into con-
tact with the outposts of the Reds
Commands were deployed everywhere
in the great battle of skill to train the
District soldiers in the war game.
The machine gun company, banging
away at targets on an unfrequented
part of the river. gave a touch of real
ism to the theoretical battle.
After all the morning and part of the
afternoon had been occupied in fight
ing. the soldiers heard the welcome re-
call on the bugle announcing the end
of the days duty.
officers Umpire the Battle"
1t will be late this afternoon before
the results are known. Brig. Gen
William E. Harvey. commanding the
brigade: Maj. Harry Coope and Maj. F.
B. Wheaton, both of Gen. Harvey's
staff. witnessed the battle as umpires.
The only thing that saved them from
the merciless slaughter was a white
band each wore about his hat. Mai
Joseph c. Caster and Capt Horace P.
Hobbs. both of the United States Army,
acted as observers.
When the battle was over the only
noticeable injuries were in the form
of hundreds of blisters on the SOL
diers' feet. caused by the ill-fitting
shoes which they used during the hard
marching incident to the attack and
defense of this place.
However, the hospital corps, under
Capt. William B. Hudson, was ready to
take care OF these small wounds
quickly, for this morning the regiment
infirmary was empty. A piece Of ad-
hesive plaster over each blister was
the simple dressing applied, and the men
were dismissed in time to participate
in the parade along the beach front
which was followed by the field day
on the small drill field adjacent to the
camp proper.
Hundreds Of the Inhabitants of the cor
poration, together with many visitors
lined the boardwalk to witness the
parade of the brigade, led by the &c
Infantry Band.
Field Day Events.
Probably the most exciting event OF
the day will be a mule race late this
afternoon, participated in by member,
of the new machine gun company
They will ride horseback the eieht
newly acquired and unframed mules
The event was added to other field da,
events scheduled for this afternoon al
the last moment, more for amusement
than for competition. Numerous ath.
letic contests formed large part OF
the program. The events follow.
Event No. 1-100-yard dash; frs
prize, 50; second prize, 81; third prize
ST.
Event No. Equipment race, mer
to report at start in bathing suits
socks and shoes laced, the following
equipment to be used: Hat. coat, shirt
breeches and leggins. First prize, SO
second prize, So: third prize. 81
Event No. 3-Three legged race
Teams of two men, each team to fur
nish two blanket roll straps; frs
prize, SO; second prize, 81; third prize
Event No 4-220-yard dash: FRS
prize, So; second prize. 81; third prize
81.
Event No. 5-440-yard dash: Firs,
prize, SO; second prize, 81. third prize
Event No. accompany relay: oper
to one team of four men from eacf
company. each man to run 22O yards
prize, 81.
| Event No. wall scaling: Open t,
! teams of one squad Zone corporal an,
| seven privates) from each company
first prize. IS: second prize. a.
All events open to enlisted men only
| Games to start at 1:3G o'clock.
Officials: Referee, Capt E. H. Brian
| judges. Capt. J. E. Brooks, Capt. w H
Beckstein, Capt. Fullam and Lieut.
Schlosser: starter, Lieut.. White; clerl
of course, Lieut. Smithson: timer, Capt
| Lockhead; inspectors, Lieut.. Hamilton
Lieut. Giovannoni. Lieut.. Burlinsam,
and Lieut.. Hazard.
Non-com Officers Organize.
| The ''non-coms of the new Sd Infan
try. at meeting late yesterday after
noon. organized the Nom Commissions,
Officers Association of the Sd Infantry
| telling the men that they would hay
the support of the entire commissions,
personnel. The following officers wer
airy next:
| President Serxt Randolph Rahhi++