The Washington herald., 1916-07-08
MILI7IAMEN IN
mimic BATTLE
Infantrymen at Camp Ordway
Engage in First Prac-
tice Skirmish.

The first actual practice skirmish
of the infantry took place yeeter-
day at Camp ordway, when the battal-
ions independently practiced outpost
problems. Over the rough Virginia roads.
through ravines and in clumps Of wood.
the District militia infantrymen tried out
practical problems of warfare.
The First Battalion, under command Of
Mai. ]. G. Hodgson, divided into de-
fensive and attacking parties. Company
C was sent out in advance and took up
defensive position and stationed out
posts to watch for the enemy. Compa MES
A, and d attacked, and there was hot
mimic fighting. A special uncensored re-
port of the battles that was obtained
through an interview with one of the
enlisted men states that Company C,
captured twenty-five men of the attack
ing force.
Three companies Of the second bat
TALON, commanded by Maj. Wallace A.
McCathran, operated in similar prob
lem Companies G and H taking the Of
fensive and Company F placing the out
posts. Company E was on guard In
camp.
The Third Battalion, under Maj. Sum-
mers sent Company I out to take up
defensive position, and Companies K. l.
and NJ, by means OF advance points, tried
to penetrate the lines
Majors Are Umpires.
In all the tactical problems worked out.
the majors acted as instructors and um-
pircs. although no formal decision OF the
winning side was made. Col Glendie B.
Young and his stan supervised the ma
neuvers.
a war against pests and bugs OF all
kinds will be waged today. and the mos
uito, who has been putting up a losing
fight, will be completely vanquished.
With scythe. ak. oil and fire the camp
site will be cleared OF brush, weeds and
other pest harbors Filling in or drain
ing of all hOllows and bitches that breed
mosquitoes was begun yesterday, and to-
day two nOncommissioned officers and
twenty-five buck privates will complete
the job. The cleanup has been ordered
as the result of an Investigation by reg
ular army officers.
The condition OF the clothing and shoes
Of the men of the Third Infantry is pitt
full. Many of the men are practically
barefoot, the skin showing through the
soles of the shoes In one company there
are three men who can not drill because
of lack of proper shoes. Many OF the
men are without other proper clothing.
an all kinds of nondescript civilian
clothes can be seen in every company.
Supplies Are Ready.
And in the gunsheds at Fort Myer
there are enough supplies to At out the
whole regiment in new uniforms. The
issue of them is being held up until the
medical examinations are heard from and
the men who will be discharged on ac-
count OF physical disability are known.
1t seems that the authorities do not wish
to risk giving new goods to the men
who soon will be released. and for that
reason they are holding up the issue.
Officers Of the regiment deplore these con-
ditions, and a quick issue of Federal
material is being urged For a week the
men have been mustered in and there
fore eligible to receive these Federal
goods, and yet they have not been is
sued.
In the post hospital at Fort Myer a
corps OF men under direction of Col.
Owens, Medical Corps, L. S. A, are com
piling the lists of those of the Third In
fantry who failed in the Federal medical
tests. They are not ready yet, and the
exact number of men necessary to bring
the regiment to minimum strength and
release It for border service is not vet
known.
Battery B. went up for Federal physical
test yesterday and out of 100 men exam
ined, twenty failed. There are still twen-
ty-five men to be examined. Today the
examination of this mounted organiza-
tion will be finished, and Troop A and
Battery A will also be examined.
Preparations for the immediate issue
OF equipment to the troopers was being
made yesterday. and the material will
probably be distributed today.
Recruiting direct into the organized
militia in the service of the United States
will be practiced as soon as recruiting
parties of mustered men and officers can
be formed, Capt Horace Hobbs has an
nounced. This will do away with all
mastering, as enlisting will be direct in
IN tho FedaraI