Evening star., 1922-07-21
BRIDGE. WRECKED
BY D. c. ENGINEERS
"Enemies' Stores" Destroy
ed in March From Fort
Washington.
LAUDED BY OFFICERS
Guards at Camp Expected Home
Sunday After Brilliant
Record.
LAUDED BY OFFICERS
From a STAFF Correspondent.

From staff Correspondent.
NATIONAL GUARD. d. c.. E%PE-
plTIONARY FORCE. BROAD CREEK,
Md, July 2I-"Destruction' of the
iron trestle bridge across Broad creek
was successfully accomplished early
today by the 12lst Engineers. Ma
tional Guard of the District of Column
bia. returning from march on Fort
Washington, where they 'destroyed
valuable, stores of the enemy.
The coIunu. il, command of Mai. J.
W oehmaflu was halted when Broad
creei, was reached. and capt. ii. IT,
Pohi, United states Army Engineer
Corps, instructed the engineer oihcefS
to examine the bridge aud lay down
plan for its ''ticStructio Theoretically
ten pounds of INT We're used to cut
both ends of the bridge and drop II
into the creek.
Then the officers were instructed TO
write, out an answer To problem Oh
buildin, Il bridge across the creek 10
support movement over II OF Il nun
division, with all the heavy guns ana
motor train.
The pup tent camp of the guard
established behind Battery Melgs at
Fort Washington last night, was
broken at o'clock today. and atter
IuttIng up their packs and poilclhs
the camp site. the troops starteu on
the return trip at $50 O'Clock me
cool morning made marching easy
and they averaged two and one half
miles an hour, with a ten minute hait
during each hour. This brought them
into their base at Camp Simms. IL. =
in time for lunch, well hardened by
the trip.
The men finished well, and the two
corps ambulances which brought up
the rear of the column were empty
when they reached camp. Sleeping IN
pup tents which they put up during
driving rain yesterday dld not nave
any i'll effect on the men. who had
been hardened considerably by the
intensive training program Which
they had undergone at Camp Slmms,
previous to the practice march.
Assisted by Regulars.
While theoretically on an expedi-
tion of destruction, the District
troops by their fine appearance and
conduct ana the spirit of co-opera-
ton, built up a strong liaison with
the regulars The regular officers at
Fort Washington under Capt. c. H.
Parkin commandant of the post as
sisted the District outfit in every
possible way, anu spoke in the hlgh-
est terms of the local organization.
which they said they were most
happy to have with them.
Capt. q. H. Smith. executive officer
of the post. remained with the troops
until they were established In their
camp site. and then made plans for
the entertainment of the command.
. For the troops snappy parade of
the Sd Battalion. 18th United States
Infantry, was put on last night.
comment from the District outfit.
Later a moving picture show was
- given for the officers and men.
The officers were given a dinner
. In. tr,lt Ill h..
other officers of Fort Washington,
/. which was attended by every officer
in the District command. including
Brig. Gen. Anton Stephan. command
ing the District of Columbia militia,
who came into camp yesterday after
noon and remained with the troops
until this morning.
Speaking to the officers of the Dis
tTfct command, Capt. Smih told them
that he had never seen such fine
body of troops. in so short a training
period, as marched into the post last
night. He said that Capt. Parkin, the
other officers of the post and himself
were much impressed by the quick
cadence, the speed with which the
column was closed up, and the
promptness and efficiency with which
the camp was established
Need of National Guard.
He spoke of the strong need of an
efficient National Guard in this coun-
try, especially at this time, when the
Regular Army was being cut and
expressed the hope that should the
troops again be called out his
organization would have with it the
National Guard of the District of
Columbia.
Gen Stephan, replying to Capt
Smith, said that he wished to express
the appreciation of that helpful spirit
of cooperation which had been
shown the District organization while
IN camp there. and assured the officers
at Fort Washington that he and the
other ofhcers of his District command
hoped to some time have the oppor-
tunity of reciprocating the help and
reception given the District troops.
The great value of such strong CO.
operation between the National Guard
and the Regular Army as was dis
played during the short stay of the
District command in camp was stress
ed by Lieut.. Col. r. d. La Garde,
u 5. A, adjutant general of the Dis
trict of Columbia militia and com
mander of the District force at Fort
Washington. He pointed out that both
forces were working to a common
end. and said that the National Guard
could be a great help to the Regular
Army and the latter to the National
Guard. The guard had done much
for the Army in the past and would
do much in the future, he explained
and nothing could do more to develop
such spirit than such contacts as
were established between the District
troops and the regulars at Fort WASH
ington yesterday.
Capt. Parkin, commandant of the
post, told the officers how glad he
was to have the entire command with
them, expressed the hope that they
would come often. both collectively
and individuality. He told them that
any time they came to Fort Washing
ton the post would be wide open to
them.
Others Lnud Appearance.
Capt II. Heinicke and Lieut.. Walter
Bigby also spoke of the fine appear
ance of the District outfit. and point
ed out that they would like assign
ments with the National Guard, be-
cause they realized the Importance
i'of maintaining a close liasion between
1.-THE two forces.
VI During the early evening the band
')of the 121st Engineers gave a concert
on the parade ground, which was at
!tended by the troops of the regular
tcommand, those residing in the post
and many of the members of the
guard.
Z Although they had participated in a
long march and the ceremonies at
the post, the troops remained in camp
playing games until taps sounded at
1880 o'clock last night. The veterans
of the outfit showed the recruits
little trick of Army life when 1t re-
iiquires that they sleep on the ground
iin pup tents. They went out and cut
ilsmall branches OFF the trees and laid
ltfhem under their blankets.
X The troops slept we'll and awoke at
y! 5 o'clock to answer the general" on
1.-THE bugle. when all of the tents went