The Washington times., 1923-09-08
MARINE H|KERS
DRAW DISTRICT
MOTORISTS
Marchers Are Now IN Territory
Eeasily Accessible from
Capital.

weather. which is making the sea-
side resorts a trifle chill and drear
or the average Washington week
nd pleasure seeker, the motorlst Is
,nce more finding himself in undis-
auted possession of the vacation
stage.
though the midsummer peak has
now long passed. nearby nlli coun-
.ry resorts are still attracting
strong attendance OF WasnlnsIon-
ANS
The interest for Washingtonians
in the nearby Virginia mountain
country is receiving a powerful sum,
illus this month from the annual
lnaneuvers OF the Marine Corps East
coast Expeditionary Force from
>guantico, now engaged in q 4VO-nue
march through nearby Virginia and
me Shenandoah Valley country.
Many Units En- Route.
A column Of more than 1000
'leathernecks, comprising infantry,
lnachine-gun companies, artillery,
motor transport outfits, signal com.
pauies, aviation units and all or the
manifold specialized units which go
20 make up the complex modern
Army, is winding its slow way
through the peaceful Virginia coun-
lryside, which has not resounded to
me tramp of so many armed men
-sI1Ice Ins feverlsh layS Ot The CIVIL
: War.
! Monday the long column swung
into Rapidan Station, where camp
was pitched
TUESDAY the column hit the road
shortly after sunrise on q fifteen
mile hike to Gordonsville. Motor
scouts, preceding the column. reached
..Sordonsville early in the morning
and We're followed closely by Red
Cross and medical units, which set
up first-aid stations along the line
ut march. Military police also ar
rived ahead Of the column to super
Use the setting up OF camp anu to
look over the surrounding neighbor-
mood.
Gordonsville, q town OF about 800
Inhabitants, is situated at the begin
ming OF the foothills of the Blue
Ridge mountains and from this point
On the marines swung into increas-
ingly rugged country.
log Miles From Capital.
Gordonsville is but log miles from
Washington over roads which are,
Tor the most part, fairly good, and
there were score or more Of Wash
ington automobile parties on hand
20 watch the pitching of camp.
The juncture Of the main column
and an artillery detachment of 700
men, under command OF Major Roo
ert o. Underwood was effected Tues
Jay near Orange, Va, the artillery
falling in at the rear OF the imam
try brigade. The entire column is
commanded by Brig. Gen. Smedley
ID. Butler. The artillery column in
cludes batteries Of French ISIS and
anti aircraft guns, fuel aviation
trains and a chemical gas unit, all
completely motorized. From Orange
to- Gordonsville the route lay over
Well-paved roads.
Airplanes Active.
Airplanes played an important part
In the life OF the camp at Gordons-
vile. They not only performed their
regular functions of maintaining
communications with Quantico and
carrying mail, but they also brought
seven fully equipped marines from
Quantico to joint the column and
prevented a bread shortage by car
rying a shipment of fresh bread
which was stalled when trucks met
impossible roads.
wednesday the column resumed
the march into the hill country and
Thursday swung into Charlottesville,
the nrst large community reached
during the expedition. Charlottesville
proved a revelation to the tired sol
0ers OF the sea after their battles
OF the previous two or three DAYS in
nauIlng trucks and artillery through
mlry clay and nights of semi-rest in
soggy camps.
yesterday the column rested in
charlottesville, providing the first
Gay OF rest for the marines. Base
pan, boxing and entertainments Of
many kinds made things lively for
the men. Thursday afternoon planes
from Quantico again established com.
munlcation with. the camp.
AS the column heads out Of Ouan.
tico today, with the mountains loom.
ing up close ahead and ideal coIn-
try Tor tactical practice at hand, the
real battle maneuvers will begin
ieaolng up to the reproduction of the
pattIe or New Market, in the hea RI
OF the Shenandoah Valley, on Sen
TENDER rs and 81.
from Charlottesville on the COL
umn will be within reach Of The
washington motorist over GOOD
ROADS running through the beautifuI
VdiIey country and an ever-increas q.
ing number of cars from the District
is expected. 7'- ~