Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1883-07-12
Correspondence of the Beacon. }

CHARLOTTE HALL, June %, 1888.
Messrs. Editors lit was my pleasure to at
tend the closing exercises Of Charlotte Hall
School to-day. have taken it upon myself
to chronicle some of the more pleasing features
with which the programme was filed. As
was advertised, the competitive drill was the
first in order. Owing to the threatening
character Of The morning, the time for COM
mencing drill was postponed until 10 o'clock.
Promptly at 10 the call 70 assemble the COM
pauies was sounded, in obedience to the COM
mands Of such, there were to be seen cadets
vending their way to their respective forming
grounds. The members Of Co. A., clad in
the ever to be venerated grey, each seeming a
model of military bearing. Co. B wore the
grey coat with white pants, which formed a
most beautiful contrast. The captains drew
by lot for preference who should drill first.
The choice fell TO Go. A, whose captain deci-
ded to drill last. The judges arrived the over
night, Col. Watkins being prevented from at
tending by extreme sickness in his family.
The judges elected Capt. Henry Thomas to ill
the position Of Col. Watkins. The Judges be-
ing stationed, Capt. w. S. Bowen, command
ing Co. B, marched his company around the
parade grounds, hating them in front of the
judges, and with his usual military grace and
dignity, signifed his readiress for orders,
which being given, he carried his Co. through
the evolutions with such exactness and pre-
cisiOn a IN command the afsanf;or "a -
plause Of all present. At the end of the spe-
cited time, twenty minutes, his Co. was dis
missed. Co. A was then called. With the
tread Characteristic ef the Maryland Line it
marched to its post of duty, not chagrined at
the perfection Of its opponents movements,
but rather aroused with generous emulation
and prOad Of having an opposer worthy Of
their best efforts. Your correspondent looked
with wrapt attention at the perfection Of their
movements. The captain, by his natural
military bearing and commanding mein, gave
evidence ef thorough understanding Of his
duties. The drum soon signiied the termi-
nation Of his time, and the drill was over. IL
was a difficult matter for uninterested parties
to say TO whom the medal should be awarded.
The practised eyes Of the judges had seen more
than the uninitiated. After deliberation, each
wrote out bis opinion and deposited il with
out consultation. Il was found upon exami-
nation that Co. BIS captain had been awarded
the medal as the commanding officer Of the
best drilled company. Co. A, do not be dis
cOuraged at defeat This is sometimes far
more valuable than success, inasmuch as 1t
should arouse ever determination thGsvictoEy
should finally be gained.
The literary exercises Of the day were very
entertaining. Chaste, classic and masterpiece
Of English composition now and then inter
spersed with something OF comic nature were
rtcited in an accomplished manner. DR.. p.
W. Hawkins made = mastery address 10 the
students, il which he evinced q sound under
standing Of the needs Of the young.
The young gentlemen distinguished for
ability and close application to study we're
mentioned in the following order
Bird FoEm-Gnduating class-lst, G.. ID.
Lancaster, 81. Mary's; And, Haring Thomas,
st. Mary's; 3rd, J. u. Shemwell, Calvert CO.
2nd ForIn-Rotert Crane and James Barber,
Of Charles county, and Charles Adams. ofSt.
MaTys county. LIST Form-0tis Linthicum
and T. II. Medley, Of Prince Georges county,
and a. II. Plugge, Of Washington, d. q.
Thus ended the literary exercises. The third
and last feature Of the day was the ball. Your
correspondent entered the capacions hotel Is a
special privilege before the large company ar
rived The appearance defied description.
Bright guns wrapped in national eolors were
symbolic Of patriotism. Long sweeping fes-
ICONS hung from the ceiling and the bright