Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-26
why the Procession Last Night Was
Broken.

A MILITARY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
why the Procession Last Night Was
Broken.
THE RIVAL CLAIMS TO PRECEDENCE OF THE NATIONAL
RIFLES AND THE UNION VETERAN CoRPs-sCENEs
AT THE ARAoRIEs OF THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS
EACH COMMANDER SUSTAINED BY HIS MEN
The reception rendered to the Washington Light
infantry Corps last evening upon their return from
Long Branch. was marred by an unpleasant Incl
cent. disturbing the harmony which has prevailed
ior some time among the military organizations OF
the District The National Rifles was the first or
ganization to arrive at the depot, and when the
infantry came formed on Pennsylvania avenue In
'front.' OF the Metropolitan hotel with the left rest
Ing on 9th street. The other organizations, with
the Union Veteran Corps. Capt. Thomson, at the
head, formed 9th street After the Infantry had
passed out Of the depot upon the avenue the vart-
Gus organizations fell into line the National Rifles
With the National Rifle Cadets taking the right OF
the line, and the Union Veteran Corps following
thein In this order the line marched to 9TH street
AFTER the platoon OF police, the Rifles and their
Cadet Corps had crossed eth street and We're pro-
ceefing on up the avenue over the route announced
In the newspapers, the Union Veteran Corps with
It's band turned into 9TH street. and the rest OF the
line followed. The Rifles kept on their course
headed by the police, and did not discover for some
near the Treasury by a telephone message. which
led them TO suppose that the of the line had
Il
and ten perceiving that the other organizations
had taken different route. proceeded on They
followed out the route prescribed and were greeted
everywhere by liberal discharge OF fireworks from
the throngs OF people, who supposed, when they
saw the Rifles coming, that they were eScortiDg
the infantry On street they passed the other
organizations. and gave them marching salute,
TO which the Infantry responded. Hence they
n.lrched TO street, to 9Th to X to 9TH, and down
their armory. Meanwhile the main line, headed by
the Union veteran Corps, marched over about the
same route reversed, going up 9TH to F. to 18th, to
Pennsylvania avenue, thence back to 9TH and to the
armory OF the Washington Light Infantry Corps.
WHAT LIEUT.. OYSTER SAID.
The National Rifles was the first company to re-
turn TO its armOry. and the command marched
home with band playing and colors flying. There
was quite crowd of spectators gathered about the
building, who cheered as the rifles passed through
the portal in the drill room before ranks were
broken, Lieut.. oyster, commanding, made brief
speech referring to the events OF the evening saw
ing that what he had done he had done to main
tam the dignity and rights Of the command and
that he was willing to take the responsibility upon
his own shoulders. The company thereupOn took
a vote and voted unanimously to sustain the action
OF the commanding officer.
by seniority and custom" said Lieut.. Oyster to
STAR reporter, 1.-THE Rifles were entitled to the
right of the line. Twas willing to defer to Capt.
In, bhoma5on as senior commanding officer and let
MIN take command OF the line. but the National
Rifles Is the senior command. This has not been
disputed before. We arrived first at the depot and
TOOK our position, as usual. On Pennsylvania
avenue III Capt ThOmaSOn expected or claimed
the right OF the line. why did he form at our left?
We got all the glory" added the lieutenant laugh
Ing; "glOry that we We're not entitled 70. All the
fireworks We're displayed for us. The line OF march
was advertised. and arranged, as understand. by
Capt Thomson himself. We followed that line of
march Capt Th0maSon in order TO get the right
OF line, turned up seventh street. and OF course
the rest OF the line followed him. The Infantry OF
course, are not to blame in any way. and Gould not
Know what Was going on. Il Is unpleasant
thing. and am very sorry that IL occurred, but
still feel that have done only what was right
especially as no one assumed command assigned
us place in line. Alter we found that the line
had gone up seventh street, we could not turn
around after them. Tor then we would have had TO
1ai In behind the Infantry, taking the left Of the
line from them and getting all the fireworks and
hOno!s. Capt. Thomson. / think. acted rather
diScoufte0uSiy TO the Rifles all through He invited
the other commands to assemble at the Veteran
arHOrr and march down with them, but he Ignored
the Rif-S altogether. We rendered escort TO the
Infantry, and have a telegram and letter from
Col Moore accepting it. AS 10 the seniority OF the
command. II we are to go back TO reOrgaHizations
the Rifles date their existence back TO IS39@'
The members OF the National Rifles expressed
much Indignation at the action OF the Veteran
corps, characteTizlng it as mean trick. Some OF
them attributed 1t TO feeling caused by the victory
or the National Rifle cadets over the Veteran Corps
caCetS Id the recent prize drill.
CAPT. TBoNAsoN'S EXPLANATION
When Capt. Tholnasons command returned to
its armory at Masonic Temple they were received
with considerable enthusiasm by the friends Of the
organization. Before breaking ranks Can't Thoma-
son briefly stated that he had done what he did TO
Nlndlcate the dignity Of the corps. Lieut.. Edgar
made speech, stating that the captain deserved
the thanks or the cOmma nd for his action and
upon MS proposition the Vets" gave three cheers
for Capt Thomson. This was ecnCed by a COM
pany cheer from the Union Veteran Cadets.
1--WE 1ound said Capt. ThOmaSOn to STAR re-
porter VINO asked for an explanation OF the events
OF the evening. thit the National Rifles persisted
In claiming the night OF the line notwithstanding
the TACT that the Union Veteran Corps is the senior
Organization. The Veterans were organized April
9th. 1850. and the National Rifles June 11th 1880
All Oh tle other organizations recognized the r.gnr
OF the veteran Corps, and all or them reported TO
me except the Rifles and the First company When
SPOKE 10 Lieut.. oyster and said he could not take
that position he said the Veteran Corps was reor-
ganiZed last year and was not the senior Organiza-
ton. Now the veterans were not reorganized
Some OF the members went out and formed another
company. but the Union Veteran Corps has never
been r20rEdniZcI- AS senior officer, when found
that the Rifles insisted upon taking the right of the
line, reversed the route OF march and let them 90
on think all military linen Will Justify the course
TOOK. repOrt ed 10 Col Moore what was doing
and he told NE 10 so ahead and do what was right
Last year at the Light Infantry reception | con-
coed the right OF nne TO the National Rifles NOT
because they Were entitled to It, but because. Ihe
veterans W. rG Tie especial escort OF the honorary
members OF the Washington Light Infantry and as
such TOOK the left OF the line
The officers OF the Union Veteran Corrs all an
p!auded what Capt. ThOmaSon had done s.I am
glad, said one OF them. "that Capt. Thomson
stood up for the rights OF the Veterans There Is
no question about the seniority Of the Veterans
and then who ever heard OK u captain taking ms
orders from lieutenant
The Return sr,,,, Cau,n xJoor,