The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-08
HOUSTON CELEBRATION.


arations for the interstate drill and
next week. It's believed that at least
thirty of the best drilled companies
in the United States will participate,
and that the drill and encampment will
be the most important event of the
south since the close of the sectional
struggle.
MEXICAN TROOPS TO PARTICIPATE.
Two companies of Mexican regulars
have telegraphed through the author
tiles at the City of Mexico, that they
will cross the Rio Grande, armed and
uniformed, aud be the guests of the
city during the week of the drill
They will act as an escort to the gov
ernorS of the Mexican border states
of Chihuahua, Neava Leon and Tam
aulipas, and some of the most gallant
officers of the army of the sister
republic will accompany them.
This will make the second act
OF amity on the part of Mexico toward
this state, General Trevino and bril-
liant staff of officers having visited
Texas a few years ago. Texas and the
border states of Mexico have been at
enmity since the fall of the Alamo and
the battle of San Jacinto, and the lat
ter fight giving to Texas her indepen-
dence and precipitatinga war between
Mexico and the United States that
commenced with the battle of Palo
Alto and ended in the capture of the
Mexican capital. There has been no
actual peace between this state and
Mexicans on the border since those
stirring martial times until recently,
and even now the two sections menace
each other. The Interstate Drill and
encampment may have a tendency to
stop forever the bloody border fights
that occasionally take place on the
Rio Grande del Norte, and as the
military of Texas will receive the
Mexican soldiery at the frontier line
and escort them with all possible
military etiquette to their rendezvous
at Houston.
The ground selected for the encamp-
ment and drill lies about one mile
from the center of the city. 1t is the
fair ground racing enclosure, embrac-
ing many acres of land. Fronting it
is grand pavilion and stand, with a
large seating capacity. In connection
with this other seats will be erected,
sufficient to accommodate 5000 people.
On the arrival of military companies
they will be sent to quarters in the
grand encampment, where tents with
board floors will be awaiting them,
and in the organization of battalions
and regiments, each company will be
assigned to a place selected for it by
the military board of managers.
ENTRIES AND PRIZES.
The official list of entries up to date
is as follows: Washington Light In
fantry, Washington, ID. c.; Mobile
Rifles, Mobile, Ala; Batteries A and
B st. Louis Light Artillery, Busch
Zouaves, Treadway Rifles, Balm Zou-
ayes, st. Louis, Mo-; Battery B and
Battery G of the Louisiana Field Ar
tillery, New Orleans; Richmond Greys
and Norfolk Light Infantry, Virginia,
and the following Texas organiZa-
tions: Washington Guards, Calves
ton; Palestine Rifles; Austin Greys;
Johnson Guards, Hampstead; Orange
Rifles Cleyburne Guards Lamar
Rifles; Queen City Guards, Dallas;
Navasota Guards; BRENNAN Greys
and Bryan Rifles. Besides these ex-
cellent companies now entered, organ
iZations from many Of the southern,
western, eastern, middle and north
ern states have written to superin-
tendent II. B. Rice, and to the general
managers. that they are making prep
arations to be upon the field, and will
enter the contest for some one of the
prizes to be awarded.
The first prize for infantry will be
5000, the largest sum ever presented
to any drill in the world; second prize,
$1,500; third prize, $500.
First prize for artillery, $3.50; second
prize, $3.50.
Prize for zouaves, $1,000; if only
one company enters, $500.
The Texas companies that have
never won at an Interstate drill, the
prize will be $500.
The total number of prizes offered
by the managers of the drill viii
amount to $500, and that this money
will go where it is awarded by the
Judges there can be no doubt, as in
fuential citizens of Houston are at the
head of the movement.
GRAND SHAM BATTLE.
On the afternoon of the last day a
great sham battle will be fought, in
which all the military, including the
Mexican regulars will engage. The
fight will be conducted by leading
military men of Texas, the artillery
taking a prominent part. To allow a
large field of operation for the con-
tending forces the western fence OF
the enclosure will be removed, open
ing a broad and level eXpanse of
ground. The sham battle is to be one
of the striking features of the Inter
state Drill, showing to advantage the
superior drill the companies have been
subjected to, and the value OF a
knowled of the manual of arms and
evolution to the soldier. From the
grand stand and seats the view of the
field in all directions will be unob-
structed. General officers, their stats
and couriers will be well mounted,
and to those who have never seen a
battle, the scene will no doubt be
thrilling.
Governor Ireland and staff, govern
ors from other states, and prominent
military men of Texas and various
parts of the United States have been
invited. Many of these will respond
to the call and lend their presence to
the great event.
PROMINENT ORGANIZATIONS TO CON-
TEST.
1t has been reported that the Gel
ebrated Tennessee compan1es-the
ChickasaW Guards, of Memphis, and
the Porter Rifles, of Nashville-W1ll
not come to the drill, but private In
| formation states that both companies
are drilling nightly, and will be here
in time to participate. Other crack
compar les not entered are drilling
and no boubt Will come to the front
as contestants for the $1,000 prize.
The st. Louis Republican of a re-
cent date stated that the Texas CRACK
company, the Houston Light Guard
could not get up team. A few
| nights ago the company gave a dres:
parade on Bremond square, under thu
electric light, to at least five hundred
people. gaining applause throughout
their movements. This company has
been to three interstate drills and ma
never failed to attract attention. a.
present it is in good condition and il
drilling nightly in the public streets
The Light Guard organization, as /
now stands, has been in existenc'
about eight years, but it sprang from
the old Light Guard that fourishe'
before the war.
HOsPITALITIES IN PREPARATION.
The city of Houston is busy arrang
ing for the accommodation OF the intel
state visitors, and is having her STREET
put in order, and her hotels and board
ing houses inspected with a yleN
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