Morning journal and courier., 1886-10-25
GREAT NATIONAL DRILL,
Washington To See Next Spring [
 Grand Tournament Of Mil1tary

Washington To See Next Spring a Grand Tournament Of Military Men.
 WASHINGTON, Oct. 24.-Stray notes from time to time have been published about the national drill to be held at Washington, ,com- mencing on the 23rd of next May and con- tinuing eight days. The success of the grand military fete is now assured. Nothing remains to be done by the promoters and or ganizers of the drill but to arrange the de- tails and prepare for monster gathering of militiamen and so brief resume of the origin, purposes and progress of the propos- ed military carnival will be in order. The origin of the drill was chance conversation last July between District Commander Wheatly and 8 few other citizens with I. C. DeLeon, who was managing secretary of the big international drill of Mobile, Alabama, in 1882 Casual discussion of historical pageant and of other magnets to draw curi- ous crowds to the capital resulted in the se- lection of national drill with larger prizes than ever before, and other attractive novel, ties, open to all regular volunteer corps in good standing. Later on a committee of citizens was formed with Com missioner Wheatley as chairman. Business views of the matter were exchanged and three weeks since MT. De Leon was summoned to Washington by his election manager of the drill. Recent conferences have developed the plan of the drill thus: It will be open, under proper restrictions, to contesting in fantry, artillery, cavalry and zouave corps as regiments, battalions and companies, also to cadet corps from military institutes and uni versailles and with prizes for individual drill for soldiers of the regular army. More than $25, ,OOO will be distributed in prizes ranging from $500 to S5, ,OOO Besides this stands of color, gold, silver and bronze medals and five individual prizes of from $50 to $150, these prizes to be presented by the President of the United States. All soldiers taking part in these contests will be camped about the Washington monument and under the command of some noted national guardsman Officers of the regular army, specially detailed for that duty, will judge the drills and make the programmes for the several arms of the service. Strict discipline will be preserved in Camp George Washington, the name chosen for the camp, to emphasize the national character of the drills and because this occasion will be the first since the war where soldiers from the North and South unite in honor of the name of the first President. Special days will be assigned, such as regiment day." "battal- ion day." and Presidents day." the latter for final adjustment of prizes. Music will be an important attraction. It is expected that the most famous bands and drum corps of the country will assemble here and in addi- tion to daily drills promenade concerts are proposed Letters con corning entries of battalions and companies are coming in fast. So far these represent forty-one companies from fifteen States. Among the old "crack companies expected are the Chickasaw Guards, Hous- tons Porter Rifles, Montgomery Blues, Mo bile Rifles, Milwaukee Light Horse, Danville, H., Battery D, Louisville, Ky, Legion, h. dianapolis Light Artillery, Governors Greys of Dubuque, Louisiana Rifles, and others of equal note The great attraction of noted soldiers here, the varied attractions of Wash ington and the enthusiasm evinced by militia everywhere justify the expectation of grand carnival and 8 gathering of civilian as we'll as military visitors. There is unanimous support of the drill here by both press and public, and Washington has not been so eager about anything since the Inauguration of Mir Cleveland