The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-25
More than $25. 900 To Be Distributed in Prizes
for Proficiency in Drill-Partial List
of the Competing Organizations.
How General Black Is Using the PEN
sion Bureau for Partisan Purposes.
Vigorous Response of DR.. Garnet to What He
Calls an Impertinent Letter from the PEN
sion Commissioner-W Washington Notes.
rHE NATIONAL DRILL.

Origin of the Proposed Encampment-The
Prizes and Some of the Competitors.
Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON Oct 24.-Stray notes from time
to time have been published about the national
drill, to be held at Washington, commencing on
the 23d of next May and continuing eight days,
closing with general parade ofnational guards
men and special features on Decoration Day.
May 80 The success of the grand military fete
is now assured Nothing remains to be done by
the promoters and organizers of the drill but to
arrange the details and prepare for a monster
gathering Of militiamen, and so a brief resume
of the origin, purposes and progress of the pro-
posed military carnival will be in order The ORR
gin of the drill was chance conversation las
July, between District Commissioner Wheatey
and few other citizens with Mr. T. G. DeLeon,
who was managing secretary of the big interna.
tional drill at Mobile Ala in May, 1885. Cas-
ual discussion of an historical pageant and of
other magnets to draw curious crowds to the
national capital, resulted in the selection of
national drill, with larger prizes than ever be-
fore offered and other attractive novelties, open
to all regular volunteer corps in good standing.
Later on a committee Of citizens was formed,
with Commissioner Wheatley as chairman.
Business views Of the matter were
exchanged, and three weeks since
Mr.. DeLeon was summoned to Washington
by his election as managing secretary Of the
drill. Recent communications have developed
the plan of the drill thus: It will be open-un-
der proper restrictions-to conresting infantry,
artillery, cavalry and zouave corps, regiments,
battalons and companies; also to cadet corps
from military institutes and universities and
with prizes for individual drill for volunteers
and soldiers of the regular army. More than
$25, 900 will be distributed in prizes, ranging
from $500 to $1,000 each, besides stands of col
ors gold, silver and bronze medals, and five in
dividual prizes, ranging from $50 to $3.50, the
prizes to be presented by President Cleveland.
All soldiers taking part in these contests will
be camped about the Washington monument,
under the command of some noted national
guardsman and the drills will take place in what
is known as the "White lot," just south Of the
Presidents mansion. Officers of the regular
army, specially detailed for that duty, will Judge
the drills and make the programmes for the sew
eral arms Of service Strict discipline will be
preserved in "Camp George Washington" the
name that has been chosen for the camp, to en-
phasize the national character of the drill, nd
because this occasion will be the first since the
war where soldiers from the North and
South unite in honoring the name of
the first President Special days will
be assigned, such as Presidents day,
regiment day, battalion day, the former for final
adjudgment of prizes Music will be an i'm
portant attraction. 1t is expected that the most
famous bands and drum-corps of the country
will assemble here. and, in addition to daily
drills, nightly promenade band concerts are pro-
posed, with such music as Copper's. Gilmore's
and like bands. Letters concerning entries of
battalions and companies are. coming In fast
So far, these represent forty-one compa-
MES from fifteen States, North, South
and West. Among the old 'crack
companies" expected are the Chickasaw
Guards of Memphis; Porter Rifles, Montgomery
True Blues, Mobils: Rifles, Milwaukee Light
Horse, Danville (Ill.) Battery, Louisville Legion,
Indianapolis Light Artillery, Governors Greys,
of Dubuque Louisiana Rifles, and others Of
equal note. The great attraction of noted SOL
diers who will be present, the varied attractions
of Washington, and the enthusiasm already
evinced by mlitiamen everywhere. justify the
expectation of q grand carnival and gathering
of civilian as well 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 President Cleveland.