Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-09
THE DISTRICT NATIONAL GUARD.
Making Out Dfscharges-The Coming
Observation-Disclosures Notes.

Col. Bigelow, acknowledgement of the Ma
tional Guard of the District of Columbia, has
been kept busy for the past few months max
ing out discharges, honorable and dislronora-
BILE. The former usually for clerks, who
find that they can't keep up in their drills for
want of time. The latter arefor persons for whose
non-attendance at drills there Is no sufficient
excuse, or who have not paid their dues. 1.-THE
fact indicates the need of reform in enlisting,"
said Col. Bigelow to STAR reporter. "SufA-
cient care does not seem to be taken before en-
listing man in company to ascertain
whether he has the taste, aptitude,
means and time necessary to make National
Guardsman. 1t would seem to be good thing
to require candidate to serve term of pro-
baton of at least a month before regularly en-
listing him, as such practice would save both
the adjutant-general and the commanding
officers considerable trouble and save many
young men from future disappointment and
modification"
THE THANKSGIVING INSPECTION.
Col. Bigelow expects the battalion and regi-
mental commanders to make the most of their
time between now and Thanksgiving Day to
prepare their commands by battalion drills for
the inspection, drill, and parade on that day.
They would do well, he thinks, to have at least
one meeting of the officers in each battalion
for instruction in those movements and exer-
c1ses which they will have to execute. Any
points which they want information upon,
which they fail to procure at such meeting,
they can bring up at the meeting of the school
of officers on the 2Sth. There is not as
much instruction indoors, as there might be to
advantage said Col. Bigelow. every drill
should be an illustration of a lesson impaired
beforehand or an examination. There should
be as little time as possible given to explanations
on the drill floor" He says further that the
ta1,x 81
tice their commands in passing in review, in
doing which they should
ATTEND CAREFULLY TO THE FOLLOWING POINTS:
1st That the officers are in their proper
places; ID That subdivisions have exact dis
tances; 3D. That the commands be brought to
a carry arms at least fifty yards from the
reviewing officer; 4th. That the officers salute
at the proper time IND in the proper manner;
9Th. That the battalionis accurately equalized."
I'm the marching past" he continued, II
have noticed errors and inaccuracies in all
these points. 1t can never be done rightly
without previous practice. 1t is as impossible
to teach an officer to march in review
by precept as it would be to teach
him to walk on tight rope.
He is too nervous to remember what he has
been taught In handling the sword the most
common defect is to bring it down to one side,
instead of straight to the front. As the sword
comes down, which should be six yards from
the reviewing officer, the officers head and
eyes should turn toward the reviewing officer
and remain SO until the officer passing is
abreast of the reviewing officer. The sword
should not be brought back to carry until
the officer is six yards past the reviewing Off
Ger. Staff officers salute and return to a carry
with their chief"
MILITIA NOTES.
Sergeant ". M. Arnold, of Co. A, First Bat
talon, has been honorably discharged from the
National Guard by reason of his appointment
commissioned officer.
The enlisted men of Co. D. Second Battalion,
assembled at their armory last night for the
purpose of electing captain, vice H. H. Bur-
rows, resigned. Major E. r. Campbell, of the
second battalion, presided.