National Republican., 1888-06-03
OUR DISTRICT MILITIA.
Notes of the Doings of the National
Guard.


At the last meeting of the Anacosta Rifles
Capt. Tolson explained that his absence
from drills and his non.attendance to other
company duties was due to the great press
ure of his business. He had heard com.
plants concerning himself, and If the com
mand desired his resignation IL would be
given Immediately.
1t being the sense of the meeting that
such a course was satisfactory, the resigna.
tion was rendered aud will he acted upon at
the next meeting.
Lieut.. Watson Is now In command until u
new cal tain is elected. Capt. Donald Nc
Cathrar, who drilled the company several
months ago, will in all probabilities be
elected. No better choice could be made,
and as one Of the members put 1t, ''if lie is
elected we will either have aiirst-class com
pany or none at all.
Capt. Yates, Of Gen. Ordway's staff, in-
spectcd the company last Monday evening,
and at the close he congratulated the mem
bers OH the excellent showing they had
made.
The parade of the National Guard on
Decoration day was very fine indeed, and
the citizens were very proud OF the boys.
They looked neat marched well, and were
solderly in their bearing. The recent hard
work of the various commands had bcne-
fted them very much.
The signal corps, under command of
Lieut.. Field, made its first appearance and
was kindly received. 1t Is composed alto
gether of tclegraphers, aud they marched
like veterans.
There Is very great interest manifested In
the National Guard, and Gen. Ordway is
daily in receipt of inquiries concerning It..
The various companies are drawing very
tight lines upon applicants wanting admis-
sion. 1t is now difficult matter to get
enlisted, and the candidate must be one
willing to attend drills regularly and take
interest In his duties.
The new light battery A, which Is form
| ing, held business meeting recently and
| decided to recruit by means of n circular
| letter, which will be sent to desirable gentle
| men in the city whose names may be sug'
| gested to the secretary by the charter mem
bers. 1t is desired that the battery should
| be up to the top notch, both from military
| and a social standpoint.
| One thing to be commended in this or
| ganization Is the fact that permanent officer:
will not be elected until about two month;
after the muster in of the battery, giving the
| members a chance to discover the best
material in their ranks. There will be {
captain, three lieutenants, and more than {
dozen non. commissioned officers to elect
| The battery mas not yet been mustered into
| service, but q squad was put through "tht
setting up exercises" and given a few in
structions with the saber yesterday evening
Capt. A. Yates, Of Gen. Ordway's staff, Ii
| the president and instructor; a. Z. Robbins
secretary and treasurer, and j. A. Lamon
drill sergeant,
Efforts are being made to secure suit
able building at Eighteenth and + streets.
The equipments will be issued the new
organization on July !, at which time thr
appropriations for the District militia be
come available. In the meantime the com
mand will be mustered in. Among thu
Lewis, A. p. Robbins, r. ID. Simms, j. Slat
terry, w. G. Smith, A, Yates, B, s. White
Applicants for membership are: i. Bradley
! A. Britton, Il. $. Carroll, r. A. Casilear, r
| Comfy, n. II. Darneillc, ii, q. Douglas, q
Howe, j. Kenyon, G.. b. Lewis, w. Il
Lewis, &. Lewis, II. +, Patterson, Van Wag
ner, V. w. Weaver, o, Johnston, and Others
Gen. Ordway has had a lengthy interview
| with the commissioners, and the latter haVi
declared themselves in favor of the militii
bill now pending.
There are now two companies of cavalry
| In process of formation, and they are com
posed OF gentlemen living in the west end
| All of them own their horses and for som
time past they have been under instruction
in horseback riding.
The idea that the Immediate passage of tn
militia bill is necessity to the existence o
the National Guard is n mistake. The Law
in force governing the militia is sufficient
and the new militia bill rc-enacts many o
the old features There are many nGy
features In the bill which the times demand
and the passage of the bill would thereb
benefit the militia. II would modernize tn
laws now in effect, but in doing so the pur
port of the old laws would he still intact,
The companies are now left to their owl
sweet will until October, when Adjt. Gen
Bigelow will begin atresh with course o
instruction. Company and battalion drill
will be the features
Several of the companies are talking o
going into camp this summer on the Poto
mac, but as yet no places have been ST
leCted.