Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-07
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
Instructions I'm Guard Duty-NOtes From
the ArmOries.

The regular instruction in guard duty will
commence on the LIST of next month.
Col. Bigelow said, in conversation with
STAR reporter upon the subject of guard duty.
that the manner in which guard duty is per-
formed is one of the surest indications of the
state of discipline and general efficiency of
command. Col. Bigelow said he meant to be-
gin practical instruction with the day duties of
guards and sentinels, and confine himself to
that until the subject is mastered. The printed
instructions will relate to day duty only. Be-
fore the regular practical instruction COM
mences the company commanders should have
at least one lesson or recitation in the orders
that are to be distributed. The instruction
with be conducted within companies under the
supervision of battalion. regimental and gen.
eral staff officers. The guard will ordinarily
consist of one officer OF the guard, one sergeant
of the guard, three corporals and privates to
the number of six nine, twelve or some higher
multiple of three. The instruction will not in
clude guard mounting, but will commence with
the supposed arrival Of the guard in front of
the guard house, Immediately after guard
mounting. 1t will be assumed that there il no
old guard and that each evenings exercise the
guard will be regularly taken off.
Have you any practical object in view in
this instruction." asked The STAR reporter.
MY object" said Col Bigelow. lis to pre-
pare the troops of the National Guard to per-
form such guard duty as they may have occa-
sion to in any emergency such as may arise in
case of fire, disturbance, or public ceremony
where a line of sentinels would be required to
keep the crowd back
Suppose" asked the reporter, ''the Ma
tional guard goes into camp next summer, will
the instructions they are about to receive fit
them for guard duty while in camp?'
Not altogether" said Col. Bigelow
although they would by that time have re-
ceived some instruction in night duty. They
would have to learn much in camp which can
not be taught in armories. Guard duty, more
than any other" continued Col. Bigelow, ''re-
quires the mental instruction of the soldier
The manner of forming and marching guard,
the manner in which the sentinel bears HIM
self on post, although highly important. are
less so than the sentiners comprehension of
the resi- disabilities resting upon him; in other
words, of the spirit of his orders. 1t rests
upon the officers of the national guard to
thoroughly explain the spirit of guard duty to
the men under their instruction"
At the end OF each quarter list of the men
dishonorably discharged since the end of the
last quarter is published in general orders, for
the information of the whole guard, but especi-
ally of enlisting officers, who are prohibited
from enlisting a man who has been dishenor-
ably discharged.
Notwithstanding numerous discharges, the
records OF the adjutant-generars Office show
gain in aggregate strength of Isl during the
past month; or, in other words, an excess of
that many enlistments over the discharges made
since November 80.
The necessary steps are being taken for the
disarmament of company and company c,
second battalion, on account of their long contin
uance below the minimum of strength and eff
cheney. Many of the enlisted men will doubtless
re-enlist in other organizations. Those that do
not will be honorablv discharged.
Troop A, or the Presidents troop. came intos
official existence on the 3lst of December.
Inc members of the District Signal Corp
have elected the following officers for 1883 /:
Lieut. Field treasurer; Serg't King, financial
secretary; Corp. W. A. Marschalk, jr., cores
ponding secretary. Arrangements have been
made for the transfer of the armory of the
corps to the riding school on Thursday, the
18th.