Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-04

w practical attention to
GEN. ORDwAY. the art of war. Through
the first three months of strife he was private,
when he re-enlisted it was as first lieutenant of
the twenty-fOurth Massachusetts,. When Gen.
burnside took an expedition to the North Caro-
lima coast the ''twenty-fourth" and Lieut.. Ord
way went with him and they were present at
the capture of Roanoke Island and Newbern.
Then the young lieutenant was made
adjutant of the regiment. but disability
prevented him going with 1t to Florida.
and when he could move he went with
Gen. French to the army of the Potomac
and the battle OF Gettysburg. He soon after re-
Joined his regiment at York. Pa, and when the
army OF the James was organized the twenty
fourth became part of the division commanded by
Gen. Alfred H. Terry Ordway was the major,
and the general made him division ordnance
officer. For four months thereafter. from May
3, 1864, there was almost continuous fighting at
Bermuda Hundred, and here the hoy major"
was so daring, SO reckless. that his survival was
a surprise to those who saw him, day after day
nghtlng wherever there was any fighting to be
done. In that year OF constant battle for the
army OF the James Ordway was advanced in
rank, so that when he returned from sick leave
in November. 1864. he was lieutenant-colOnel of
his regiment and assumed its command. Not
long afterward he became colonel, and in March.
1865 lie was brevetted brigader-general of
volunteers tor "gallant conduct throughout the
war" He was then but % years of age-the
youngest general but one in the history of civil
lied warfare.
In sixteen general engagements in which he
participated, besides numerous minor
although he was hit twice, each time by
a fragment Of u shell. Once she'll exploding
30 near that his eyes were almost burned threw
fragment against his left shoulder that flung
him from his saddle. after tearing his blouse and
ripping off his shoulder-strap. Another stray
fragment 4 n 10 hnt inf Tod
no permanent injury. When Richmond was
taken the Twenty fourth" was designated as
the provost guard and the boy commander was
placed in charge of Libby prison and Castle
Thunder. A little while later Gen. Ordway sue
ceeded Gen. Massena X. Patrick as proyost-mar-
shal-general in Virginia, and when his old reg-
ment was mustered Out-the last regiment of
state vOlunteers-in February 1866 he was re-
tanned specially for several months. The gen.
eral has always been prominent figure in grand
parades in this city, many of the most notable
Of these displays having been made under his
marshalship and always successfully
sketch OF the militia which he has handled
80 well will not be out of place.
On the 10th of May. 1887, General Ordway
formally assumed command of the District of
Columbia militia. On the 18th of July he an
nOunced in general order the division of the
District militia into the two classes of enrolled
or reserve militia, and active or volunteer
militia. or national guard, and the assignment
OF the then existing volunteer organizations, to
organizations Of the national guard. as follows:
10 the first battalion of infantry, the four
companies known as the Washington Light In
fantry.
To the second battalion of infantry, as COM
pany A. the Union Veteran Corps; as company
B, the Custer Guards.
TO the third battalion of infantry, as company
A, the Washington Continentals; az company b.
the Emmett Guards; as company c, the Columbia
Rifles; as company d, the Washington Mer-
chants Rifles.
To the fourth battalion of infantry, as COM
pany A, the COrcOran Cadets; as company b,
the Ordway Rifles; as company C, the National
Fencibles; as company d, the Logan Guards.
To the fifth battalion of infantry, the two
colOred companies known as the Butler
ZOuaves
To the sixth battalion of infantry, the four
colOred companies known as the Washing
ton Cadet Corps.
colored companies known as the Capital City
Guards.
Thus, at its first formation, the national
guard consisted of twenty-fOur companies of
infantry. On october 10th the newly raised
company known as the Anaeostia Rifles was as
signed to the second battalion as company c.
On November 25th. company Of the fourth
battalion, the Ordway Rifles, was transferred to
the second battalion, and assigned thereto as
company d, thus together with the AnacOstia
Rifles making that battalion four companies
strong.
On the same day the first and fourth battalions
were consolidated to form the first regiment,
and the second and third battalions to form the
second regiment.
On December Goth the place. vacated by the
Ordway Rifles In the fourth battalion was taken
BY another newly raised company, the Marion
Rifles, making the fo1rth battalion again four
companies strong.
The new year, 1883, found the national guard
stronger by two companies than when first
formed, and well started in q course Of syste-
matte instruction. commencing with the setting
up exercises On March 81 the guard sustained
It's first. and thus far its only loss of an organi-
zation through the dsbandment Of the fifth
battalion (colored) on account of inefciency.
Since that time it has been increased BY the fol-
lowing organizations: A signal company, an
ambulance company. light battery, troop of
cavalry, three companies Of infantry, and drum
corps. The infantry now comprises twenty
seven companies. twenty-four Of which are
grouped into battali0ns Of four companies each.
OF the six battalions thus formed four are con-
stituted into two regiments of two battalions
each. The infantry thus consists of two regi-
ments and two odd battalions
The duties Of acknowledgement Of the District
o. xo.umeiS mii'tla are . -