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

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Lieut.. J. V. A. Shields. second Lieut. E. E.
Hart. Company Capt c. q. Sawtelle, First
Lieut. g. Z. Garrett Second Lieut. ]. G. Lewis.
Company D-Capt s. Ferree. First Lieut. II. L
Gongh, Second Lieut.. B. F. Myers.
This is the seventh year Of the organiza::
Paul in the fan Of 1881. There we're
two companies formed, one Of which was
uniformed. By q strong effort enough old
German muskets were purchased by the school
TO arm one company, and the boys took turns
with the guns one day and the other going
through the marching maneuvers. Notwith-
standing this discouraging arrangement the
military spirit in the boys was fostered, and
the next year two full-uniformed companies
were formed, armed with an equipment of
100 Springfield cadet rifles owned by the gov
ernment In 1885 an additional loan Of 80
rifles was secured, and the command was
increased to Q battalion of four COM
panies, which is its present organiza-
ton. The personnel Of the corps changes
considerably each year, owing to the rotation
Of classes and the graduation of men,
bers. The commissioned officers are all
selected from the third-year or highest
class, and the non-commissioned from the
third and second years. Thus a new
start has to be made each fall with the incom-
ers, who form about one-third of the battalion.
The uniform is a neat cadet suit of blue, sack
coats. slashed on the hips, standing collar, the
privates' trousers of dark cloth with a light
blue stripe, and the officers Of light blue with
a black stripe. The caps are of dark blue cloth,
trimmed with gold cord, and embellished with
a monogram CT the letters II. S. c. The COM
handing officers of the battalion since the or
ganization have been as follows: 1882. Capts.
Alfred Smith and r. Ayres; 1888. Major Vim.
II. Shoales 1884, Major Fred. Sohon; 1885,
Major Linnaeus La Fetra; 1886. Major Andrew
~. ATa,o H. E..ll r. H.
VIM. Barden. The success of the corps has
been due to two main causes: First, the active
interest and zeal in its welfare of Principal
Paul, his assistants, and his successor. Dr. Lane;
and next the excellent management of
Capt Burton r. Ross, of the Washington
Light Infantry corps, who has been the in
structor of the battalion for six years. His
strict disciplinary methods, his excellent judy
ment in instruction, and his great popularity
with the cadets have worked wonders and he
takes hold of green lot of boys in October
and turns them out well-trained soldiers six
months later. The cadets have distinguished
themselves in public on several occasions, both
In parades and in exhibitions at the school,
They took part in the parade at the dedication
OF the monument in February. 1885. and also
in President Cleveland's inaugural parade that
same year. They were likewise in line on the
occasion Of the grand parade during the
national drill two years ago. The corps has
several trophies in the way of testimonials, of
which the members are very proud The mill
tary instructor at Cornell college not long ago
wrote to Capt. Ross that such cadets as have
appeared before him for examination in tactics
have passed with perfect ease, showing as much
knowledge of the subject as those coming from
the military academy of Pennsylvania or that
of Michigan. Assistant Adjutant-General Kel-
ton not long ago expressed it as his opinion
that the High School cadets are the best drilled
body of boys in the country.
The Grant NeruoriaI Guords
The Grant memorial guards, of Baltimore. or
Ninth Maryland battalion, paraded to-day in
the following uniform: For the privates, light
blue pants with white stripes, dark blue dress
coats trimmed with white, helmets, dark blue
overcoats. Officers and staff, dark frock coats
with gold epaulets. dark blue pants with white
flannel stripe and gold. dark blue overcoats. A
drumb corps and band is attached to the bat
TALON. This command was organized at Balti-
more in 1885, by James W. Flint, he being
chosen captain, and William q. Strange, first
lieutenant; George w. Blake. second heuten-
ant At the session of the legislature of the fol-
lowing year the company was disbanded from
the state roster on account of their being enough
and no appropriation being avail
able. The company then organized independ-
emily, and grew so rapidly that it has been or
follows: Company A-Captain, W. Strange.
Company B-captain, Z. Smith. Company C
captain, James Reid. Company D-captain.
George Blake. The battalion staff is as follows:
Lieutenant Colonel, James W. Flint quarter
master, Capt. Paul Davis; adjutant, Capt.
Charles Martin; commissary, Capt. Samuel
Hucless; inspector of target practice, Capt.
Matthew Moulton; paymaster, Capt Geo. N.
Wilson ordnance officer. Capt. E. b. Reid;
chaplain, Rev. William Alexander. The bat
TALON is sel-supporting.
The Excelsior Light Infantry.
After the Butler Infantry came the Excelsior
Light Infantry, one Of the more recent of the |
military organizations of the city, |