Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-23
THE DRESS PARADE.

taps" had been blown.
THE DRESS PARADE.
The dress parade last night was thorough
success in every particular, and a number OF
old soldiers who witnessed il say that it could
not be beaten by any brigade of the regular
army. Every movement was executed as
promptly as the most critical could desire
Every man was as neat as the proverbial new
pin. A large crowd of visitors witnessed the
maneuvers and in general way their remarks
were highly eulogistic. Especially pleased
were they with the innovation suggested by
Col Long. 1t was mentioned in yesterdays
STAR. 1t consists in bringing TO the front and
center the colors and color guards of the vari-
Gus regiments and battaiions aud then having
the entire command march past and salute the
colors Instead OF saluting the general in COM
mand. Ii was one of the prettiest effects ever
seen on any parade ground. Col. Long brought
1t with him from the west, where it was tenn
porarily IN practice at one Of the posts where
he was stationed. The movements IN il, how
ever. are not strictly tactical, so it WAS never
generally adopted by the army and. in fact. it
was only used at the post in question for a lit
tie while. When the next tacucal board of the
regular army meets the probabilities are that
this extremely beautiful and impressive cere-
mony will be formally and officially adopted
and placed with others of its kind in the book
OF tactics. After the colors had gone TO the
front the brigade moved TO the right, wheeled
IN company front and marched past the assem-
bled flags And the band played Annie
Rooney" That is, it played it until it got to
the colors and then, conscience stricken, it
changed the air to something more suitable and
probably more patriotic. The parade ground is
still far from level; in fact, il has a good many
eccentricities in its surface. but the men
marched all over it last night like veterans.
THE RACE OF THE ADJUTANTs.
That pernicious and widespread habit Of bet
fol. ~
of some body in camp yet. Yesterday evening
some enterprising visitors sold pools on the
adjutants. In order that the general public
may understand what this means it may be we'll
to explain that at a certain period in the dress
parade the command is given ''Adjutants TO the
front and center. Double time, march," The
adjutants then start from their respective posi-
tions for the center of the brigade line and then
march forward to within a reasonable and tao
teal distance Of the general They do it at a
double time because they have a long distance
10 cover and 1t would consume too many min
utes TO have them walk. In spite of the mill
tary surroundings. however, the thing looked
somewhat like a foot race and yesterday even
ing when the adiutants started out bets were
freely offered as to who would reach the center
first or course the adiutant of the second
regiment was not taken into consideration for
he had but little more to do but just to leave
his place and go forward. With the others il
tant Barksdale had to run probably quarter OF a
mile, while the distance from the extreme left
was no less. This was the exciting part of the
affair. Adjutant Barksdale came along in fine
style and as he passed the first battalion there
WAS strong hope of his proving to be at least
second IL the contest But il soon became evil
dent that these hopes would not be fulfilled. so
a number of persons bet on him for place.
He was. however, distanced. two dark horses.
so to speak, from the extreme left getting in
ahead OF him. much to the disgust of those
who Lad put their money on the first regiment
Adjutans Barksdale is now taking lessons in
sprinting from Staff Officer Eugene Cour-
vaizier. Sergeant Courvaizier has a record, SO
Sergeant Neumeyer says, OF 100 yards in l0l4
seconds.
II was noticed that more than one adiutant
came to the front and returned to his post with
his sword at carry instead of at guard. The
five-hundred yards dash will be repeated today
for the benefit of the President and the invited
guests.
SERGEANT JoYcE's ADVICE.
Yesterday afternoon Sergeant Joyce. who is
in charge of the post. was in the tent of one OF
the officers of the first regiment engaged in
sampling something that was labeled "Microbe
Killer" The officer talking.
Il don't have any rugs or fancy fittings about
this; it is more soldieriy."
Joyce assented to this and then the officer
went on:
Il could get along first-class if you would
only leave me that rubber blanket pointing to
it, and that demjohn."
Joyce's eyes twinkle and there was depth
of earnes:ness in his voice he said:
Yes, captain, and IL You ever get in tight
place hang on to the demijohn."
DANCE IN CAMP.
There was dance in camp last night The
band was stationed on its platform in front of
headquarters building and it was playing waltz
music. The sweet strains were too much for
some of those present and in a few minutes
Lieut. Col Walton of the first regiment, with
his wife, Lieut. Hopkins and Miss Edna Par
menter had cleared the adjutant generals Of
fee of its furniture and for nearly an hour they
danced there while the band continued some
of Strauss selections.
PRACTICAL JoKERs.
There have been practical jokers in camp
feminine practical jokers, too, and one hand
some staff officer was their victim yesterday.
Pins, with their business end upward. were
found in his bed For time he supposed this
was the extent OF the joke, but when he came
to put on his gauntlets his shaving utensils
were found poked in the fingers and thumb.
This was bad enough, but his night clothes
could nowhere be found. careful search re-
vealed their whereabouts. They were in his
best riding boots. number of other useful
missing. The officer in question takes things
very good humoredly, but the inspector gen.
eral says if anybody treated him that way he'd
raise trouble. Nobody fools with the inspector
general.
rHxDLk ROGERS ORDERED AWAY.
Among other camp followers who have made
their way down the Potomac in the wake OF the
soldier boys are some who seek to profit by the
guiIibility that characterizes the average of
man, whether their forms are encased in Uncle
Sans blue or not One Of this class
appeared yesterday afternoon near the
wharf. His "kit" consisted Of three
thimbles and . pea. He invited people
10 invest their money in the chance Of guessing
under which thimble the pea rested. A man
Who made correct solution of the problem
was 70 receive his money back doubled The
man with the thimbles did not stay long. Con-
trary 10 what 10 said to be the custom, one of
the boys in blue pounced upon the right
thimble. According to the rules of the game