Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-28

The work of improving the District National
Guard camp ground at Fort Washington is 60
| ing ahead without hitch and in a few days the
only things necessary to complete the encamp-
ment will be the active. sturdy men who have
| elected to wear the blue and serve uncle Sam
exclusively for at least one week in the year.
How very much better the reservation looks
than 1t did last year cannot easily be imagined
by any one who has not seen it within the past
two or three days. Peekskill, New Yorks pride,
will have to grip tightly Its picturesque aurels,
for they are slipping away. With the excep-
ton OF West Point there is not a more beauti-
fully located camp in all the land than the one
which will commence to operate on July n.
Obstructing underbrush has been removed from
the hillsides near the main road and everything
has been thoroughly cleaned up. The regi
mental camp grounds are IN perfect order,
closely moved and green as emerald. The
long stretch OF parade ground verdure is more
smooth than 1t was year ago. Everything is
IN better shape.
Turning to the more utilitarian features,
which are quite as interesting the scenery,
1t may please the second regiment and its
friends to know that the asphalt sidewalk
which runs from headquarters down TO the
fort has been extended in front Of and beyond
the second regiment location.
A PARADE GROUND.
That manufacturer Of artificial landscapes,
Sergeant Joyce, has been toiling in the vicinity
Of the headquarters building recently, and as a
result there will be a very pretty piece Of
parade ground between the building and the
timber. 1t is large enough probably for bat
talon, but the battalions will have no business
there. 1t is to be used for guard mount and
for company ''show" drills. Company of the
second battalion has already leased it. There
1t will more than duplicate its Kansas City
successes.
THE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING.
The headquarters building is undergoing
complete renovation; its fence is being torn
down and the wilderness Of weeds which have
hitherto almost hidden it from mortal eyes has
fallen before the scythe and the Maryland farm
hand. new flagstaff is to be erected immedi-
ately in front Of the building and from that the
brigade will, for the first time, see the new
headquarters fag-a white George Washing
ton" Ratchet on blue field.
THE RIFLE RANGE.
On the rifle range all things will soon be ready
for the hard work to be done there. Six Laid
ley revolving targets arrived here yesterday
and today they were shipped to camp to be
placed in position. The bridge across the
ravine Is going to be a substantial structure.
quantity of the old submarine telegraph cable
which was used to rope off the avenue last presi-
Dental Inauguration has been secured and a
sufficient number Of strands will be thrown
across the chasm. On these will be fastened
the timbers, and the result will be strong but
elastic specimen Of bridge building.
THE CoMMIssARY.
Culinary matters are receiving a good deal
Of attention from Staff Commissary Sergeant
E. II. Neumeyer who, in company with Gen.
Ordway and Mai Pollard. has been making
numerous trips to the fort. New cooking ovens
are being built and whatever the kitchen needs
In the way of undermining is being or will
speedily be done. The cuisine is already
success.
CADET HINES.
Cadet Chas. Del. Hines, whom Secretary
Proctor has just ordered to attend the encamp-
ment from July 10 to 80 for instruction duty,
is now a member OF the first class at the Mill
tary Academy, from which he will graduate
next June. He is virginian by appointment
and Washlngtonian by education, having
graduated from the city High School in 1885
lie entered the competitive examination for
the appointment from the eighth district of
virginia and passed high above all other CON-
petItors. Last summer, while he was home on
his regular furlough, he volunteered his serv-
ices to Gen. Ordway to aid him in the instruc-
ton OF the guardsmen in camp duty, and per-
formed the duties that fell to his lot SO accept
ably that an especially complimentary letter
one that met him III camp last year will be
pleased to see him again.
RANDOM SHOTS
Quartermaster Sergeant Rennie of troop A
and Sergt. Merry Of the light battery, having
passed the brigade examination, have been
awarded certificates which show them to be
entitled to the rank Of second lieutenant in
the cavalry and artillery respectively.
The resignation OF Second Lieutenant II. c.
Lee Of company A, eighth battalion, has been
accepted, to take effect on the 30th instant
Percy q. McCOmas has been certified by the
medical examining board as qualified to per-
form the duties Of hospital steward He will
receive his warrant such in the first regi-
ment.
The application of Private Slash. Kingsley of
company B. first battalion, for transfer to the
nth battalion has been approved. When the
transfer has been completed Private Kingsley
will be appointed sergeant major of the tirth
battalion.
An election has been ordered for July to
NIL the vacancy left by Capt. Otto Suess, com
pany c, third battalion, who has been COM
missloned inspector Of rifle practice for the
third battalion.
NEW BOOKS.