The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-08-03

In speaking Of the late encampment of the
District militia at Fort Washington Lieut. o. F.
Long, aide to Gen. Ordway, said
"Ihe camp was great success. Compared
to the one OF last year, all say 1t was infinitely
better in every respect. 1t was far better than
the Pennsylvania camp and those we have had
an opportunity Of comparing it with in other
States. Every one seems satisfied with it, not
only the staff here, but the officers of the re-
spective companies as well.
"The drills showed evidence of much improve
ment and were excellent The men themselves
seemed to take lively interest in the various
formations, and showed far more intelligence
and good humor than is usually to be seen on
occasions Of the kind. The officers showed
themselves to be intelligent and capable men
by their promptness and readiness in giving the
right command in the more difficult evolutions.
The guard-mount which is really the test of the
mems proficiency in encampment and on the
field, was carried out in most excellent man
ner, and gave general satisfaction to the officers
and to their instructor in that branch, Lieut..
Hine of West Point.
''The discipline in the camp was perfect, and
no complaints could be heard in that respect.
The general feeling among the men was that
they were there to learn, and they gave their
whole time and energies to that purpose. In
consequence there were few if any outbreaks
against order and authority. This is largely
owing to the fact that we have been wedding
the companies of all men who are undesirable
physically, mentally, or morally The encamp-
ment at Fort Washington embraced as earnest
a mass OF men and of as good quality as could
be found anywhere.
''The mess arrangements, which gave so much
trouble and general dissatisfaction last
year, were most satisfactory on this oc-
pas ebo 7 hiu1y hu fbo
prompt denial they made early in the week of
report circulated by morning paper that the
food supplies were inadequate and of poor
quality. The men were in one continued state
of good humor and seemed to heartily enjoy
the encampment in all its aspects. The rain
did little more than lay the dust and in nowise
dampened the spirits of the miltiamen.
s'If any fault could be found with the camp
at all it would be with its brevity. 1t usually
takes two or three days to get fairly settled,
and a week is not long enough. The men real
lied this, and next year it is very probable that
| Gen. Ordway will make a strong effort to have
! it extended to at least ten days In that event,
it is thought, much more satisfactory results
can be attained.
"We had number of representatives from
the State militia of other places and the Regular
| Army. Some came in uniform and were with
| us during the encampment They were from
Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York,
| Iowa, and Ohio, and all expressed themselves as
| highly pleased and surprised with our camp
and drills. Numerous officials in high position
here in Washington attended the encampment,
expecting to see a repetition of many of last
years faults, and were agreeably surprised at
their absence.
1.-THE results of the encampment cannot be
other than good. The men learn more about
what real army life is, and come to see more of
an object in their drills throughout the year.
Being brought into comparison with so many
others, natural outcome is growth of pride
in their company's excellence, and every man
determines to do his best to promote it by the
season for the next camp. Our aim is to bring
our methods as nearly as possible into coinci-
dence with those of the Army, and the men see
ing this, spirit of emulation seizes them, which
must result in the general benefit of our mi
! litia And again, they come to place greater
dependence in themselves and their officers.
They feel less like toy soldiers, and have a real
ization of the service they could be in case they
should be needed. Altogether the results of
camp, unless offset by some radical faults ac-
quired during tare very good. This year, with no
faults and no faut-fnding, the results will be
eminently satisfactory.
! "NeXt year, if possible, the encampment shall
| be even an Improvement over this. All posi-
BILE chances for an improvement in any branch
whatever was promptly noted, and the expert
ence thus retained will be utilized next year to
the general advancement of perfection in gen
| eralites and details.'