Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-01
THE NATIONAL GUARD
The Sixth and Third Battalions to
Go Into Camp.
DEPARTMENT SOLDIERS.
The Material of Which the Sixth 10 Com
posed-Its Omcers and the Experience They
Have Had-Preparations Made By the Third
for . Successful Camp.

The announcements heretofore made in THE
SrAn o. the coming encampment of the sixth
or departmental battalion at Bay Ridge Md,
from August 8 to 10, inclusive, have attracted
such unusual attention and been provocative
of good many inquiries as to the organization
and personnel of the battalion.
The idea Of a departmental battalion, like all
else associated with the National Guard of the
District Of Columbia, originated with Gen. Al
bert Ordway. Among his earliest plans looking
to the adequate protection OF the city in the
event Of local disturbance was that Of assign
ing to certain organizations the special duty Of
deploying upon the departmental buildings,
with view to holding them until such time as
they might be relieved by the regular troops.
The manifest propriety of assigning to such
duty those organizations whose members pos
sessed some acquaintance with the halls. corri-
doris and apartments Of such buildings was
self-evident. To such men could be more
properly confded the duty Of guarding the
public property and records, from their daily
acquaintance with the buildings, than
to other troops who possessed neither
the knowledge nor the personal inter-
est necessary to specially qualify them for
that service. Employed in the four largest
departmental buildings in Washington there
are probably three thousand men within the
ages of military eligibility. One man out of
every ten OF this force, properly trained,
organized and disciplined. armed and equipped
for instant service, might, in the moment Of
danger, save to the government millions Of
property and preserve from destruction tons Of
documents md papers whose value is simply
1ncalculable. Could such force be organized
without disturbing other military organizations
whose membership was largely made up of
departmental employees? Would such a plan
meet with the cooperation of the heads of
departments and other government officials
and satisfactory recognition on the part Of
the public! Would the men themselves prove
willing to voluntarily associate themselves
under military discipline, without hope OF
reward. for purpose SO foreign to their
obligations as clerks and messengers? The
solution of these problems by the indefatigable
exertions of the head of the National Guard Of
the District is exemplifed today in the exist
ence OF the departmental battalion"
ITS ORGANIZATION.
The battalion was duly organized and became
an integral part of the National Guard in pur-
suance to general orders No. g. headquarters
D. G. NJ, dated April %, 1889. The companies
composing it at that time were the Post Office
and Interior Guards. assigned rs company A,
and the Treasury Guards. assigned as company
b: subsequently another company known as the
War Department Rifles was assigned under the
designation of company c. These three COM
panies continue to form to the present time the
battalion organization. ANY number Of oppor-
tunities have presented themselves OF securing
fourth company to fully complete the organ
ization of the command, from military stand
point, but considerations Of more or less
polite nature have 30 far INTERVIEWED to prevent
their contamination. 1t is conceded, however.
that at no distant day the full complement OF
companies will be enrolled under the beau
tiful blue banner of the sixth bat
participated in its first camp last
summer at Fort Washington. as a part Of the
District brigade. The good order maintained
ut that time the attention given to military
duty and the department Of its officers and
men elected favorable comment in the press
accounts Of the day. Every parade or other
feature Of military duty which the sixth has
been called upon TO perform since its organiza-
ton has been cheerfully attended and service
faithfully rendered with that conscientious OBJ
servance Of obedience to orders which consti-
tutes the true soldier. What is known as the
battalion Trophy a handsomely engraved
shield, presented by the commanding officer
Of the second regiment. ID. G. y. g., for excel
lence in rifle shooting. has been won twice by
the ride team of the battalion, the only two
occasions upon which it has been contested
for. Upon removing to their new quarters in
the Second Regiment Armory, Center Market
building, the battalion gave its friends a recep-
tion and ball and kept open house on the even
success and was attended by many prominent
persons In military and civil life.
FIELD AND STAFF.
This necessary adjunct to the success Of a
military organization is most happily repre-
sented in the sixth battalion. Composed en-
tirely Of persons connected with the govern
ment service in various capacities, who bring
to the prosecution Of their military duties in
their respective spheres the same methodicai
habits and perfect system which is SO pre-emi-
nentiy interviewer with official life in the de-
partments, they form a combination which is
at once productive Of respect and confidence,
and which faithfully exemplifies the old adage,
In union there is strength"
MAI. BARTLETT.
Maj. George A. Bartlett the commanding
officer Of the sixth battalion, was born in King
ston, n. H., on April 20, 1871. He attended the
ordinary schools of his native village until his
sixteenth year, when he took a course at the
Kingston Academy. at that time the principal
institution Of learning in that section Of the
state. Upon graduating he left his native state
and settled at Lawrence, Mass. where he en-
gagged in business. connecting himself shortly
after his arrival with the Lawrence Light In
fantry 1t will be remembered that this corps
formed a part OF the old sixth Massachusetts,,
which met with SO unfortunate an experience
on its march through Baltimore on that memo
rable day in April, 1861 Owing to his being
junior member he was obliged to give way to
the older members of his company and hence
was not with his command on this occasion.
But the young soldier was not to be deprived
of the right to fight for his country's
liberties, and hence on May 20, 1861,
he enlisted in Capt. Roifs company,
which was made up of the remaining junior
members Of the old organization, and started
for the front. On July 5, 1865, after partici-
pating in many Of those great engagements
which form conspicuous part Of the ma
tons history, he was mustered out of the serv-
ice by reason Of the consolidation Of his regi-
ment with another. Being the senior officer in
rank at the time of the consolidation he was
given the privilege of remaining in the service
or reslgning and chose the latter. preferring
the pursuits OF civil life now that the country
no longer needed his assistance as a soldier.
For several years after the war he engaged in
commercial occupations, until, in March, 1878,
he was appointed to position in the Treasury
Department In June, 1881, he was promoted
by Secretary Window to the responsible and
exacting position of general disbursing clerk Of
the Treasury Department, which position he
still occupies. In February, 1889. upon the or
ganization Of the Treasury Guard, he was
unanimously elected its captain, and in Octo-
Der. 1889, was promoted to be major Of the
sixth battalion. His pleasant and agreeable
manners, fine executive and military capacity
and the interest displayed by him in all matters
appertaining to his command have endeared
Maj. Bartlett to his officers and men to an I'M
usual degree.
ApJuTANT NDowELL,
Alexander B. Mcdowell was born on No
vember 70, 1865, near Fredericksburg, Va,
In the heart Of the great battle fields