Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-17
PRACTICAL SOLDERING.
Half OF the National Guard Makes
Flank Movement on ivy CITY.

Hail OF the National Guard Makes .
Flank Movement on Ivy City.
For the first time in its interesting history
the District National Guard today enjoyed o
field day. Not the whole Of the brigade,
though; just the first regiment the engineer
corps and the cycle company. Congress failed
to appropriate money with which to paw the
expenses of brigade camp of instruction, so
Gen. Ordway came to the conclusion that field
days were necessary.
Under the recently approved drill regulations
old things have passed away and most military
things have become new, which means that
great deal Of old-fashioned Uptonian tactical
knowledge was Of no avail and had to be forgot
ten and that much novel information had to be
imbibed.
OF course a great deal of this could be worked
out In the armory and drill hall, but in none of
these is there sufficient space to maneuver in
extended order. A field, and a big field, is
needed, and this was found at Ivy City.
Mr.. Albert Gleason very cheerfully placed
the race track at the disposal Of Gen. Ordway
and 1t was to the race track that the first regi-
ment proceeded this morning. The regiment
did not march out. The three battalions Of
infantry and the engineer corps tramped to the
b. and o. depot and were transported without
any exertion on their part; the cycle company,
of course. wheeled out
might have been, but there nothing dis
couraging about it. There was more than
enough leaven to leaven the whole brigade
lump, and If it should happen that the entire
command had to take the field a week hence
the knowledge acquired today could easily be
disseminated.
THE BOYS ENTHUSIASTIC.
Col. Moore was in command for some time
after the evolutions commenced, but business
md hot lapt TO- ~
hands of Lieut.. Col. Walton. The lieutenant
colonel, however, had little to do during the
morning. for the preliminary work was done
principally among the squads, platoons and
companies.
1t was work. too, but the boys were deeply
interested. so they gave all the attention ANY,
body could ask for and were most successful in
their efforts to do everything just it ought to-
be done. There was a pleasing display of spirit
generally. Some Of the companies were at
times trifle slow, but the majority-especially
in the first battalion - moved around
snappiy and with evident confidence in their
ability. Capt. Burton Il. Ross commanded the
first battalion, Maj. r. A. OBrien cared for the
second, while Maj. Harrison was with the
third. Lieut.. Gilbert Thompson had the engi-
neer corps in charge, the cyclists we're COM
manded by Capt Couch.
POWDER AND COFFEE.
The scene presented when drill commenced
was most attractive. Within the great oval the
battalions and separate companies moved with
a variety of motion that could hardly have
failed to please any eye, and the manner
in which the commands were executed
would not have shocked tho most exactng
critic. After there had been q sufticiency OF
preliminary effort the soldiers began to expend
blank ammunition. Ten rounds had been is
sued each. but the noise and smoke that ensued
was disproportionately large.
mo rn,yn mt ,ny,fc
peated again and again until to forget them
would hardly be possible. and when the last
shot had been fired proceedings for the morn
ing came to an end.
Then came lunch Sandwiches and coffee
Sandwiches cold. coffee hot. Men hungry and
thirsty ate all that was good for them and drank
as much as seemed to them necessary. The food
was good and. strangely enough, there was
growing. Several of the men even went to
the extraordinary length of saying pleasant
things of the commissary. Capt. E. II. Neu-
meyer of the brigade staff in charge of the
feeding arrangements. He assisted by
large force OF quartermaster sergeants.
THE AFTERNOON.
At 1:30 the battalions fell in once more, this
time for afternoon of solid work. The cheer
fulness OF the men was interesting feature;
everybody seemed to be willing to do his utmost
and no one complained Of WEAKNESS.
The combination of fresh air. green sward,
autumn tinted trees. tactics sunshine and lunch
seemed to satisfy even the most confirmed of
the kickers. During the hour of rest there was
more harmless pleasantly than has ever before
been exhibited in the guard.
1t was nearly clock before the afternoon
drill commenced, and it continued without
much cessation until pm.
The return to the city will be by Baltimore
and Ohio train.
On Wednesday the second regiment and the
first separate battalion (colored) will occupy
the Ivy City drill ground and prepare for the
great fight that comes off Friday.
The scientific platoon Of the engineer corps
has prepared an excellent map of the battle
field. Lieut.. Thompson will furnish each side
in Fridays contest with a sufficient force Of
signalmen. Some Of these were practicing
today.