Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-30

COL o. r. LONG, -A NA-i " .'
but everybody was sorry that these desirable
changes brought with them the signal which
viii necessarily terminate the intimate official
and personal relations which have existed be-
tween the adjutant general and the rank and file
of the local militia. Col. Long, according to
the nomination sent to the Senate Friday,
goes into the quartermaster generals depart
ment and at the same time says goodbye to
both the fifth U. S. infantry and the District
National Guard
Since assuming the duties to which he was
assigned in connection with the brigade Col.
Long has endeared himself to every officer and
enlisted man with whom he came In contact.
He did this under adverse circumstances. He
succeeded Col. Lemly, and a. everybody con-
versant with the revocation of Col. Lemlys de-
tail felt sense of personal grievance, it was no
easy thing to come in and capture the entire
aggregation of somewhat surly soldiers. But
Col. Long did it. Did it without any apparent
exertion- Not only did he make friends; he
kept them He may not have any particular
use for them now that he is in the staff corps,
but he knows where to find them at any time.
As COMPARED WITH OUR NATIONAL GUARD.
Maj. Fred Bracket, commanding the second
battalion, is home again. He has been travel
ing in Europe as a special commissioner for the
worlds fair and has consequently seen more
soldiers than he could find on this side of the
Atlantic in twenty years.
The French infantry struck me as containing
the best material, said the major to The STAR,
'snd the English is decidedly the worst. As to
soldierlt appearance the Englishman has the
advantage, for the French uniform is ill-ftting
and when you see the men out of ranks they are
decidedly careless and slouchy as to dress. The
Frenchmen impress you as being ready for
Held duty at any moment; they are muscular
and sctive. Most Of the English infantrymen
are boys, and should judge they would be
xsak Il put night into active service The Brit
has hao, " hx-S
reASg q War Stanhope and some interest,"
ing facts were Developed. Gen. Sir Evelyn
Wood testified that Of all the troops
under his command not one-half are fit
10 perform even the light duties of a soldier in
camp. What they would be worth on active
Dervice may be Judged from the fact that they
cannot do days service even in England; they
break down whenever they are required to carry
The regulation full weight Of ammunition The
reason why able-bodied men do not enlist in the
British army is that there are no inducements
eeld out to that class. The pay is so small and
The stoppages are so numerous that no one who
mas any real ambition cares to be found in the
ranks. One Of the queens sons-the Duke Of
Connaught-testified that fully one-half of the
men In his command would not be allowed to take
the field because they were not strong enough
to carry their kit.
"Of course. it must be remembered that the
French and English systems differ very ma
eerlally. France fills the ranks by CONSUMPTION
and consequently has the physical flower of the
land in the ranks. England depends upon re-
crmting and must necessarily take what she can
get.
The most soldieriy men met were the civil
guards Of Spain. That is peculiar organiza-
non, performing police duties, but under mill
ewos- Two Of them will be found in every
theater, on every train and in all public places.
No ma tier where you find them, thought may
Pc hny miles from city and out in the woods
mem accouterments are as clean human
enerxy can make them and their white gloves
are spotlsss.
..ihe more saw of European soldiers the
DETER opinion did / have of our National
GuardI We have in it better men and better
1ghtinS material than is to be found in any
european army"
THE INSPECTIONS ARE OVER.
And now Inspector General Macauley and
Capt Horton and Capt. Bassett may sit them
selves down and rest. The annual inspection
FOR 1892 is over. Gen Macauley is resting, but
not very easily; he is confined to his room with
severe bronchial affection. The two aids
wnen last heard from, were all right.
HOW THE SIXTH BATTALION DID IT.
To the average observer there was nothing
particularly the matter with the sixth battalion
when it was inspected. The appearance of the
men was really creditable and Major Bartlett
had every reason to feel proud Of his command
But, a. with all other battalions, there were
necessarily errors; some serious, some. perhaps.
OF but little moment. In the formation Of the
battalion the intervals between the companies
were very irregular. The right guide Of
company ID did not come out to mark the align
ment The captain of company D did not
take command of his company until it
was on the Lima The captain of company G
executed the old "present." The right guide
OF the second company did not stand fast
n n an1 y.
The captain of company gave the command
near open order" instead of "0pen ranks :"
Throughout the battalion the ranks were very
steady, but the details in the motions in the
manual Of arms did not seem to be generally
understood Especially Was this noticeable in
the position Of the hands at "order." An the
'front.' sight-coyers were missing. Then there
were lot Of errors which revealed them
selves on closer inspection. In company A,
nith battalion Temporarily attached to the
nxm), the shoes and brasses were almost with
out exception dirty and some of the gloves
were considerably soiled; in all the other COM
Panies-the sixth battalion proper-cleanliness
vas the rule. Occasionally there was q button
missing and in several instances letters and
emblenB were not where they should be. but
tno general effect was remarkably gratifying.
TROOP A DID WELL
There was nothing the matter with troop A
on the night Of inspection This organization
y1ss eoout Aiout, Dut II was par
flcularly o. T. on the occasion in question The
men had excellent ''set up and Gen. Macauley
became 30 enthusiastic over their appearance
That he declared several of the troopers to be
nothing short Of veritable Apollos. Who these
men we're will never be disclosed in the official
report, il they were identified the annual in
specnon Of the cavalry would soon be nothing
but prize beauty show. Mistakes were few.
"A couple OF loose belts gave their wearers
siouchy appearance. A few Of the men brought
the csrbine hammers to full cock at inspection
srmA AT muster several executed 'order arms
nom right shoulder in a careless manner. Two
men shsregarded the order as to white collars
py wearing outing shirts. Generally the troop
deserves nothing but commendation. Every
snoer and all the metal in other sccouterments
was exceptionally clean.
AND THE BAND PLAYEp-"
Then the field music went through the mill
The 70 was not . large membership present, but
whit was there was admirable and soldierly ma
ssriaL Most OF the men have served in the
marine corps or in the army, SO they had no
oancuffy In making their inspection . success.
TIE SECOND SEPARATE WAS ABOUT RIeHr