Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-27
THE HIGH SCHOOL CADETS.
Sketch OF the Organization and the Drill
by an Army Omcsr.

THE HIGH SCHOOL CADETS.
| A Sketch OF the Organization and the Drin
by an Army Omcsr.
Lieut. Charles Hine, q. 8. A., who Il we'll
known in Washington. having served - . vol
unteer on Gen. Ordway's staff at two Of the
National Guard sncampments and before that
having graduated to West Point in 1886 from
the Washington High School, has contributed
| to the Woodtsdrd Banner, Q paper published
| by the students Of the Woodward High School,
| an interesting article on Military Drill in the
Warrington, D. c., High Bchoola." Lieut..
Hine writes:
Although in operation for . shorter time than
those Of most Of the large cities, the public
schools Of the city Of Washington have, for the
last fifteen years, been regarded as among the
very best In the country. 1t was not until 1882
that year what had originated as advanced
grammar schools for girls and for boys were
consolidated in the Washington High School
under q distinguished young educator. the late
Prof. 4. A Paul, as principal. The public
spects the methods and organization Of the ia
nous schools Of Boston. Prof Paul early con-
ceived the idea Of . school military organize
ton which should equal the celebrated regi-
ment OF the Boston high schools.
IN AooS tuc washington dIBn bcnOOi nAQ
nearly 400 students. less than $50 Of whom we're
boys. In addition to his position In charge of
the department Of chemistry the duties OF COM
mandant and instructor were temporarily as
suIned by Prof. George r. Israel, who had
graduated at Dickinson College at Carlisle. Pa. :.
as captain OF one Of the college companies.
battalion OF two companies, numbering about
forty each, was organized under Lieut.. Col
Israel. All those boys who could purchase
uniforms were placed in the picked" company
CA" and the others without uniforms in the
''nondescript" company C'B'0. By means Of
chase Of fifty old Austrian rifes. The COM
panies alternsted in the use of the rifles. At
the end of the year the uniformed company
gave most creditabie exhibition drill.
THE DRILL MASTER.
The next year Prof. Israel having by his
thoroughness made Prof Pauls scheme OF mill
tary drill a success was on account of his other
duties. relieved from the department of drill,
and the detail of retired army officer, Major
+. II. Bates, instructor was secured. One
hundred Springfield cadet rifles we're obtained
from the War Depar tEnent. Both companies
OF the battalion were In this year uniformed and
equipped. Major Bates not being experienced
in Uptons tactics requested Burton r. Ross,
then captain Of company B, Washington Light
Infantry, and now maj OF the first battalion
District Of Columbia National Guard, 20 assist
in preparing the companies for exhibition
drill. This led the next year to Major Ross
succeeding Major Bates as supervising COM
mandant and instructor. in which position he
has continued ever since. 1t has been the good
fortune of the writer to be associated with
several hundred officers OF the army and Of the
National Guard Of the various states, but among
that number he has seen few such born drill
masters as Major Ross.
In the fall of 1885 after three successful years
fifty more cadet rifles were secured and the
battalion was increased to four companies. In
1890 it still further increased to six colnpa-
MES. In 1892 additional rifles were obtained
by authority Of Congress, and a regiment of
eight companies was formed under command
of . cadet colonel with complete staff. The
growth Of the city, of the school and Of the
military organization have been rapid. but
healthy. At presen. there is a complete ba.tal-
ion of four companies under q cadet major at
the old or Central High School" The other
battalion Of the regiment consists Of two COM
panies from the Eastern High School, one from
the Western and one from the Business High
SCHOOL Besides these there is an independent
company at the Colored High School. From
the above an idea may be formed of how the
nations capital has kept pace with tho wonder
full growth Of our country.
ON MILITARY PRINCIPLES.
Drill in the Washington High Schools is con-
Quoted on thoroughly military principles
Each boy entering the drill signs articles OF
enrolment. and these after being approved by
his PARENT or guardian are filed at headquar-
tiers. No boy il permitted to absent himself
from drill without permission from the priu-
cipal. and this is difficult to obtain. Drills
take place after school on two afternoons of
each week. The PLAIN undress uniform OF dark
Glue, with forage cap, makes an economical
school suit.
The High School Cadets made their first
liz irtA Nov ,lt-,ey fha
picked company" to take part ina q. A. Il.
parade. The occasion was observed as a holi-
day in the school. In 1884 we instituted the
annual custom OF parad.ng as a battalion on
Washington's birthday. We also gave an ex-
hibision drill at school concert The schools
MOTT so large That this annual exhibition
drill takes place in one OF the city theaters and
is made competitive between the companies.
On saturday. February 81. 1885, We had no
oyercoats. but nevertheless marched on a bitter
cold day as part OF the escort at the dedication
OF the Washington monument. On March 4,
1885. We were in President Cleyeland's inaugural
parade and on May 30, 1885. gave tine first an
n1al exhibition parade in honor OF the city
officials.
At present two companies Of the District Of
Columbia National Guard are composed Of old
High School boys. 1t Ii expected thar this year
two more such companies will be formed and
all organized into battalion. Not only does
the wholesome training Of military drill make
boy grow to be better citizen by intoxicating
a greater respect TOR law and order, but in time
OF need it makes him more useful to the state.
PROF. Paul, the protector, and Prof. Israel,
the organizer Of the High School Cadets. lived
to zee only the beginning OF the realization Of
their plans. Both are dead. but their influence
for good still lives. Able successors have car
ried on the work so we'll begun and still teach
the High School boys that to be respected in the
community they must not only be thorough
In studies and attentive to drill, but must tell
the truth and love their countrv's flag