Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-16
The Coming Militia Contest in July
at Little Rock, Ark.
THE FENCIBLES AND ENMEr GUARDS
Preparing by Nightly Drills to Win
Prizes and Glory.
LOCAL INTEREST AROUSED

are enjoying a great boom in various por-
tons Of the United States. and particularly
so in Washington. This unusual state Of af-
fairs is due mainly to the preparations for
the coming interstate drill and encampment
to be held at Little Rock, Ark. from July
to Z. inclusive. 1t has caused the District
of Columbia National Guard to bristle with
excitement. or course the National Fenci-
bles, the champions of all America, are 60
ing to do their best to retain possession of
the Galveston semi-centennial champion
ship cup. which now adorns their hand
some armory, and additional interest is
added to the affair by the announcement
that the popular and noted Emmett Guard
will positively journey to the city Of roses
certainly bring back the first prize in the
maiden drill and possibly give Capt Do
mer's men a close pull for FIRST honors In
the big contest.
Both the Fencibles and the Emmets have
already knuckled down to hard work, which
is to continue steadily for almost two
months. The formal challenge to the Fen
cibles. as champions. reads follows:
Capt. {. S. Domer, Commanding National
Fencibles. Washington. ID. c.:
Sir-At the request of the Little Rock
Drill Association, and IN accordance with
the rules governing contests for the Gal
weston semi-centennial championship cup"
i hereby challenge the National Fencibles
to drill for same at the interstate drill to be
held at Little Rock, Ark. July to T. in
elusive. Kindly let me hear from you at as
early date as possible.
Very respectfully. Your obedent servant,
Captain. Comd'g Mccarthy Light Guard.
To the above Capt Wing added a personal
communica ton, which reads:
Dear Captain-I suppose you have re-
(0iyad af he .lrfn 40 a 1afl ho~>
July, and i certainly hope you have decided
to come. Ii is the wish of the board of d.
rectors TO have the championship cup here
to be competed for, and as a matter Of form
they have asked me to challenge your COM
pany to contest for 1t. az under the rules
issued by the ad1utant general of Texas
that seems to be necessary. You will. of
course understand that this Ii entirely
matter of form and not a question OF the
McCarthys only. as IL is not yet decided
whether We will enter the drill or not
presume you are coming, the railroad
people tell me you have been figuring on
rates We certainly hope there will be no
cubt about IL. as we remember very kindly
the pleasant relations existing between
your company and our own at Omaha, and
We Will be glad to have an opportunity of
giving you a generous southern welcome.
Your company is spoken of very highly
here and everybody wants to know II you
are coming. / inclose prospectus of the drill
in case you have not received one. I will
be glad to give YOU any information you
may need. Please remember me kindly to
your officers and command"
The Feacfbles VIII Go.
The members Of this crack organization at
a recent meeting. by a unanimous and en-
thusiastic vote. instructed Capt. Domer to
accept the challenge and formally enter the
company for competition. The command
Immediately thereafter. commenced active
training and will drill five nights each week
OF May. with nightly drills In June, ex-
elusive of Sundays. This will result in
forty-two drills. which should put the COM
pany in championship form. The active
training for the Omaha contest consiste ed
only OF twenty-eight consecutive drills, bug
this year II is the desire to attain perfection
and hence the hard work mapped out. The
state of Texas will make a herculean effort
to regain possession OF the Galveston cup,
which has been lthout its borders since
1891. and for that purpose intends sending
its three best organizations-the Belknap
Rifles OF San Antonio. the Seeley Rifles OF
Galveston and the Houston Light Guard
whose record in drills prior to 1857 is most
brilliant. What can be attained by this
company under the new drill regulations
remains TO be seen; but II they would re-
trieve the lost honors of their state and the
Galveston cup they must come near the
mark of perfection In the interpretat ton and
execution OF the program. which will he
prepared by the judges OF the contest who
will be detailed from the regular army
The prospectus Of the Drill Association
says: THE encamrment will continue from
July to I. Inclusive. during which time
drills representing every branch Of the sery-
ice will be given. The best military com
panies OF our land will meet in friendly vet
desperate conflict for supremacy chaupion-
. ship of the United States and possession OF
the Galveston Semi-Centennial cup now the
coveted property of the National Fencibles
OF Washington. d. G. The object OF This
Interstate drill is three-fold
Il, A desire on the ma of he rt.i1aos 80
Little Rock to entertain the militia OF he
country In return for the many acts OF
Kindness and attention shown her own SOL
diers when participating In drill contests
and to advertise our city and states won,
derful and various resources
~. An Incentive to advancement and nro
hciency In the science OF arms of the cid
zen soldiers of the Union through emula tion
and friendly competition.
j. The massing OF representative men
comprised In the volunteer organizations In
the faternal association of a camp where
they may better appreciate one another ma
learn mutual reliance should the nati,nal
reserve ever be called to stand shoulder 70
shoulder In defense OF their common coun-
try"
The Prises ORered.
Grand interstate infantry drill. Omen "a
all regularly organized infantry companies
of the National Guard OF the United States
the minimum number OF each company To
consist Of one captain. two lieutenants. 1--WE
sergeants and thrty-two men in line ffour
sets of fours, double rank).
FIRST prize Galveston cup and cham
piohslP .'''-'-.-.....--.........-. 90
y. ..-..-............. SOO.OO
hIiN pc ................. sOO.uU
Grand interstate Maiden infantry drill
Open to all companies of the National
Guard OF the United States that have never
won prize In an interstate drill, or a FIRST
prize in a maiden state or Interstate drill.
minimum number OF each company TO con-
sist of one captain. two lieutenants. 1--WE
sergeants and twenty-four men In line.
| Credit to be given for additional men in
line.
First prize. 500; second Prize, 800: third
Prize. 500; fourth prize. sl5o; nth prize
500; sixth prize. $50.
Grand interstate artillery drill. Open to
all artillery companies OF the National
Guard Of the United States; minimum num-
| Der OF each company to consist OF one COM
| misstoned officer. one gunner one caisson
| corporal and seven connoneers. Only one
detachment from any one company will be
permitted to enter. No horses will be used
in the competitive drill. The piece used
] will be the United States regulation three
| inch rified gun. which must be brought by