The Washington times., 1894-11-18

unnecessary to multiply examples, or to refer
to individuals: but it arises from the fact that
the product of the High School tyranny is TO
induce mere efficiency in drill. The young men
being destitute OF a conception of their obli-
cations. duties, and responsibilities, have no
practical knowledge of their calling, have no
respect for authority, and no regard for
discipline; and it is my experience that in the
ranks they form the least desirable class of
recruits. Now there are several reasons why
il will be impossible to maintain High
School battalion, even at the minimum num-
ber allowed by law to each company.
In the first place. there is not sufficient
number of High School boys who enter the
guard to exclusively recruit a battalion, and
in the next place if there was there is no
means to compel them to enter that particular
organization. Then again if il is to be an ex-
elusive organization all men who are not High
School men must be eliminated. Now here is
where the general has been misinformed. It
seems that his conclusion has been reached
on the basis that the companies expected to
| form the new battalion are composed at pres
ent mainly of this class The facts are just
the reverse. For instance, Company B, Third
Battalion. out of 40 men has six men who
have at some stage of their existence been in
the High School Cadets, and Company @. of
the same battalion, out of a strength of 60
men has Is men who are at present or have
DeeQ UeIDDeTs Ol the corps.
About the same proportion exists In Capt
Young's company of the Second Battalion, and
while the other young company of that bat
talon is composed almost entirely of that
class yet it is we'll understood that the COM
pany would be great deal better if it were
made up of ordinary material who were de-
voted to company and battalion work rather
than to competitive drills, where the incentive
is per capita division OF the prize money.
81 think the INST iS an aypallant indication
I of the future, and if boy companies are TO
find any place in the guard at ALL it would be
better to distribute them among the several
battalions, rather than to collect them in one.
The guard has passed out of the experimental
stage, and its condition at present may be
said to be that of evolution, and the course
proposed will be followed with interest"
THE LIGHT BATTERY.
Battery A, the only artillery organization
of the National Guard, is little over six
years old. 1t was organized July 16, 1898,
and its first commander was Capt. Arthur
Gates, now an officer in the regular Army.
The present captain is H. G. Forsberg. He
was elected to his present position March 7,
/ 1892 and is one of the most popular officers
| in the District He is a well-known business
man, being the senior member of the firm of
F! Forsberg & Murray.
Before Joining tne battery ne was an offlcer
| of the Engineer Corps of the National Guard,
and also member of the Presidents Troop
| or the city. He is an excellent officer, his
eminent business qualifications combining
well with his natural military tendencies.
| Senior First Lieut.. A. P. Robbins enlisted
! July Is, 1888. and was one of its organizers.
His energy and interest in all things con-
nected with the welfare of the command has
secured for him the position he now holds He
| is considered one of the ablest officers of the
brigade.
Junior First Lieut.. J. Howard Griffiths is
! also an old member of the battery, having en-
listed February %, 1889, and has held all the
! positions in the battery, from that of private
/ to his present rank. He was commissioned
! second lieutenant June "a, 1898, and in his
F., honor the battery camp of that year at Mar
| shall Hall was named Camp j. H Griffiths "
| He is a competent officer.
Second Lieut.. Thomas Moron was elected
to his present position in July of this year.
| He has held the position of corporal and
sergeant, and is well qualified for his present
position tom" is quite a favorite with the
| men.
The following is the roster of the enlisted
men of the battery: First Sergt. Milo Quack-
! enbush, Qmr. Sergt. J. S. Biondi, Saddler
/ Sergt. W. A. Fry, Sergt. J. w. Murray, Sergt.
J. G. Tappan, Corp. w. /. Henderson. Corp.
/ w. I. Pierce, Corp. E. Z. Longley; musicians,
A. G. Pickells and G. n. Fraser; privates, E.
yTAT DT nv DTtT1n