The Washington times., 1894-05-26
ALL HONOR TO COMPANY D
Cadets Of the Central School Garry
Off the Prize.
EAsrERNs CLOSE COMPETITORS
After Two Dsys Of Tactical Fighting the
Decision Il Made Commissioner Powell
Makes the Presentation Order Of Com
panies That Held the Prixe.

The students Of the Central high school gave
one vast shout OF triumph yesterday afternoon
when the judges Of the company competitive
drill at the baseball park announced company
D Of that school as the winning company.
For two days the excitement and enthusiasm
Of the four different schools had been at its
height, the boys had yelled themselves hoarse,
and the fairer spectators had waved innumer-
able handkerchief In their efforts to encour-
age their favorite companions, and for the
second time in four years the Central school
came into possession Of the prize flag, and for
the second time in the same period the Eastern
school has had to give it up, but only after q
close and bitter struggle.
Arrangements had evidently been made
with the weather bureau for better atmos-
pherc. as the sun beame1 warmly down upon
the occupants Of the field and bleachers as
the first company In the Anal contest wheeled
upon the green grass diamond. The COM
paniss which drilled yesterday were not
handicapped by drizzling rain or the soft
and muddy grounds that confronted the
cadets on the previous day, and only an ex-
perienced tactician could have noticed that
there was one better drilled company in the
first battalion than in the second.
Company G, Captain Page, was the first to
go upon the field yesterday, and the drill put
up was comparatively good, but the captain
carried his company over too much ground in
the movements. Their frings brought out
considerable applause. and deserved It, One
of the stacks fell down because il was poorly
made. In halting from double time one of the
front-rank men dropped his piece, but this was
hardly noticed, as ''lie down" was imme-
diately given. The first sergeant at open
ranks did not fall back to the proper distance
and also collided with the right guard in two
fours right about movements. When the
company wheeled by fours number Of the
men invariably looked to the marching flank
There was a certain amount Of confidence
In the bearing Of the members Of company D
as they came on, commanded by Capt Smith,
and II appeared not to have been misplaced
In contrast to the preceding company, DIS
movements were executed almost within the
baseball diamond, and the judges scored ac-
cordfngly. There were a number of individ-
ual and noticeable errors. When the COM
pany entered the file closers marched almost
four PAGES in the rear of the rear rank.
One Of the requisites of military company is
that tina, n the men shall Keep step, put this company
ranks the file closers were two PAGES back OF the
rear rank. instead of three A man in the front
rank fumbled his piece. Two men in the front
rank brought up their hands previous TO the
command 1T forward double time. Number one
man in the rear rank looked down 10 salty
notch his rife
supremacy, company would be wearing the
red ribbons and carrying ;he prize flag. As
Capt Test led his knights of the rifle out into
the arena an immense burst of applause
greeted him He hes only lad command of
his company for a few weeks, and the drill
put up reflects creditably upon both the
privates and the captain. number Of bad
breaks were made The nth man in the front
rank came TO carry twice instead Of order
Before the command ready given the
third man in the rear rank put his thumb on
the hammer Of his piece When the first four
was ordered up into line en- the right after pass
ing obstacle, the corporal anticipated the
and caused break.
The enthusiasts OF the First battalion placed
their hopes of victory on company A. Capt
Shuster. by the audience, it appeared TO be
the winning company, bus the general standing
was not az good as that OF company ID. In
10 the stack TO resume arms the ranks
were taken so close that the company halted
before the command was given, to keep from
knocking down a stack. Two men were unpre>
pared for close ranks.
At the conclusion OF the drill the regiment WAS
formed in the rear Of the grounds and the
judges withdrew TO compare their notes The |
Mount Pleasant Drum Corps, with forty-eight
boys in ranks. marched upon the field amid
cheers and took their position on the right OF |
the regiment Soon after she ilttio brown door |
en- erged. accompanied by Commissioner Powell |
and Dr. Lnld. who gas further accompanied !
with smile ~ satisfaction
The nine companies then marched forward in !
regimental front to within 100 yards of tho |
Judges when company W u narGhed forward !
and presented by Comfnis;cncr Powell with !
the red ribbons, the prize Tag. and the reputa- |
tion as the be drilled compsny il the regi- |
ment
Undoubtedly the closes. competitors in the |
drill were Companies + and c.. CT tae Eastern |
But as Capt. Ross the military instructor. af:er-
wards said, tho judges had iLeir own method Of /
marking, and what was done vas fair and
square.
The flag from the frs: vea- OF competition has |
been won by companies in the following order: |
} in 1893, GGt now d has I: again, and intends to
lold IL as long possible.