Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-28
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Despite Co1ey's Approach There Is
No Startling Information.
A NEW Gun IN TOWN
Sharpshooters and Mafksmsn Of
Maj. RevelIs' Battalion Decorated.
NOTES FROM TILE ARMORIES

~
The first of the new magazine rifles with
which the army and national guard will be
supplied arrived last week. and have been In
spected by q good many Of the ''sharpe' Of
the brigade. 1t has every appearance OF being
an irreproachably good weapon. but until
the ammunition arrives and the gun has
been tested by some Of the crack marks
men no one can do any more than guess as
to the accuracy Of the work 1t will DO. As
q weapon 1t is unquestionably a long way
ahead OF the old Springfield, but as an, in
strument for those who delight to drill 1t
VIII probably be voted a failure. Garry
arms" is practically impossible, because Of
the projecting bolt and the magazine, 80 4
revision Of the drill REGULATE tons win speedily
be In order. The new rife will demand
much more care than was given the old one,
as the bolt work and magazine present 30
much more Of surface for dust and moisture
to act upon. OF course the National Guard
VIII not be likely to get these guns until
1919, 30 there Is no necessity for figuring on
what Will have to be done when they are
issued; but It is sure that periodical and
frequent inspections will be necessary to
keep the rifles in first-class condition.
The Bay State VIII Mobilize.
A mobilization Of the military forces Of
massachusetts, IL being planned for some
day In October, which will take the place of
the annual fall drills of the various or
CARNATIONS. 1t Is proposed to gather all
the troops at points in the vicinity Of Bos-
ton. and after executing a number of ma
reuvers in grand and minor tactics, to as,
semble the forces and move upon the city
from number Of selected strategic points,
viau re- aaaI M
naval brigade will attack the city from the
harbor. and the stan departments as well
as the signal and ambulance corps, will be
called upon to DO some lively work. The
new mess kits will be used on this occasion
and the men will be Instructed in the best
methods OF preparing their food the regula-
ton ration being issued for them to pre-.
Fare. A number Of other new ideas will be
tested at this time, and the result will be
watched with close interest by specially de-
tailed officers. The experience of the mill
TIA OF the western part of the state at for
mer nominations at Boston has not been
exactiy OF the pleasantest kind, but the
rovel features Of this occasion will compen.
safe Tor any discomforts endured, ana in
any case the western Massachusetts, boys
may be relied upon to render irst-class SER
vice.
Crosses ana Buttons Distributed.
There was large attendance Of the Menu
bers OF the first separate battalion at the
0 street Armory last night. the occasion
being the presentation Of sharpshooters
crosses and marksmen's buttons to those
VINO mad captured them by good work dur.
ing the rfne-practice season Of 1893. Mai
Hevelis was In command. and under his
escort, Col. Clay Of the second regiment
MAJ. Geo. H. Harries, inspector general Of
rine practices. and Capt James Z. Bell. IN.
spector OF rife practice for the second reei-
ment, proceeded to the locker room, on the
pany had formed the battalion in close
column OF companies, the meaeer space nro-
hioiting any other kind Of formation. Maj
i, addressed the battalion on the SUBJ
Ject or greater fidelity to rife practice ana
when he concluded, the badges were present.
ed by Lieut.. F. J. Cardozo, the ba tteIion IN
spector OF rife practice. Maj. Revells then
called upon Col Clay and Capt. Bell for
gooo aovlce ana got large quantity of
what he asked for. both speeches being prac-
teal and pointed. A frst-class band rem
dered very acceptably couple of selections.
and ranks were broken after the baftsuon
had given an exhibition Of steadiness tba
ike or which Is not often seen In volunteer
troops.
A New Field Ambulance,
The war Department in Washington win
receive from the agent of the Society of
the Red Cross, in Berlin. a very interesting
model of new field ambulance. which
promises to work a complete change in the
ones used at present DR.. Palmer. of
Biberach, Germany, has invented a CON-
trivance, which is said to overcome all i'm
PROJECTIONS of the old ambulance. 1t is a
sort OF litter made in three separate parts
THESE parts the inventor intends to be made
of aluminium. combining lightness as well a.
durability. but they can also be made of
iron, bamboo, or other suitable material
A complete ambulance, or litter. Is very
quickly formed by joining three sections to-
ge.her' Tor which purpose each part is pro-
vided with interlocking automatic fasfan.
ings. On both sides are attached four rings.
through which carrying poles are slipped:
this being done, the new field ambulance is
complete When on the march all the cum
bersome Inconvenience Of the old clumsy
analr Is done away with. Each man takes
a part or this new ambulance on HIS back
carrying 1t with his knapsack The poles
are also divided into three sections and ea ch
part slipped into a socket when not In ,,.e
When not needed for actual use II can he
stored In very little space. about thirty
or the new ambulances not occupying mora
room than one OF the old style.
Notes.
A new knapsack for the militia Of Penn.
sylvania has been adopted. A bnapsa 81, Is
a great convenience to soldiers ON ordina rv
duty. even in time of war, but during the
rebellion the soldiers discarded them when
ever an active campaign with long marches
was started. A rolled blanket containing
change Of Undertaking and a few other
necessaries, was thrown over the shoulders
and was made to serve the purpose OF
knapsack. The latter. however. is n great
convenience. and may be regarded n. a.
necessity for soldiers who are not continu-
ously on the march or In line of hattie for