The Washington times., 1894-12-23
CAPT. JOHN W. PARSONS.

CAPT. JOHN W. PARSONS
was called upon by Secretary Carlisle TO
tender his resignation. On October 30, 1893.
he was commissioned by President Harrison as
first lieutenant and quartermaster of the
Sixth Battalion. to fill an original
vacancy. He also carried commissions iron
Presidents Arthur Cleveland and Harrison
as notary publ, for the District OF Columbia
In 1869, when oEly sixteen years Old, he be-
came a member Of the famous Fifth Mary
land Regiment. then being reorganiZed under
the command OF that gallant old Confederate
veteran, Col. james L. Herbert. During bis
periods Of duty ashore he gave constant and
faithful attention TO his military duties until
1875, when he resigned In 1877, he married.
and shortly afterward moved with his family
to Washington. where be has since resided.
During It portion of the year 1892. while
quartermas,er of the battalion he Was de-
tailed to take command OF Company c. the
original War DepaFtment Rifles and ike
cuted his trust so efficiently that at the an
nuHl muster he had every nan present and
maize the largest turnout ever known III the
history OF the company up to that time
In September, 1888, he was commiss .onei as
captain o Company by President Cleveland,
and very recently has been assigned TO duty
as a member OF the Brigade Board o. Exami-
nation. He asO occupies the honorable and
responsible position OF secretary OF the Off
ttIS 8S>OclaEEOH 81 tht second regiment. OF
which Col. Clay is resident. Capt. Parsons
IS Wei known Tor his unfagging and unre-
mitting attention to all duties entrusted TO
him and by his courteous and q able man
ners has made many friends ong
the officers ana men OF the National
Guard. Tie rank and file OF his own com
pany have Loyalty supported him every
steo he has eyey taken in the furthe-ance Of
its interests. and in compliment to its 90 =
malting officer has unanimously named the
organization after him-PaTson Volunteers
despi @ his protest AMI his suggestion of
another title. That this company will be
heard from in Il manner satisfactory - its
friends is ev denced by the constant a,ces-
sions to its membership OF new material and
the sure hut steady development Of its drill
team" under the able supervision OF Lieut..
.. V. Chisholm, Capt. Parsons right-hand
bower.
TIE TRJGADE ToARD.
There is a great deal of talk in the guard
about the letter Capt Edwards has written TO
the u.,jutant general criticising the b1igaie
examining board. ard asking for new ex-
animation or one OF his non-cc mmissioned
Office Every one is waiting " III interest to
I see what the GU come VII be. Ii is said thar
/ one o. the questions 10 which Capt. Edwards
! objected was: IS ate tie difference between
/ the militia and the national guard. It's a so
( said that il Capt. Edwards request is granted
and written examination given the canDi-
/ date il will he a most severe one. Ali kind OF
surmises are being induged in. ani officers
! have all sorts theories. The members OF
/ the board have nothing to say or they know
nothing OF it officially. Ii it wee called to
/ their attention officially or by publication
! then they would ieei like taking some ste!
! in tho mater, but as it IS they must keep their
I mouths closed.
Lieut.. Mattingly, Company p. of Third
! Battalion. took his company out for q prar-
! tce march last night to Glen Echo. They
| marched all the way and spent The night in
camp. They march back some tine this af
| ternoon. These practice marches are much
! enjoyed by the boys ami does them a great
deal OF good. There was no hesitancy at
headquarters in granting them permission.
| This battalion is fond OF these practice
| marches. ami this is rot the first that so-e of
the companies have taken. Company was
! drilled in extended order movements, and
ammunition issued for this purpose. The boys
carried their rations in their haversacks and
camped in the amphithealer
The Sixth BGttaien held its usual monthly
drill at the Center Market Armorv on Weines-
day evening. l; tn instant, Major George \.
Bartlett in command. The Mount Pleasant
! Drum Corps was in attendance with full
ranSs. The ceremony of dress para ;e was
gone through twice, and barring a few minor
errors. was weli done The baltal on turned
out win luur con ptnleS, Out me attendaECe
in the ranks WAS small and not up to the
usual standard in po nj of numbers. 1t IS
understood. however. that number OF the
en-, clerks and others. are ut this season of
the year employed during the evenings, and
hence are unable 20 attend drills.
Battalion DIR il was INDUCED in after dress
parade and the movements rs executed
clearly indicated that the lessons of Camp
Bake" had not been entirely lost upon the
members of the battalion who attended the
"camp of instruction" The deploymen
from column in.o line were especially well
done. so much so rs to call forth enthusia tic
comments from Ma or Bartlett as also were
the movements in closing column ON ilrst and
fourth companies, forming line TO the ri hi
and left from column of fou S. and the
changes OF direction. bat the right and Left
fronts .nto line from columns of fours were
somewhat ragged and could be easily i'm
proved upon. The acoustic properties of he
drill hall are not of the best and it was no
ticed that there was some difficulty expert
enced in understanding the commands. 9th
on the part of the OF. ers aHi men. Take il
all in all. the drill was fairly ereditabie per-
Torrance.
Notes from the Commands.
oia T.. he Of fhn Dot