Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-12
THE NATIONAL RIFLES.
The Corps VIII Be n Valuable Addi-
ton to the ID. G. N. G.

tlOn 10 the u ". ".
The National Rifles, which as stated in
The Star Saturday is to join the District
National Guard, is probably one Of the
best-known military commands In the
United States. and certainly none enjoy
more enviable reputation than this fine
body Of well-drilled and well-disciplined SOL
diers. The company organization dates
from November, 1852 its original member
ship being largely made up of those who
have since gained reputation and fame and
fortune There have always been borne
upon its roster representatives Of the Oldest
and best-known families of the capital city,
and among some of them may be men
toned the late Capt John r. Smead of the
army, Dupont Davis, Ed I. Matthews, Col.
VIM. q. Moore. Rev. Charles March Pyne,
Col. w. X. Smedberg Of the army, Thomas
H. Alexander Maj. Marcellus Bailey, VIM.
d. Baldwin, DR.. George A Bentley, Joseph
Backwood A. Il. Britton, Capt. John T.
Larner, Col. Alex. j. Dallas and Col. ]. NJ.
Dresser of the army; Paymaster w; M.
Maynadier, Ex-Gov. A. r. Shepherd, Pay
master T. H. Stanton, Gilbert b. Towles,
Cook, Col. J. o. P. Burnside, Capt. James
F. oyster, j. o. Manson, Henry K. Simp-
son, ]. Henry Small. George w. Evans.
Edwin B. Hay, DR.. George N. Acker. VIM.
Schaeffer, Joseph McMakin. VIM. X. Men
denhall, Capt John b. Randolph, Robert b.
Cuttings, and host of others.
One of the First to Enlist.
1t was one of the first military COM
panies in the United States to enlist in the
service at the breaking out of the civil war
and the first armed military body to in
wade Virginia in 1861. After the expiration
of its three months service, many enlisted
for the war in other commands as officers
Of various grades; one rising to the rank
of brevet major general one breyet briga-
der general; two colonies; five lieutenant
colonies; six majors; nine captains, ana
three leutenantS To the navy the Rifles
gave one paymaster and one assistant en-
gineer. The Rifles have always borne the
reputation of being the kid-gloved military
command of the District and it's social
affairs have generally been recognized as
very select and have been patroniZed only
by the better class of people resident and
sojourning here.
Competitive Drills.
In former years it competed in interstate
and national drill contests for company
prizes, and was successful in several con-
tests Of that character. AS military body
it is well known in many parts of the
United States, having Travelled extensively
in both the east and west, making many
warm military and social friends wherever
it went.
= Financially, the command is in most COM
Portable circumstances, being the owner of
the valuable armory G street between
9th and 10th streets, which Is estimated to
be worth 100000, exclusive of its furnish
ing. The arnCry hall is popular and
FASH nable resort, all the strictly exclusive
social events, such as the Army and Navy,
and Bachelors germans, the charity balls
and the Rifles own receptions, being held
in 1t. The company also possesses two COM
plete sets of handsome uniforms; owns both
its arms and equipments and is altogether
prosperous in every sense of the word.