Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-04
MILITIA AT MEMPHIS
Interest Increasing in the Approach
ing Interstate Drill.
LOCAL CONTESTANTS WORKING HARD
Lively Competition Assured for the
Valuable Prizes Offered.
TENCIBLES IN FINE FETTLE

One week from today. unless something
unforeseen occurs to prevent, the cham
pion National Fencibles and the Morton
Cadets of this city will report in Memphis
for the big interstate drill There seems to
S)e no doubt that the drill will be the most
important event in Its line that has taken
place for years. Lieut.. Gen. Schofield, the
head of the army, with his staff, will be
present to review the militia assembled
from every quarter of the United States.
Union officers of the late war of national
reputation will visit Memphis, and there
will also be in attendance the most dis
tinguished survivors of the military army
of the confederacy. Artillery, cavalry and
infantry companies of the regular army
will be in evidence. The competition for
prizes offered will be very lively, and it Is
expected that the contests will develop in
the highest degree the solderly character
OF young America.
Local Hopes Are High.
The Fencibles and the Mortons have been
working in a manner during the past five
weeks that would make the proverbially
Industrious beaver appear like laggard.
Every evening both organizations have de-
voted several hours to drilling, and 1t is the
general opinion now that the Fencibes
cannot be surpassed. OF course, with their
lack of experience, the Morton Cadets have
been unable to reach that stage of perfec-
ton that characterzes the champions but
the boys confidently expect to have no diff
fculty whatever IN carrying off the first
prize in the maiden drill; to be as success
full in the class for companies that have
never won first or second prize in an in
terstate competition, and to make a good
showing in the contest for the champion
ship of the United States.
Departure OF the FencibIes
The National Fencibles, with a drill team
of forty men, five substitutes and two
porters, will leave Washington over the
Southern railway Thursday evening next
at 1913 o'clock, in Pullman sleepers, and
are due at Memphis Saturday morning, the
opening day of the drill, at 7:4O O'clock To
the outer sides of the car will be attached
huge streamers bearing the words Ma
tional Fencbles. Washington, D. O." in
order that the folks along the way may
know what a distinguished party IS PASS
ing through their locality. In the way of
uniforms the Fencibles will take with them
the full dress company uniform of green
and gold, with helmets and white plumes;
the company black fatigue uniform, Ma
tional Guard fatigue attire, white duck
trousers and new company fatigue caps
AS the drill in each class will follow i'm
medlately after the close of inspection, the
company finds 1t necessary to be inspected
in other than full dress, and therefore will
probably report to the judges for their
scrutiny in white duck trousers, National
Guard fatigue blouses and new company
caps. Second Lieut.. Dunn will act as a
surgeon In case such services are required
The Fencibles will leave Memphis Monday
evening. May 20. or the following morning
and perhaps spend day in Atlanta on The
return trip.
How the Cadets VIII Travel.
On the same train with the older COM
pany will travel the Morton Cadets, con-
sisting OF drill team of forty men. five