Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-18

ana their nome city.
Speaking Of the champions. the Evening
Scimitar saysl
Capt Domers famous National Fenci.
bles drilled hard for fully an hour. though
they do not seem to need any practice.
capt Domer has wonderful control OF his
men, and the company II not only finely
drilled, but y one OF the best disciplined
the general opinion that the race for the
free-for-an prize lies between the Fenci-
pies. chicks, company B, Galveston. and
mccarthy Light Guards. but there are
many who believe the Mortons and Thurs
tons are dangerous factors and may get
slice Of the pie"
The Morton Cadets. the babies Of the en-
campment, have become unprecedentedly
popular with every one, not only with the
memphis people, but also with the rival
companies IN camp. Extravagant bets are
made on all sides and 1t Is not an infre-
quent occurrence to hear the admirers Of
the boys declare that the Mortons will take
nrst place In the big drill Col Kellogg in
command OF the regular troops encamped
mere, mas expressed the greatest admiration
Tor the company. as have Gen. Snowden and
the members of his staff, Col. Howard Of
tne fourth Maryland infantry. and. in fact
tne majority OF the many well-known army
men in attendance.
Praise for the Mortona.
In its report of the drills in class B the
Commercial-Appeal said: =
THE Morton Cadets, that excellent young
company from the nations capital, which
has sprung into almost marvellous popular
lily during its stay in the city, came next
upon the drill ground, marching in perfect
manner, which manifested the greatest pos
sible self-possession.
inspection of the Mortons took thirteen
minutes, and the manual which followed
was well executed, and in it's course the
company gave the swivel stack with bay
onets, something which is not often done.
valA
Their firing was excellent, the precision of
the movements being admirable and at
times surprising, and the rise from the fir
ing when lying down proved to be accom-
plished in a faultless manner In the exc
cution OF the program their step was exact
ly up to requirements, and their line at all
times beautiful. In double quick the cadets
appeared to great advantage, their arms
swinging perfectly in cadence and the halt
beng noticeably good.
Other remarkably good features of their
drill were the formation Of company from
columns of fours and the manual Of arms
while on the march. Too much praise can
hardly be given the Mortons on account of
their exhibition yesterday. 1t was impos-
SINE TO discover company error, and the
individual mistakes were very rare and Of
little Importance. They are making a
highly creditable record here. and will GER
tainly stand well up in A class, If their
drill in that equals in excellence their work
in classes B and C. The Mortons finished
the program seven minutes before the ex-
piration of the allotted time, and Capt.
Shilling put his company through several
extra movements. all of which will count
in his favor"
In the same issue the following appeared:
mo company in camp is more observant
of the rules of self-preservation than tie
Mortons. They conduct their own COM
missary, and it is excellently done, and
none of the youngsters seem inclined to
frequent the flowing bowl. The regular
ity of their habits doubtless has much to
do with the excellence of their drills
A Long Program.
A feature of the contests for infantry
companies has been the length and COM
pleteEcss of the drill programs. After I'M
dergoing rigid inspection occupying about
| fifteen minutes. the companies have then
Leen drilled constantly for fully forty-five
| minutes. not a moments rest being given.
The work of the judges has also been of
the most particular nature. The sights Of
the rites are always carefully examined, to
see If they are elevated to the proper scale
In the firings, and Lieut.. Chandler went SO
far "Wednesday as to ask a Morton Cadet
the number stamped on the breech-block of
his rifle. NO 109,3t6" was the prompt
ply. 1t was correct and the judge smiled
approvingly. The programs in classes A,
B and are practically, If not exactly. the
same.
Camp Recreation.
The District lads do not lack amusement
airy band from jefferson barracks is alone
worth the price of admission to the grounds
to see. He is as straight as an arrow. and
in dress parade leads the band up and
down the line with stride and flourish of
his saher that has made him the envy OF
every soldier in camp. Inspired by the ap-
pearance of the musicians at the evening
ceremony, the Fencibles have organized a
cavalry band, with Private Swigart as
drum major and Private Pistol as band
sergeant Attired in costumes that dis
count Hub Smiths famous country band,
and provided with tin basins and clippers
as instruments, the Fencibles' band gives
concerts in the company street daily at IL
am. The boys are hopeful that before the
close of the week Drum Major Swigart will
have become as proficient as the cavalry
leader in handling his saber. The exhibit
tons are extremely ludicrous and never
fa1l to attract the entire camp to the Fencl-
bleS quarters.
The Neeley Zouaves are the center of
attraction for the Morton Cadets. The
Mortons never before witnessed a zouaye
drill, and during the exhibition of Captain
Defney's experts Monday every Morton's
eye was riveted on the pseudo Turks. Prf-
vate Babcock Immediately organized
zouave team and every spare moment in
the daytime since then and at all hours of
the night selected number of cadets are
vaultiDg benches. firing to the rear and
executing other startling maneuvers with
creditable proficiency. By reason of the
cold weather huge camp fires burn each
night in the company streets, and that
fact has been an excuse for the Mortons
to hold spectacular Indian war dances at
most unseemly hours.
The Fencibles have taken the initia tive
in enlivening drill moments by tossing the
colored walters and vendors about camp
in blankets. An elaborate system has been
na ugurated to lure the unsuspecting vic
Tins into the company street. Once within
the limits there is no escape. and great
has been the fun provided in this way,
tossed eXCentIQn.
submitted gcod-naturedly.
On Dress Parade.
Dress parade each evening is beautiful
spectacle and Is always witnessed by large
throngs of people Heretofore the United
States cavalry troops have not participated
in the ceremony. but there has been such
pressure brought to bear upon the manage
ment that Col. Kellogg has consented to
have the cavalrynen participate in the
spectacle hereafter.
A great feature of the encs mpment is the
presence of two companies of confederate
veterans, wearing old uniforms CT gray and
drilling according to Hardee's tactics.
Every veteran is over sixty years of age,