Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-04
Two Companies Possibly 0utrank
the Rifles.
FEELING AGAINST BRANCH GUARDS
Sham Battle to Be Fought This
Afternoon.
THOUSANDS ARE EXPECTED


Special Dispatch 10 The Eyeeing Star.
CAMP HANCOCK, St. Louis. No. July
4.-The National Rifles made an excellent
showing yesterday. and their soidierly
bearing ard precision of movement won
them deafc1irg applause. When the judges
handed the program to Capt. Manson he
was as cool as an iceberg. His solderly
bearing and centlenanly m!en have won
for aim IN ezviabie reputation among the
people of St. Louis in general. and the
ladies in particular. The company was
presented with an exquisite floral piece just
before going on the field. with the best
compliments and best wishes for its sue
cess from Mrs. J. L. d. Morrison. it's
chaperore The piece is a shield four feet
in height and about two and half feet at
the widest poirt. made of red carnations
and two swords in white carnations cross
ed over the center. 1t Is mounted on an
easel. which is covered with flowers and
evergreens The boys felt renewed
energy ard redoubled determination to win
after experiencing this mark of the esteem
of their chief lady of ceremonies.
From the very first tbs Rifles showed the
excellence of their drill Their line was
perfect. The manual of arms was gone
through with, and without the numbers i'll
the same COOL regular and perfect manner
when at home in the armory. In the
timing they came 10 within a step of the
regulation 100 10 the minute The platoon
movements were good. They made mag
niiicent showing.
Merits of Contestants.
The result of close observation of every
movement of every company would indicate
that in the success achieved the relative
positions occupied by the contestants would
be as follows:
First, the Branch Guards of st. Louis;
second, the Belknap Rifles. San Antonio
Texas: third the National Rifles, washing
ton, ID. C.. The other contestants were the
Bullene Guards, Kansas City: the Phoenix
Light Infantry, Dayton, Ohio; company T..
first infSntry, st. Louis. 1t would be diff
cult to assign a place to these. though it
is hardly safe to say that the st. Louis
company would rank at the head of the
three but neither of these companies could
be reckoned in the same class as the three
irst named.
As the Rides left the field handsome
bunch of Marechal Neil roses was handed
Capt ]. o. Manson with the compliments
of a Washington lady. They are proud OF
receiving this proof of the conStancy OF
their friends at home.
Lack of Hospitality Charged.
There is a great deal of feeling among
the visiting companies against the Branch
Guards Of this city. They have not been
in camp at ALL and the visiting military
their armory for the purpose of night
practice drills. and hence are laboring IN
der great disadvantages. Notwithstanding
this grea. advantage which they I'M
doubtedly possess over the visitors. they
did not put up a strict tactical drill but
one which took the grand stand. Although
1t is against the camp rules to have prac-
tice drills, it is alleged on good authority
that the Branches have had a drill at
their armory every night, and while the
full drill teams of the visiting organiza-
lions were passing through the painful
ordeal of street parade they were up in
their armcry drilling, with substitute
company picked from their surplus MEN,
bership filing their place in the parade.
Tney have extended none of The courtesies
of the camp or city to the National Rifles
nor any one else.
The sham Battle.
Immense crowds are arriving steadily in
anticipation of the sham battle, which
comes off at > O'Clock this evening Fully
10000 are expeeted. Numbers are here
from adjacent cities. The Governors Guard
of Memphis are here in good force visiting
the Nicely Zouayes OF their city.
Every member of the National Rifles is
in excellent health and ready to go in for
blood" on Saturday, the day of the maiden
infantry contest. They are the most pop
ular boys" in camp and are having an
excellent tine.
The Mount Pleasant Field Band is the
pet of the camp. The little fellows show
ed the regulars how to mount guard yes
terday. They are doing their native place
great credit, and little Charlie Madert, the
cornet sooist. is making decided hit
The National Rifles have just received an
invitation from he Anheuser Busch Brew
ing Co. to he their guests some time during
the encampment. and they all said Good