Evening star., 1895-06-01
THE NATIONAL GUARD
The Coming Encampment and the
Effect of the Attendance.
THE DISCIPLINE In TIE BRIGADE
Ambition Among the Local Guards
men to Achieve Glory.
N NOTFS OF IN IT F. r F 6 IT
NOTES OF INTE R E S T

l
and attention of headquarters officers and
clerks almost completely just at present,
| and. everyb body will continue busy until the
| time for departure for the big outing. The
| official order will be issued in few days,
and then the commanding officers of regi-
| ments, battalions and companies, well
| as the enlisted men, will become acquainted
| with the program and be informed of what
| they are to do.
The IS per cent attendance requirement
| of Gen. Ordway is the cause of considerable
| thinking, and 1t is more than probable that
| an effort will be made to have the figure
| lowered. At a meeting of the officers of
| the first regiment Wednesday evening the
| subject was discussed at length, but no
conclusion was reached as to the course, IL
| any. to be taken. At this meeting Capt.
{. 5. Domer of company c, second bat
| TALON stated that it would be absolutely
| impossible for 80 per cent of the members
of his command to go to Fort Washington,
| so that If the general sticks to what he has
said, it is foregone conclusion that the
company which for three years held the
championship of the United States, and
which is generally known throughout the
| country, will be mustered out. There are
several other organizations similarly cir
cumstanced. and unless the powers that
be relent, anxious times are ahead.
Music will not be lacking during the en-
campment, for the National Guard Band
is holding daily rehearsals at the armory
and Prof Schroeder intends that the work
of his musicians shall be first-class.
Importance of Discfplfne,
That much higher standard Of disci-
pline is possible for the National Guard
than now prevails was most conclusiyely
demonstrated by the Thurston Rifles of
state drill, that company carrying off the
cash prize of $500 offered for the best dis
ciplned company in camp. During the out
ing of eleven days not one enlisted man
OF the company was seen in conversation
with commissioned officer, all business
between the men and the captain being
transacted through the first sergeant A
moment after. reveflle in the morning the
company was a stir, and soon thereafter
Its camp was thoroughly policed.
At certain fixed times each day the COM
pany was formed and. under command of
the first sergeant, marched to the mess
hall for meals, Seats were taken by COM
mand, and the organization invariably de-
parted from the mess hall in manner SIM
liar to that pursued in approao hing it,
When taps sounded silence Immediately
reigned in the temporary home of the
Thurston Rifles. and the same state of
affairs continued until reveille. Many off,
GERS In attendance at Camp Schofeld We're
of the opinion that the ideal discipline de-
scribed had much to do with the success
OF the company in the competitive drills
A prominent staff officer of the District
that it is only a question of time before
the discipline in the local brigade will be
noticeably bettered. During the coming
encampment. of course, the change in the
methods now prevailing in the armory will
be most apparent. Then 1t is a certainty
that soon after the return of the soldiers
from Fort Washington an order will he
issued concerning discipline in the armory
Some day." said the officer mentioned
some captain of some company of the
guard will convince his men that army
discipline Is the proper thing for success
That company will soon take first place
among the organizations of the District
militia, and then discipline will become
contagious. AS a result the guard will be
as near perfect as it is possible to make It
and am sure that the time is bound to
come"
Looking for LnureIs.
The ambition Of the local guardsmen to
achieve glory and win cash on the COM
petitive drill field has noticeably increased
since the victorious return of company A,
third battalion. from the recent big contest
at Memphis. The National Rifles as here
tofore announced in The Star. have decided
to send team to the interstate drill and
encampment to be held in the fair grounds
at St. Louis July l to next. Lieut.. Man.
son has been at work for several evenings
during the week with the material at his
disposal, and expects to mold a team into
such shape that it will carry off satisfac-
tory honors in what is thought will be one
of the biggest friendly military strfes of
recent years. 1t may be stated, on the best
authority, that company A fourth battal-
ion, will not visit the Missouri city, al
though many of the members are heartily
in favor of going.
1t is rumored that company d, fourth
battalion, has practically concluded to be
among the competitors of the National
Rifles, and is already drilling for the event,
but Capt. Williams and his soldier lads are
maintaining their characteristic silence,
and will neither substantiate nor deny the
rumor. Another possibility is company B,
third battalion. Capt. Mattngly declares
that the only factor that can be successf full
in keeping his company at home is lack
of necessary cash. In case of failure to go
to ST. Louis, the company Is determined to
attend the interstate drill of 1885, wherever
1t may be held.
The Tennessee Champions.
The members of the companies which
participated in the recent Memphis inter
state drill will be particularly interested to
know that in all probability the crack
companies of Tennessee will come together
in Memphis before June 10, to decide the
championship of the state; the proposed
contest being a direct outcome of the big
drill.
The famous Chickasaw Guards prior to
the encampment of a few weeks ago, held
undisputed title to the championship of the
state, but since the event and the places
given to the ChlckaSawS and the Gov
ernor's Guards, respectively, it is said that
the latter has not alone manifested de-
termination to claim the championship, but
other organizations in Tennessee have
sought to take the title from the pride of
Memphis.
The Chickasaws hold that the late drill
was solely interstate affair, and the
championship of the state was not in ques-
ton, but The Governors Guards and the
other companies claim that 70 matter what
was in issue the Governors bested the
Chicks by two points, and, therefore, are
entitled to the championship. This has
rather perturbed the Chicks. so Capt Kyle
g. few days ago addressed circular letter
to the organized companies of the National
Guard, state of Tennessee, announcing that
he Is willing to defend the title against all
companies of the state, and is anxious to
compete for the honor, championship
medal and an entrance fee of $500. All
Memphis is highly wrought up over the
matter, and the next step is awaited With
more than passing interest
In Place of Company d.
Company D, sixth battalion, at a meet
ing Tuesday evening last decided to dis
band. and such action will probably be ac-
complished by the Individual discharge or
transfer of the members to other COM
paries. This company was organized about
two years ago and known outside Of Ma